"And li addition to the great saving of life that would result, agriculture would be greatly promoted and the revenue largely increased. Present waterways need to be deepened: old ones need to be cleared "out: and~re-opened: and many could all be discharged without overflow, and the waterways would provide for irrigation during the dry season, Weter is found all over the plain at a varying death of about eight to twelve feet and, in many localities, hundreds of acres are made productive by the spring and early summer irrigation from wells, Hence these channels for the surplus rain-water, properly constructed as to depth and direction and connections, would never be devoid of water with which to irrigate in the time of drought. Then their banks could be preserved from rapid erosion by being planted with reeds and the osier willow, both of which would minister to wealth; and the scraping up of the silt and spreading it on the surface of the land, as is done in the lake region between this and Paoting Fu, would greatly add to the fertility of the soil, In this region, a practical illustration may be seen ona small scale, of what is auggeated above, and of what might be produced over a large part if not all this vast plain.
A QUESTION SETTLED, About ayeer ago, as some will remember, negotiations were in progress between the Tientain officials and the American Methodista in regard to their chapel in the city. These were terminated by the officials agreeing to provide another which should be acceptable to the Mission, and paying certain sum of money while the Minsion agreed to give up their present site and buildings after a period of eleven months, An acceptable new site was pro-ided last autumn, and recently the officials began to agitate for the transfer of the old property to them before the expiration of the time agreed upon. This was happily effected afew days ago, four months in advance of the date assigned, and the Inst payment of the sum of money agreed upon made. Under date of January the 28th, the gentleman who acted as me diary in tiations, in reporting to the mission the exchange of papers and the receipt of the money balance, said, in writing to the representative of the mission here: "The officials desired me to express to your Mission their gratification at the prompt and friendly settlement now completed. I believe it will lend to a kindlier feeling on the part of the officials and gentry her towards Chr and in this alone will justify the accommodating conciliatory spirit shown by the Mission in yielding as yon have done,"
90th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.