There are two strong secret societies whose headquarters are near here. That of the Jand men. popularly known as the " Red Door," and that of the boatmen as the "Green Door." The "Red Door" is our old fiend the, bee head-eross the river from Chinkiang © The had: na for this province (Kia is just
quarters of the other is up the river ata salt station, about ten miles away. These society men were a terror to the inhabitants and have the power of life and death. The former magistrate could not, or did not deal with them. They have a peculiar hat, some carried Knives and other weapons, and no one dared oppose j A Strong Man Sent.
The Viceroy has sent a man who has taken them in hand, and they are wearing common hats—those who have heads to wear them on—and hiding in obscurity for the present. What with these foreigners and institutions like Sir Robert Hart's, and these powerful secret societies, our "grea: men" hereabouts have some difficulty in maintaining their independence and control Another Change.
A new Commissioner of Customs has arrived. He may count himself happy if he is as well liked both by Chinese and foreigners as his predecessor was.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.