CHAPTER IX.

EDUCATION AND LITERARY EXAMINATIONS, 519-577

Stimulus of literary pursuits in China, 520; Foundation of the present system of competition, 521; Precepts controlling early education, 522; Arrangements and curriculum of boys’ schools, 524; Six text-books employed: 1, The ‘Trimetrical Classic,’ 527; 2, The ‘Century of Surnames,’ and 3, ‘Thousand-Character Classic,’ 530; 4, The ‘Odes for Children,’ 533; 5, The _Hiao King_, or ‘Canons of Filial Duty,’ 536: 6, The _Siao Hioh_, or ‘Juvenile Instructor,’ 540; High schools and colleges, 542; Proportion of readers throughout China, 544; Private schools and higher education, 545; System of examinations for degrees and public offices, 546; Preliminary trials, 547; Examination for the First Degree, _Siu-tsai_; 549: For the Second Degree, _Kü-jin_, 550; Example of a competing essay, 554; Final honors conferred at Peking, 558; A like system applied to the military, 560; Workings and results of the system of examinations, 562; Its abuses and corruption, 566; Social distinction and influence enjoyed by graduates, 570; Female education in China, 572; Authors and school-books employed, 574.