The amount of shipping entered into the United States in the year ending June 30, 1861, is shown in the subjoined table:

The number of vessels and amount of tonnage cleared from the United States in the year ending June 30, 1861, was as follows:

The statistics of the tonnage of United States' shipping, brought down to the year and decade ended June 30, 1861, show a rapid and very great advance in ship-building when compared with previous decades. The total tonnage in 1851 was 3,772,439 tons; in 1861 it amounted to 5,539,812 tons. Taken in order of importance, Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, are the principal shipbuilding States.

The following is a statement showing the number and class of vessels built in the several States and territories of the United States, including the States seceded from the Union, from 1815 to 1861 inclusive:

The amount of registered and enrolled tonnage sold to foreigners in 1861 is stated to have amounted to 26,649.58 tons; being thirtyfive ships and barks, nine brigs, twenty-four schooners, two sloops, and six steamers. The amount condemned as unseaworthy was 7,964-76 tons; being fifteen ships, three brigs, fifteen schooners, three sloops, and three steamers. The amount lost at sea was 59,567-89 tons; being sixty ships, thirty-one brigs, thirty-three schooners, three sloops, and three steamers. The net increase of tonnage for the year 1861 was 185,944-37 tons.

II. ASIA.

CHINA.

Constitution and Government.

THE form of government of the Chinese empire is strictly patriarchal. The sovereign called 'Ta-hwang-li,' or the Great Emperor, is regarded as the father of his people, and has unlimited power over all his subjects. The fundamental laws of the empire are laid down in the first of the 'Four Books' of Confucius, which prescribe the government of the state to be based upon the government of the family.

Reigning Emperor.—Ki-tsiang, ‘High Prosperity,' formerly Prince Tsai-sung, born April 5, 1855, the eldest son of the Emperor Hienfung, 'Perfect Bliss;' succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, August 22, 1861.

The present sovereign is the 8th Emperor of China of the Tartar dynasty of Ta-tsing, 'The Sublimely Pure,' which succeeded to the native dynasty of Ming in the year 1644.

The emperor is spiritual as well as temporal sovereign, and, as high priest of the empire, can alone, with his immediate representatives and ministers, perform the great religious ceremonies. No ecclesiastical hierarchy is maintained at the public expense, nor any priesthood attached to the Confucian or State religion.

The administration of the empire is under the supreme direction of the Interior Council Chamber,' comprising four members, two of Tartar and two of Chinese origin, besides two assistants from the Han-lin, or Great College, who have to see that nothing is done contrary to the fundamental laws of the empire, contained in the sacred books of Confucius. These members are denominated 'Ta-hyo-si,' or Ministers of State. Under their orders are the Le-poo, or six boards of government. They are:-1. The board of civil appointments, which takes cognisance of the conduct and administration of all civil officers; 2. The board of revenues, regulating all financial affairs; 3. The board of rites and ceremonies, which enforces the laws and customs to be observed by the people; 4. The military board, superintending the administration of the army; 5. The board of public works; and 6. The high tribunal of criminal jurisdiction.

Independent of the government, and theoretically above the central administration, is the Tu-che-yiven, or board of public