Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31
CHINA'SEXA
go, 600 CANDIDATES SHUT IN
CELLS FOR 8 DAYS AT A TIME.
From the East Of Asia Magazine.

From the East of Asia Magazine.
A visit paid to the vast examination halls
of Marking will never be forgotten. These
are said to be the largest in China. More
than 10000 candidates for the higher degree
of NJ A assemble at one time from four
provinces and are examined for several
successive periods of three days.
These countless rows of cells will never.
however, be used again. and already, it
is said. they are beginning to take down
the walls.
The wonderful system of Chinese educa-
ton, with all it's sanction of vast antiquity,
is rapidly being superseded by western
methods. All over China schools and col
leges and universities are springing UP.
instituted by the Chinese themselves and
modelled on the lines of those of foreign
origin with which they have been familiar
during the past few decades.
From one Of the watch towers, says a
writer, We had extended view of the
multtudinous rows of cells in which the
candidates for examination are confined
strictly for three days at time. In each
row there are usually 100 cells, and as each
cell measures only some 01e feet in height,
~ feet in width and 3h feet in depth
leach being merely a division in long
unhappy aspirant after literary honors
must. forsooth. be at night with his legs
in the open air under the blue vault Of
heaven.
solemn custom prevails in Marking. Gongs
are beaten and a black flag Is unfurled
high in the sight of all. Mokue (the deviD
is solemnly Invoked, and any candidate
guilty of murder or other serious crime
is called upon to depart. On each oc-
casion, it is said deaths occur, probably
from sheer strain and excitement, and the
bodies are thrown over the wall. never car
yfnI ont IT. ~, iii
the examinations are in progress.
Under this great system, 1.-The most admi-
rable institution of the Chinese empire"
Notwithstanding its defects, candidates for
the first examination (B.A) are drawn
from the districts of the provinces and ex-
amined there. Those successful about one
In every 100 are allowed to pass become
eligible for the second, or M. A. degree, for
which the examinations are held In the
provincial capital.
From these again are drawn Gin similar
proportions) those who after passing
third examination are entitled to vacancies
In the official ranks of the mandarins, in
accordance with the maxim of the Chinese
classics: Employ the able and promote
the worthy" There is however, yet an
other and higher prize open to the few
hundreds who still Survive-entrahce to
the famous Hanln College, the examna-
ton for which is presided over by the en-
peror in person. This stupendous system
OF examinations, open to the whole empire
eliminates finally in a contest which results
IN the production once in three years of the
Chuang Yuan. the bright particular star
OF learning of his day within the imperial
realm
A little crowd had gathered around us
while we waited for the key of the watch
tower, and We were much amused by small
Chinese boy in foreign dress, who strutted
about with his hands in his pockets, invit-
Ing attention by every gesture to his cap
OF which he was inordina tely proud. 1t was
a miniature Of those worn by the Marking
police. with Osaka. Japan" in gold let
tiers across the front! We saw rows upon
rows of these in a number of shops At
last the man returned-wth a Ratchet with
which, notwithstanding our amused remon-
strances he calmly chopped off the paddock
of the gate!
Marking University.
The Marking University Is splenuld pile
of buildings, one of those American insttu-
lions which have done so much to open the
eyes of the Chinese to the deficiencies of
their own classical system of eaucation
Here. 1t was said. that a general request
preferred by the students to be allowed to
cut off their queues had been refused as
premature. We Travelled up river on one
occasion on a ship on board which were a
number of Chinese students returning from
Japan. All these young men hau cut off
their queues and were in foreign uniform.
At Wuhu there is a Chinese restaurant
where foreign meals may be obtained and
OH SUI Is VI lOIelSH CAKES anu pastries at
two cents each. In Marking too, where
there is practically no foreign element.
there is an inn iere the young Chinese go
for foreign meals.
The streets are full Of students in semi
foreign dress. There were numerous parade
grounds where large bodies of men were
drilling.
They marched with much spirit in the
German fashion. but here. elsewhere, the
foreign instructors had been replaced with
Japanese. The discipline seemed perfect
and one could not but be struck with the
earnestness and decision of the troops.
AS worthy sons of their old teachers, the
Japanese will, sooner or later. form with
the Chinese a close alliance, defensive anu
offensive with perhaps Siam thrown in)
against all who presume to assert superior
ity, who attempt coercion, who try to in
terfere with their religion. who talk about
yellow PERIL who despite their national
customs, who dare to dictate. who hamper
their commerce, who do not like them, who
hate them, who would stop their progress
The time will come when China will cross
the Rubicon, and the foreign nations will
regret that they ever disturbed her In her
tranquil repose Her awakening may be, In
It's ultimate result, to the benefit of the
whole world. Let us hope that 1t will be.
One thing is certain: Things are moving!