496 PROCEEDINGS. 
General Mesny was warmly applauded when he finished speaking, 
and when order was again called, the Cuarrman, in thanking the 
reader of the paper, said it was most interesting to have their 
attention called to the little-known province General Mesny had 
described in the pleasing form of an itinerary. 
The Cuairman then said he had been reminded while General 
Mesny was speaking of Du Halde’s great book, and it struck him 
that beyond all doubt itineraries and papers containing full and 
reliable information like that they had just heard must be considered 
most valuable, and likely to add considerably to the good results 
of their Society. There are many things which render the province 
of Yunnan most interesting to Foreigners at the present time. 
They had all been interested in the Japanese miners who went there 
some time ago, and who are still working at the mines in order to 
give the Chinese an opportunity of profiting by their experience, and 
to show them how the resources of Yunnan may be exploited in a 
proper manner. A lot of information about Yunnan is to be derived 
from the interesting account of that province given by Mr. Happer 
in his Trade Report for last year published by the Customs. They 
were also particularly well off in having such a valuable book as 
Rocher’s on Yunnan, but if anyone wants to know the results to be 
expected from the working of the gold, copper and silver mines of 
of the province, or to get a brief and concise account of them, 
Mr. Happer’s report is the best work to be consulted. 
Mr. Doyovay, in proposing a cordial vote of thanks to General 
Mesny, said the description the writer of the valuable paper they 
had just heard read had given of those trade routes was remarkably 
interesting to them at this time, He had been particularly struck 
with the account given of the terrible way the women of the province 
are treated, and he should like to ask General Mesny what is their 
condition in those districts of Yunnan which enjoy the blessings 
of home rule, and are they better off there than in the districts 
under the government of the Chinese. 
General Mesny replied that the natives living under home rule 
are no better off than the natives of the other districts, because the 
Chinese Government compels the natives of the province generally — 
