Daring the T'ang and Sung dynasties, one day in five was allotted to give audiences to the different Ministers. The Mings admitted them less frequently. Shan Tsung for twenty-nine years never once saw his high officials. But the rule of the present dynasty is that winter and summer, every day, responsible Ministers must see the Emperor. Kuang Hsit hxs diligently sought out talented men throughout the empire and such men have been continually recommended to the Throne. The Eniperor always receives them in a humble way, and questions them long and carefully. If he thinks them suitable, he instantly employs them. The Emperor has very earnestly desired to establish a New Board, by which all matters affecting government regulations can be discussed and arranged, on which, also, foreigners of marked ability may have a seat to assist him by their counsels. The past few months show that he had gathered round him many men_of conspicuous talent. No previous Emperor has shown such thirst for able men. car. vit.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.