till hind plainly that unless he abstained from meddling with Hong Kong he would get himself into serious trouble. I have never seen him since, as he has sedulously kept out of my way; but I hear of his movements through a variety of sources, and know that he is continually in the Colony and in constant communication with the leading Chinese Opium-traders, who appear to have entered into amicable arrangements with the officials conducting the tax-levy. I may add that Colonel King's anxiety to stand well with the Colonial Authorities is easily comprehensible. He is only acting, in the past he holds a lucrative and prominent command and the Officer holding the substantive appointment is actually at Canton. As the latter has turned in indifferent reports and is, in fact, said to be a thoroughly worthless officer, the Viceroy has always turned a deaf ear to his solicitations for permission to take up his appointment; but change of Viceroy or other circumstances might cut short P'êng's tenure of office at a moment's notice, and he has in all probability aimed at fortifying his position by means