According to a Wuchang dispatch, his honour 'Ts'én Kao, Substantive Customs Taotai of Hankow, who is a cousin of the progressive Governor of Shansi, HE. 'Ts'en Ch'un-hsien, is somewhat like the Jatter in his aims,' namely, the desire to see his country progress and the wish to possess the knowledge to bring about such This knowledge Ts'én Taotai recognises cannot be obtained in his own country and that only an extended tour it foreign countries, combined -with close observation and' careful study of the customs and institutions of Western nations, could give him some of the Knowledge he requires. It has there—fore transpired that Ts'én Taotai In recently sent. up a petition to their! Excellencies Viceroy Chang Chih-tung and Governor Tuan Fang, his honow's immediate superiors in Wuchang, in which his honour asks to be allowed to give up his present lucrative post of Customs Taotai of Hankow, and go abroad for a tour of investigation through Europe and the United States, for at least a couple of years, Tt is stated that both Viceroy Chang and Governor Tuan Fang (who isa Manchu) heartily endorse Ts'én Taotai's plan, but that it has not yet been determined whether his honour can be spared his post at present or not.
Foreign Men-of-war at Newchwang.
A Newchwang dispatch reports that there are to be three foreign men-of-war, at Jeast, to remain in that port this winter, namely, a British, an American, and a Russian gunboat, respectively. These three canels ate No he docked close to each other and a couple of thousand coolies are being now engaged daily in rushing through the necessary dock excavations for the three gunboats, owing to the premature approach Of cold weather which threatens an carly closing of the port by ice.
The Prestige of Russia.
1t is stated from Wuchang that Governor Tuan Fang of that city has issued proclamations throughout ° the principal cities of Hupeh province, warning the people from Being swindled by rogues who are going about the Yangtze provinces offering for sale so-called Russian Certificates," gua-runteeing protection to native howlers against oppression on the part of their ins. The proclamations further said t a dispatch had been received on the subj from Governor Nieh of Kiangsu province, who stated that the Shanghai Taotai had reported that a certain Chinese had come to that port and had applied to the Russian Consulate there for such a certificate, stating that he ssu documents hawked about in the interior and sold to whomsoever desired to Russian protection. Of course the Ru: Consul denied the existence of such ficates, and it behoves people to care how they become swindled in the future by trusting in the bona fides of suet "certificates of protection."
The Wuchang Foreign Mint.
Owing tothe shortness of the stock of silver bullion at present in Wuchang, for the striking of silver dollars and subsidiary coins at the foreign machinery mint in that city, Viceroy Chang has recently issued orders to reduce the staff by a-third. Some hundred or so workmen will therefore have to be dismissed by the end of the present tent! moon—LOth December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.