Unat, in celebration of hiis Majesty's access sion, and in accordance with former precedent, an examination extraordinary for the bestowal of the Kiijén degree is granted in all the provinces for the current year, to be followed by a similar examination extraordinary at Peking in 1876, for the bestowal of tsin-sce degree (2) 'The Censor Yin memorializes, urging a reform in' the system of of the public servi he takes up the quarterly official list, he is atruck by per-that, of the district and department magistrates throughout the empire, 80 or 90 per cent. owe their positions to purchase, with only a fractional admixture of those who have gained degrees at the literary examinations. Moreover, in the selections to fill vacancies made by the Board of Civil Office, for which standard regulations are in force, it is nevertheless the fact that, owing to the vast number of "purchase" categories that have been created, forty or fifty purchase-candidates obtain appointments for every four or five of those that have the tsin-sze" degree, After passing successfully at the triennial examinations at Peking, a tsin-sxe may have to wait for ten years, and even longer, after being sent as an "expectant" to a Province, in consequence of the glut of officials to which the purchase system has contributed. The memorialist has observed in the Gazette representations from the govern: of Sze-ch'wan, Yunnan, Fuhkien, and Chehkiang, in which either the cessation of the purchase aystem is advocated, or else the introduction of test examinations for' purchase officers, If, as the Censor thinks probable, the present condition of the finances will not admit of an entire abolition of the system, he would at least urge the adoption of restrictive measures, among which he suggests the enforcement of ready-money payment in full for the brevets of rankc subscribed for. He enumerates six advantages which may be expected to flow from such a course, among which are benefit to the exchequer, and a raising of the character of the service generally, by checking the prevailing tendency toward pecuniary aygrandizement by unworthy means.
(8) In a supplementary memorial, the same Censor urges the imposition of rigorous check upon the system of extraordinary rewards for services performed, which lias now reached such a pitch that for the discharge of the most ordinary duly commendation and promotion are looked for. He recommends that hence: forward, except in the case of substantial achievements, none but honorary tinctions be granted.
Feb. 26th.—This day's Gazetle contains only memorials on administrative details, from the Governor of Shantung.
Feb. 27th.—(Court Circular.) The Board of Ceremonies reported to-day the issue, for despateh to all the Provinces, of the Manifesto of is Majesty's accession, (N.B.—The Manifesto, being communicated tothe Board of Ceremonies for publication, not to the Grand Secrotarint for record, docs not appear in the Gazette.)
Feb. 28th.—(Court Circular.) Che Grand Secretariat memorialized on behalf of all the Government departments, returnii Uhanks for the steps of honor bestowed in the manifesto of access (1.)—A decree in reply to a memorial by the secretary Wei Kang, presented to the Throne on his behalf by the Board of War, in which he has dilated upon the corrnp: lions of the administrative service, ho high authorities of all the Provinces are called upon to exert themselves in the work of energetic reform, to abolish the evils of intrigue and sycophancy, and to give advancement to the capable and the virtuous, (2.)—An Edict. Whereas each of the Sacred Ones in succession, on first ascending the Throne, have reverently inscribed a tablet to be suspended in the ample of Confucius, now We, on reverently taking up the august succession, ordain hereby, in respectful conformity to the ancient rule, that [the authorities of the Imperial Library and the Han-lin College do reverently prepare an inscription consisting in the characters If IE TERY (the abode of Scholarship is here), and do deliver the same to the superintendency of the Works' Department, by whom tablet shall be prepared and respectfully suspended in the Temple of Confucius, forming part of the Great College of Peking. On the arrival at Peking of Kung Siang-k'o FI fff FY, the Duke Coutinnator of the Save, let the manuscript of the inscription be delivered to him by the Grand Council, to be conveyed buck to his home wish reverent carefulness, for the preparation of a tablet to be suspended.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.