The above shows the Chinaman's ordinary method of trying to "save his face," and of showing how much better Chinese vernment is, notwithstanding the fact that Western nations have prospered under indifferent and oppressive governments. It would be interesting to know what answers the Nganlu scholars gave to the second question. I had a conversation with one of them and he told me that all kinds of subjects would be given for examination and among others, he instanced electricity and steamers! " Are there any Nganlu scho-Jars able to write essays on these questions asked, and he at once replied: "Of course we can write essays on any of these subjects."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.