whose capacity is pretty nearly equal. | plans can positively ensure the graduation of a candidate. As was said above, only a few men of really marked ability can compose papers which will command certain success; and such men will not lend themselves to tricks of the kind. Still, as the cost is not high, a good many young men with more money than brains will resort to one of the schemes, and take their chance of being among the fortunate ones. Nevertheless, as the number of degrees To be certain of buying a degree there is only one way, and that is to corrupt the chief examiner. This is not an easy matter. He is often not approachable with money; and should With all the pains taken to secure he be so, the expense will be very purity, is it possible that fraud should great. If he yields to the temptation, exist? Yes, say the Chinese, perhaps the usual plan is to arrange a private as many as three or four per cent. sign by which he may recognize the of the degrees are gained unfairly. papers which he is to favor. That is There are two means of cheating which to say, the candidate introduces a cerare commoner than any other. One of tain phrase, which has been agreed them is to use essays written by some upon, into the first paragraph of his person outside the enclosure. This is first essay, or something else of the managed through the agency of one kind. But, as we have seen above, the of the guards, who makes known the great man can only judge such papers subjects to the writer outside, and as are sent up to him after a prelimbrings back the drafts when he has inary inspection by the inferior examcomposed them. The second method iners. It is therefore necessary to is to utilize the productions of a fellow make arrangements for them to pass candidate, with whom it is easy to successfully through the earlier ordeal. communicate through the medium of This is managed by the clerks, a body the attendants. Sometimes a poor stu- of men who, I may remark, are at the dent, to whom a certain sum of ready bottom of nineteen-twentieths of all money is worth more than the chance the official corruption in China. One of a degree, will deliberately sacrifice of these fellows, having been suffihis own chance by devoting his time to ciently paid, contrives first to watch working for a neighbor; or sometimes the papers through the sealing up and he may be clever enough and quick the transcribing departments, and then enough at composing to write two good to hand them to some particular subsets of papers in the allotted time. A examiner who has previously been third method is personation. A prac- "squared." Again, as the produc tised writer will take the name and tions of the successful candidates will place of a candidate who stays away altogether. But this plan is dangerous and less often resorted to. Not only must the officials be hoodwinked, but some of the candidates may know that the personator is not the man whom he represents himself to be; and if so, they will denounce him in their own interests. Besides, in case of detection, the punishment is very severe. It will be noticed that none of these be finally scrutinized by a special inspector, they must be of such a quality that the examiner can accept them without being manifestly open to the charge of favoritism. It is a hundred to one that the briber is incapable of himself composing anything good enough, and therefore he must in the first place resort to one of the tricks detailed above in order to get his papers written for him. If an examiner be convicted of cor- his degree had been obtained. This ruption, the consequences are very led to fresh denunciations and the serious for him. In the year 1858 au bringing to light of other irregularities. instance of this occurred at Peking. In the end the grand secretary was The chief examiner was a grand secre- condemned to death for misconduct in tary that is to say, an officer of the the performance of his duty as chief very highest rank. Among the caudi- examiner. He was a valued servant, dates was a nephew of his by marriage, and the emperor wished to spare his a bright and intelligent young fellow. life. But it was represented by auThe grand secretary was besought by other official that this was a case where his wife to take care of her nephew's it was absolutely necessary to make interests; and, yielding to her solicita- a striking example. The unfortunate tions, he gave him a high place upon man was therefore publicly beheaded the class list. By a curious accident on the common execution ground at the affair came to light. The young Peking. man was an extremely good amateur Nor is the punishment light for him actor; and a month after he had ob- who attempts to bribe. Within the last tained his degree he was invited to few months, in the neighborhood of take part in some private theatricals at Shanghai, a gentleman of good position the house of a certain Peking magnate. sent to a chief examiner a cheque for a Now, the theatrical profession is re- thousand pounds with a request that garded in China something in the way he would favor certain candidates that it was in France a couple of hun- whose names were given on an accomdred years ago. As we have seen panying list. The writer of the letter above, not even the grandson of an