below zero, and in July 65° above. The mosquito is said to be a great pest here in the summer. Official statements show that the winter climate of Southeastern Alaska for many years has been the average winter climate of Kentucky and West Virginia. The explanation of this is found in the warm Japan current of the Pacific, the Kuro-Siwo, which strikes the Queen Charlotte islands 53° north latitude, and dividing, spreads southward along the British possessions and northward along the shores of Alaska. No wonder therefore, that at Sitka they often find difficulty in securing ice enough in winter for summer uses. Our steamer obtained its ice in Glacier Bay, where small icebergs weighing a ton or so were taken in strong rope netting and hoisted by the ship's crane on board and deposited in the hold. But it rains in Alaska. In 1856 there were 258 rainy and 27 snowy days--the average number of rainy and snowy days being about 200 each year. The rainfall at Sitka is 84 inchesabout the same as around Puget Sound. The long days in summer and the long nights in winter correspond well with each other. In the longest days of summer there are about eighteen hours of sunshine, and from four to six hours of twilight. In the longest days of winter there are eighteen hours of darkness and but four to six hours of sunshine. This latter circumstance is in itself a great drawback to civilized life in these regions. A laborer at Juneau, between the high mountains on both sides, informed us that in winter outdoor work is carried on by the light of lanterns until nine or ten o'clock in the forenoon and from two or three o'clock in the afternoon, especially if the day be at all cloudy. The timber of this country is not of a superior quality, though answering very well for ordinary purposes. The wealth of Alaska consists chiefly in her mines, her fisheries and her furs. It is as yet uncertain what deposits of the precious metals may be found here. The Cassiar mines, which once gave Fort Wrangel importance as the base of supplies for that region, have not met the great expectations raised. The Juneau gold mine, on Douglas Island, is indeed a wonderful deposit of low grade sulphuret ore, so exposed that surface blasting is carried on in securing it, as in an ordinary quarry. It is said that the owners have refused $16,000,000 for it. Here are the great reduction works, with their 120 stamp mills, crushing the ore with such a thundering noise that you must shout into your neighbor's ear in order to be heard. Our steamer brought away gold ingots valued at $95,000. Prospectors have been and are busy searching for new deposits, but where one "strikes it rich," a score are the poorer for their prospecting. The salmon and the cod fisheries along portions of Southeastern Alaska are assuming large proportions, as also the establishments for the extraction of herring oil. The The furs of Alaska, however, are its crowning feature and its greatest source of wealth. sea-otter is much sought after. Think of one elegant silver-gray skin, which we saw in a Juneau store, valued at $500 in its native state. Few seals are found in Southeastern Alaska. The Pribylof islands, so named from their discoverer in 1786, and otherwise known as St. George and St. Paul, 200 miles north from the westerly portion of the Aleutian Chain, 1,000 miles west from Sitka, and nearly 2,000 miles from San Francisco, are the great resort of the "amphibian millions" of seals. Elliott, in his book on our Arctic Province, after careful calculations estimates that not less than "4,700,000 fur-seals assemble every summer on the rocky rookeries and sandy hauling-grounds of the Pribylot Islands!" Here, too, are large numbers of sea lions on friendly relations with the seals. Upon the acquisition of the territory, these islands were declared a Treasury reservation. gress granted to the Alaska Commercial Company of San Francisco the exclusive right of taking a certain number of fur-seals every year for a period of twenty years. About 100,000 skins are taken each year, the company paying the Government $3.66 for each, or about $366,000 per annum. Twenty years' revenue from this source alone would be equal to the original purchase price of the territory. Under Con the wise restrictions of the government, this slaughter does not perceptibly diminish the number of seals, so that, as long as the fashionable world delights in this beautiful fur, so long will Alaska from this source alone yield a fair revenue to the government. Concerning the people themselves, their condition and missionary work in Alaska, we must speak in a following article. Our Continent. California.-M. H. DeYoung, proprietor of the San Francisco Chronicle, when in New York recently, gave some statistics in regard to the agricultural productions of California, which are astounding. He says that the shipments of lemons, limes, oranges, and pomegranates from that State (in addition to all that were consumed at home) for the season of 1886, will exceed 2,300 car loads, or 50,000,000 pounds. The freight on these to the Atlantic ports is a little more than $700,000. The raisin crop shipped is somewhat more than 750,000 boxes, and the quality superior to the Spanish. The barley crop is 27,000,000 bushels, about equal to that of all the rest of the United States. The wheat crop is about 44,000,000 bushels. Of hops he thinks 50,000 bales will be shipped. The quantity of grapes shipped to the East was very large, yet more than 25,000,000 gallons of wine were made, and 1,000,000 gallons of grape brandy. The olive crop is also very large. -The Saskatchewan region of the N. W. Provinces (Dominion of Canada), proves to be very rich in coal, both bituminous and anthracite. The geological survey engaged in the work, say that the whole district lying between Rocky Mountain House and