In the course of a month there have been four big robberies at private residences, one near the North Gate and three in the Southern part of the of. The losses of clothing, jewels etc., estimated at $3,000, $4,000, $6,000 and $10,000 respectively. It is stated that the robbers used ansesthetics on the sleepers whose rooms they were robbing. But the fact that trunks containing valuable effects could be carried off without there being so far 8 trace of where they are taken to does linet inspire the wealthy with confidence 4a the police or in the security of their s10x8 oF PROSPERITY.
The clearing off of the rubbish on lote laid waste by the T'aipings; the erection of new residences and shops, and the growth around the educational centres indicate that Soochow is profiting by the entrance of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway. Here at least the popular feeling about the Soochow-Hangchow Railway might be expressed as desirous only the natives of Chekiang should stop talking and allow Soochow to have its additional railway.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.