Mr. Melton Prior, the war artist of the Mustrated Londin' News, writes. under date the 17th ult., in letter from which we base been permitted to make extincts "I fear I was very ignorant when in Shanghai as to the position of Kinochov, for Iwas under the impression that the Statow would anchor in the bay close to that town, whereas she did nothing of the kind. The rman men-of-war as well as the merchant lying just off the village of Ching-ud here I had to land, to find that Kinochou is forty miles inland, and that it will take at least two'days to ride there that is, provided I can obtain horses or animals of any kind to carry me; and that Lalso stand the chance of having my throat cat onthe road. ""-My introduction to: this was not very lively, for Captain Truppel (who has been appointed Governor of the village) had very kindly secured rooms for me in a fort just half-an-hour's walk out, and there my luggage was taken but when I discovered there was no table or chair, bed or stove, but just four walls, I nearly collapsed, and then determined to search for myself. On walking through the principal street, I saw at the corner of a house in course of alteration a European in civilian costume. In another moment I had introduced myself and poured out my woes and troubles into'his kind and willing ears, ' Well," he replied, *T am just going to lunch, and if you caro to join in, I will consult with my"partuer and see what we can do for you."
This turned out to bea partner in'tho firm of Schwarzkopf and Ca., who have established a navy-contracting business'at Chingtao, and are doing remarkably well. They gave Mr. Prior quarters, and he speaks most highly of their kindness. He one the {dea that bolsters, tied in the middle, are "ilk. ing about (they really look like eider-down quilts in a fit, and out fora lark). The men are large for Chinese, but the Indies Teannot say much about-as I have oily seen one; and thank goodness, if the rest are like her.
"There are any number. of German officers walking about, and any quantity of soldiers and sailors swaggering. over the native coolies, who do all the work of horses and atts for twenty cents a with loaded rides (there is 00 hombeg jay, and go in gangs guardo tree]
the German when he is on business tent), hero is a Chinese temple, with a priest in charge who looks as though'he came out of the Ark and had never seen water since, Then the Goddess of Heaven, the God of War, and the God: of Commerce are fairly surrounded with the refuse of commerce, which reaches up on all sides to about five feet high, broken bottles, cobwebs, and joss-sticks mixing pretty freely together.
One thing that has rather astonished me is the enormous number of granite blocks, all cut ready for building purposes, lying about on all'sides, in the streets, on the shore, and on the hillsides, by thousands upon thousands, The late Chinese Governor niust have had some big scheme in" his head."
In another letter Mr. Prior mentions that Captain Truppel had very kindly asked him to stay with him at the yamen, and go with him shortly on a visit to Kisochou and Chime.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.