Peking papers now to hand throw further light upon Reuter's message, published elsewhere, with reference to the appointment of an acting Chief Insnector of the Salt Gabelle during Sir Reginald Gamble's absence on Home leave. It appears that the Chinese Government had decided to anoint Mr. F.C. Rose, formerly of the Tndian P.W.D., and latterly of the Chibli River Conservancy, with reversion retreat), and the Tomb of Yao, re- t@ the substantive post in the event built by the Governor, Lu Yung-of Sir Reginald's resignation. This hsiang, at a cost of Tls. 250,000. was done without the knowledge of All the descriptions are rich in the Sir Reginald, although at the time lore' of a dim past. We can cordi-of the reorganization of the Gabelle ally recommend the itinwraries, each it was quite clearly laid down that with its very useful map, to pros-it is for the Inspector-General fo. pective visitors, particularly those submit the name of an acting sub-who have but one day to spare. stitute, while a substantive ap-The whole book should add greatly nointment can only he made with to the interest of their tour round the approval of the British Minis-the famous old city, ter, The Chinese report, in the "Peking Daily News" is that Sir Cosmic Visitors Rojlhy Alston visited Mr. Chow Tre-chi, the Premier Li there be any truth in the "protesting against the appointment (of ancient lore associating the ap-Mr. Rose) and demanding that Mr. W. R. Strickland, a secretary of the Gabelle, pearance of comets with disaster, be appointed to fill the nest. v: by the present year is likely to make Sir R. Gamble. The British Minister's lively additions to history, since demand was refused on the ground that quite a large number of periodic his nominee was not senior enough and comets, comets which have been that the proposal of his ann ointment seen before and whose periods of was objected to by the officials of the-revolution round the suc have Central Salt Administration. However, been computed, are expected the attitude of the British Minister was. pay return visits. Altogether very firm, and he insisted upon the promotion of the officer he recommended. He seven old comets should come our said that he would hold himself respon-way during the year, including de sible for Mr. Strickland in the nerform-Vico's comet, discovered at Rome ance of his duties in the Gabelle. He in 1846, the period of which is would regard the refusal as an unfriendly about 753 years. Astronomers act on the part of the Chinese officials, anticipated that it would turn and would try to expose the corrupt practices of the Chinese Government, up towards the end of last year, if it should remain obstinate. There but it does not seem particularly was a debate of three hours, and when good in keeping an appointment. they parted nothing definite was arrived Another due this year is the great comet discovered by Brorsen inj The British Minister's statement 1846 and last seen in 1879. Tf this comet still exists, it must—since that date-have passed perihelion seven times without being seen, and the interesting suggestion is made that after its last appearance 43 years ago it came to grief in interplanetary space. possibly as the result of a collision with some vagrant cosmic body, and that what remains of it is too small io be seen. The writer recalls an interesting meeting, in an attic na the heart of London, with an ancient astronomer, without fame (given in Reuter's message) that he never tried to advance the claims of any individual but merely wished to assist (as he has an undoubted right to do) in finding the most suitable man for this very important post, sufficiently disposes of this farrago of malicious nonsense, which is only quoted for purposes. of amusement—with this tit-bit for the conclusion that now the Chinese: Government has decided that neither Mr. Strickland nor Mr. Rose is to have the job but Mr. Lenox Stimpson
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.