The weather has somewhat interfered with trade during the last week, but worse than all we are on the verge of @ coal famine; and if the frost continues that most desirable article will be cut off, owing to the very reason that it is most required for the cold most effectually stops the out: ut from the up-river mines; and we ear that Hankow is suffering from the sense. However, charcoal is still obtainable, and if not quite so economical is, nevertheless, equally coniforting to cold toes.
MISCELLANEA, The Customs staff has been strengthened here by the arrival of Me. Langley from Cantos. The hill and mountain tops show up majestically after the resent heavy fall of snow, and the gorges are said to be grand sight just now. Amateur photographers are busy in consequence. The river now stands two feet only above zero, and the steamers are beginning to experience some difficulty in the bad parts; but as all the captains are old hands accidents are rare, Skates are now at a premium, there being less than half a dozen pair in the pines and these much sought after at all ours of the day. The Chinese are showing a little enterprise in starting shops for sale of foreign goods, but ironmongery is not yet in their way. The thermometer has now shown fourteen degrees of frost.
18th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.