The Chifu has instituted several reforms since he arrived. The most recent one has to do with the long disused and defunct college for education of poor but expable graduates and undergraduates of the prefecture. This institution has an endowment fund for the continued education of twenty-four B. A.8 (3), also sixteen undergraduates. For years, some say fur scores of years, tle income from the endow. ment fubd has been eaten by the officials and censors of the city. The Ohifu has refused to continue such a malpractice. He has reconstructed the constitution and selected by examination the number of needy students. There are some studying in the city, each one receiving ample support from the endowment fund. Such an action is creditable, bu we wonder whether it will be continued, should he be remoted, Another recent attempted form, is the issuing thr ughout the prof ture a combined essay and proclamation inculcating the fulfilling of the duties of kinship. The abduction and sale of widows the cvufiscation of their property adoption of children other than nephew succeed to the inheritance of childless uncles, are among the topics mentioned—an exhortation to settle disputes without an appeal cone'udes an interesting but long document. This is being placarded everywhere in the Fu, and is the topic of conversation where posted. The rule of such an official cannot be otherwise than beneficial to all classes.
PRAYER FOR FINE WEATHER, The rain hay been incessant for some long time, and crops are sadly injured by it. The people petitioned'the Chifu to appoint a day and attend a service at the principal temple for fine weather. So on the day appointed the Chifu, chihsien, and others, formed a procession and walked to the temple and interceded fur fine weather. A d-y of sunshine followed their intercession; but it was succeeded by more rain, a sign, say some, of a lack of devotion on the part of the mandarins. Truly, so much Tain is disastrous; corn, peas, and beans in various places are being ploughed into the fields for manure; and in those places where this is not so the outlook is very poor indeed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.