To the Editor of the "Nort Cava Daty News."
Sir,—Sir Robert Hart misleads the West when he seeks to create the impression that there has taken place 'a national uprising" and speaks of drilled rascals us "volunteers." In my boyhood I understood that it cost my eldest brother something in pocket and leisure to dress and Arill'after he get back from his daily occupation.
OF what was the muster composed that gesticulated in the largest temple of the interior town where [recently lived? The order came to the civil official to inform the landowners and shopkeepers of the larger towns that they were to form committees and enrol trainbands and levy a tax on themselves to pay the men. Their excuses and protestation were un-araliing. Forty were enrolled in my town. 'A tax was levied of two cash on every thousand taken over the counter; the men were paid one hundred cash per day. Sune tals per month were paid to the military 'M.A. appointed as drill-sergeant, Rows on the street took place frequently, 'The elated "patriots" helped themselves to hawkers' wares and farmers' produce, and behaved generally as bullies Lasked my cook one day, Do you know any of these men?
"IT know them all," he replied, There is not a good one among thet. They are bullies and blackyuards, every one."
He begin telling the misdeeds of several.
T hoped that the Empress Dowager had ordered the enrolment of the ruffixn element to hold it in check. Some natives thought they were to be used when brigands raided the town or rebels attempted to pass through, but others wondered ant asked my opinion, 1 got un-exch, and was on the point of calling the attention of the Consul to the increasing rowdyism caused by this new movement, when the corps was disbandd. The gentry disbanded their protectors, nomina ally owing to trade being dull, but more likely on hint of the Manchu plot.
The civil official w-s an oaty-gamy and very friendly to foreigners, and probably was suspended for not keeping this band going, as the other three towns i his country with corps had no mission When the time came for action the military had to appropriate everything, no rioters being forthcoming. The men were not professionals, artisans, sho} men, and farmers' s"ns like the "pnglisl
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.