Fort Pitt, is one vast series of coal beds of the best quality. This may compensate for the partial disappointment of the settlers in that region who have found wheat an uncertain crop the past year from the severe summer frosts. -The recent blizzards in Dakota and Montana have been seriously disastrous to the cattle which form so large a portion of the wealth of both territories. In Montana the fear is expressed that the loss will amount to twenty-five per cent. of the whole stock. Many were killed outright, and some herds were driven a hundred miles from their ranches by the storm. -It is said that in this storm a herd of buffalo, numbering three or four hundred, made their way southward from near the Canadian line into Montana, traversing a distance of nearly three-hundred miles. They were the first herd of buffalos seen in that region for ten years. They were probably the wood buffalo which inhabit the mountains, and are seldom seen in large numbers. -From Wyoming reports have just come that the great stock ranches have so far overstocked the land, that there is not sufficient pasture for more than fiveeighths of the stock now there. The last summer it is said that the roots as well as the stalks of the bunch grass were devoured by the cattle. Great losses are predicted for the coming season, and it is stated on high authority that the effort to cultivate fodder for them will compel the ranchmen to sell their cattle for much less than they cost. -Secretary Lamar reports that it has been ascertained that 6,410,000 acres of the public lands have been unlawfully enclosed by proprietors of adjoining ranches, and are claimed by them without any payment having been made or offered to the Government, and that this does not probably represent a moiety of what has thus been seized. Proceedings have been instituted or will be instituted at once, by which nearly half of this amount will be recovered. He also complains that large tracts of land have been reported surveyed, maps of them filed, and the surveys paid for when no survey has been made. -The Secretary also reports that serious encroachments have been made upon the National Yellowstone Park, by miners, hunters, and timber men, and recommends active measures of protection. He also advocates the immediate establishment of a great timber reservation in Montana and Idaho, to protect the head waters of the Missouri and Columbia from drought. -The United States Treasurer reports that there are now $61,761,448 standard silver dollars in circulation, and expresses the opinion that $65,000,000 will be the extreme limit of this circulation. -Recent discoveries of copper ore have been made on the line of the Canadian Pacific above Georgiana Bay. The ore is said to be so pure and in such vast quantities as to throw the Lake Superior mines completely in the shade. It is being worked by an English company of large capital and the ore shipped to Wales as fast as it can be mined. -Secretary Manning recommends the displacement of the greenbacks by silver coin and silver certificates. The amount of the greenbacks is somewhat more than $346,000,000. -It is estimated that the product of the mines of Montana for the past year have been as follows: Gold, $3,450,000; silver, $9,600,000; copper, $8,000,000; lead, $1,250,000; total, $22,300,000. Out of this gross product must be taken the great cost of working the mines, in order to arrive at the real profits. The owners of many of the mines reside in the East, whither a large percentage of the profits go, so that Montana is not greatly enriched by this output. Does this sum seem large? Put it alongside of the following statement. Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is the banner county of the United States, in the value of its annual agricultural products, which are set down at $5,800,000. Thus, one county in that State produces one quarter as much in value as all the mines of Montana. It is said that there are thirty-three counties in the United States whose annual products exceed $4,000,000, of which fourteen are in New York, seven in Pennsylvania, six in Illinois, two in California, two in Massachusetts and one each in Michigan and Connecticut. Which pays best, mining | principal portion of the work being devoted to or farming? -The following list of the Governors of all the States in 1887 which includes those recently elected, with the length of their term of service, the date of its expiration, and their salaries, will be of interest to many of our readers. It is prepared especially for them and has not yet been published elsewhere. Governors, 1887. STATES. NAMES. Alabama California.. Colorado Connecticut.. Delaware Florida.. Georgia. Illinois Indiana. Iowa Kansas. Kentucky.. Louisiana. Maine. Maryland.. Michigan. Missouri. Nebraska. Alva Adams TERM TERM OF SERVICE. SALARY. 3,000 6,000 5,000 2,000 the character of the country and its people. Prominence is given both in the text and in the illustrations to the "amphibian millions " of sea otter, seals, sea lions, and walrus, whose skins are so highly prized in the markets of the world. The author writes from his own keen and minute personal observations cover- To the Christian reader, of course, the things of 2,000 Massachusetts. Oliver Ames Jan., 1888 1 4,000 Cyrus G. Luce. A. R. McGill. Jan., 1889 2 J. S. Marmaduke.. Jan, 1889 4 John M. Thayer... Jan., 1889 2 C. C. Stevenson.. Jan., 1891 4 New Hampshire. Charles H. Sawyer. June, 1889 2 Robert S. Green.... Jan., 1890 3 David B. Hill Jan., 1889 3 Jan., 1890 4 4,000 5,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 10,000 North Carolina... Alfred M. Scales. Jan., 1859 4 Ohio... Oregon. Pennsylvania Rhode Island. Tennessee. Texas. Vermont... South Carolina... John P. Richardson Dec., 1888 2 Fitzhugh Lee... E. Willis Wilson... Mar., 1887 4 Alf. P. Swineford.. BOOK NOTICES. 