Originally these joined themselves to the Taiping rebellion and so the country has had rest from them for many years, But now their evil deeds are getting worse than ever. Their greatest number is in shuan after that come Kueichou, Yunnan, and Kuangsi, in the order mentioned. They are also frequently found in Héngchow and Paok'ing in Hunan, and in Kingchow and Hanyang in Hupsh. They generally live, near mountain pastes and great river centres in order to fall upon the traders on their travels. In the provinces of Szechuan and Kueichou many of the soldiers belong to them. The new braves called out to defend the country have also joined these soldiers, till there pee are about 30 or 40 per cent. of them Kolao men. When in the camp they appear to be Joyal soldiers, but when they quit it on leave, or are sent home, then they form themselves into bands of 10 or 100 and fall upon any, where they can get prey. They wear government uniform and carry government arms, therefore it is difficult to distin-guise between friend and foe.
The writer professes to give much of their secret slang which he has learnt from them, to which he devotes some pages.
He concludes by mentioning two great branches of the-Kolao. One is called the Ch'van-nan-kuei, including the provinces of Szechuan, Yunnan, Kueichou, Honan and Hupeh. "The other is called the Kiang. kuang-foo including Kuangtung, Kuangsi, Chekiang, Kiangoan and Fukien—in all 10 provinces.
the able sinologue to whom we are indebted for the above details adds If the Hunan tracts are so unreliable about Christianity, can we trust them to give a true account of the Kolao Hui?
can trust them for abuse. But the objects of the Kolao Hui are almost certainly noc what the Hunan tracts give out. Time will show what they mean by sscribing much power to what they call only bands of robbers.
We need not again point out the utterly inadequate measures taken by the government to secure If the authorities deliberately allow those who break the laws of the land by fabricating unheard-of calumnies against peaceable and good citizens to go without any adequate punishment, it is only distinct encouragement to these wicked men. The people of Hunan have interpreted it so. - It is the central government and the high provincial authorities and not the Hunan people who are so.much to blame this time. thing short of execution of a which is repeatedly pointed out by the Chinese authorities themselves, will so China from trouble either from foreigner chinese. If they play much more lessness as they have done for south, the consequences, rom gunpowder or fire, may beyond their control. If this happens the blame now will be put at the door of the great, Viceroy Chang, Chih ung.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.