presents a anemonal on behalf of a number of gentle-mien belonging to that province, who wish tu erect a temple in honour of the recently deceased statesman Yen Ching-ming. According to the statement of the applicants, in the reign of Hsien Feng, Shantung was viply harassed both by alpings and Nienfei rebels, who came from other parts Of the Empire, and by numerous bodies of local brigands known under various names, such as the sectarian banditti, turban} banditti, salt banditti and others. At the beginning of the reign of Tung Chih the Tnipings and Nienfei were giving less trouble; but the local brigands had be-; come a greater pest than ever. Just at this period, now thirty years ago, Yen Ching-ning' was promoted to be Governor of the Province. He found the country a state of terrible disorder, banditti everywhere, and the people openly refusing to pay their taxes, He at once gave himself unremittingly tu his work. With the aid vf Prince Saukolinsin he weeded out the weak and useless from the army and transformed it into a serviceable force. In a few months' time he got the better of the brigands, destroying their lairs Tuneh' and Tyiich'uan, and at the same time not letting them escape, so as break out and create disturbance anew. In those days the country was full of unauthorised bodies of train-Duuds or militia, Marching about in large auumnbers, under the command of the men who enrolled them, they exacted contributions from the farmers, far heavier than the ordinary government taxes. These bands were suppressed by Yen Chin; to the great relief of both the offici the people, and the regular government was recognised once more. By the end of three years the provincial treasury contained three million taels; the remaining bands of brigands had been crushed beyond the possibility of recovery; and the army had-been remodelled without any trouble occurring from the soldiers who were dismissed. The fame of the Governor was known throughout the kingdom, and he was honoured and eulogised by his Imperial Master. He was no Jess successful in his administrative acts and in the management of his subordinates. Treating them with firmness but kindness, he became a terror to the unprincipled. The results of his government have lasted to the present day, and the people are yet reaping the Denefit therefrom. In remembrance of what he did for them, the petitioners ask leave to erect a temple in his honour at the provincial capital, where services may be performed by the officials in the spring and autumn.—Granted. ith March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.