The one theme here among all classes is the drought. The winter was drier than al, no snow falling; the spring saw no rain, save a little sprinkling; the ordinary summer rains, due a month ago, have not yet come. The fields are dry and farming ata standstill. The wheat harvest, which is usually abundant all about this part of the province, was found to be only about 4 or & tenths of a yield, and this amount was mado so large in part by the irrivation, which prevails W. and N.W. of the city, drawing on the sources of the Ch'ing Ho (fff }AD) river. This river connects us ith Tientain, and is slow that passengerjoata cannot Come nearer than a place 60 1 down the river and freight boats are stranded 90liaway. They usually came to ity gate. Fifteen years ago they were hindered in like manner, but never since.
When the staff of bread is broken then men humble themselves and turn to heaven with prayer upon ther lips. Day by day 600 to 1,000 meu, in plain farmers' dress, with willow-garlands, parade the streets. They come from the adjacent villages to the West, and carry emblems made of wil-Jow-boughs in the form of clumps, perhaps to represent moist and abundant growth aa the thing desired. Two or four men carry each clump, and ascare or more of them are seen in the procession. Several bands of m also sandwiched among them—forty or fifty drums, as many pairs of cymbale, and several mammoth drums, carried on platforms and beaten by four or five men at once, make the music; the busin procession hurri maniu to yamen, and, after visiting the principal ones, retires again by the West gate and separates to its respective villages, Seven or eight days have seen the same demonstration, save that the great drums aregometimesomitted. This for the peop! The magistrates in turn go daily to the temples. Just now they are by consultation trying the efficiency of Kuan-yin.
The drought makes all the wood of the city like tinder, and fresarefrequent. Two weeks ago a fire was seen leaping from a the main street and in a fow minutes night was lurid with flames feom a hundred rooms. Th fire department were soon on hand with ten or a dozen engi 8 and buckets and lanterns, They did Ent service, throwing water from their hoseless nozzles, carrying and dashing water from buckets, tearing down dangerous building and carrying off burn. ing timbers. Had they efficient ments their efforts would be more but their toile could hardly industrious.
Ten days ago the F ©. A. Stanley of Tientsin left here westward bound, escorting the firat pioneers of the new missi of the Amer. Board to Shansi ([{] J.) They are to locate temporarily in Tai-yuen Fu, and, as opportunity offers, are to occupy the principal district cities 8. and SAV. of that city, covering in their work, as it is hoped, the Tai-yuen Fu plai 3rd July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.