The Liteary Chancellor of Shantung reports on the examinations recently held by him for the degree of Hsin Ts'ai in the three prefectural districts. of Teng-chow, Lai-chou, and Ch'ing-cho The examinations were conducted with the usual strictness so as to prevent any collusion with the examiners or other malpractices on the part of the students, and memorialist, who presided in person, observed no attempts to pass off substitutes or obtain surreptitious help. The behaviour of the students in the Examinstion Hall was also most orderly and decorous. In the three prefectures above named the standard of literary ability was highest in the Penglai and Huang districts, in the Ping Tu and Wei districts, and in those of Shoukuang, Anchiu,' and Chu Ch'eng respectively, though' many of the essays students of other districts showed considerable skill in composition. In military exercises the three prefectures were about on a par, though the Manchu garrison students from Ching-chou showed the better practice in archery and riding. The regulation number of students were passed. Memorialist adds for the satisfaction of His Majesty that in the districts traversed by him there have been seasonable falls of rain and snow, and that the people are quiet and contented.
'7th March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.