averse to giving good advice to men younger than himself, and on which, too, he establishes an immediate entente cordiale with his guests. Your early tea,' he says, 'will be brought to you when you ring your bell-please ring it once only, holding the button pressed while you can count three. Then will it be convenient to you to tiffin at twelve sharp? Because if not, I will tiffin myself at twelve sharp and order your tiffin to be served at any hour you like. I ride from three to five-there is always a mount for you if you wish it. Dinner at half-past seven sharp, and I must ask you always to excuse me at eleven.' The consequence is that every thing runs like clockwork in Sir Robert's household, and a guest is perfectly at home from the start. But the above methodity is nothing, in comparison. In the diningroom there is a big wicker chair, always covered with a rug, so that you cannot sit down in it. In that chair the master of the house has had his tea every afternoon for thirty years. Upon a shelf stands a large blue and white cup. Out of that he has drunk his tea for thirty years. And by employing the odd moments that his 'boy' who is punctuality itself has kept him waiting each day in that chair for that cup, he has managed during the last year or two to read the whole of Lucan's Pharsalia? Of course he has kept a diary since he could hold a pen. To test his preciseness I made a point of standing each day behind my door, watch in hand, till the clock struck twelve or half-past seven. Then I walked in to the central hall from my own side of the house. Sure enough the door opened opposite me and my host walked in from the other. It was like watching for a transit of Venus, or waiting for the apostles to come out of the clock at Strasburg at noon. And as I find I have not said a word of his outer man I may conclude these personalities by saying that he is of medium height and slight build, rather bald, with a kind, thoughtful and humorous face, a low voice, a shy and punctilious manner; that he is a most entertaining companion, a teller of countless good stories, fond of fun and merry company, devoted to his children--as well he may be, a player of the violin and 'cello, and a host whose care and thoughtfulness for his guests are feminine in their insight and famous in their execution.'

22

To strangers Sir Robert is courteous, but cold, and to them sometimes appears even disagreeable. When amused, his smile is a very faint one. He very rarely laughs, is decidedly not fond of speaking, but listens attentively and thinks deeply. In reality he is a warm-hearted, typical Irishman, who is considered and recognised by the greatest powers that be as the very finest model of administrative mechanism-a monarch who rules not only by virtue of his power and position but by his profound knowledge and individuality.

Finding that the nightwork on the staff of a morning paper— especially in a tropical climate-was beginning to tell on my health, I obtained, through the influence of some friends, an appointment in the Imperial Maritime Customs. From my own personal experiences of nearly six years, I can conscientiously say and believe-and so does the Tsung-li Yâmen at Pekin-that no other directing power could be found to so ably fulfil the multitudinous and responsible duties of the "I.G.," or with the same aptitude for business of so difficult a nature.

I have always placed implicit confidence in the impartial justice of the Inspector-General, and, though I have sometimes taken it upon myself to appeal to him directly and privately, my trust has never been misplaced.

The only thing I altogether disapprove of in the Customs Service of China is the system of "Confidential Reports," written at stated periods by the Harbour Master or Tide Surveyor, respecting the conduct and abilities of the members of the Outdoor staff under his charge, which are not seen by the persons mentioned therein, who in many cases do not even know of the existence of these secret communications concerning them. As we all know, it is not always virtue and integrity which are rewarded, nor the best and most conscientious men who attain positions of trust. I have noticed more than once that the moderately good and unpretentious man, who endeavours to conscientiously work his way upward, is often treated with contemptuous disdain, and finds himself left in the rear by the very good man who politely "begs his way upward." And when he gets there, what an Imperious Tartar he becomes!

These "Confidential Reports" have been, and still continue to be, the cause of much trouble and discontent in the service. They give maliciously disposed persons, holding responsible positions, the power of working out with impunity any petty spite they may harbour against a subordinate. In these reports they can to an unlimited extent defame the character and altogether blast the prospects of the victim of their malice, who is quite helpless to justify himself, being in ignorance of the cause. In consequence he makes no progress, however well and honourably he may work, and there is no redress for him he is practically powerless, he has no ground upon which to base a charge, and is dealing with an invisible enemy. Down he surely goes, his prospects blighted by an unseen hand-the hand which writes those "Confidential Reports." The man in whom this confidence is reposed shouldputting aside his own private feelings and reasons-ask God to direct and guide him in these serious matters; and, in response, his conscience will befriend him. I reiterate that these reports are the curse of the service and a disgrace to it, a well-intended precaution too often misemployed, an honourable trust too often. profaned; a too powerful instrument to be placed in the hands of any but the most tried and trusted. Many have discovered this to their cost.

In writing thus I am merely fulfilling a promise and repeating the outspoken or private opinion of hundreds of respected members of that service. While passing through Amoy some years ago for the last time, when a farewell banquet was given by the members of the Customs service there in commemoration of the occasion, I was then asked by them to in due course bring this grievance to the notice of their chief. I have taken this opportunity of doing so, trusting it may be the means of bringing about a modification mutatis mutandis.

Many members of the service blame their benefactor at Pekin. But as I have repeatedly urged he is too noble-minded to suspect that his wise precautions are taken mean advantage of. He cannot be everywhere he remains at his post-at the helm with which he guides, through calm and storm, the mighty merchantman and the destinies of its crew. The Commissioners,

as I once proved, are the ones who are to blame, and those who write the reports. Among the large number of foreigners variously employed in that vast and remarkably governed institution, but few of them know or hear much about the "benevolent despot" who so diligently watches the work, progress, and welfare of each individual working within that great commercial organization with which he is gradually encompassing the whole of China with an administrative control that is likely to remain pre-eminent and unsurpassed by any human power.

Lord Hart is an honourable man-just and impartial to a degree; and though stern and inflexible as the "I.G."-a faithful benefactor to many men, not only in the depths of his kindly heart, but also in his actions.

IX. THE CHINA NEW YEAR.

THE pleasantest time in Shanghai is from October to March.

Throughout the autumn, winter, and early part of spring, north-easterly winds prevail, and snow, generally falls in December and January when foreign residents sometimes enjoy a little skating.

As the year draws to a close your servants become more polite and attentive than usual-for the New Year is approaching; and they now live in happy expectation of a good cumshaw (present) and a couple of weeks' holiday-more if they can get it-while you do the best you can with tinned provisions.

The greatest event in social and political life in China, the auspicious time when all debts are paid, all accounts "squared," and when the sublunary affairs of this vast empire are supposed to commence anew, is the New Year, before whose annual celebration even Imperial birthdays and marriages, most important occurrences, sink into insignificance.

The China New Year is the one great national holiday; and every individual in this so called "Celestial Empire" or "Flowery Land," from the Emperor down to the lowest coolie, looks eagerly forward to it in bright expectation of a month's respite from toil and responsibility, enlivened by the perpetual clamour of innumerable tom-toms, fire-crackers, and all manner of hideous and uncanny sounds so dear to the peculiarly constituted heart and unmelodious ear of a festive Chinaman, enhanced by unlimited revelry, excessive pleasure, and continual feasting. While all is made blissful by the sense of freedom which invigorates him