It is a common, but not an invariable custom to change the local magistrates soon after the New Year—in some instances just before it. 'The present incumbents in the counties in this neighbourhood are probably a fair sample of those to be found everywhere. One of them is an uncle' of Governor-General Yuan Sbihkai, but he has not distinguished hims in any marked way. Anothar is a Fukien man rejoicing in the strange surname of Sa, which is not to be found among the "Hundred Surnames." The explanation is said to be that he is_a descendant of foamment of the Yuan Dynasty loft over six or seven hundred years ago. Another is also a native of the same province now making his first essay in ruling the "northern barbarian." He naturally thinks Shantung rather barren of anything to look at, especially to one coming from the vivid mountains of the south. Still another is a Chihli man whose family has been far some generations in the central provinces, but is now at the mattis axe of 45 occupying his first office as local magistrate, althonzh he has filled other posts at the provincial capital, and has a clear vision of things as they are. Unfortunately his county is but a poor one, and the difficulties many.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.