The military examination came off some time ago, and the names of the successful candidates have been put on the bulletin board. There were about 900 candidates, of whaur 63 obtained the degree of promoted men. They are tried in archery, lifting, sword and spear exercise, etc, also in writing. The senior wrangler was a young man only twenty-two years of age, from Kinhua. His particular success was in lifting, and his strength is estimated at 800 catties, though really, they say it is only 600 catties. This is tested by lifting square stone of 300 catties weight, as high as his breast. This man not only lifted it to that height, but gave it a little toss up and caught it as it came down, The Governor was astonished and asked him to repeat the feat. The young man, supposing that he was suspected of having some secret helps, threw off his coat, exposing his bare body, and repeated the feat to the entire satisfaction of the judges. Though in archery and other practices his skill was not conspicuous, he was awarded the first place on the list of the successful candidates, and the Governor did him the honour of asking who had been his teacher and trainer. He replied that it was his father, who was himself a military officer and had served at Ningpo and elsewhere.
13th December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.