(From the Foochow Echo of 16th Jan.)
We hear of the failure of two large silk piece-goods merchants this week. - Their joint Hiabilities are esti Several other hou are in trouble, but it la understood that they will, by arrangement, be able to tide over their difficulties.
Notwithstanding the cold weather, we learn that the prices of all kinds of furs are unprecedentedly low, A reduction of 50 per cent. on what are known as normal prices fails to attract buyers. This speal place. badly for the present prosperity of the 'A curious story reaches us from the city about a°dream that H.E, the Viceroy is said to have had, wherein he saw the greater part of his capital in flames. Believing it to be a warning from heaven, ied himself the following morning t extra precautions e directed ight patrols should be doubled, and that the tipao were to be very psrticular in seeing that all the water tubs along the streets were properly filled. We do not wish H.E. any more of these uncomfortable dreams, but, if he should be so visited again, it might be for the public benefit if the vision took the form of a pestilence having broken out in the city, which would then lead to orders being given in the morning that the streets hould xiv longer be left in their present dirty state, and that all gutters should be regularly flushed.
The shortcomings of a party of yamen runners, instructed by their superior to suppress: the the notorious Hwa-hui lottery, have just come to light. On Monday last an agent of this lottery was returning to his house in the middle of the night and bribed the gate-keeper in one of the streets with the sum of 400 cash to let him pass, He had not gone a hundred paces when he was met by the night patrol and he was asked by the officer where he came frow, what he was doing without a lantern, and how he managed to get through the gate, As he was unable to give a satisfactory an-wer ho was arrested, and on his being searched some fifty Mexienn dollars and three hundred dollars in native bank notes were found in his possession; and what was more interesting, an account book, giving fall details of his expedition on affaire connected with the lottery, amongst which were the names of some twenty yameo runners, with different sums xgaiust them which had been paid them by thi bribes not to interfere with him, Although it is generally understood that these yamen runners ares race of pulli and extortioners, it is not often that thei practices can be brought home to them as they have been this week as related above, and it is to be hoped that these convicted rascals will meet with the punishment they deserve. They not only deceive their superior, but in this case help on, rather then help to suppress, this iniquitous lot. tery which we know to have been the ruin of thousands of families; and the trouble scarcely ends here, for from amongst these ruined gamblers' spring the numerous thieves, incendiaries and highway robbers moving about amongst us, No form of punishment can be too severe, if only as a warning to others.
(From the Foochow Bobo of 28rd January.)
Owing to the disorder which hus been going on in and out of the city during these days of the New Year's settlement, the Viceroy has sent out some two or three hundred picked soldiers to patrol the afreets in small bodies to preserve order. These men carry a rattan and a stamped order to show their authority. They have already, we understand, been instrumental in putting a step to many a free fight which might otherwise have proved serious, The governors of the Government Foundling Hospital have, we hear, petitioned the Viceroy to increase the grant for its riy tenance, since the allowance on wh they are working proves to be insufficient for the proper keeping-up of the establishment. His Excellency has accordingly instructed the Salt Commissioner to raise the extra sum asked for in the best way he thinks fit. Let us hope the Salt Commissioner will do this What we are told is an unprecedented, act of charity, was done Inst week in the city by some unknown benefactor. It was dispensed by the employes of the Government bank, and when add thnt the distribution of the bounty went on for four days, and that the value of the articles and money, so given away, amounted to several thousands of dollars, we need not enlarge on the munificence of the good man. The recipients of the charity were the poor and needy of the neighbourhood. Bach male and female adult received an old cotton lined jacket and four Chinese ten cent pieces, and every child two of the same coins, The name of the unknown benefactor is to remain a strengthens the hair, prevents it falling off or turning grey, and is the best brilliantine for everybody's use, being not too greasy or too drying; also sold in " golden colour for fair haired Indies and children; bottles 9s. Gd., 7s., 100. 6d. Rowzaxps' EUKONIA is a pure and fragrant toilet powder, in three tints—white, rose, and cream Ie, and 22, 6d. boxes. " Ask any dealer in' perfumery for Rowzsnps' articles, of 20, Halton Garden, London..
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Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.