The trade of Chungking is emphatically city trade. That isto say, native hongs and other important commercial buildings are, for the most part, situated within the boundaries of the city, and not in the cramped and congested suburbs. This may or may not be an unfortunate circumstance, but such is the cise. Where then is the reposed new Foreign Custom House to be built? Shall it be erected on the now famous Japanese Concession at Wangkiat'o where a plot of land has been already procured for the purpose? Or shall it be built elsewhere, in closer and more convenient proximity to the commercial life and activity of the port? These questions have been occupying a considerable amount of official attention of late. As was to be expected, the mandarins are anxious to banish the Yanghan and, in all probability, everything else qualified or described by the same adjective to a point as remote og possible from the city itself. Of course there is nothing new in all this. You have heard of the same thing before. We have it on the best authority that it is difficult for a leopard to change its spots, and, should an extraneous attempt be made to help it to do so, the effort is not likely to be more successful because the beast ha pens to possess an unconquerable dislike to the courageous operator! In these Late days it is unnecessary to prove that Chinese officialdom carries "Its bosom-weight, the stubborn gift That yo philosophy can lift and as all the world knows it is just this Ghina into her pitiable plight. Now, there renounced obstinacy that has brought can be no manner of doubt that life for a foreigner is much more enjoyable outside the walls of a Chinese city than it is within. And this is emphatically true of a place like Chungking which is cramped and crowded and dirty toa degree. But unfortunately Wangkiat'o is, in the opinion of foreigners, not the best site for a foreign Concession, nor yet the most convenient situation for a Foreign Custom House, and no one has ever been heard to say that it is—unless a Chinese official. Granted that the configuration of local territory does not Iend itself readily t" the purpose of a Concession in any direction it is still true that Wanghiat'o is not the best of the few feasible sites in the vicinity. Furthermore, although the Japanese have signed, or are said to have signed, a provisional acceptance of Wangkiat'o for their own use, it by no means follows that other nationals should. feel compelled to abide by their choice. Of course the Chinese think s0; but unfortunately for them, their reasoning does not commend itself to the judgment of others interested. It is to be hoped that the discussion which has been going on will end in the selection of a different site and also in the Customs obtaining permission to pitch their quarters in some more suitable and convenient spot than the unfortunate Wangkiat'o.
For those who wish to get a good idea of the discouragements or successes, hard-"ships or. pleasures,.of a missionary's evangelistic trip we would recommend the perusal of the second instalment of Mr. Ware's notes of a recent journey, which constitute the opening article of this month's Messenger. On the return journey the evangelists had to cross Tsungming from north to south. The people who thronged.around ws," says Mr. Ware, received us gladly and listened eagerly to the message of salvation, At one place the city god was being carried in process ROWLAND'S ODONTO—This has been known for 60 years to be the best, purest, and most fragrant tooth powder. It whitens the teeth, prevents and: arrests decay, Strengthen the gums, and gives, pleasing fragrance to the breath. v owLAND's Macassar Om, preserves. and beautifies the hair, and is the best brilliantine for ladies' and children's hair, as i greasy or too drying. Alsosold ina golden colour.
Ask any-chemist or perfumer for,
London.
Rowland's articles, of 20, Hatton Garson,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.