Tokio papers state that Hor Imperial Highness Sugayama-no-Kats, "mother of the Empress Dowager, whose dangerous illness was recently announced, expired at lock in the afternoon of the 16th A telegraphic despatch was iment to the Emperor. The interred in the Awoyama cemetery early this morning.
We learn with much pleasure that Mr. J. G. Kennedy has been appointed Secretary of Embassy at St. Petersburg. The unusually rapid nature of this promotion eaves little room to doubt the opinion Hor Majesty's Government entertains as to Mr. Kennedy's policy in Japan, not, we believe, be misstating the when, we say, that the ordinary rou would have taken Mr. Kennedy from this, la first post as First Secretary of Legation, to a similar position at some of our Legations in Europe. In passing directly to one of the three principal Embassies, ho receives, therefore, an unmistakable recognition of the skill and judgment that have distinguished his performance of the duties devolving upon him during the last two We understand that oficial information has boon received that Sir Harry Parkes will return to Japan to resume his post here, in October, an announcement which will be received with unqualified satisfaction by this community.—It has been suggested to us that Sir Harry Parkes' arrival in Japan, to resume the duties of a post he has filled in most respects so well, would be a fitting occasion for this com: munity to manifest in some manner yet to be determined, its appreciation of the value of his past services, spread over some fifteen years, to mark its disapprobation of the acrimonious and unjust attacks of Sir B, J, Reed and Mr. E. H. House, and also to express its confidence in his sagacity and judgment to deal with the difficulties incidental to the revision of the treaties with Japan.
It will be remembered by members of the Race Club that—in view of the Aificulty, we might almost say the imposibility, of procuring Japanese ponies, fit for racing purposes, in Yokohama' or Tokio,—it was decided that an effort should be made to get them down from the breeding districts. Thanks to the assistance of General Saigo, Colonel Matsumura, and some of the other Japanese members of the Club, the necessary arrangements were made, and a sullicient number of gentlemen put down their names. With a view of creating a certain amount of rivalry between the different districts, it was decided to procure the ponies half from the north and the other half from the south. The Nambu ponies duly arrived last week, and were drawn for by the subscribers, and we now learn that a telegram has been received stating that eight ponies from Satsuma will arrive here by the M.B.M.S.S. Tokio Maru. They will therefore reach here in sufficient time to be carefully trained for the autumn meeting, and if there should be any really good ponies amongst them, it will give an impetus to Japanese pony racing here, which was sadly needed. It seems strange to persons not actually interested, that, for so many ears, racing men here nave had such a liking for China ponies; but this can easily be accounted for, A yood China pony costs, in many cases, less—laid down hero—than a bad Japanese one, and owners therefore rather preferred to buy a China pony, which was almost certain to win a race, than to pay as much, if not more, for a native animal which turned out to be only fit to put into a trap. It is therefore to be hoped that the present attempt will turn out successfully, and that some anies, reminding old residents of Sumurai, foctezuma, Hamlet, Typhoon, Molstots, and others, may make their appearance.—Herald.
The rumoured sale of the properties of the Colonization Commission to-the association of which Mr. Godai is principal manipulator, appears to have excited some of our neighbours in Osaka to an extent that can hardly be said not to be warranted by the very discreditable circumstances surrounding the transaction. On the 20th ult, a meeting was held in one of the theatres to protest against the sale, and an enormous crowd assembled, notwithstanding the intense heat. Several speakers inveighed against the action contemplated, and reference was freely made to Mr. Godai's exploits on the Dojima Rice Exchange in the cause of philanthropy and patriotism—only the speakers used other words to descrip Mr. Godai According to the Dsakw Nippo p ing in Hakodate is, if possible, more opposed the measure than on the mainland, When intelligence of the project reached that town, a meeting was held by the leading merchants. Suggestions were made to etition the Emperor during his appro ing visit, or to convene the whole population and enter a protest ex masse. Never before probably in the history of Japan has a transaction similar to that in question caused such ferment among the people, and we feel confident, as we remarked before, the Government will recognize the expediency of bowing before the weight of public opinion.—Hioyo News.
An assay oltico is to be established at Gensanshin, Corea, in which the purity of bullion shipped to Japan will be ascertained. An officer to conduct tue assays will be sent from Osaka.
'A fan maker in Kioto has received an order from the Imperial Household Department for fifty or sixty fans made of ivory and silk, Cherry' blossoms will be painted on one side of the silk, and views celebrated places in Kioto on the other. We hear that these fans are intended for presents to foreigners permitted to an audience with the Emperor.—Hioyo Nets' Translations.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.