The report of piracy, in the south, with the experience of the Stams, in this province, though far away in the south, while we are in the extreme north, all make us outstandingly glad that we continue in quietness here. This district has, for a long time, been etui, in trying to avoid Tin recent months and even has gone well.
Just two months ago I drove our Ford to the railway where I had to leave it, because of rain that fell that night, Though all the time since, T have been wanting to get it back, for use here, it Is still there, 40 miles away, and will have to be, for some days yet, on account of bad roads. While' the ice, this winter. has been only about half the thickness of usual winters, we have had cloudy and falling weather nearly all these two months. However, we are glad that We now "have all but springlik weather.
The Chinese New Year has just passed, In many ways it was as of Old, But, in some respects, there were hotieable differences. A river, here. divides the city Into two parts, What called, "down by the river", Is a place where many plays and theatres perform,. This year not one has been evidence, Occasionally these are forbidden as It Is supposed they are luxury if not undesirable.
Along. with this care for good order, there are many other efforts Doing! put forward. Tt is all but certain that no opium is being grown this helen, this year, it having been joked after especially closely and forbidden. The sale and use is also being forbidden and watched for diligently. "A short time ago. two men of some standing were executed in_connection with it. Though the New Year (the first day) is usually time when all take ease and rest, this time, at least one man, was most diligent in trying to get imselt into other parts, as it had just then leaked fut that he was dealing in the drug. Hein ie alo being used, consider: ably. But the viguanee to stop fy even more marked it seems than the opium. It Is required in such small" quantities and is so easily Secreted that it is most difficult to discover who may be selling or using it." "What is true here seems also true st the surrounding hsiens.
Though grain has gone out of these parts, most rapidly in the past half Ryenr, food stuffs are sti not expensive, There 1s also good promise for the next wheat crop.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.