Spring and the opening of the river always bring (great changes in our little population, The most notable departure of th year so far has been that of Mr. and Mi: Michie. They have many claims on. the gratitude of Tientsin, where they have been "Intellectual and social powers for the last nine years. Mr. Michie's high journalistic and literary ability added prestige to the community, while Miss Michie's brilliant
boundless generosity and good nature in Prolicioncy' in music and, sport, and her lacing her services at the disposal of her ronds made her indispensable in every social festivity. Mr. Mi has been Preesident of our flourishing Literary Suciety since its birth and was most assiduous is efforts to promote its welfare.
ity expressed its hearty sense of obligation by presenting him with a handsome copy of Ruskiu's works, His wide sympathy, ever fresh vigour ind, long experience, and knowledge of men and books rendered him in many respects an ideal President. Mr. Michie! once before (in 1874) left China, as he thought, for good; his many friends the littoral will hope that his present ination to pitch his tent in the Kedesh of English gloom and fog will be frustrated by the inexorable logic of circumstances His one of the old China hands, having arrived at Hongkong in the ently Gities Shanghai in its great days knew him well, and if I am not mistaken be was! one vf the pioneers ut the trade with Che-fou on the one lund and with Japan on the other. His article on Chinese Railways) in the January Macmillan is as usual with accurate observation into Chinese policy. Consider iguorance of the language, Mr. Michie's knowledge of Things Chinese" was really as ishing, and shows how far the steady application of intelligeues and sympathetic attitude can carry min against adverse circumstances. His remarks to the Vicervy on the occasion of the recent dinner were in admirable taste, and were quite the uratorival feature ut the evening. understand that he had the honour ut a prolonged interview with His Excellency before leaving. skaTING.
'Pho past winter has for ever settled the ice question in 'Tientein, Our reputation as an intelligent and progressive community was as stake, for after. 30 years' experi-once of the Nurthern winter our collective wisdom was only able to ensure skating for a-wuesgre 40 or 00 days out of a possible 80.
This season the Teutons came down to the annual meeting and voted solid (as usual) for a closed riuk—the question of open or closed rink has been fiercely contented for years—the Conmittee was given a free hand but cautioned on the demerits of the old system of closure. Under the practical guidance of Mr. von Hannekan, who almost lived at the place for a aionth, they attacked the problem in a novel man-ensured triumphant success. The courts were covered by a large ban boo cage (140% 140) propped up by struts radiating from 9 points inside the rink—this was covered by mats which were largely moveable by means of pulleys. Ice blocks were carried in, and the interstices filled with p-unded ice; water was then poured and sprinkled on till they goto thick sheet ut This ade a perfec 1g, cracking, rom 21st December to Let cellent skating was continuous—only fi days being lost by dust storms, A nightly sprinkle renovated the surface, while the atting protected it from the mid-day sun, About 4p.m,, the matting was pulled back and we had practically open air skating. The baud discoursed pleasant mi three times a week—a very skimpy all ance in the opinion of the subscrip but our Municipal management is very careful of the Jungs of the native musicians. The wife of the big drum man is said to have once nearly lost " maternal hunt from
eon treated with extreme consideration. ace the bandsman have The amateur band of the Iltis on several occasions came to eke out our musical short commons, and did themselves infinite credit; the hearty vigour with which they delivered the fortissimo passages showed that their lungs were above suspicion at any rate. Que town band is one of the wonders of the place, and is excellently administered, barring the fact we don't get enough of a really youd thing.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.