like to remind those interested in the open-Si,—With your, permission T should ing of Western China to foreign trade that the present lull in diplomatic negotiations provides a suitable opportunity for having the river scientifically surveyed. The chance ought not to be missed. Serious injury to a steamer, not to speak of a possible total wreck, would be rather a high price to pay fur' kuowludge which can be easily acquired at infinitely less cost. In view of the recent gallant attempt to bring fa steamer west, it certainly does strike the unsophisticated mind as strange that no thoroughly complete survey of the route to Ch'ung-king has ever been made. True, Blakiston's valuable chart is available as well as the useful itineraries of other observant travellers; but so long as this important work 8 accomplished in part only, there will of necessity be more or less preventible risk attached to the navigation of the upper reaches of the river, No great financial outlay would be incurred in performing 1 task, nor is it likely that the native officials would impede the movements of those to whom it might confided. A well-manned native junk, not too large, provisions for six weeks,
tion, and a fair supply of physical energy ordinary passport, a dash of determina: would enable a competent man to complete the undertaking successfully. Tt ought, however, to be remembered that to do the thing thoroughly two separate surveys are necessary, one in July when the water reaches its highest level, and another in December or January when the river is at its lowest ebb. A single chart, however accurate, would necessarily be incomplete, while two distinct and independent maj made at the seasons above mentioned would confidence and safety all the year round.
Allow me to add that the Literary Chancellor of Szechuan is reported to have expressed himself in presence of the students up for examination at chung-king, as being in favour of steamers coming west. The great mass of the people remain essentially ignorant on this and every other topic of progress. There is nothing at present to show that the; are greatly interested in the question of opening the city to foreign merchants; ind almost certain that their feelings on the matter are profoundly ferent. But we have to remember that "the masses" are even more frequently the tools of interested or bigoted leaders, than they are the creatures of their own impulses, and it is therefore so much to his good when a man of position and intelligence, such as the Literary Chancellor, utters a favourable opinion on the question of progress in the hearing of those most capable Of initiating and encouraging a plan of opposition.
Yours truly, PEREGHINATOR, Chungking, 26th Aug.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.