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 It was a terrible thought which that confession suggested to those who heard it.

On those who have perused the foregoing pages, and who will follow me to the end, the impression will be not less painful.

For there is yet to be told the worst portion of the case as it affects Dr. Bridges; and it will best be told in its connection with that of Mr. Caldwell and Mah Chow Wong.

But first a few words to explain in what manner, during this disgraceful period of the Colonial history, the control of the Executive Council over the actors—a Council still kept alive in nominal compliance with the letter of Her Majesty's instructions—was rendered so powerless, as the startling admission just cited from one of them, proves it to have been.

This body is appointed, by the Queen's Instructions, to consist of the Governor as President, and three officers as members—the Lieutenant-Governor, the Commander of the Forces at Hong Kong, and the Colonial Secretary.

From the date of my arrival in the Colony (30th January, 1856), down to that of my departure (30th January, 1859), the Lieutenant-Governorship—an useless and expensive sinecure—has been held by an invalid officer, Lieut.-Colonel Caine, formerly