has been the most startling of the week. It is definitely given out that Li Hung-chang leaves at once ea a special mission to Europe, the ostensible reason being the forthcoming Coronation of the Czar. His Excellency is expected here on the 15th of this moon, and will at once begin his preparations; up to date his suite has not een nominated but it is understood that Dr. Lin of the Tientsin Medical School will accompany him. It is anticipated that Mr, Lo Feng-loh will be first secretary of the Mission, but there is also a possibility of Li Ching fong (Lord Li) accepting the position. Mr. Lo is equally facile in French and English, a point worthy of note in Russian political and social life.
This great and unexpected departure has created much excitement in diplomatic circles, and will be the cause of infinite speculation as to the old Viceroy's present and future standing; it is hinted in official circles here that the nomination is not that of the bureaucrats in Peking, but that it has an occult origin in.quarters which are far more powerful at present in the capital than any native faction, The same powerful protection which saved the Tsung-tang from being made the scape-goat for the national shortcomings during the late war has been exercised again. It was intimated in no uncertain tones that for so high an occasion the envoy must be aut Princeps aut Li.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.