The approaching birthday of the Empress Dowager has already brought joy to many lives. The names of prisoners in the twenty-four Chou and Hsien which make up the Shunt'ien Prefecture have been sent up to the Fuyin, Mr. Shen T'ung, formerly Taotai in Shanghai, who has inspected the lists and recommended some for Imperial clemency. Unfortunately, the rumour is quite persistent that money has a good deal to do in securing the release of prisoners, or in securing the recommendation of names. One woman told the writer that it would take all her fortune to have her husband's name recommended for mercy. He was only one of many arrested by Yung Lu after the troubles in 1900 and accused of looting his premises. Now that Yung Lu is dead there is no one in the family of sufficient influence or courage to suggest that this man who has suffered for three years should be released, when he is no more guilty than many others and only did what all were doing in those days, For his help in relieving Yung Lu's place of some small articles he will doubt-Jesa be imprisoned for life and his-family reduced to poverty, Among those already released is the name of Wang Chao, who is not only released, but given a small official position. This, unusual action must be owing somewhat to the agitation in the papers which raised an outery on the man's arrest and confinement on so slight a charge. Tt shows that journalism even in China has its influence in the highest circles.
Marshat Ssu who has been in the Board of Punishment since his accusation by the Viceroy of Canton, is having a summer outing at a little city near Peking. He seems quite broken up over his troubles. He thinks he has been unjustly accused and says he was doing the best he could under the circumstances. He said that it was his own province and that lis was more interested than anyone else could be in sessing it quist. It looks as though his degrees may be restored to him though, of course, his official life has ended. If he can be freed from the disgraceful charees against him he will retire to private life without a murmur. It shows the liberality of officials in China (or what does it show?) that a distinguished prisoner whose case is still unsettled should be allowed so liberty.
The Western Tombs are becoming quite popular as a place of pilgrimage. Mr. and Mrs. Conger, with a party of friends, have made a recent visit and Professor Jenks and secretary anticipate a trip in the near future. The place is accessible by rail and furnishes many beautiful views of mountain scenery. The architecture seems to surpass anything seen at the Ming Tombs. The Western Tombs are located in the department of Ichou (celebra'ed for its tobacco) and can easily be reached and visited in one day; and the return trip can be made the following day. rious Railway Acccident.
There is a report of a very serious accident ay Kaoyi, a place south of Potingfu, on the Lu-Han railroad. The train was derailed and several cars were thrown into the ditch. Two guards were killed and many parsevzers injured, This road is well patronised and is doing a splendid business. But some of those who ride frequently on the road complain of the carelessness of the Chinese engineers.
The Power Behind the Throne, There is a general impression among high officials in Peking that the eunuchs in the palace are far too numerous. Recently a man of high rank took % upon himself to memorialise the Throne on the matter, and the reply of the Empress Dowager is that it is to be investigated. This has created a great stir among this unfortunate and worthless class, the eunuchs, as they see that their soft places may be invaded by a search party. Hence they have petitioned the head-eunuch to intercede for them. Of course, Li, the arch-eunuch (unusually called PG Hsiao-li) is involved himself and hence his petition to the Empress Dowager to stop the investigation was made with all the influence he could bring to bear. His tears and bowings were successful and the investigation is nipped in the bud. If the palace could be relieved of these degenerate creatures there might be some hopes of good ideas getting admission to the Empress. Though Pi Hsiao-li's premises were destroyed after the entrance of the foreign troops in 1900, it is well Known that now he is more wealthy than formerly, and wealth from all over the provinees rolls at his feet. Any entrance to the Empress Dowager must be made by his permission and no official would be so audacious as to ignore him.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.