was denounced by the examiner; and, actor is permitted to present himself at after being arrested and tried, he has the public examinations. It will easily been condemned to death. But as the be understood that under such circum- sentence is not to be carried out immestances, though there is nothing crim- diately, it will probably be commuted inal in amateur acting, still, to take in pursuance of an act of grace, which part in a performance would be looked is sure to be proclaimed this year on upon as something extremely undigni- the occasion of the empress-dowager's fied for a man of distinguished reputa- jubilee. tion or high social position. Foolishly, the young man accepted the invitation. He played the part of the heroine (as of old in Europe, in China there are no actresses, female characters being always taken by young men or boys), and he was vociferously applauded for reader. the excellence of his acting. One of the audience who knew him, observed to a neighbor that the young man was not only great as an actor, but had recently taken a high place in the examination for the master of arts de gree. A censor, who was also among the guests, overheard the remark, and was filled with indignation at what he considered the disgraceful levity of one who had gained high literary honors. He lost no time in denouncing to the emperor the young man's misbehavior. An inquiry was instituted, in the course of which it was discovered how In concluding this article I should note that there is a great deal which it has left unsaid. It is not intended as an exhaustive description, but merely as a sketch of such prominent points as seemed likely to interest an English T. L. BULLOCK. From The Saturday Review. A LOVER'S CATECHISM. IF we may judge by many books, and articles yet more numerous, holy matrimony continues to agitate the minds of thinkers. While the world marries and is given in marriage, in the fearless old fashion, a multitude of counsellors bids mankind beware, and, as to marriage, mend it or end it. The difficulty, of course, is that nobody knows how a love match will wear. It "What was different in the palmy days of siderations as "Do you still play the Otaheite, where they practised the Old piano?" "Do you insist on keeping a Hedonism, "" as chance or fancy led," fox-terrier ?" "Do you suspect yourand subsequent differences of taste and self of a tendency towards politics?" character were matters of no impor-"Can you read Dickens ?" tance. They are very important where do you think of 'The Heavenly man has “one unceasing wife," and Twins'?" Many other queries will woman has one unceasing husband. suggest themselves to a reflective "In the long rubber of connubial life" rubs must come, and the problem is to foresee them and avoid them while it is yet time. An Italian writer ad mind. This catechism ought to be presented (on both sides) and fairly faced in the earliest hours of an acquaintance vises the swain to cross-examine the those hours now so often wasted in nymph's maid, if she has one, and her frivolities. The reason is obvious. farmers, if she is a landholder, and her Once "an interest" is established, coachman, and her late governess. once the young people are "interBut there is a trifling want of chivalry ested" in each other, it is too well in such an inquest. Better and more known that they are capable of saying openly fair it would be to print (on the anything. They promise concessions back of the lists of dances used at balls) which they are incapable of making, a lover's catechism. Questions could and assume tastes (such as a love of be asked about tastes and ideals. Thus, poetry, of golf, of music, of fox-terriers), "Do you prefer town or country?" which are as lovely and as evanescent a very important question, whereon as the "other crest" that the wanton may turn domestic tranquillity. "Are lapwing provides himself with in you a lady of decision, or do you like spring. Such are lovers' perjuries, to make up your mind at the last mo- which excite a misplaced sense of hument?" This is momentous. There mor in Jove. Really they are no are wives, and husbands, who lay plans laughing matter. The catechism, as deep, and as much beforehand, as therefore, should be gone through at any Moltke, and who are excessively first before "glamour" has a chance. annoyed if any change is made in their Of course, it will be of little service to programme. Others enjoy the sensa- the "soft enthusiasts" who love at tion of not being committed to any- first sight, but they are an insignificant thing; and if a train starts at 5 P.M. do minority. not know at 4 P.M. whether or not they mean to take it. A fearful joy, perhaps, but still they snatch it, being enamoured of freedom, and of the unforeseen. A decided and foresighted woman, marrying a vacillating man, is certain to be unhappy, and not to contribute much to Hedonism on his side, and vice versa. These inquiries, LORD CHATHAM ON THE SURRENDER AT therefore, are highly necessary, yet how few think of them beforehand! "Do you love society, or is solitude, à deux, your ideal?" is another query which demands a truthful response. We pity the social lady married to a Zimmermann (or Obermann) as much as the stern solitary wedded to a gadabout. Either taste is blameless; the