Wenchew—the city mild and peaceful—moves, even if it does, so slowly and sedately; it responds to the dynamic influences of the ag¢, even while showing unequivocal signs of a resuscitation of interest in and observance of customs and beliefs handed down from remote generations. 'The modern student may, in the presence of the foreign teacher, try to assume the attitude of a supercilioug' agnostic, but people and merchants and others crowd more than ever to the popular temples at the season of Z'sing Ming and perform the ancient ceremonies at the graves with apparently greater devotion. "The old order changteh," it is true, "'yielding place the new," but so much of the old order is firmly embedded in the heart and life of the people at large, and for anything that gives any promise of conserving the old faith and the ancient customs, these still ave not wanting those willing to give generously. Some time ago the Wu family gave thousands of dollars for the renovation of a temple which is now completed. The picturesquely sinuous avenue leading up the hill to that temple is being well repaired with fine blocks of granite, which are already half-way up, through the munificence of a lady of the neighbouring city of Juian.
The outdoor staff of the Customs has recently undergone. changes, Mr. West's departure to Newchwang having now been followed by that of the much esteemed harbour master, Mr. Christophersen, who has gone vid American and Lon-jo¢-morrow norning.—Reuter. don on furlough overdue two years. Many expressions of regret have been heard, for during the three years of this, his second, appointment to Wenchow, Mr. Christopher. sen has earned the hearty goodwill and respect of the community. Mr. Coxall has followed Mr. West, and Mr. Ryden, accompanied by his wife, has succeeded Mr. Christophersen. Mr. Coxall's prowess at football has been mentioned and we look to see him giving more than a few points to the students on the Methodist College field, some of whom are keen, but are much in j need of coaching.
Japanese steamers continue to trade, mostly in charcoal, with the port, and seldom a week passes without seeing one or more of them anchored off the city. One report now gives the number of resident Japanese here as over 50, and another says about 100. In the eastern suburb a factory is being built by or for Japanese. It is still in course of erection, there being three structures, one ai single storey, the second a double-storied one, and the third a neat little painted wooden bungalow with brick pillars for the manager, Mr. Ling, a Fukienese. The two former buildings are for the production of canned beef, mutton, yar-mei and loquats, intended, according to the people on the spot, for outport trade. Asked as to whether or not, Japanese were associated with the enterprise, the answer was "No; Fukienese and Wenchowese." The factory and bungalow are at the side of the new motor road where it ends near the river bank.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.