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Ting, late Taotai of Shanghai, the present Footai of the province, whatever these titles may imply, commenced in 1865 an arsenal on a small scale at that city. !rhe works cover about half a mile square, and have been carried to completion under the direction of F. J. Falls, a citizen of the United States. The Shanghai News-Letter, now before us, gives some details of interest, from which we extract some items. In each of the different departments there is a mandarin, acting as an overseer over the native workmen, to prevent idleness among them, and to exercise a general control, but not in any way to instruct the native workmen, this being done entirely by the foreigners acting as foremen, etc. All the accounts of the t\rsenal are kept by Chinese officers. Some steamers have been constructed, launched, and supplied with guns, and more are now under way, in addition towhich one vessel 280 feet long and another vessel 260 feet long are projectedentire machinery, boilers, engines, and arMament to be constructed at the arsenal. A college is in formation, and literary men, appointed by the government, are at present employed whh foreigners, translating works on mathematic? engineering, chemistry, etc., in order to prepare class books ln the Chinese language for the use of the arsenal, to b read throughout the middle kingdom, to educate the Chinese in all that relates to an arsenal, ship building, etc. EngiIlj)ering students are to learn mechanics in the college, and the practical parts in the shops. Navigating students are to have a large training ship, so that they may learn sea manship practically and theoretically. The works contain a drawing department, pattern shop, foundery, forging shop, boiler shop. musket shop, engine shop, heavy machine engine and gun workshop, erecting shop, musket-finishing shop, shop for finishing shells, shop for the manufacture of Congreve rockets, rocket tubes, etc., rriold loft, yards, storehouses, etc., all fitted out with approved tools and fixtures. Additional heavy machinery has been ordered from England. Mr. Falls has gained the confidence of the Chinese, and has also the confidence and hearty support of his own officers; and the Chinese Government, being desirous of building steam vessels, and having every confidence in Mr. Falls, leave the entire responsibility of their construction with him. The earlier energetic efforts made have now grown into successful results, and are fast growing into larger proportions, which will greatly contribute to the building up and regeneration of the Chinese nation, resulting in advancing the Chinese people, to make China strong in her own resources ; to make her a living nation. To Mr. Falls able supervision, with the hearty support of his officers, Fung-ta-jen and Sung-ta-jen, also with the zeal of subordinate mandarins, these good results are being brought about. This able engineer is entitled to the respect of his fellow-citizens, as his energy and ability reflect credit upon his native country.
