It remains to find out if these diets have begun to materialise into facts. The Edicts may be taken as expressing the official sentiments of the Government. It is more important to know how far they represent the private views of officials and literati, for officials and literati control public opinion, and public opinion determines whether Ediets shall be enforced or not.
48 to the introduction of Western branches in examinations we cannot report, because no important examinations have been held since the new order began. The eagerness of scholars to enter schools for the study of Western science, however, indicates that they expect such studies to serve them in obtaining official position. As to sending students abroad, there has' unquestionably been a great impetus given to this movement within the past year. It is said that some five hundred Chinese students hare been sent to Japan.
Icis in the establishment, of schools that we find the most tangible evidence of a new spirit in education." A very considerable list might be'made of academies recently founded in leading cities, especially in the middle and southern provinces, by provincial officials and by the local gentry. The items
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.