"
exercised a personal influence over the gentry which as
no Board is likely to posses2.
What with internal feuds amongst the Chinese them→
selves and the paralysing influence of international ri-
valry, the prospects of railway construction in China
seem for the moment to be the reverse of bright.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
sir,
your most obedient, humble servant,
Sa! J. N. Jordan