Chinkiang has been favoured lately with fine weather, gentle breezes, and bright sunshine. '"Just like spring" has been heard on every hand. Clu: the last month there has been an unusual number of merchant vessels—Japanese, English and German. The port. has also been favoured by the presence of H.M.S. Eclipse. Their presence must have been quite a source of social enjoyment on the part of the community people, judging from the entertainments, games, races, etc. The British Consul gracefully presented the awards to the successful contestants in the tournament in the Victoria Park—an occasion which was enjoyed by all. The number of sailors on donkey back, and otherwise, now constantly seen in the street, reminds one of war days of last year, The British ship Arethuss has recently. replaced the Eclipse. One feature, among many others of pleasant nature, of their presence has been a march of most of the men to the Bungalow hill, some five miles back of Chinkiang. The Monterey, the U. 8. monitor, is here also.
Claims.
The " Commissioner of Claims" has just, arrived. They say the hopeful presenters of claims do not smile so sweetly " after taking,"—longer as to face, shorter as to purse.
Business. is quiet in Chinkiang, probably on account of the coming holidays. The Municipal Council is adding fifty fect to the bund by filling in. The busy foreshore will have much more room for its coolies, merchants, and merchandise to swarm—swarm is the word for a crowd of Chinese. The river is low, the inland pools are mostly dry, and the farmers ato not as happy as they think they ought to be. We hear that a new launch company is soon to start a line to Tsingkiangp'u. We don't hear much of reform, or enter prise, or new education, neither has avy one been heard to lift up his voice and revoice over the Court's return. Just the same apathy and unconcern as of old.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.