The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-04-06

trlHe. 49,.
Considering China proper, the bish-
op said that 1t was about 1,2OO miles
in length and 1900 miles in width,
with over three million square miles.
The country is marvellous one Its
great river is the Yang-tse.K .Kiang,
which is nearly equal to the Mississippi.
The largest vessels can navigate up
l,5OO miles from the mouth, then for
about 800 miles 1t is narrow and shall
low, but above that for distance of
500 or 600 miles large vessels can
again sail. The valleys are cultivated
to the utmost extent, and rice, tea,
cotton aud poppy, for the manufacture
of opium, are grown. Passing up
towards Pekin, the country looks like
succession of gardens, the small
farms being divided into patches of
ground by narrow paths but with all
the neatness and beauty, the bishop
would rput Lancaster county ahead of
| it, for what is done here is effected by
superior scientific force, while in China
the farm work is almost all performed
by hand, what few implements the
Chinese have being extremely primi-
tive and rude. The bishop gave some
further interesting accounts of the
mode of cultivating the soil, told OF
the style of travelling, and of the great
wall 40 miles north of Pekin public
highways pass through it by gates; the
wall is 40 feet wide at the top, and 30
feet at the bottom, and is four feet
thick and filed in. In China there is
good degree and good system OF
culture for men. From time immem-
orial there has been system OF exam
ination, enforced now as rigidly as
ever, among the male population which
takes place first in the towns in which
they may live, next in the capitals OF
the respective provinces and then at
the national capital. This examina-
ton is in all their classlcs--and there
are an immense number of them, max
ing 70 or 80 well sized volumes.
These classics were collected and ar
ranged by Confucious, but they are
still being very slowly increased by
additional classics by learned modern
teachers The bishop had seen these
classics engraved on marble slabs in
large building called the Hall of Learn
ing. a certain knowledge of the
classics must be acquired, and then
the first examination takes place. The
student is placed in a small closed stall
with nothing but table and writing
material, and gets little food. Out of
about $4,000 of these persons examin-
ed at one time rarely more than 15 or
20 pass. These are given badge and
are accorded a good measure OF re-
spect. AT the capital of the province
they go through the second exalnina-
ton, about TIE same manner as at the
first, and here out of 10000 or $4,000,
not more than 20 are successful. This
examination is higher one, and those
who pass it are beginning to be en-
titled to Office AT Pekin the third
examination is gone through. Here
: 10 or Is out of thousands pass, and
these are entitled to the highest posi-
, tion in the government, except tlsat OF
emperor, and when one is wanted he is
chosen. Then these 10 or 15 pass
fourth examination in the imperial
, palace, and the successful ones are i'm
/ media:ely placed in office. The wom-
, en- are very little cultivated, although
several schools for girls are being
opened through the influence of Amer
> lean and European people. AS to
their religion, they have Confucianism,
5 which is nothing but a system OF
, morals; Tauism aud Buddhism, ali
| blended and making corrupt system
| that has as many contradictions and
g inconsistencies as can well be imag-
, ined. The bishop then gave some ac-
S count of their worship, the influence
t they attribute to their gods, and the
? power of the Fungschui, against which
e nothing can be effected and which is a
t most potent influence retarding i'm
provement and elevation among the
n Chinese, As an instance, the bishop
J. told that a coal mine had been opened
!, near town, an unusually severe
!, storm arose and it was attributed tc
e the wrath of the Fungschui, who was
n enraged at what was going on. The
y inhabitants compelled all work tc
o cease.
The bishop closed his remarks will
!, some very highly eulogistic words
J, upon the Chinese and their country
i and said that he was amazed when h,
e learned of the passage of the law pro
It hibiting them from our shores. HI
= believed they are destined to be /
n mighty people.