Mar. 29.
An expedition which will penetrate the secluded mountain fastnesses of Western China will start next day with the departure from Liverpool of Professor John Walter Gregory, F.n.s., D.Sc., Professor of Geology in the University of Glasgow. In this adventurous quest, the Professor, who has already made a reputation as an explorer, will be accompanied by his son, Mr. Christopher John Gregory, who makes his first effort as an explorer.
The party leaves Liverpool on the liner Herefordshire, bound for Rangoon. Proceeding up the Irrawady (as.already announced in your columns) the point of departure will be Bhamo, and from thence the expedition will go by the Ambassador's Road to Téng-Yueh, which is the first important town in southwest China. All the country between Téngyueh and Batang, a town on the main Chin-road to Lhasa, will be closely vestigated for geological and scientific data. During the march between these two centres—the belt of country traversed by the three parallel rivers, the Yangtze, Mekong, and Salwin—it is hoped to ascertain valuable scientific facts which will greatly enhance existing geological knowledge. Altogether, the march will extend to over 1,000 miles.
Assistance is being lent by the British Consul at Téngyueh, who is engaging a Chinese staff; while the Chinese Government will provide an escort to protect the party from natural dangers when penetrating the valleys, some of which are from 3,000 to 4,000 feet deep. The trade routes along these valleys are sometimes rendered impassable by landslides. There is also the possibility of attack by brigands.
The main problem which Professor Gregory hopes to unravel is whether there are any indications of an eastward continuance of the Himalayan range. In__ localities which the explorers will endeavour to penetrate there is believed to be evidence which will determine the relation of the Himalayas and the mountain system of southeast Asia. Some of the mountains are said to be about 25,000 feet high, and by ascending to within 5,000 feet of their snow-clad tops the Professor hopes to be able to measure accurately their altitude. Up to the present the heights given on the maps are merely confectural.
Specimens of animals and plants will be collected, and it is expected that they will throw some light on former changes in the climate of the country. Thesp specimens will be presented to the Natural History Museum, South Kensington, and to the Calcutta Museum.
Part of the expense of the expedition will be defrayed by the Perey Sladen Trust, named after an eminent biologist, whose fortune was bequeathed by his wife for the assistance of such expeditions.
Professor Gregory, who has accompanied expeditions to British East Africa, Spitzbergen, and Central Australia, hopes to return in October.
Faraer or Scorrise Missions.
The death has taken place at Dunira, Corstorphine, of the Rev. John Anderson, in his 10lst year. "Father" of the Church of Scotland, he was also the oldest Scottish missionary, probably the oldest British missionary. After being educated at Edinburgh University, he spent ten of the best years of his life in Calcutta. After the Disruption, the Church of Scotland's institution at Calcutta was left practically without any staff, every missionary with one exception, Miss Savile, having gone over to the new Free Church. In 1845 Dr. Ogilvie was in charge, and in the following year he was joined by Mr. Anderson, and after some strenuous work the task of reconstruction was successfully accomplished. A breakdown in his wife's health forced Mr. Anderson to return to Scotland, where he was subsequently minister of the West, Parish of Dalkeith and then of Coulter in Lanarkshire.
Anprew KirKcatpy on TRAINING
Andrew Kirkealdy, the Royal and Ancient professional, than whom there is no better known figure in golf, has been giving his views in regard to the training of beginners in the great game. No believer in hustling, Andra's method may be too slow for the man who desires to become a Vardon all at once; but his system, he contends, never fails in the long run to bring about the correct result. "The man who has never previously handled a club," he declares, "should never be asked right away to keep his eye on the wee white ba' and to try to hit it. See that he has the right club, of proper weight and length, and Jet him go-out on the course—or the back green for that matter—every day for a week, clipping the daisies, learning how to swing properly, and solving the secret of the stance." Andra is particularly strong on the stance.
Andra says he will be competing in the Open Championship this year, but is emphatic in his refusal to predict any likely result. "T tried the prophesying business once; to oblige a newspaper man I mentioned seven players for the Amateur Championship, and not one of them made a show. But never again." As for professional talent in Scotland, he thinks it as strong as ever, and would assuredly reveal itself if only the men got a little more encouragement.
Ixcome oF THE PEopLe.
I have recently been privileged to seo some semi-official calculations designed to answer the ques; tion—What has been the total income during the current financial year of the people of Great Brit-sin? That is, the aggregate of all incomes, of rich and poor, from
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.