The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-13

shall not occupy the same cell or passage
way he was In before. Near each of the fonr
corners of the barracks watch-towers are
erected. and soldiers placed on duty there,
with instructions TO shoot any one who
may attempt to communicate with
persons outside the walls. There is, In
fact an outer wall about twenty feet from
the inner wall which would seem TO make
communication impossible. but the people
must be duly impressed with the deterIni-
nation OF the officials TO have the examlna-
tions conducted In all fairness; notwith-
standing this seeming offectual scrutiny
there are ways enough devised by tho
crafty to get their essays passed upon IA
seated in their respective clos
cts. the themes for the essays and
student has first intimation concerning the
subject upon which be is TO write. Ths
tirst set of questions are taken from the
-Four Books OF the Chinese classics. As the
essays are finished they are taken for tho
first examination. company of Literary
men whose duty Is TO examine. not the sub
stance OF the essays, but simply whether
the rules for writing have been observed.
IL any OF these rules are violated the par
per Is posted in public place and the mer
II of the essay is not considered; that enda
the chance OF that poor fellow, however
good his competition may be.
Such as pass this examination as TO form
and appearance are then transcribed IN red
Ink. large number OF proficient copy
lists being employed in this part of the work.
Tbs is done 10 prevent any possible COM
munication by marks. blots or omitted
spaces, with the examining commissioners.
The copies and originals are again carefully
examined by two persons as proof-readers
TO see that they have been truly repro
duced. The copy in red ink is then sent to
the twelve higher literary critics.
who each examine it In turn, aud 40
each one reads he places his verdict
uDon the paper in small red ink circle
upon the top of the roll, or laws it aside IL
he does not approve. Those marked with
the red circles are sent 70 the project and
rs each ono Is handed TO him q drum
tcalled the recommending drum 10 struck
once by him. These essays are then passed
10 the examining commissioners who have
come from Peking; each q read carefully.
and distinguishing marks of excellency arc
placed upon each. This method is pursued
at each of the three sessions the students
enter the arena of conflict, and at the end
an immense collection OF essays and poems
are on hand to pass the scrutiny of the
official ex Examiners. rho do not leave the
Enclosure until the papers are all examined
and marked. The governor 10 allowed to
come out ten days after the examinations
have closed; the others must remain
Large rooms are provided for their occu-
pancy, food. etc., being brought to them by
attendants, but nothing from outside the
Enclosure.
THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT.
When the question of the successful can.
didates is determined their names are writ
ten in large characters on q paper which 10
put up on the drum tower" which Is some
thirty feet from the ground, and q great
crowd soon assemblies in the street in great
eagerness to know the result The street
In front of your office on election night Is
nothing to 1t.
notified some days later by receiving Q
large piece of red paper with the name and
rank in the examination written thereon.
Congratulations from the officials follow,
and an invitation TO feast AZ
the yaman. Feasts at his own parentS
house and at his father-in-law's house arc
followed by complimentary feasts given in
his honor by his friends. Hemust perform
the worship of heaven and earth. the an
cestral tablet of his own family and that
of his wife if married, etc. The graduate
is allowed TO put mp two tablets. one over
the front door of his house, the other over
the ancestral tablet inside. These are
about SIX feet long and three feet wide.
characters proclaim also that high honor,
and all the near relatives are allowed t.
erect duplicate tablets over their doors.
The successful candidates in this trien.
NAL examination receive the second de-
gree, which corresponds to the A. NJ OF
American colleges, and entities the person
gaining il to GO to Peking TO take part in
the examinations for the third degree.
This is much more severe, as the contest 10
between the best scholars who have thua
been selected from all parts OF
the empire. Out Of several thou
sands who present themselves only
small number obtain the bonors Of
the third degree. which corresponds to our
LII. u. OF these. several are selected TO
pursue their studies at the Imperial Col
lege, the Hanlan or Tung Wen College,
which is under the charge of Dr. Martin,
and where the modern sciences and mathe-
MATES are taught and where men are pre-
pared for duties as engineers master me-
chanics, interpreters. etc. Graduates from
this college are also deputed to act
as chancellors of examinations, state
historians. poets. etc., are allowed
compensate and are regarded
as expectant officials. Selections for Office
are made from the list of graduates of the
last two mentioned degrees. All successful
graduates from the first degree onward are
regarded as composing the Iiterati, and
their opinions in regard TO all matters OF
social political or religious character have
great weight with the common people. Ii
is from this class that the opposition TO
Christian missions comes chiefly. and they
will generally be found at the bottom OF
most of the disturbances IN which foreign.
ers are involved In China.