The Ch'in River in Honan on the north side of the Yellow River is always a cause of anxiety. This year its banks held out well through the spring and summer freshets; but they gave way just at the end of July at a place where no repairs have been required for many years. The water has gone across country to the Tan River, and the land is flooded to a depth of three or four feet. The crops of course are drowned. Boats have been sent out to bring in the people; and prepared food and mats are being distributed to them, The local officials are deprived of their buttons as they are considered in some degree blameworthy for not preventing the breaking of the embankment.
15th September.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.