Your correspondent had the opportunity, recently, which he has long wished for, of visiting the grave of Confucius. Being called to Chiningchou, 400 li south-west: of Chinan, on buses, the return trip was made by way of Chiifu, 90 li east of Chining, where both the grave of the Sage and his own special temple are located. The temple is situated inside the city walls, and is, by far, the most. beautiful example of temple architect I have seen in China, the outside pillars of the main building, in which the effigies +f the Sage and several of his noted disciples are pliced, being of beautifully erved stone, and the whole building being kept in a good state of repair, the descendant of Confucius, who was in attendance to show us through the place, and wh" was very polite in his Attentions, assured us that the image of Confucius' was a faithful representation of the Sage as he looked when alive. The expression vas pleasing "and the face benignant, though it struck both my travelling companion and me that the eyes were too large and to prominent to be those of Chinese. The grave is situated about a mile from—the north gate of the city, in the middle of a very large enclosure, the burial ground of the whole Confucian clan, a shady avenue leading from the city gate to its entrance. A smaller plot of ground, of only a few acres enclosed by a red wall, contains the graves. of Confucius, his son and his grandson, all of them of such marked simplicity that we could searcely believe it possible we were standing before the tomb of China's greatest. sage, when our guide finally told us we had arrived at the spot. The mould is not very large, not to be compared with the Ming tombs near Peking, while the table-t much like the ordinary tomb stones one isa plain slab of stone standing upright, sees everywhere, We could not but admire the absence of all tawdry display, and the charming simplicity which characterise the resting place of the great teacher.
The New German Consul, Mr. Lange, is expected to reach Chinan about 20th May, so Dr. Lenz, who will await his coming, informs your correspon dent. It is pleasant to learn that Mr. Lange will probably bring his wife with him, as one more lady in the Chinan community will be an agreeable addition. Our Intest acquisition is a young lady graduate of the Chefoo Girls' School, who has lately arrived in Chinan to teach in the family of 'a Chinese official in the city and also act as governess to the little girls in the American Union.
The Bureau of Foreign Affairs has lately moved into larger and more convenient quarters on one of the best streets of the city. The front of the place is distinguished by an extensive picket fence on either side of the entrance, the pickets being painted a bright blue.
Mr. Ku, one of Chang Chih-tang's Secretaries, has lately joined the Foreign office here, in the capacity of Assistant Director. He is the author of the famous "'Defensio Populi," which attracted so much attention some years ago.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.