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MILITARY REWARDS IN CHINA.

The Chinese heroes who are now cutting off each other's tails and
mutilating each other's limbs, appear to realise a far larger quantity
of kicks than halfpence by their warlike achievements. Even a successful
general seems to make but a sorry business of it, for the renowned
HIANG-YUNG, after taking a bridge and a few other important positions,
was rewarded for his heroic exploits by "permission to wear a yellow
riding jacket." The poor fellow seems to have been regularly jockied by
his Imperial master. Military rewards are evidently cheap in China, for
"peacock's-feathers," "strike-lights," and "pen-knives," are enumerated
as the articles of which the EMPEROR is most lavish to his successful
soldiers.

We wonder what our WELLINGTON would have said to a bunch of cock's tails
after Torres Vedras, by way of having so many feathers in his cap; or a
box of lucifers as a light recognition of his services at Waterloo.
There must be a true relish for military glory among the Chinese
generals, if they are sufficiently "pleased by a feather" to risk their
lives in the hope of obtaining a bit of a peacock's tail on which to
plume themselves, and are prepared to carry on "war to the knife" with a
pen-knife in prospect by way of acknowledgment. If a more civilised
commander were, after a brilliant achievement, to be offered a
pen-knife, he would probably use it to "cut his stick," and leave the
service for ever.

* * * * *

"ANOTHER AND ANOTHER STILL SUCCEEDS."

BYRON has informed us that "Mont Blanc is the monarch of mountains," but
how are we to describe ALBERT SMITH, who seems determined to make
himself the "Monarch of Mont Blanc?" It is true that he could scarcely
fix upon a higher point for the summit of his ambition. If he has chosen
that particular walk in life, though it is laborious and slippery, we
see no reason why he should not repeat his "terrific ascent" as often as
he feels disposed. If he should continue to go "up, up, up" for another
year, we shall begin to look upon the ascent of Mont Blanc as ALBERT
"SMITH'S work in general."

* * * * *

SIGNS MADE SYMBOLS.

[Illustration: A]

A Reform of the extortionate system of British Hotels might be commenced
with an alteration of their nomenclature, consisting in a judicious
allotment of nicknames. The good old English signs of the D