with very mixed feelings that we read of the opening of the new Belgian port Zeebragge, which as ita name implies (Brugge being the Flemish equivalent of Bruges) is the terminus of the Bruges Ship Canal. For while it would be cruel to wish to deny Bruges anything that may restore her ancient. splendour and prosperity, commerce and romance hardly may live together; and that twilight of lost magnificence which lends to: Bruges her peculiar beauty and charm among all cities of Europe will be quickly dispelled, when once again her quays are crowded with merchandize and her countless bridges tremble under the passing of heavy bales. But. setting on one side considerations of poetry, and interests of a lyrical holiday-maker who loves to xit beside the Quai clu Kosaire on " moonlight night listening to the Belfry's chimes they steal along the unruffled surface of the canal, it was indeed time that something should be done for the relief of Bruges, of whose 55,000 inhabitants it is calculated that over 9,000 are virtually paupers. Tt ix curious that a city which in the 14th century was so extraordinarily rich that the Court of European monarch could vie with youd have sunk into such depression, when other equally ancient towan, as Courtrai, Tournai and Ghent, should be thriving still with their" carpet making. their damasks and their woollen hoods.
Bruges was the proudest of all cities, and she suffered the worst downfall, first under the House of Haps-burg, when most of her trade was transferred to Antwerp; then in the Duke of Alva's bloody religious perseentions of the 16th century, from which Ching: tisd formally assented! fo the proposal of the United States foran international investigation on the opium question. The which was formally communicated to the Chinese Government on Sune 21 by -Mr.
-Rockhill;: the United States Minister, a a joint inquiry into the opium trade and-the production of opium by an international commission, comprising representatives of Great Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Holland, Japan and China, The other " five Powers had expressed their willingness to take part with the United States, and it was anticipated' that China would also assent with alacrity. According to Dr. Morrison, however, she appeared to see in the communication some hidden meaning menacing her sovereign rights and allowed more than month to elapse before accepting the invitation. Until China signified her intention of being represented on the inquiry, no details of procedure were formulated, but these will now be the subject of amicable arrangement. between the States concerned. The uppointment of this commission of investigation shoald prove of considerable benefit to China herself, as it is an earnest of the willingness of other Powers to assist her- inthe task. of suppressing the nse of opium and of extinguishing the growth of the poppy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.