We understand that the name of the new capital of
China officially accepted in this country is Sian, and shall hence- forward use it. We have hitherto called it Segan, on the authority, as we believe, of Professor Douglas, who writes an erudite paper about it in the "Encyclopedia Britannica." Gibbon calls the place Singan, and most maps, including the beautiful one in Stieler's Atlas, together with Renter's agents, give Si-ngan, a word not pronounceable by Englishmen. Sian, which is undoubtedly one name of the great city, will do excellently well, and there is no need to add "fu," which only signifies that it is the official capital of the province. The matter is of some importance if, as seems probable, the Manchu dynasty has accepted General Gordon's advice, and abandoned Pekin for ever, to the furious indignation, we note, of all diplomatists concerned with China. It is, how- ever, no business of theirs. Suppose the Czar makes Moscow his residence instead of St. Petersburg, or even a city in the UraL