sorrow comes when the tastes clash. Then there are such ponderous con It may conceivably be suggested that the lover's catechism will prove a mere Galeotto; but, at the very least, it would be a great aid to conversation. From Macmillan's Magazine. SARATOGA. THE following letter from Lord Chatham to Lord Shelburne was written after the receipt of the news of the surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. It appears from the rest of the collection at Lansto have been separated many years ago downe House; and, therefore, not to have been seen by the editors of the "Chatham Correspondence," published in 1838-40, who had access to that collection. The letter was lent for use by counsel in the case of the Attorney-General v. Ryves, and was | perate. But more time, which is returned to Lansdowne House in 1866, everything in extreme cases, is perhaps after the completion of the proceedings afforded him. I expect that he will connected with that trial. But it again got use it well, and that firmness and reseparated from the rest of the collection. The existence of it was therefore not known to me when I was writing the life of Lord Shelburne; nor was it again seen till 1893, when I accidentally found it. The probability is that the interest of the contents caused it to be specially put aside, and that no record of this having been made, the precautions thus taken were, as sometimes happens in such cases, themselves the cause of the temporary loss of the letter. source will be called forth to save a very valuable Province, absurdly and unjustly distracted and alienated by an ill understood plan of illiberal Tory principles. I saw Mr. Walpole here on last Monday, when I learnt all that your Lordship's communication from him contains. I am much obliged for the imparting it, and I beg leave to express the fullest sense of your Lordship's General Burgoyne surrendered on Octo-goodness in taking such a trouble. ber 17th, 1777. The first report of the I rejoice that the Americans have disaster reached England on December 2nd, behaved in victory like men who were and was fully confirmed on the 12th. The actuated by principle: not by motives reception of the news greatly stimulated the activity of the party in Parliament, led of a less elevated nature. Every hour by Lord Rockingham, which leaned to the is big with expectations. Howe's army recognition of the independence of the is besieged, and I expect a disgraceful colonies; while Lord Chatham and his and ruinous catastrophe to that devoted friends still believed in the possibility of body of troops: the last remains of the conciliation.1 all conquering forces of Great Britain. If the Undoers of their country ought to be pitied, in any case, my Lord, I may EDMOND FITZMAURICE. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE be well entitled to some compassion. EARL OF SHELBURNE. MY LORD, HAYES, Dec. 18, 1777. I am all gout, but I hold out: going abroad for air. I have not much of the cordial of hope, and trust more to Sir Walter Raleigh than to a higher power, Providence excepted. I cannot, though at dinner-time, suffer your Lordship's servants to return, without expressing my humble thanks The last day in the House of Lords for the favor of your very obliging and put an end to my hope from the public. interesting communication. How de- I wish I might be permitted to live and cisive and how expressive are the ways die in my village, rather than sacrifice of Providence! The sentiments and the little remnant I have left of Life the conduct of the American Colonists, to the hopeless labors of controversial full of nobleness, diguity, and human-speculation in Parliament. If I can ity! On the side of the Royalists, avoid it, I mean to come little to Parnative English spirit, not to be extin-liament, unless I may be of some serguished, -thank God-by enslaving vice. I know that I cannot alter in the principles, and peremptory nonsensical orders! When will national blindness fall from our eyes, and the gutta serena be taken off that sight which should behold all with an equal view? If Vaughan has made good his retreat, it is a better fate than I expected; perhaps better than his merciless conduct deserved. I think Howe's situation most critical. Carleton's almost des 1 See Chatham Correspondence, iv., pp. 489-493. Life of Lord Shelburne, iii., pp. 12-15. point, and if others who have as good a right to judge cannot either, I had bet ter stay away. I shall thereby do less mischief to the public. I will as soon subscribe to Transubstantiation as to Sovereignty (by right), in the Colonies. Again and again, humble thanks to your Lordship, for the favor of your most obliging letter. I am, ever with all respect, your Lordship's most obedient and most humble servant, CHATHAM. For EIGHT DOLLARS remitted directly to the Publishers, the LIVING AGE will be punctually forwarded for a year, free of postage. Remittances should be made by bank draft or check, or by post-office money-order, if possible. If neither of these can be procured, the money should be sent in a registered letter. All postmasters are obliged to register letters when requested to do so. Drafts, checks, and money-orders should be made payable to the order of LITTELL & CO. Single copies of the LIVING AGE, 18 cents. |