garden parties of Sir Robert have again deen begun." The weather is very pleasant. have fallen. The Empress Dowager has gone to Wanshowshan, She embarks a little way outside the city on an Imper Inge which is towed to the Kuénming ike where there are four small steam Taunches. Wanshowshan is being completely repaired and partial repairs have als eon executed in the Hunting Park. Bey repairing the wall, nothing has been done to the Palace of Yucumingyuen, although its entire restoration also is in contemplat tion, A very lange sum of money will be expended in celebration of the Empress Dowager's 60th birthday and extensive reparations are alzewdy being undertaker is reported that the houses on the streets leading to the Straight West Gate by which the Imperial cortéye proceeds to the Sumner Palace, will all resume the appearance they presented last century when piazzas ran along the entire route on hath sides of the streets, remnants of which in some places are still to he observed. 'These Pinzas for the most part have been incorporated in the shops, and their demolition and restoration and' painting will cost a huge sum of money.
Our summer is upon us; one or two very warm days have already been experienced. Our community is begining to talk of migrating to the hills. HE. the Spanish Minister fall from his horse a few sustained no serious Hallett: has been here on i visit. Dr. and Mrs. Bushell and family have gone home on furlough.
We know nothing here of the persistent rumours of the recall of the French Minister. Without some foundation it is 1 grottable that such rumours should be pro-parated, The first of our diplomatic body to proceed to the hills is likely to be Col. Denby, the new doyen of the corps, who worthily fills the post vacated by M. von Brandt. It is-seldom that an American Minister succeeds to this post, by reason of the Presidential election and the change of officials all over the world, The honour and interests of the United States are well safeguarded by the retention here through fondly anticipate tine the occupancy of two terms of the present Minister. We
this responsible- post will be filled for another form by the present incumbent. The new President and Secretary of State are Col. Denby's most particular friends.. The important interests affecting the Chinese in America can best he naged by one who is thoroughly conversant with the question, and who the ear of the Tsungli nent and whose long record is of sch a high, honourable and dignified character. Tt is fortunate that the doyen-ship should fall into such good hands. The American Minister is one of the few Foreign Representatives in whom the Chinese can implicitly confide and ask their advice in-trying circumstances and dificult negotiations. The United States occupies a more or less neutral position which renders her a mediator and go-between. We hear it rumoured that
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.