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 2,500 OUR ARCTIC PROVINCE: ALASKA AND THE SEAL ISLANDS-By Henry W. Elliott. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1886. pp. 473. $4.50. This work is gotten up in the best style of the book-making art for which the Scribners are noted. It contains forty-nine full page engravings, fortythree other illustrations in the text, and five maps, including a large folding map of Alaska at the end of the volume. It has also a copious index. It treats briefly of the history of Alaska, the REPORT ON THE POPULATION, INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES OF ALASKA.-By Ivan Petroff, special agent. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1884. This is a quarto pamphlet or volume of 190 pages, containing a great mass of facts on the topics named, well arranged and classified. Those who wish to make a careful study of Alaska should obtain this work, if any copies are yet to be had from the department of the interior at Washington. REPORT ON EDUCATION IN ALASKA.-With maps and illustrations. By Sheldon Jackson, general agent of education in Alaska, 1886. Washington: Government Printing Office. This pamphlet of ninety-three pages, prepared by one who has made a specialty of missionary and edu cational work in Alaska, for several years, is full of information not only concerning the specific subject treated, but concerning the people themselves. In the appendices are given the Acts of Congress for the Civil Government of Alaska, passed May 1884, and other matters of interest. The engravings and reproductions of photographs by the photo-gravure process are very good. A limited number of copies are published for distribution, and can be obtained by addressing the Secretary of the Interior, Washington, D. C. The Chinese in America. [The following interesting paper on the evangelization of Chinese in America was read before the Long Island Association, by Mr. J. C. Thoms, interpreter and teacher in the Chinese Sunday school connected with the Washington Avenue Baptist Church in Brooklyn.] Man, This world is always busy with commerce. by natural tendency, is ever looking for gain-his ambition seems insatiable. Such is human nature. It is hardly necessary for me to tell you that most of my countrymen come here looking for gain, for they are no exceptions to the general rule; otherwise you would find very few who cared to leave their homes to cross the great Pacific Ocean. America is spoken of in China as "Gum Sun," the "golden hills," and it is said that gold and silver are lying loose in the streets, and over the hills and valleys; and that since the Americans do not know the value of those substances, the Chinese propose to carry them away before they shall have a chance to find out their error. Such is the inducement for them to come here. They are mostly sons of respectable farmers, who find it hard to follow the occupation of their fathers, and therefore leave homes and country for a strange land in the hope of ameliorating their condition. own experience how much kind actions and friendly sympathy must be appreciated when trouble or sickness visit them. Martha and her sister Mary never realized that the Saviour's presence was such a comfort to them until their brother Lazarus died. Many years ago a Chinese lad heard a missionary tell the wonderful story about Jesus and His death upon the cross in a mission chapel for the first time. His little heathenish heart was bitterly opposed to the missionary, as he thought no other human being ever lived in this world as grand and noble as Confucius of his own country. Still, he was very much interested in the story, and attended the services Sunday after Sunday. The missionary had soon learned that the youth's feelings were opposed to him, and one night after service he stood at the door, shaking hands with everybody. He took both hands of the lad, patted him kindly, and spoke gently to him. Perhaps I might never have found the Saviour but for the beautiful example of Christian love exemplified by His faithful servant that night. Many faithful Christians are doing work similar to this for their Saviour among my countrymen in this city, and we want many more to join us in the enterprise. There are six Chinese Sunday schools in the city, three of which are of the Baptist denomination. The missionary work of the Baptists among my countrymen, both in New York and Brooklyn, is far more successful than that of any other denomination. There are at least five times as many Chinese Christians who are Baptists in these two cities as those of all other denominations put together. No one can see how much good is being done in these schools unless he is thoroughly interested in the work. Some of them do prosper with surprising rapidity after they get here, and write back to tell their friends and relatives of their success, even asking them to come also; but most of them are sadly disappointed and write back to tell their kinsmen of the hardships they endure, and wish they had never come. Such, in brief, is the main story of the Chinese immigration. But I think He who "hath made of one blood all the nations of the earth" has other plans in permitting them to come-namely, that they may receive something far more precious than gold or silver; that they may learn the only secret which has made the United States so magnificent as a nation. In other words, to see the abundant blessing of God upon a Christian nation, and that the Christian peo-couraged. "Slow, but sure," is, however, a wise ple here may teach them how to obtain the same for their fatherland. The great question now is, whether Christian people are willing to take up the responsibility which the Master has left for them. You have sent many missionaries to our country to proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, and you all know that they had marked success, though the lives of those faithful servants have been very often in danger, especially of late. I desire at this time to call your attention to the fact that you can do this work for the Master in the city of Brooklyn as well as in China. The Chinese are no longer your antipodes, but your neighbors. As a matter of fact, those here are more susceptible to what you may preach to them, and the reason is obvious. Living in a strange land, amidst strange surroundings, and thousands of miles from homes and loved ones, you must know by your One who has no experience in such undertakings may feel discouraged, as there are so many difficulties to be overcome, and obstacles in the way. In the first place, the work seems so slow; and if you are impatient to see the fruit of your labor (which is but natural), you are apt to become dis motto. Naturally, our people are very slow and conservative. It is one of their national characteristics. Any innovation, presented especially by foreigners, is always looked upon with suspicion. Whatever their ancestors believed is always held dear and sacred by them. Their Confucius taught them to uphold conservatism as the fundamental principle, indispensable in the preservation of family peace and human happiness. Thus they may look at you suspiciously when you first approach them with the Saviour's message; but if whatever you do is kind and friendly, you will soon convince them of your sincerity and secure their confidence. Most of the men who come to Sunday school and ask to be taught the English language do not have the least idea who their Saviour was. They are ignorant and superstitious, and strongly adhere to idol worship. You first teach them to speak your Sunday in Mexico. [From La Luz.] mostly women with prayer-book and rosary, returning from their morning devotions, preparatory to entering upon the pleasures of the day. Sunday is a general festival day. The native shops are clothed in their most attractive dress; the booths lining the streets are filled with the most tempting viands; the pulque shops hang out their most gorgeous decorations. The theatres put their best plays upon the stage, both for matinee and evening performance, and the best operas are reserved for Sunday. Orrin's circus has three of its most attractive performances on Sunday, and the bull fights are always held on this day. Extra trains are run for the accommodation of the multitude who flock to this most revolting of all their so-called amusements. Although bull fights are not allowed within the city limits, they are held at a convenient distance, "just near enough to be comfortable." The streets are filled with the gailydressed throng going to and from these different places of resort. At midday one of the superb Mexican bands plays in its most exquisite style in the alameda. This park cannot be surpassed by any of its size anywhere in the States. Here the gay crowd fill the drives, walks and benches; friend meets friend, and the time is whiled away till the hour for At five o'clock the fine the afternoon festivities. equipages begin to appear upon the streets, and at six o'clock the Paseo, the boulevard of the city, is lively with gay turnouts and finely mounted steeds. Perfect order is here maintained by mounted police. The promenades and benches are filled by people of all classes. By eight o'clock the Paseo is almost deserted, the people having returned to their homes to partake of their nine o'clock suppper, and to prepare for the festivities of the night, consisting of opera, theatre or private party. The programme for every Sunday is choice and full, and all classes enter upon their distinctive amusements with the utmost enjoyment. The sound of a single church-bell, or the sight of one Protestant church spire, would be cheering. Each of the Protestant missions of the city holds at least two services, with Sunday school Sunday, beside prayer-meetings on various evenings of the week. The Northern Methodists, the Southern Methodists, the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians, all own houses of worship, fling open wide their But those who doors, and invite the people to enter. come into the Baptist mission house must do so After through tribulation and by perseverance. climbing a long stairway and crossing a corridor, they find a small but not unattractive room, where they are cordially greeted by a friendly hand-shake and invited to come again. It is in the observance, or non-observance of the Lord's Day, that we encounter one of the greatest contrasts between life in Mexico, and in our own dear home land. We cherish the remembrance of quiet Sabbath days; but here the delusion is soon dispelled by the clanging of discordant bells, forcibly reminding us that we are under Cathedral influence. In Mexico the bells clang and jangle as if they would hurl their discordant notes like thunderbolts upon the heads of those who proclaim Christ the one Mediator, to this crushed and blinded people. In contrast to the clear-toned church bell and the peace and quiet pervading all nature in any of our delightful home villages, we are entertained here by a band of music which is discoursing its liveliest strains to announce to the people the opening of a new pulque shop. Sunday is the day of the week reserved by all for extraordinary occurrences. If you saunter out in the early morning, you will see the more devout Catholics, | the people. So many of these people now come, that the little chapel is compactly filled, and all manifest a spirit of decorum and reverence. We have no room for additional attendance, and our hearts sink within us when we consider that our work must come to a standstill from sheer lack of space in which to receive |