Amongst the many symptoms of a changing China the most recent in the province is an order by the Governor] to all the local magistrates for the establishment of elementary schools on new lines, The substance of the order is to nis effect: Elementary schools are the foundation of all true learning. Other kingdoms and Japan have greatly flourished because of the attention paid to this branch of education. ratty dark spot of the Bmpire; te people are blind and ignorant, otherwise how could the Boxers flourish here as they did in the Kengtzu year. Therefore, acting under the instructions of the Minister of Education in Poking, whose dispatch has already been published in the " Shansi Times," the Futai issues this order to all concerned. Then follow the instructions for the guidance of the magistrates in the matter. 1. The local magistrate and the gentry must seo to the funds for the support of the schools. They will be appropriated from the following sources The income of the old elementary schools which are to be abolished. A part of the moneys collected for the theatrical performances, and other such" useless expenditure must be apportioned to education. Then contributions are to be invited and the names of the contributors are to be recorded on stone; other rewards are held out to the larger contributors. No scholars to be refused admittance because of poverty. 2. Teachors are to be appointed by the representatives of the people, and the man who has the majority obtains the post. The teacher must have no vice but must be a man of blameless ch racter, witha fair knowledge of Chineseand ability to write a clear essay. It would also be well if he had a knowledge of practical affairs. 3. The rich are invited to build commodious school buildings to avoid sickness; but if there be no suitable buildings the temples are to be used. 4, Drawing must form an important doment in education. "Train the pupils draw a map of Asia, the two hemis-plieres, not forgetting your own county." 5. There must be one school at least in 2 village with 200 families, and no scholar must walk more than five li. Of course, the immediate difficulty will be the want of teachers. In time the students of the Hi Hsueh T'ang will fill many appointments. Meantime they will have todo with the name of things only. In a town near to us the teacher of English is a Chinese chiijén, who knows a part of the alphabet, and less than a score of words imperfectly. The Governor, however, seems desirous to prepare for the coming needs. Ho has just held an examination of candidates, from whom eighteen are selected to go to Japan. Funds are not plentiful, so each student will receive 500 taels to cover all expenses. How much education will be obtained for this sum is uncertain.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.