It is becoming daily more and more apr ent that the native journals are rapidly gain-und ing their influence and so long as they are fairly well conducted, the fact may be regarded as a healthy sign of the times. Anything that tends to animate and purify the dead lump of political putridity familiarly known as the government or administration of the mandarins, must prove to be acleer gain to the best interests of the Empire. It would, however, be strange consequent exposure of official corruption did not excite the hatred and malice of those evil deeds are thus dragged into the light of day; hence the domiciliary visits and atiier, petty' means occasionally resorted to in certain quarters to discover the sources of information open to the conductors of Chinese newspapers. Amovg the higher officials in the Canton province and city, however, it must be admitted that the influence of the native Fourth Estate has hitherto been frankly admitted, while the regard in which its utterances is held in official circles must be encouraging to those who thus seek to reform antiquated and much-cherished abuses. In Canton and elsewhere special note has been made more than once of complaints and remonstrances which have found vent in the columns of the Chinese Mail; and several instances could be mentioned which demonstrate that the more honest and enlightened authorities are by no means slow to redress. wrongs thus brought to their notice. Some little time ago, the journal above referred to published an account of a few of the little peccadilloes of the Viceroy's body-guard, and HE. at once issued a notification, ordering the dismissal certain of the responsible officers. A few davy ago the same paper commented rather freely upon the practice of allowing night procession, in the City of Cantov, as such amusements would certainly lead to the assemblage of bat characters. Subsequently the Namboi Magis. trate immediately issued a proclamation pro. hibiting the intended processions, and ordering a detachment of soldiers to the places where the inhabitants intended to have an exhibition of the kind complained of. Yet one instance more may sufce to shew the important dave age the native Afail recorded the mence the native papers are acquiring. Five
of a man named Fan Akwong, who hal been alleged to be a great scoundrel. Its Canton correspondent remonstrated against the capture, and the action of the mandarin in reference to this man, The article attracted s0 much attention in official circles that the mandarin in question has thought it advisable to offer, through a friend, an explanation of his conduct, which explanation appeared in this morning's issue. That the power of the Press, which is thus beginning to make itch felt, may continue, is most sincerely to be wished; and thst'this power may last, it aust be wisely wielded.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.