ABSTRACT OF PEKING GAZETTES, August 31st.—(1) Memorial from the Censor Tien Han-chih praying that. the practice of going out to meet or escort their superiors beyond the limits of their respective jurisdictions, to which local provincial authorities have become addicted, may be strictly prohibited. There is a law to the effect that the local authority of any place may go to the distance of one or two li from the town at which he is stationed, either to meet or escort upon his way the Governor-General or Governor of a neighbouring province who may pass through his jurisdiction. Provincial Commissioners and Intendants of Circuit, again, are permitted to send an escort as far as the boundary of the province to meet a newly appointed Governor-General or Governor to the province in which they are serving; and Prefects, Sub-Prefects, department and district Magistrates, are permitted to go ten li from their yamens, provided they remain in the limits of their own jurisdiction, to meet their provincial chief In spite of these positive regulations, to which the most strict obedience should be paid, the memorialist has heard that whenever a high oficial passes through Chili, the Commissioners and the Head Intendant of Circuit go to meet them with a staff of officers from the provincial capital as far as Ta-chi Tien, 25 Ni westwards from the provincial capital, to Ts'a0-ho Tien, 25 li in a northerly direc tion, or eastwards, to Pan-chiao Tsun, 401i. The example set by these officers is emulated by the lower territorial authorities, all of whom go beyond the limits of their jurisdictions to meet high officials or speed them on their way. When the Governor-General Li Hung-chang returns annually from Tientsin to Pao-ting Fu, the military authorities of the later city' come out to meet him to a distance even of one, or some eases, two hundred li, while the expectant Taotais, Prefects and Magistrates even go as far as 'Tientsin to meet him, to the neglect of their public duties and' the utter disregard of the postal horses that are worn out in these long journeys. (For decree see Gazette of 21st August.)
Wu Tsan-ch'éng, Superintendent of Arsenal at Foochow, reports the death of adler General Wu Shih-chung, Captain of the steam war vessel Yang Wu, while on board the steam vessel Mei Yun at sea. The deceased officer had gone out in the latter vessel on the 13th March to the rescue of government salt junk that had anchored off Sung Hsia Ao AP. 7A in a leaking condition, in too shallow water for the Yang Ww to get to her. On the arrival of the Mei Yiiw a heavy fog came on, and for a number of days she could not return. At last, on the 19th, seeing the critical po: tion in which the junk was lying, Wu Shih-chung prayed to the spirits for clear weather, which he was waiting for with his anchor up, when he was suddenly struck down by apoplexy (7) Bi est became insensible, and died. The Lieutenant of the Mei Yun, having reported the circumstance to memorialist, he ordered the vessel back, and directed the relatives of Wu Shih-chung to give him a fit and proper burial. A short history of the career of the deceased is given. His first command was the steam vessel Ch'ang Sheng, on board of which he did good service in the capture of pirates, In 1809 he was sent to Siam by hen Pao-cheng to buy spars, and, subsequently, was placed in command' of the AMei-yun and sent to cruise in the Chekiang waters. He was then transferred to the Fei-yun and stationed at Chefoo for a while, being, in course of time recalled to the arsenal by Ting Jih-ch'ang to superintend the steamship building department, and to go out to the rescue of native and foreign vessels. In 1876 he was transferred to the Yang iw and created superintendent of naval drill, During the last ten years he has endured much hardship, and, although he never complained, his constitution had become gradually impaired. Before startig to the rescue of the salt junk, he had just returned from Taiwan with the steamer Hai-ching that had been disabled, in tow.* The posthumous honors allotted to a provincial Commander-in-chief, who dies on his station after a distinguished career, are solicited for the deceased and granted by Rescript.
(8) Memorial from Sung Kuei, Imperial Resident in Tibet. The Tungshangchilung Hut'uh'kt'a Awang panctiench'dchichientsan, President of the Shangshang, or Treasury, has petitioned memorialist to the following effect:—" The former Dalai Lamas have all received the Imperial permission after their enthronement to send Abbots by way of Szech'uan to Peking with tribute, as a slight manifestation the sincerity of their devotion, His Majesty has indeed extended His vast bounty in an exceptional degree towards the present Dalai Lama in graciously permitting him to be enthroned upon the lst of July, and it will naturally be his duty, after the conclusion of the ceremony, in accordance with statute, respectfully to per-pare articles of tribute, and reverently enquire after the Sacred welfare, with prostrations of thankful recognition of the Heavenly bounty, that he may display to the utmost the sincerity of his simple-minded attachment. _As he could not venture to be dilatory in this service, it is proposed that the mission shall start from Tibet in the month of May next year, and he would pray His Majesty, as on former occasions, to permit the mission to proceed to Peking by the high rond through Szech'uan, in order to guard against possible mishaps." The application, being in accordance with precedent, is' supported by the memorialist. Rescript: Let the Dalai Lama he permitted to send a special mission to Peking by way of Szech'uan with articles of tribute.
(4) Postscript memorial from Wu Tsan-'eng, under regulations drawn up by Wong Yi, former Acting Governor-General of Min Che, and Ting Jih-ch'ang, then Governor of Fuhkien, officers on the sea coast, whether civil or military, who should"
(Hate ~The Chinese Government steamer Hatching, whilst on a voyage tothe southwest with troops, struck Site had to by towed late Foochow for repairs] ona nek in Liang-hiao Bay, and was ao damaged that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.