The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-02-01
A Chinese Examination,

Every one who asplres to literary
career, or to any civil appointment, be-
gins by taking the degree of Siu-tsai,
which roughly corresponds to our de-
gree of B. A. The examinations for this
purpose are conducted annually in each
prefectural capital by the Hsio-tai Git
erary chancellor of the whole province).
There is no fixed standard, but certain
number of degrees must be conferred in
each prefecture. Thus the degree does
not present any fixed standard, but
stands for greater or lesser amount OF
knowledge, according to the number Of
candidates. The graduates assemble
every three years in TaiYue Flu to I'M
dergo a further and much harder exam
nation for the higher degree of Ku-jen
On. Az, conducted by a senior and jun
ior examiner, specially deputed from
Pekin for the purpose. Last year the
number OF candidates was $500, and as
the number of M. A. graduates is
only seventy-two the competition
was indeed severe. In some of the
Southern provinces, where literature
is more cultivated, there are as many as
10, 900 OF even 20, 900 candidates. Thus
it will be seen that these great examina-
tons dwarf everything of the kind in
Europe into comparative insignifcance.
Early the following year, the newlymade
M. AS Ku-jen), together with their
predecessors of previous years, repair to
Pekin from all the eighteen provinces for
further examination, similar in every
respect to that for Ku-jen, only more
difficult. Out of many thousand candi-
dates, only 800 are admitted to the
higher degree of Kiu-shi, and these are
re-examined in the imperial palace for
the highest degree of Han-lin forest OF
pencils. All the civil officials of the
empire are selected from the ranks of the
Kiu-shi. Bribery is sometimes effectual
in securing degree, but means a large
sum, and the present must be made in 8
very roundabout way from the candi-
dates relatives to those of the examiner,
long before he reaches the scene of his
labor. The punishment for the ex.
aminer, if convicted, is to- be sawr
asunder. The examination buildings
occupy an immense quadrangular area,
about quarter of mile square, sur
rounded by lofty wall. The whole
area is divided into east and ives
halves by broad road; right and left
are a series of between twenty and thirty
long ranges of stalls, rooted over (mucl
like an enormously long stable with 10i
stalls), very SMALL side by side, with al
open passage unroofed, running along thu
back. Each stall is for one candidate
he is supplied with two small benches
one for seat, the other for table
sliding in grooves. He provides his owl
bedding, curtains, cooking utensils, food
etc.; the government rations being large
ly consumed by the underlings, on
servant being allotted to each ten candi
dates. Each range of stalls has petit
official walking up and down, to preserv
order and prevent cheating, and also t
attend to the wants of the candidates
At the center of the great dividing roa'
is a tower overlooking the whole area
and several smaller towers are placed q
the corners, so as to overlook the candi
dates The rest of the area is occupie
by extensive courts, surrounded by larg
and we'll furnished buildings for the resi-
dence of the various officials, of whom
several hundred are employed. At tn
back of all are the apartments occupie
by two imperial examiners from Pekir
On one side is great number of builo
ings for servants, and at the other is
large range of stalls for the copyist'
: The examination consists of three parts
each part lasts three days and nights.
EMPEROR WILLIAMS indisposition WI
caused by a slight cold affecting his lungs, al
f hoarseness 1t is not considered serious, yet
: agitates Berlin, and it cannot be denied tn
the alleged appearance OF the white lady.
f the old palace on the evening after the festly
OF the order of the Black Eagle is much IN Il
3 minds fthe people.
e Col NICHOLAS SMITH son-in-law OF Hora
Greeley, joins the son and namesake OF Chair
Francis Adams in urging the comparative no
# Importance of classical studies. Col. Smlti
u fniher-in-law held the same opinion.
10 BIRTHS.