THE PASSING OF CHINA'S ANCIENT SYSTEM 113 



Sample Themes from the Last Triennial Examination (1903). On System 



as Modified by Edict of 1901. 



Group II. Modern Matters. 



Five questions or topics in such examination for the second degree are pro- 

 posed for discussion in this group. We present selected ones from those as- 

 signed at four chief literary centers in North, Central and South China. 

 Where we present less than five questions for one center, it is because those 

 omitted are practically duplicated by those presented for other centers. 



Peking, Ghihli. — 2. Western commerce depends essentially upon knowledge 

 of animals and plants. Cattle and sheep are raised by regulated methods, 

 climates fit for separate kinds of cattle are distinguished, soils and their specific 

 adaptations are studied. China should find out the best way to promote in- 

 dustry and commerce in like fashion. Discuss this. 



3. Metternich and Bismarck greatly aided in the advance of their countries. 

 Tell briefly what they did. 



4. We should study Chinese literature as a subject in itself. Discuss 

 whether Chinese literature should be a subject in a scheme of modern education. 



Tsi Nan, Shangtung. — l. Western economists always say that the produc- 

 tion of wealth depends entirely on the three elements: Land, labor and 

 capital. But the capital of China is getting less and less, when we Chinese 

 want to do business we have to invite foreign merchants as partners, and the 

 poor people who are out of work have to go to foreign coimtries to labor in 

 order to earn their living. What must we do on the whole to strengthen our 

 country and get back all the lost profits from foreigners? 



2. No people can live without society. But where there is society there is 

 struggle. The English scholar, Herbert Spencer, says: It is good for people to 

 form societies, and that through wars a people are compacted. When the people 

 are more of a unit, progress is easier and a higher civilization will be attained. 

 And again, he says that among those people who like to fight wars, civilization 

 will decline or be retarded. What does he really mean by these seemingly op- 

 posite expressions? 



3. Penal codes of the east and west are different. One is severe and the 

 other lenient. Since Japan has changed her penal code, she has gained power 

 to punish even foreign offenders residing in Japan and to deal with other na- 

 tions. China has changed a little in dealing with foreigners in the treaty-ports. 

 But this rule differs from the method of internal or interior rule. If we want 

 to change the penal code entirely, do you think there would be opposition from 

 the people? If there is no opposition, can it be made universal throughout 

 China? 



4. Since the government has allowed the presence and work of foreign mis- 

 sionaries many foolish people have sought refuge from the law of the land 

 under the protection of the missionary by becoming converts and some anti- 

 christians make a great deal of trouble throughout the empire. Because of this 

 foreigners look down on China and declare that she is a country without educa- 

 tion and without religion. But foreign scholars who are familiar with the 

 literature of China say that five hundred years hence, Confucianism will be 

 spread over the whole world. The trouble at present is that we do not know 

 how properly to propagate Confucianism, and not that the foolish people who 

 are false christians can injure our religion. If we want our religion to grow 

 and the people to progress, what shall we do, what is the best plan to follow? 



5. All the nations of the world have now come into relation with each 

 other by interchange of intelligence and commodities. Before this they had to 



VOL. LXVIII.— 8. 



