If all went. well and admittance to the oficial "ranks was assured. the next question of importance was the province to" which the person Question would be posted. No. one Was' allowed to hold ofthe in his tative province, and those who were Appointed to the more remote pro Vinceg were, deemed unfortunate, for owing Yo the poor means. of com munication, it might {ake them seve-Fal-months to reach their destination, andthe expenses of the" Journey would be very heavy.
Sometimes It was possible through Influence to get a transfer to another province, but this was a matter of Considerable aifcuity, and those who were successful were considered to be very fortunate, The most desired place of all was" the. Metropolitan trea, for the rear ones of the land resided "there, and for the pushing ambitious man there were many partunitiee of geting quick promo:
"The great day came when the newly made official received. orders "appear before the Emperor for am, audience, and dressed in special Fobes for the occasion he, together with a number" of others of like degree, arrived at the palace in the early dawn and were duly conducted the audience' chamber to. await the arrival of their Imperial master. When he appeared they" all bowed {heir heads to the ground, and did not "dare to Took up while he was Addressing them.
fey." high' officials, especially those proceeding to new' posts, were ranted special audiences, bat the few members were addressed as 8 body "and not as individuals.
When this was over the official began to make preparations to proced to the, province to which he had been appoliited. This generally prov ed a long process, for he had Drepare for an absence of a number of years, "and also. arrange his' ances, for it was. almost & certainty that he would have to wait some considerable time before he would eta remunerative post.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.