One thing very palpable at this time is the strength of public opinion. The local officials are between two difficulties. For allowing disturbances they may have their official heads taken off them. But for going too far, according to public opinion, in suppressing such disturbances they may have the foundations of their power swept from under their fect. The massacre of the prefect of Chuchou is said by the natives to be an instance of the latter. You have reported already instances of how concessions are made to the very worst classes sometimes, as in the pardoning of criminals, smugglers, and such like. There is a power of democracy in China which exerts itself energetically at. times, and which may not be offended with impunity, and so much the worse when pride and prejudice rule,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.