'The following paragraphs are a fow notes on current events at home, jotted down for the benet of friends in' Shanghai while the writer is spending what ix" generally described as a well-earned holiday."
Li is evidently bent on making hay while the sun shines and, according to x gram from Moscow, published in all "Dailies" declares that the sole mission entrusted to him by the Emperor of China, apart from the coronation of Czar, is to make a study of Euro-pom systems of administration, with the View to introduction of reforms into China"
M'yes!! Butitseemspossiblethat the grand Old Chinaman will not visit London after all. Maskve, our Foreign Office has suecessful contested for the charge of his coffin and is, therefore, no doubt, congratulating itself ""muchly."" After this who dare say our own *F.0." is wanting in diplomacy? proved a good advertisement. It was so The, stoppage of the Great Whocl has opportune that it should occur just before the holidays, wasn't it? The coster, of course, must have his little joke and he is now generally to be seen, as the Wheel starts, putting his head, wrapped in a kerchief, through the carriage window, at the same time remarking that he is not to be expected home for a week.
Cricket isin full swing and the season promises well. Surrey will probably again come out "top sawyer," having seven consecutive wins to her credit already. The Australians are generally admitted to be up to expectations, and the mamer in which they put the Yorkshire eleven to sleep" this week proves them businesslike. Of course there are many ready excuses for the Tykes, "bad ground," ete., but after all is said and done, the indisputable fact remains that the "Cormstalks" finished first. Of the individual players, "W. G." has only just got into his stride, "The Indian Prince" is going strong, Stoddart is there or thereabouts, while Hayward, Peel, the Quaifes, Tunnicliffe. and the "Little Rich" of cricket, Abel, are all sustaining their respective' reputations. The sensational draw between Gloucester and Sussex is worthy of notice as it once more proves The Music Halls have naturally had a ven creat week, and, naturally also, ce have the Police Courts. Among those who have been appearing at the former places of amusement are old favourites whom some of you may remember—Dan Leno, with a arty about the North Pole; Randall, who has leit "The little ones 1 at home" and is busy describing the results of The New Photographer Herbert Campbell and G. H. Chi laughable as ever. The classic ditty just now occupying the attention of the street boy is one entitled, She was one of the early birds and I was one of the worms." The Theatres would be quoted in a market report as "dull, with a steadier feeling since our last advices." W. S. Penley has just produced anew farce, Josiah's Drewn, atthe Strand, though, unfortunately, it has not met with eneral approval, but Charley's Aunt is "still running," as the adv ments have it, at the Globe. At Daly's, The Geisha has attracted some attention, and we are thoughtfully reminded that the name rhymes with ' Asia."
Britannia Theatre, and in the same cast is Miss Mario Brian, is playing at the Mr. Edwin Fergusson, also an old Shanghai favourite.
The Shop Girl has had notice to quit the Gaiety, and at the new musical piece, which will be produced in about a fortnight, I hope to be, on the first night, Ose ov THE Crown.
29th May.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.