Ever since the river has been in such a condition as to render difficult or prevent the ascent of steamers to Tientsin, stealing from. the lighters lus been on the increase, The matter has never been dealt with ax severely as it deserved: it is very difficult deed to get the Chinese authorities to act efficiently in such eases, their own un lings being frequently hand in glove with the rascals, By such neglect, the thieves have become emboldened, till'" few nights ayo a lighter was practically cleared out by a ga have wot. yet riy. progress hax been made in discovering the culprits, although it is probable" that the whereabouts of the entire gang is not very fur from Tangku, which hag a bad reputation, and near which the robbery
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.