The collection of debts goes merrily on with occasional fights. We are glad for t] enw j alice who end these quarrels much quicker than the old Chinese method of waiting for the soldiers stationed st a distance to reach the scene of disturbance.
Yesterday this town put on its gala dress to welcome the Taotai. But today the colour comes down as he has passed on his way. It seems hard to recognize the main street as the same street that it was yesterday.
The official has ordered the abolition of small coin, It has wrought much good bat still leaves much to be accomplished.
The number of opium-shops here has decreased from over one hundred to thirty, because of the official exaction. Whether the "reform" has any permanent advantage or not time alone will tell, but we hope for better things. Many shops are selling pills for ti cure of the opium habit, but these for the most part are said to contain opium. One native physician said he had cured a great many people, but unfortunately they did not stay cured, The representative of the American and British Tobacco No. has visited this region and posted up cigarette posters fon every available space. The efforte put forth are worthy of a better cause,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.