a wholly indifferent to such

wo

questions

those of Postal communication,

and even

are

allowed

Mo

They not so, they

201

jurisdiction

as to

offences committed by British subjects:

The opening of the Suez

"Canal has caused......

a complete

revolution in the class of vessels by

which the intercourse with these Ports is kept up. Whereas they used

to be served to

a very great extent by sailing ships, sailing ships

are now more

and more disappearing from

the China Sea, and, for

Postal purposes, many may

be said to be

in total disuse. Their place has

been taken by

Steamers, one

of

513

which compare not unfavourably

with Contract Packets in

regard to "Speed"? From a statement lately made

in the House of Commons I observe that the British Mercantile Marine has been sextupled since 1865. This

enormous increase,

mainly I

presume in steam vessels,

has of

course

affected China and the

conditions of trade have.

&

We find then, the

trading

communities at Bangkok, Canton, Amoy, Foochow, the Formosan Settlements, Ningpo, the Ports on the

Yangtze, Chinkiang and

Nagasa... wholly dependent on joint private Steamers and the

"Coast"

mail

auch

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