The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-10-04

from him. The names Of graduates are all ln-
Scrlbed on the last OF candidates for promotion,
by the Board OF Civil Office, as soon as vacan-
cies occur.
The examination for the fourth and highest
degree, called Hanlin. is held triennially in the
Emperor's palace, and differs from the others
only in the honor Of being conducted in the
presence Of the highest personages in the en-
pre, and also in the fact that Mauchus and
Mongols contend with Chinese. The success
full candidates for the Hanlin are enrolled as
members Of the Imperial Academy, and receive
salaries.
The duty of these is, to prepare public doc
uments and histories, explain the sacred books,
superintend and encourage the studies of those
who seek promotion. From their number, the
Emperor selects his highest officers.
1t might readily be supposed that, among
heather people, Justice and impartiality would
not always be regarded in the distribution Of
the degrees. The examiners are often bribed
to regard with favor those who are unworthy;
rank and wealth has an undue influence, and
thus many of the poor and really worthy are
left to contend from year TO year, until gray
hairs, infrmity, and disappointment, terminate
their struggles.
The Government has also legalized the sale
Of the degrees, and millions of dollars are re
ceived from men who possess more money than
learning, and yet who aspire to the empty hon
or of name.
The influence Of these literary examinations
and honors has been very great throughout the
whole empire. They have supplied a better
class of officers for the administration OF the
various departments OF so vast and complica-
ted Government than could otherwise have
been obtained The honorable mode of com
petition, together with the good moral precepts
contained in the classics. have tended very much
to elevate the character not only OF the officers,
but OF the numerous class engaged In literary
pursuits. This mode Of encouraging literature
and OF raising up officers from the ranks of the
people can only be properly estimated by II
knowledge of the history Of the empire for
welye centuries and comparison of its pres
ent condition with other ASiatic nations far be
hind in all the elements of civilization and po-
litical freedom. Education and morality have
done all for the Chinese they were capable of,
when not founded on the Book of Divine Inspi-
ration. And this nation has, for centuries. pre-
scented to the world the highest point Of civil
cation attainabe by people destitute of true
religion.
China is Just now beginning tardiy to take
her place among the nations of the earth.
/ Steam, western science, and religion, are ma
king inroads upon her borders. Ancient and
wornout systems are crumbhng before them
the printing press, long known here, is coming
to the aid of progress; and no man can say that
a few more generations will not place this de-
spised and abused people in the first rank with
those nations that boast of their civilization and
refinement
The rebellion III Canton province is at an end
for the present. The victories of the Imperial
soldiers, which commenced about the middle of
March, have been continued, and the rebels
have been driven to the confines Of the prov
ince. Business is commencing and within a
month food has become more abundant and
| cheap. The destruction of human life has been
immense, and still continues. From four to
six thousand are executed in this city every
month"; and the end is not yet. Perhaps two
| hundred thousand is Il low estimate for the
number of men who have persisted 10y the sword
in this province, since the commencement of
disorder one year ago The multitudes paw no
attention to the daily destruction of human life,
and seem glad that peace is restored at any
expense. Yours, &C., X.
WilliausS Middl" Kingdom
| The " classics consist ugir % small vol
umcs. on history. government Iuutai~, and puIencss
coupled and written by ConuruS ard M-uriuS The
most vrurratrd ~lges at CHINA. ~ books The world
have been studied by many. and cyerted such uhu-
ence on mankind