The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-10-22
OUR SAN FRANCISCO LETTER.
Per ). s. Australia, San Francisco,
October II, 1889.

building in the Forbidden City, or
that part of the Chinese capital
which is devoted to the residence of |
the Emperor, and into which no
foreigner can penetrate under pain |
of death. The inner inclosure,
sacred to the Emperor's own use, is
about 2,023 miles in circuit, guarded
by wall, surrounded by deep,
wide moat. Here is the Palace of
Heaven, the Emperor's private resi-
dence, containing the sacred ORA
CONS throne. Here he sits at morn
ing audience to transact business
with his ministers and to receive
those appointed to Office. No one
can enter the building without spe-
cial license. 1t has been described
as the most imposing and magnif-
cent of all the buildings within the
inclosure devoted to royalty, though
all accounts of it must be taken
from Chinese sources, as no Euro
pean has ever been allowed in it.
There is a report that the fire was
of incendiary origin.
It was one of the gates to this
building which was buried about a
year ago, entailing the loss of many
records. That disaster was regarded
as an evil omen and was construed
as sign that foreign improvements,
including railways, should not be
encouraged. The present fire, de-
stroying as it does the most vene-
rated of Chinese buildings, will pro-
badly be followed by an increase of
conservatism.
The fine ship South America, Con-
molly master, bound from Iloilo for
New York, with cargo of sugar,
was wrecked September 18th, in
Struy's Bay, Cape of Good Hope.
Part of the crew arrived at Cape
Town, seven remained by the ship.
The South America was fine vessel
of 1862 tons register, built at East
Boston in 1870 and was owned by
Henry Hastings & Co., of that city.
She was insured for $4,000 and her
cargo valued at $125,O0O was fully
insured.
The revival Of trade is making
itself felt everywhere in England
just now. It began slowly in 1887
and is now in full blast The for
eign trade of Great Britain in 1886
amounted to 9618, 100000; in 1887 it
exceeded that amount by 924, 00O,-
600, in 1883 it increased it by G42,-
100000, and in the first six months
of this year an increase of EGG, 000,-
900 is shown. A rise of nearly G1O0,-
100000 in three years is more than
the most sanguine would have hoped
during the long period of depres-
| sion. Emigration and pauperism are
both decreasing and capital is re-
markedly confident with regard to
new investments.
The Mobile & Ohio south bound
train was robbed on the 25th ult. at
Buckatunna, Miss, seventy miles
from Mobile. They got $4,000 and
just missed securing $4,000 more
which was in the express car. They
were not captured.
Kingston made one and a quarter
miles at Gravesend Park in 2:06a,
beating Dry Monopole's record by
half a second, which was made by
the latter at Brooklyn in 1887 in 2:O7.
Grover Cleveland has received a
setback for the Democratic nomina-
ton for 1892. David B. Hill now
Governor of New York who is backed
up by the liquor element, has cap
tured the Democratic State Central
Committee, and it will be all but i'm
possible for Cleveland to get de-
legation from his own state.
Elk Sheriff Flack of New York
City, William L. Flack his son,
Judge Mcneil, Thomas Weeks and
George D. Hart have been indicted
for railroading divorce for Flack,
from his wife, through the courts.
They were all in the conspiracy.
A hundred thousand dollar gold
brick from the Montana mines is on
exhibition at the Chase National
Bank in New York. The brick is
the largest ever made at a United
States Assay Office. It was made at
Helena and is valued at 500, 346 30.
Five years ago the production Of
petroleum in Ohio was hardly worth
mentioning. Last year her pro-
duction was 100000 barrels,
against 100000 barrels for Penn
sylvania; and this year it is believed
that the production in Ohio will
lead all other states.
On the night of the Oath ult. three
men held up the Atchison, Topeka
& Santa Fe train ten miles south of
Fort Worth, Texas. They compelled
the engineer to divide the train and
then robbed the express car of $1O,-
900 overlooking about $4,000 more.
They have not been captured.
Emmons Blain, son of the Secre-
tary of State was married to Miss
Anita Mccormick at Richfeld
Springs, N. Y. on the 26th inst.
The German Government has
placed to the credit of the Navy De-
partment 100000 marks, to be ex-
pended on new men-of war. OF this
amount 100000 marks are on &C.
count of vessels now in course of
construction, being the second ap-
preparation for that purpose. The
remaining 100000 marks from the
first appropriation toward building
two new ironclads, three cruiser cor
yettes. one cruiser and three dis