July 4.
In the Municipal Minutes which appear in this issue it will be noticed that the Council approaches the question of the suppression of opium-smoking' and sets forth various poinst bearing on the possible closing of opium dens this Settlement, The subject is introduced by un interesting, though necessarily belated, account of the various steps taken by the native authorities to secure the closure of the dens in the native city on June 22, From this statement itis clear, as has already been pointed out in our columns, that the success of the enforcement of determination of the Shanghai the edict was due entirely to the
Tnotai, and that in the jurisdictions of lees energetic officials there is little hope at present of any considerable check being introduced to the prevalence of the evil. In passing we may note what mush surely be a new departure in the phraseology of official proclamations, when the exhortation to obedience is strengthened by aa appeal that the people should nob niake themselves laughing stock to outside countries: the inculcation of self-respect, as the word is understood abroad, could be extended as well to the highest im hat now mar diplomatic rungs in the social ladder, many and municipal relations between Chinese and foreigners would be overcome.
According to the Minutes the Council is informed that the Taotai has already re-i troduced the question of closing licens-d opium houses in the Settlement. From this statement we may conclude that representations on the subject have been made to the Consular Body, but have not as yet been pussed on to the Council with or without the Consuls' recommendations, In these circumstances the Council reserves to itself the right to be guided by circumstances in dealing with this matter, but has compiled a few focis bearing on the suppression of opium for the consideration of the public The object of this statement, it may be presumed, is to set forth the obstacles in the way of a burried requiescence in the Chinise demands, It is pointed out that there are twice as many opium divans in the Settlement as there are in the native city, while no fair comparison on the mere basis of numbers can be instituted between the luxurious business rendezvous of which the houses in the Settlement to a large extent consist and " the often indescribably filthy dens in the City and outskirts." Again the Council urges
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.