Hu-yung, Chao-vii and several other prisoners all under sentence of death and temporarily retained in the Soochow jail, whither they had been sent after trial in their respective districts, took it into their heads on the 14th of December to make an. attempt to regain their liberty.
They had made arrangements to effect their escape on the evening of that day but one of their number, afraid of the consequences, divulged their intention to the warders, who were thus enabled to take measures to oppose them. Certain of the gaolers went to inspect the irons of the prisoners, and found that they had been removed. and his fellows then know that their plans had been discovered and rushed for the kitchen, There they took the coals from the tire and set the woodwork and matting in Sames, hoping in the general confusion to make a dash for liberty. In this they were again disappointed, as they found the gaol surrounded by troops brought up by the Prefect and the Provincial Judge who repaired to the scene immediately they heard of the intended outbreak, Hu-yess on soving that all was lost, rushed ok into the tames and perished there. After a short time the fire was extinguished, and all the prisoners secured. An enquiry was at once held when it was found that none of the galers had lent the prisoners any assistance. The atticer in charge of the gaol however displayed carelessness in not taking measures to prevent the inmates having such intercourse with each other as would enable them tu concoct a plan of this sort, and he has accordingly been removed from his post. All those who took part in the attempt were at once excuted, and their heads exhibited as a warning to others. The case of ang Shao-vii, the one who gave evidence against has fellow conspirators, is reserved for the consideration of the Board, steps to check the outbreak and hat be Seeing that the Prefect took such prompt
was so eminently successful in effecting his purpose that not one of the prisoners of away, his carelessness in not looking etter after those under his charge may be pardoned.—Let the Bowd of Punishments consider cud report.
2ud to bth of February. No papers of interest.
6th and 7th February, The Vicervy Li Hung-chang brings to the notice of the Emperor the services rendered by a Hanlin Compiler named Huang Ssu-yung, in connection with famine relief in the province of Chihli, The me-monalist observes that during the summer before last a very large portion of Chihli suffered from destructive floods and. that the whole country in the vicinity of the capital was converted into an open espouse of sea, The people took refuge for the most part on the housetops or on trees, and their appeals for relief were of a most heartrending description, Huang Ssi-yung, who is a Senior Wrangler and was not front his position called upon to exert himself in the matter, at once threw himself into the work of relief with great enthusiasm, procuring large supplies of food and engaging he services of expert. swimmers to rescue the sufferers. He collected subscriptions amounting ty Tls. 37,800 and saved the lives of about 10,000 peuple. For these services the Viceroy asks that he should be specially commended in an Imperial Edict
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.