which threatened serious consequences when I wrote two weeks ago, has been settled. 'The two men who were most active in tearing down the picture representing members of their sect as suffering punishment in the nether world, were indeed arrested but the mandarin' wisely forbore punishing them. Numbers of Mohammedans were in the city from places as far distant as fifty miles, to help overawe the magistrate, and their combined efforts were successful, More than 400 men assembled in the yamen at the time their fellow religionists were tried, ready for affray should the official attempt to punish or incarcerate the offenders. The final outcome of the matter was the quashing of all indictments, addresses delivered to the different parties by the official, and the promise on the part of the litigants to "do so no more."
The erection of an oriental-looking kiosk yue is being pushed ahead on the Russian und, and, if rumour is to be believed, the occasion will be characterised by a lavish profusion which will throw all previous efforts into the shade; a {act only to be appreciated by those who have had an opportunity of enjoying Russian hospitality. It is quite possible that a few days may have to elapse before the local reporter wil be in a position to give you a succinct and unbiassed account of the festivities, as the weather is a little trying at this time of the year.
25th May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.