Lanshanhsien, in which this city situated, has been called on to raise 20,000 taels to help the Emperor. This is, 1 sup-yo-e, in common. with every other one the thirteen hundred odd lixiens in China.
The needs for money, as stated, are two; to help.the faufine sufferers in the west, and to relieve a poverty-stricken Court and Emperor. Of the methods of raising inner the one which appears to lo in greatest favour is the selling of literary or cial position. Thus' anything from a Taotaiship down to a Chien-sheng (a purchased B.A.) may be secured, if the proper amount of money is put up.' So poor are those in high position that purchased merit is cheap this year. It is necessary only to expend Ts. 4,015 to procure " Taotai's position, which in ordinary years sells for Taels 53,000.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.