The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-03-02
STUDENT AND EXECUTIONER.
Two Chinese Institutions wildly Described
A Rigid observation-disclosures of the Cam
ton Execution Ground.


letter to the Troy Times, two places of
interest in Canton. On the eastern
side of Canton is Examination Hall"
a place of extraordinary interest and
excitement. Here an enclosure of
about twelve acres, entirely surrounded
by high wall, is set apart for trien-
NAL competitive examination in the
Chinese classics. Every third year
about 10000 students, young and old,
who have already passed first exami-
nation, assemble here to pass the rigid
ordeal of second trial. So great is
the excitement that sometimes students
are crazed, some even commit suicide,
and others die from sheer nervous ex-
haustion. When one dies in his cell
a hole is cut through the wall and the
corpse put outside, as it is considered
unlucky and unlawful to carry the
corpse through the door. On these
grounds are large buildings for the ex-
aminers, and nearly 10000 little brick
cells only three feet wide and five feet
long, for the students. No furniture is
allowed in the cells except a rough
board seat, and rough board shelf on
which to write. Each student has one
of the cells, in which he is guarded as
though prisoner. He is searched as
he enters, lest he have some papers to
help him in his assigned task, then he
is closely watched, day and night, by
policemen, and the policemen are
watched by other guards.
During the two or three days and
nights in which the student is confined
he must write an essay on which de-
ponds his promotion. The subject is
given after the competitor has entered
the cell. Each student is provided
with pen, ink and paper, and little
food and bedding, but is not permitted
to have any books or helps of any kinds.
His memory must be his only depend
ence. No friends or servants are al
lowed to accompany him, and he must
not even speak to his fellew-students.
The student who passes a successful
examination meets with great congrat-
ulation, and splendid ovations, for he
is on the highway to fortune and honor,
both for himself and his friends. Only
about 100 in 10000 succeed in getting
the degree" the other $500 must wait
three years, then try again. Even the
successful ones must pass third ex-
animation at Pekin, the capital. In
this competition there are three exami-
nations, and three degrees given. The
first examination is in the district
college. The second in the provincial
college. The third is in the imperial
university at PelIin. The first degree
is B. A., which does not mean, as in
America, bachelor Of arts, but beauti
full ability. The second degree is A
NJ, not master of arts, but advanced
men. The third degree, LII. D., car
only be had at the capital of the empire
The few who pass successful three
fold examination, and gain the three
fold degrees, stand very high in tn,
estimation of the emperor and the gov
eminent, and from their number al
appointments for public office ar
made. So great is the honor of success
that men will try from youth to ole
age, failing and trying again score o
times. Sometimes a father, son ant
grandson are found at the same exami
nation. This system has been observes
for many centuries in China, and ha
very important place in the socia
and political economy of the empire.
From Examination Hall we went t
that terrible aceldama, the execution
ground" in the southeast corner of tn
city. One can hardly look without
shudder ON the spot where so man,
thousands have been beheaded. In
little open space not more imam INVENT.
feet wide and 100 feet long more hu
man blood has flowed than on an
other place of the same size round tn
world. From ten to fifty are general
executed at time. Sometimes tn
executions amount to several hundre
annually. During war times 10000
have been beheaded on this Golgoth
in single year. One missionary sal
he had seen 200 headless bodies lyin
here at once. The victims are ordere
to kneel down, the heads are stretche
forward, then one blow of the short
heavy, sharp sword of the executions
cleaves the neck, and the guilt
wretches lay weltering in their blooC
The bodies are given to friends th