The Chinese course, too, has certainly brought to the front in its time a great many eminent men, who have held their own in diplomacy, if not in warfare, with the subtlest intellects of the West.
Their system of competitive examinations has indeed served the Chinese well.

It is the brightest spot in the whole administration, being absolutely above suspicion, such as attaches to other departments of the state.

Attempts have been made from time to time to gain admission by improper means to the list of successful candidates, and it would be absurd to say that not one has ever succeeded; the risk, however, is too great, for the penalty on detection may be death.
The ordeal itself is exceedingly severe, as well for the examiners as for the candidates.

At the provincial examinations, held once in every third year, an Imperial Commissioner, popularly known as the Grand Examiner, is sent down from Peking.

On arrival, his residence is formally sealed up, and extraordinary precautions are taken to prevent friends of intending candidates from approaching him in any way.