The following is a translation of a communication which we have been asked to publish M. Griffon, whose death we have alread: announced, was born in 1860 at Mareuilsur-Ay (Marne) and entered the Polytechnic School in 1878." After a brilliant career, completed at the School ''des Ponts et Chaussées," M. Griffon was classed, among the high numbers, as Engineer of the 3rd class, and. in this capacity was employed in maritime work in the aron-discments of Dieppe and Granville. He arrived in China in March, 1887, and took the direction of the works at Port Arthur, which the Viceroy Li had entrusted toa French syndicate, at the head of which was Mr. Thévenet, All who knew Port Arthur. must acknowledge the greatness of the work done, and well done, by a handful of Frenchmen, of whom three of the chiefs sleep side by side in the Chefoo cemetery.
In spite of all the difficulties at the beginning, and of the numerous embarrassments which marked the conclusion, this great work, which excited so many hopes 0 poorly realised, will remain one of the bright pees of French civilizing influence in the Par East...
M. Griffon died, after a short illness, on the morning. of the 7th inst., having complete possession of his faculties to the last.
fe was attended in his last moments by Dr. Gulowsen, and the admirable Sisters of th Hospital.' He was buried the following day in the presence of a large concourse, among them being Col. Dessino, Russian attache at Pekiny, Capt. the. Russian gunboat Mandjon, Lieut. 'Trentovius, Sub-Lieut. Yarousky, Dr. Po-off, Mr.' Bullock, H.M.'s Consul, M. Gaillard of Shanghai, Mesdames Grévedon, Genin, etc., ete. The catafalque was' covered with wreaths, three of which may be mentioned, sent respectively by M. Gerard, French Minister at Peking, the French' Legation, and M. de Bezaure, French Consul at Shanghai. The pallbearers were M. Ostroverkhov, Russian Vice-Consul and acting French Vice-Consul, Philippot, merchant, of Tientsin, M. Chollot, Engineer, of Shanghai, and M. Grévedon, of the Customs; these last three being personal friends of the deceased. The body was buried in the cemetery of the French Mission, after being embalmed, and is now awaiting despatch to his family. 1
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.