The rains that fell about two weeks ago were very heavy and extensive. The Yellow River rose at a rapid rate, and continued to rise for some time, It had not commenced to subside when I crossed it a fow days ago. In the immediate neighbourhood of this city, the low lands on either side are flooded, and some of the villages on the banks have washed away altogether, The destruction of property further down the river must be even greater atill.
During a recent journey, after travelling all day in search of a place to cross the river, I had to stop at an inn four miles from' where I started. A mandarin, with sedan, carts, and both mounted and foot followers, with a number of other carts, all returned to the city. There was no possibility of getting to the ordinary crossing-places. The next morning, my carter started in the opposite direction from Tientsin, and after making a long circuit we both finally managed to cross without much difficulty, and within sight of one of the places we all failed to reach the day before, After crossing, it was quite amusing to see the look of astonish mont when we replied to oft-repeated enquiries that we had come from Chi-nan Fu, and crossed at Ohicho, the usual place. very one had been expecting the mandarin and his day before, and in several places /e preparations had eon made for his reception. The further we got from the river the greater was the surprise that His Honour had not come. It was well known that he started, but very fow knew that ho had returned to Chi-nan Fa, or why ho had been compelled to do so when the foreigner, in a two-mule carl and unattended, had' so easily got across allen river and still more impassable—But traffic and travel are for the present virtually suspended.
'A Canadian farmer has arrived with a flock of fine sheep at the new farm situated at the mouth of the Canal which is used for the transport of Kai-ping coal. Foreign houses are also to be put up shortly for several families, The new railway, or truckway, is in active operation.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.