Academy presented to us this morning the memorial of an expectant Sub-Registrar of the Imperial Academy, one Huang Chanch'u, on the subject of present-day needed reforms, in which the memorialist states "The chances of gaining livelihoodamongst the masses are getting daily more and more difficult, hence one of the first steps of re-to as many means of bettering themeclves form should be to help the common people possible. Further, officials whose duties bring them into close intimacy with the masses have become so corrupt and extort tionate, grinding the people down, that it is of the utmost importance to make a rigid examination of such officials and put a stop to such malpractices," ete.
We are indeed anxious to relieve our subjects and better their condition and no day passes in which we have not consulted upon or inaugurated measures to that end. For instance, not only do we try all we can to encourage agriculture but we also encourage our people to cultivate the mulberry, hemp, silk, tea, ete., all of which will help to bring much prosperity to them. It remains for the officials to take the lead in all such movements and to exhort their people to follow their example. As to any district which may have progressed favourably on the above lines, we hereby command our Viceroys and Governers to see to it that their subordinates also follow such good example and in this y bring the whole Empire into the new regime, first examining the capabilities of each several district for the work in hand and then leading the way and encouraging the people to seize the opportunity of bettering their condition. It will all depend upon the local authorities to set the example and the people will willingly follow them. Then, again, it is most. important for the high provincial authorities to make frequent examinations into the conduct and diligence of the local authorities; for without constant surveillance it is impossible to differentiate between the honest official who is really desirous to elevate and help his people from the wicked and avaricious functionary who is only too anxious to fill his own pockets at the expense and destruction of those placed under him. If the high authority show himself truly honest and earnest in bettering his subjects, those under him will generally be afraid to exercise their extortionate and oppressive proclivities lest they be brought n punishment. Let the high set the example and their ly follow, and if frequent examinations be held into the latter's actions the people will be greatly benefited and prosperity for all will easily follow in their This indeed it is the duty of all of you, Viceroys and Governors, to do, and you owe it to your Imperial Master to obey his commands and deserve the confidence that has been placed upon you by appointing you to your present post. Again, and again, and yet once agai do we urze upon vouli to obey our earnest commands.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.