We of Ichoufu supposed we were to have a new magistrate. For the decree had "come down from above" ordering our Yii Ta-lao-yeh and the Ch'angch'ing magistrate to change districts. But there was to be another illustration of the truth embodied in the words ' the best laid schemes of mice and men," ete., and our magistrate is still with us. He' attempted to get away; he left us before the festivities of the New Year season were fairly over. Unfortunately he failed to put his house in order before his departure; an affair of long standing, a case between the Catholics and their persecutors, was not settled.
On his departure he went at once to Chinanfu, according to custom, to present himself fo the Governor. H.E. Chou Fu Kept Yi waiting over a month before granting him an audience. When this formality was finally allowed, to the con-stomation of our magistrate, he was upbraided for leaving his district with an important case unsettled, and was ordered back to see it through. again. Even his Hanlin degree did not Thus it happens that Yi is with us save him from a deserved loss of face. It is reported now that he will do anything, pay any amount, to settle the troublesome case, But these persecutors of the Catholics are still at large,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.