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

FROM CHINA.
CANTON, CHINA, July 7, 1855.
To tie Editor Of tie National Era:
While common schools in China are numer-
Gus, aud well attended, those of higher order
are few, and but little encouraged. Those who
desire office or literary fame, after leaving the
primary schools, seek farther attachments by
private study, often being engaged in teaching
or some other business for support. Since the
range of studies is not extended, but only per-
lection i'll composition and penmanship, with
more intimate acquaintance with the classics
is required, the facilities of colleges and learned
professors are not important. "In Canton are
fourteen grammar schools, but none Of them
are in good condition; there are also thirty col
leges, some of which are quite ancient, but most
of them are neglected. What we have to say
of the advanced education of the Chinese has
reference to their established system of exami-
nations, at which all the aspirants for literary
fame and for office contend for the degrees
This system was commenced 1850 years ago,
and its continuance for so long time shows
at once the attachment of the people to ancient
usages aud to education. An attempt to dis
pense with it was made by the present Manchou
Tartar dynasty; but the force of popular
opinion was too strong, and the result was fail
ure.
There is a graduation of four degrees, for which
stated examinations are held. The first degree
is called "Siu-tsai," Towering talent, and an
swers to the Bachelor of Arts of American col
leges. For this, three different examinations are
held, by literary officers appointed for that pur-
pose. The first takes place in the district town,
and is open to all students. To each one a sub
ject is given, and he is allowed day to write
an essay; these are examined by the board of
officers, and about one in each hundred approx
ed. Those only who pass at the first are entitled
TO anpcar al the second examination, which is
held IN the chief town Of the department. This
is similar to the first, but more rigid, and those
who pass at it are entered for the third examna-
ton in the provincial city. All the students in
the province, who have been successful at the
former examinations, assemble for the third in
the capital. After having been carefully search
ed, they are admitted into the public hall, and
seated before the literary chancellor, who gives
out subjects, and Immediately every student is
engaged in writing his essay. On three differ
ent days, this is repeated; on each of which, the
number is diminished by the absence ofthe I'M
fortunate majority of the former trial. The Sc
lest few Who come off victorious in every ordeal
receive the degree of siu-tsai which had been
cOntended for as earnestly by thousands, who
had II console themselves with the reflection
that their luck would be better next time
This degree elevates a man in the estimation Of
the people, and he occupies a position of inlu-
ence and responsibility in his city or village,
and is entitled to enter for the second degree.
This is called kir.iin, or promoted men. The
examinations Cor it are held triennally, at the
same time in all the provincial cities, before
two Imperial Commissioners and ten literary
officers of the province. The number of siu,tsa
who attend varies from five to ten thousand, in
the different provinces. In Canton, a hall is
provided which contains 800 cells; each one
is three feet by four, and high enough to stand
up in; board for seat, and one for a writing
table, furnish the apartment Each student
gives his history, family, residence, &C., is then
searched from head to foot, lest he might have
some essay or help to composition about his
person; after which, he is deposited in one of
those cells, and closely guarded by soldiers. II
any manuscript or miniature edition of the class
les is found about one of them, he is punished,
disgraced from his first degree, and forbidden
to compete for the second. The examinations
are held ON three different days, with an inter
val of three days between them.
At the first trial, four themes are given, on
each of which every student must compose an
essay Of not less than one hundred characters,
and one must be in poetry.
The following are specimens Of subjects taken
from the classics " He took hold of the two ex.
tremes, and his treatment of the people main
tanned the golden medium" "He who is sin.
cere will be intelligent, and the intelligent man
will be faithful" A subject for poetry was
"The sound of the oar and the green of the
hills and waters" The excellence aimed at
consists in initiating the style of the ancient
classics, and in writing the characters with neat
ness and perfection. day is occupied in wri.
ting the essays; at the close of which, an officer
collects them, and the students are dismissed
from their prison till the next trial. On the third
and last day of the examination, questions OF
history, government, &c, are given as subjects,
but 1t is forbidden to comment on acts of the
reigning family. twenty-five days are allowed
the Board to examine the essays, and few tasks
can be instanced, more irksome to board OF
honest examiners than the perusal of between
fifty and seventy-fve thousand papers on a dozen
subjects, through which the most monotonous
uniformity must necessarily run, and out OF
which they have to choose the seventy or eighty
best, for the number of successful candidates
cannot vary far from this, according to the sizt
of the province"
When it is decided who are to receive the
degree, their names are proclaimed at midnight
to the expectant city, and soon circulated
throughout the whole province. Those who
were unsuccessful must rejoice over the better
luck of their associates, and then set hard to
work for better preparation at the end Of an
other three years. The new graduates are
treated with distinguished honor, feasted by the
high Mandarins, receive presents in the name
of the Emperor, and are "obiects of fattering
attention from the whole city," A considera-
BILE portion of them are appointed to office, OF
associate themselves with persons in official
stations. Those who do not receive Office are
entitled to enter for the third degree, called
Islntsz, the examinations for which are held
tnenmaliy at Picking, and are conducted in
manner similar to those in the provincial cities
At each examination, from $50 to 400 receive
the degree. These are introduced to the En-
peror, and the most worthy receive presents