A TREATISE OF CHINA a.d. 



1590. 



certaine schole-masters hired for stipends to instruct 

 children : and their literature being (as ours in Japon is 

 also) in maner infinite, their children are put to schole 

 even from their infancy and tender yeeres, from whence 

 notwithstanding such are taken away, as are judged to 

 be unfit for the same purpose, and are trained up to 

 marchandise or to manuary sciences : but the residue do 

 -so dedicate themselves to the study of learning, that 

 (a strange thing it is to consider) being conversant in 

 the principall books, they will easily tel you, if they be 

 asked the question, how many letters be conteined in 

 every page, and where ech letter is placed. Now, for 

 the greater progresse and increase of learning, they (as 

 the maner is in Europe) do appoint three degrees to the Three degrees 

 attaining of noble sciences : that is to say, the lowest, ln learmn S- 

 the middle degree, and the highest. Graduates of the 

 first degree are called Siusai, of the second Quiugin, 

 and of the third Chinzu. And in ech city or walled [II. ii. 93.] 

 towne there is a publique house called the Schoole, and 

 unto that all they doe resort from all private and pety- 

 schooles that are minded to obtaine the first degree ; The first 

 where they do amplifie a sentence or theame propounded " e S ree - 

 unto them by some magistrate : and they, whose stile is 

 more elegant and refined, are, in ech city, graced with the 

 first degree. Of such as aspire unto the second degree The second 

 triall is made onely in the metropolitan or principall city & ree ' 

 of the province, whereunto, they of the first degree, every 

 third yere, have recourse, and, in one publike house or 

 place of assembly, doe, the second time, make an oration 

 of another sentence obscurer then the former, and doe 

 undergo a more severe examination. Now, there is 

 commonly such an huge multitude of people, that this 

 last yere, in the foresayd famous city of Can tarn, by reason 

 of the incredible assembly of persons flocking to that 

 publike act or commencement, at the first entrance of the 

 doores, there were many troden under foot, and quelled 

 to death, as we have bene most certainly informed. ^ e tkir ^ and 

 Moreover they that sue for the highest degree are subject highest degree. 



361 



