Trade seems to be improving since the holidays. Foreign goods come in on flat-topped ferry boats from the railway and river. The variety is on the increase and Chinese are beginning to appreciate good quality. Shanghai sets the pace in fashions for men's and women's clothing. The Chinese women are showing excellent taste and discrimination in dress goods. The style now favoured is neat, modest and allows ease and comfort. This is only one of the straws that show the direction of the wind. Shop fixtures and home furnishings are steadily improving—more adapting, less adopting.
The merchant or manufacturer who will take the trouble to find out what the Chinese in the interior actually want, will be the ial of immense trade and pro-
The farmers are busy now with preparations for silk culture, good prospects. The country districts, however, are reporting a sort of i among children s, many dying in a few The disease appears to be less virulent in cities and towns.
The Grand Canal along the way to Soochow, bunded about the time of the Emperor Ch'ien Lung, now much dilapidated, is being repaired by the proceeds of a lottery. The Standard Oil Company building a new godown opposite the Custom House.
The rising price of fud has increased the cost of the well-known Kashing bricks. Native Iwnber is searce and expensive.
Silver coin is moving back and forth, gold less in demand.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.