Some time ago the Viceroy Li recom. mended for various distinctions a number of officers who had assisted in bringing to China the four ironclads purchased in Eng. land and Germany and he now submits for the bestowal of similar rewards the names of several subordinate officials in the Foochow "Arsenal and in the Legations, in London and Berlin who were deputed to superintend the construction of the vessels, Tt being the first time that China had arranged for the acquisition of such powerful armaments, the task entrusted to these officials was one of very great importance and they executed it ina manner which secured them the Viceroy's warm approv: Not only did they note carefully the principles and method of construction but they showed a minute acquaintance with the armour, gear, rigging, ete., and by their general supervision prevented the contract tors from making use of bad materials. The Minister in London and the superintendent of the Arsenal had both reported in very favourable terma of the part played by their subordinates in the matter, AGED CANDIDATES AT THE EXAMINATIONS, March 24th.—The Governor of Honan reports that at the recent examinations for the second degree one candidate over 90 and thirteen over 80 years of age went through the whole nine do; ordeal and wrote essays which were fectly accurate in diction and showed no signs of failing years. The prescribed period of 60 years having elapsed since they obtained their first degree, the Me-monalist asks that these hoary veterans should receive from the Throne the distinctions accorded by law to those who have paid a lifelong devotion to letters without securing the object of their ambition. 2
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.