The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-07-27 00:00:00

THE PREMIER OF CHINA.

The London and China Telegraph states that his
Excellency Li Hung-Chang, Viceroy of Chili and
Premier of China, proposed her Majesty's health at
dinner at the house of the English Consul, Mr. For-
rest, at Tientsin, on her Majesty's birthday. After
dinner H.E. Li rose, and in appropriate terms, pro-
posed the health of "Her Majesty the Queen of Great
Britain and Ireland, and Empress of India." His
language was complimentary both to our Queen and,
her people, It is stated that this is the first occa-
sion of such a toast being proposed by a Chinese official,
and it is satisfactory to learn that Li Hung-Chang
is the most powerful mandarin in China, and
has been for come time past doing his utmost towards
introducing European arts and appliances into China,
and is anxious to have the vast coal mines of northern
and central China worked as soon as possible. Wait
of funds, and more especially the effects of the fearful
famine in China, have prevented him from carrying
through his enterprises; besides, he occasionally meets
with the most determined opposition from the opponents
of progress among his own countrymen, whose argu-
ments are such as, "Ws have done without barbarian
innovations f .r more than3,oooyears, and can do better
without them still." Japan is gradually showing China
the benefits of foreign appliances. &c.

In London last week 2;44 births and 1,787 deaths
were registered. Allowing for increase of population, the
births exceeded by six, and the deaths by 123, the average
numbers in the corresponding week of the last ten years.
The annual death-rate from all causes, which in the two'
previous weeks had been equal to 220 and 23 2 per 1,000,
further rose last week, under the influence of the high tem-
perature, to 261. The deaths included 19 from small-pox,
13 from measles, 21 from scarlet fever, 8 from diphtheria,
106 from whooping. cough, 19 from different forme of fever,
and 33$ from diarrhcaa.

THE OCCUPATION OF CYPRUS.

The Daily News of Wednesday pulgishes the following
telegram, under data, Larnaoa, July 21:—

"-The installation of Sir Garnet Wolseley, was sole-
bated at six o'clock at the Konak of Larnaca. There
were present the Admiral of the Channel squadron,
the Duke of Edinburgh, the naval captains, and a
numerous staff. His Excellency was received by a
guard of honour composed of marines. Madrassees and
Tursish infantry, and by the Turkish Kaimatran and
the Juclge and the Greek Priest. A great crowd had
assembled of both nationalities Greek and Turkish.

"Colonel Greaves read the Queen's commission.
Sir Garnet Wolseley, Bible in hand, took the oath
of allegiance and signed the form thereof. Sir
Adrian Dingli handed his Excellency the oath of
office. Sir Garnet read it in a loud voice, took
the oath, and signed the paper. Colonel iir'reaves
then read his Excellenpy's proclamation to the
Cypriotes, already telegraphed, which was repeated
in Greek and Turkish every alternate sentence.
The National Anthem was played, and the fleet
fired a salute of seventeen guns. A Greek gentleman
read an address, in which he referred to the new era
upon which Cyprus was now entering. A Turkish
gentleman spoke of the friendship which had existed
from time imm2morial between England and Turkey,
and expressed his gratification that the island had
been placed under the protection of the Queen, and
that she had chosen such a distinguished representa-
tive.

"Immense clamour and cheering followed, English-
men, Greeks, and Turks intermingled, and the pro-
ceedings concluded.
"At the close the Kaimakan and the Archbishop
were presented to his Excellency."