The Russellville Democrat., 1883-08-23
Chinese Literature Examination.
The examinations of students are DO

The examinations of students are DO .uliar to China. They are four in num- OCT and in degrees. The first exaDina- ton takes place in the town or village, and all persons are eligible as candi- dates. Those who pass this trial are said to have name in the village. The second examination is held in the dis trict town, before what we would call n literary judge All in the district who we're success sful at the first examination are eligible for the second. and some times as many as 30.o00 students are collected on these occasions at Canton. The examinations last three days, and each day a theme is given on which the candidates receive the first literary de- gree. The third examination is held in provincial town every third year, and is open to all the students in the province who have received the first de- gree. Two examiners are sent from Pekin. who. with the literary judges, form a board of twelve examiners. In the place of the examination are sev- c.sf thousand small cells. The com petitors give their names, ages, lineage, etc. and are carefully searched to see that they have not secreted any copy of the classics about them. They are then furnished with writing materials, and shut up separately in small cells for two days. during which time they are required to compose essays and poems on given subjects. The same subjects are given to all the candidates and each iS expected to use at least 200 chafac- ters in his composition. At Canton there will be sometimes 1000 candi- dates at one examination, of which only seyenty-two can be successful, the .di- plomas being limited 10 that number. iTo read and determine the merits of TOGO essays on the same subject is tedious and laborious work. The names of the candidates to whom the degree is awarded are announced at midnight from one of the watch-towers, and placarded next morning over the city. The candidates are honored with a banquet in the Governors Palace, and afterward receive the congratula- tions of their friends. Unsuccessful candidates are allowed to try again al. subsequent examinations as long as they please. There have beeninstances of father, son and grandfather appear ing as competitors at the same time. ne IOuTIll tNdlDiUitlbn tthtS I'ttttt dt Pekin, and all who have passed the previous examinations are allowed to compete. The manner of proceeding for examination is the same as for the second degree; those who are success ful receive the third degree and are eligible for important offices. The fourth degree is an office itself; those who obtain it reside at the court, and by this policy the men of the greatest tal- ents are collected at the capital. Even the Emperor's son has to pass these examinations.
 The benefit of this system of exam ination is that it excites the mass of people to apply themselves to learning, and keeps mp a high educational stand ard. The books they are required to study are the best in the language, and to have any chance of success they are compelled to become so thoroughly ae- quainted with their contents that they can never forget them. Among the evils of the system may be mentioned the carrying of each and every student through the same routine of ancient lore, and burdening his memory with it, the effect being to destroy the power of originality and invention by filling the mind with the admiration of an- tiquity. Apparently the people of China neither hope nor desire to be any wiser than their fathers were
 l. H. Butler, ia Chicago Joarnot.