We are having a very cool summer in this part of the world, the coolest I. think since I first came here nine years ago. The Rainfall all round has been somewhat erratic. In some places pats of the country have been temporarily Hooded, while in others there has been scarcely a shower. Personally I have managed to be passing through the rain-favoured districts more than has been pleasant. Last month I spent some days a tle over 100 li north of here, and had rain every day, so that I was glad to start for home. On arrival here I found the rainfall had been barely sufficient for the crops, Last week, while travelling, Iwas caught in asterin which looked as if it extended for miles in all directions. My carter objected to go on, but when I began to feel the rain inside the cart I insisted on going on, as we were only taking shelter under s.me trees; he was in a small wayside inn, We had made up our minds to spent the night at the first market town, which was only two miles away, but when we reached there we found they had had scarcely any rain, and 40 we pressed on, to find the road quite dry and dusty as we proceeded.
The kaoliang is already being gathered in, and very soon the "kutsi" will be upo. The prospects for cotton are good, but beans vary in different places according to the amount of rain, A New Official. that we have just changed mandarins. The There is very little stirring here except
new official appears to be favourably inclined towards foreigners, at least he aphis visit the other day ho produced cigarettes predates foreign things. When I returned and biscuits, and had a brilliant coloured carpet on the brick floor of his room, the first I haya seen in these parts.
Quiet and Peaceful.
fal, but Thear there are rumours ation in The people here are very quiet and peace-an' adjacent helen, but I think very little importance is to be attached to them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.