This project has been before the public for some three years; and funds have not been solicited entirely in vain. A picke of ground has lately been procured, and the building will soon be begun. AS the amount in hand is still insufficient to carry out the plans which Dr. Main and his coadjutors have drawn up, further gifts will be gratefully received. It is hoped the officials, gentry, and merchants of Hangchow will show their interest still further in a material way. As was noted in your columns a few days ago, Mr. Judson has arranged for monthly lectures on topics of general interest in the Hangchow Presbyterian College; and to these lectures many Chinese gentlemen of education and influence have been invited. This lecture-course has long been in the mind of the college faculty, as a means of doing god but it has never seemed possible to start it till now. Tt will of course in no wise interfere with the projected Lecture Hall.
Warding off Pestilence.
A large number of our populace joined recently in a great procession in honour of the God ("General") of Pestilence, to appease him and secure immunity from his wrath this summer. The procession is customary on the 16th day of the 5th moon; but owing to the terrible scourge of cholera and other discases last year, it was entered into with greater clat than usual. Many preceded the day with fasting, and offerings were made to the idol in great abundance. Could this vast waste of money have been directed to the opening of roads and the cleaning away of rubbish, one would imagine that the Generalissimo of Pestilences would hare been more effectively appeased.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.