The chief excitement in Kueilin lately has been the frequent confiagrations that have occurred with astounding regularity. This city enjoys the unenviable reputation of being subject to fires and this autumn is certainly bearing it out: Six fires have takea place during the last three weeks. The was in the North Gate Street, over one hundred families being rend: ered homeless and the property of the English Church Mission narrowly escaping destruction.
The sufferers seem to bear their lot with wonderful resignation, grumbling being scarcely heard at all, which strikes one a6 a most admirable trait in their character. Alt the game time, when, as in this case, the fire was caused by downright carelessness, the people naturally have shown signs of being exaggerated. Of course no redress can be had from the culprit, who, as may be expected, is extremely poor himself, but this year, for the sake of example and warning to future offenders, there has been some talk of resorting to exile as a punishment. Now, however, 'a8 the offender seems to be going out of his mind, brought on by remorse and wounds received, it is unlikely that the threat will be carried out. cause of these fires is, as usual, that by far the major portion of houses in these parte are built of wood. Wood is most plentiful, and in spite of risks involved, the people seem to prefer to tempt fate rather than attempt to erect more substantial homes for themselves. While wood abounds, stone also abounds in even greater quantities, but it docs not seem to occur to the Chinese that with a little science this boundless supply of material might be utilize ed, as in Europe, in the erection of residences that would be' almost fire-proof. They live in daily terror, all through the autumn especially, without realizing that remedy lies 90 close at hand: Spiritualists have prophesied that this year thirteen fires are ordained to take place. The ignorant believe this nonsense heart and soul, and dread lest their street be the next victim.
Tt is an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and the officials have enforced the rule that after fires owners of property are to yield
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.