For some unconscionable reason persons once setting foot on our muddy shores seem fated to rewarn, living this vegetative existence apparently. forgotten by the outside world, and it may be, in time, the world forgetting. However, "farewells," if few, do occasionally take place, and the departure for England of Captain and Mrs. Knight Gregson has caused " gap in our midst, ditbcult, if not, indeed, well nigh impossible to till. Foreigners stand nut alone in regretting their departure, for on Thursday last deputation from the Canton guild, and other native merchants, spoke in the most eulogistic terms of Captain Gregson, on the occasion of a presentation to him and Mrs. Gregson. Their spokesman, in asking Captain Gregson to accept a very handsome silk flag of immense proportions, inscribed with the names, in gold, of all the members of the Guild and others, bearing in large letters the characters NBRATATA access the face, adverted to the excellent relations that had ever existed between Captain Gregson and the merchants, to his excellent business capacities, coupled with an urbanity of tanner which eminently qualified him for the position he so ably filled fur his employers, Messrs. Jardine, Matheson Ca., during his tenure of office at Wuhu he then went on to say that all the merchants would take a deep interest in his welfare, and trusted that on his return to China he would again be stationed at Wuhu; but failing that, they hoped he would be sent toa larger port, where his conspicuous abilities would enable him to uphold the great name of the house he sv ably represented here.
Capt. and Mrs, Knight Gregson take with them the very best wishes of the Wuhu community, who wish them God speed and a {happy return to the "Flowery Kingdom.'
25th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.