Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-05
OFFICE-HOLDERs IN CHINA.
Country i'm Which Brain Is the Only

Harper's Nagasiae.


The avenues to station and power arc
open alike to all. There are no distinc-
tiOns save those of education: none rela-
tive to nationality, color or previous con-
ditiOn of servitude. All are alike free to
seek, and, if competent, to obtain, posi-
tiOns OF honor, from that of petty magis-
trate of village to Grand Imperial Sec
retary-an officer second only to that of
Emperor.
Few there are, it is true, who possess
the fortitude to undergo the necessary ed
ucatiOnal training consequent to. and m
on which depends, his sole hope of sue
cess. Of his studies there is no end. To
diligence he must add patience, and to
patience continuity, else will he fail 10
secure the coveted prize.
We have heard of young men i'm this
country who have graduated in three or
four years at most, and who We're regard
ed as having finished their education.
who, in fact, considered themselves edu-
Gated to degree of proficiency beyond
which further study were superfuOus.
In China there is no fixed time
for graduating, no limit to ones
collegiate course, except he live be-
yond the age allotted TO the human race.
If student graduate from any college of .
a certain grade in ten years he is consid-
cred a prodigy. We have frequently seen
in China men of fifty years of age, the
fathers of families, still attending col
lege, diligently seeking to obtain their
.frSt degree. But the gaining of the first
degree does not complete a Chinaman's
education; far from it; he has gained but
the first step on the ladder of fame. His
name is simply entered on the list of dis
tinguished scholars. and Immediately
he enters a college of a higher
grade, in which he must study
hard for at least three years more
hg,fn hQ Tc oil Hra1t tf.
titive examination for the second degree.
called TAIN 5. 5. Should he succeed in
obtaining this degree, he can then aspire
to higher hOnOrs in a still higher school:
but if he fails he is obliged to 90 back and
study for three years longer, or until the
next competitive examinations occurs.
when he may again strive for the coveted
degree, and If he be of great mental en-
dOwments and have applied himself with
diligence during previous years of study,
he may prove successful.
Having obtained thorough excellence the
degree of TsZin S. S., the successful can
didate now enters the field of honor and
preferment, his future is assured: honor.
riches, place and power are his reward
Still he does not consider his education
complete, but Immediately enters upon a
higher course of study, by which he NAV
attain unto the next highest degree, that
of Han Lin. If he obtain this degree.
which may be conferred only upon
him who eXcels all others of his class. and
which may occur only once in ten years.
he becomes .Chung Yuen." He is then
presented to the Emperor in state, when
the Empress will in person crown him
with precious diadem, and clasp around
his neck costly chain, from which hangs
suspended magnificent gold locket bear
ing this inscription: |sThe Empire,s
Talent, and her Favorite Guest.v
He is now deemed worthy of being con-
sidered as having completed his educa-
ton, and stands before his illustrious
peers as finished scholar, worthy of
political hOnOrs. He is held in the great
est esteem by all; financially his credit is
unlimited; even the Emperor will honor
his checks for any amount not exceeding
a million ounces of silver, and consider if
an honor thus to do.
In most cases the entire province in
which the fortunate ''Chung Yuen' was
born devotes three whole days to festivi-
ties and merry-making in honor of her
favorite son, and proclamations are for
warded to every city in the empire. an
nOuncing the name of the successful can
didate. From the hundreds of unsuccess-
full candidates for the highest degree, who
rank as EChung Yuen' of the second
third, fourth and fifth grades, are chosen
those deemed most worthy, by reason of
their scholarly excellence, for important
and responsible positions continually be-
coming vacated throughout the empire
through promotion or otherwise. These
are selected and assigned to such positions
as they seem best fitted to adorn by the
Emperor. Chin Lam Pin, the late Chinese
Minister to the United States, was of the
lesser grades of "Chung Yuen;" he was
a Han Lin.
The excitement consequent upon the
comforting of this much-sought-for recog-
milton of merit among the thousands of
competitors and their well-wishers is
tremendous. The city is at such times
filled to oyerf1owing. After having
finished their allotted essays, in the great
temporary inclOsure, upon topics requiring
the seyerest mental effort, and having at
tached thereto their full name, age and
residence, many at once set out for their
respective homes. which may be in some
remote corner of the realm; for having
perhaps spent all they pos sess in defray-
ing the necessarily heavy expenses incl
dent to student life in the capital. they
are often obliged to return home before
the honors are awarded, or the name of
the fortunate candidate is made public.
Mr.. Labouchere thinks that the almost
profitless session Of the British Parlia-
ment which is drawing to a close is profit
less because the Cabinet is ''packed with
Wings, who are little better than Conser-
vatives masquerading in Liberal clothes.''
The Radicals VIII be not at all sorry if all
the government measures should fail.
They have but "a temperate admiration
for them. They have been all framed to
avoid Tory opposition"
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