28th September, "OF the making of books there is no end," but given length of life and sorrespouding perseverance it is possible to reach the end even of such a volume as this, with its hundreds of letters and enclosures, It is weary work, this study of blue books, and we would not for the world ask our readers to wade through a tithe of the matter prepared for them, but as the matters discussed are of importance in themselves, seeing that they concern those things by which we make our living, and of interest from their connection with the unique events of last year, we propose to boil down the vast mass of fact and fiction presented and so give a readable summary of the principal subjects discussed, Personal interests being at all times of more vital consequence and fur more difficult in the present instance of adjustment, we intend to examine in the first place the various points that arose respecting the treatment of those members of the Chinese Government and the mandarinate generally who were more or legs avowed Boxers, and were guilty more of less of complicity in their crimes, It_ is on this point that outside opinion is most unanimous in con-dernning the diplomatic failure to secure adequate punishment. We shall see what light is thrown upon the subject by the correspondence now published.
On the 15th November, 1900, Sir E. Satow sent home copies of translations of two Proclamations, "the authenticity of which is beyond doubt," threatening death to any who harboured foreigners, and offering money rewards for their capture. Prince Chuang, Kang Yi, Ying Nien, and Tsai Lan were signatories to one of these.
Mr. Warren telegraphed fromShang+ hai, on the 17th January, 1901, respecting the dilatoriness of the Che
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.