The Times, with, we confess, every sinologue at its back,
makes much of the personal reception of the European and Japanese Ambassadors by the Emperor. That the privilege is of extreme value is certain, as the only word which can be trusted in the Chinese Court is that of the Emperor himself, and -nothing but intercourse with him cm make anybody certain that he has even heard of European complaints. The de- meanour of the quaint little Japanese who, in his foreign uniform, told the Minister of Ceremonies to leave off chattering and get to business, almost demonstrates the importance of a concession which he at least understood, but why does the Times believe that the Chinese mind will be so favourably impressed ? Is it not just as likely that it may think the influence of the foreign barbarians increasing, and having smashed its Mohammedan opponents, consider that the turn of the white man has almost arrived? Mr. Wade will do well to keep well informed as to the direction in which that triumphant army marches, for if it comes north-eastward, mischief may be very close at hand. It is all very well to surrender capitulations in Egypt, but in China the loss of them would mean our expulsion.
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