Peking fame, delivered an extremely interesting discourse, in the Savage Club Hall, to a small but appreciative audience. After an introductory speech by H.B.M.'s Consul explaining the Rev. Mr. Reid's objects and the desirable results which it was to be hoped might accrue, to the mutual advantage of natives and foreigners, the lecturer discoursed for a short hour on' the present attitude of the Chinese Government towards reform. After alluding to the conflicting opinions and desires expressed by foreign observers as to the fate of China, whether she should be parcelled out among the great Powers, the status quo maintained, etc. ete., and, further, to the obligation imposed upon al fore residents in China by what is practically heir quality as guests, of studying and furthering whatever mag be to her ultimate advantage, he proceeded to discuss the main indications ofa genuine and hopeful inclination to reform which are discernible among the ruling classes in Peking. Chief among these were the memorials submitted to the Throne by a leading Censor, and, later, by a member of the Board of War, in favour of founding-schools in every province for instruction in Occidental Knowledge, for widening the scope of the literary examinations by including subjects pertaining to such, so that the Chinese classics should no longer be the sole mental abulum for the rising generation; for founding a University in Peking where Western learning might be taught, etc, ete. In nearly every province of the Empire institutes for the promotion of commercial intercourse were being founded, and numerous papers dealing with forei subjects were being published or projected. The history of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.