The rumour is current among the people that the railway scheme has been squelched. Folks generally seemed to like the idea of rapid transit but, T fear me, their ideas of what the iron horse are somewhat obscure. With their transcendent opinions of what their genii have done, nothing that a foreigner can now accomplish will surprise them. If a train of cars should be made to leap across the Yangtze or fly over the hills it would be child's play compared with what Kuan Futze could do were ho still alive. The Chinese people only can claim the distinction of having reached the wi admirari state.
RAIN, To-day a plentiful rain is falling and the farmers rejoice. There has been much sickness among the Chinese during the winter and many deaths. More foreigners have been ill than is usual at this time of the year.
2nd March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.