Atthe beginning of last winter the Comptroller-General at Urga reported that there was a good deal of, highway robbery in the country round that city, and for the pur-0 of preserving order he requested that might have the services of a detachment of cavalry from Hsuan-hua Fu near Kalgan. His application having been approved by the Emperor, a communication was sent to the Viceroy Li Hung-chang, in order that the proposal might be carried into effect. It was found impos sible, however, to despatch the men at the moment. In the first place the detachment was not at its quarters, but was away patrolling the country in the neigh: bourhood of Ching-peng to the north of Lama Miao, where it had been sent after its return' from Urga_ three years ago. Secondly, during the winter months there would be great difficulty in providing transport cattle at the government post-stations, andthe grass would be witheredundthe water frozen. Arrangements were therefore made for the men to depart during the present summer. The force consists of 250 troopers but counting in officers, supernumeraries,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.