It is said that Jung Lu managed to lay by a million taels during his 34 months' tenure of office as Viceroy of Chihli. Plending poverty has long taken rank as an accomplishment in Peking. The "poor" Princes of this city are on an average worth a million taels apiece, ie., speaking after the manner of men—of course, intrinsic value is not referred to. In spite of her exhortations to the officials to diligently petite economy, in-order to enable ler to keep the government machine running and to save her valiant soldiers. from starvation, the truth is the Empress Dowager is immensely rich and able ensily to meet all demands. If by any chance s should turn the screw vigorous soon be as plentifial in Peki the day bitterly and emphatically,—"Welt, if we have to make terms with any foreign power, we will cast la our lot with Russia, She is near-by and strong and aggressive. We cannot resist her by ourselves, and no one can be depended upon to help us, therefore we will conciliate her, and let the other nations take their chances, They, will do nothing for us and we shall not show any. favour to them." This is believed to represent the policy of the Empress Dowager and the leaders of the Manchu party. The Peking railway scheme isa strong hint of what may be expected when the Trans-Siberian line is completed. Thirty years ago the Tsungli Yamen was:
metly warned thet "Ching's chief troubles will come from the North," and a history of Russian advances was laid before them—only to be carefully placed on high shelf for "future reference." Perhaps the time has come to refer to it~or burn it, to save the "face" of those who 80' proudly neglected its premonitions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.