44
3
Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney- General, tho Colonial Treasurer, the Surveyor- General, and other heads of departments. There were also prosent Bishop Burdon, the Hon. Woug Shing, and Dr. Hance, the Acting Consul at Canton. We understand that the Governor and the Viceroy had much interesting conversation together, and that the Viceroy expressed the hope and belief that the fresh complications between France and China would be arranged peacefully. The Governor entertained his visi- lors in the Chineso fashion with wine, fruit, and sweetmeats. Besides champagne, claret. &c., thero was some of the rich wine from the Imperial cellars at Peking which was presented to Sir George Bowen by Prince Kung, on his visit to Peking last October, and in which Chi- nese visitors of distinction to Government House are always invited to drink the health of the Emperor of China.
The Viceroy having taken leave of the Gov- ernor, with many expressions of gratitude for the courtesy of his reception, proceeded on board the Peng Chao Hai, under fresh salutes from the escort of Chinese gunboats, and started for Canton. Sir George Bowen promised to return his visit at Canton in next November.
Letters from high authorities at Peking state that the new Viceroy of Canton is one of the ablost and most rising functionaries in the Ein- pire. He is only 48 years of age, and is one of the few men in China who have attained such high office at so early an age. He is a native of Peking, and is said to possess in a remarkable legres the confidence of the Imperial Court and of the Tsung-li Yamen.
This frequent interchange of courtesies be- tween H. E. the Governor and the Chinese Viceroys and Admirals cannot fail to be produc tive of public advantage in many ways.
The new Viceroy has
· been sent to supersede his predecessor, who was aged, inefficient, and not progressive enough for the party n
now in
power
- power at thing. Chang Chih-tung is said on high authority to be
the most rising statesman of China, having attained his present great office, - giving
almost absolute power
over
m
him
the
two richest provinces of the m Empire with a population of at least sixty Millions, at the
sixty!
-
comparatively early age of 48. We expressed much gratitude
He
for
the cordiality of my reception of him; and made me promise
that I would return his visit
at