espatches has existed in China for many centuries, and
the commercial classes maintain at their own expense a system
("letter hongs") for the transmission of correspondence.

[26] For the causes leading to this movement and the progress of
reform see Sec. _History_.

[27] For recent authoritative accounts of the government of China
see H.B. Morse, _The Trade and Administration of the Chinese
Empire_, chap. iii.; Richard's _Comprehensive Geography_, &c., Bk.
I. Sec. v., and _The Statesman's Year Book_.

[28] The empress-consort is chosen by the emperor from a number of
girls selected by his ministers from the families of Manchu nobles.
From the same candidates the emperor also selects
secondary-empresses (usually not more than four). Concubines, not
limited in number, are chosen from the daughters of Manchu nobles
and free-men. All the children are equally legitimate.

[29] Recent emperors have been children at accession and have been
kept in seclusion.

[30] See "Democratic China" in H.A. Giles, _China and the Chinese_.

[31] W.F. Mayers, _The Chinese Government_ (1878).

[32] This body is superseded by the Imperial Senate summoned to meet
for the first time on the 3rd of October 1910.

[33] Yamen is the name given to the residences of all high
officials. Tsung-li Yamen = the bureau for managing each (foreign)
kingdom's affairs.

[34] An edict of the 15th of July 1909 created a naval and military
advisory board. Up to that time the navy was controlled by the
viceroys at Canton, Nanking, Fu-chow and Tientsin; the viceroys at
Canton and Tientsin being ministers superintendent of the southern
and northern ports respectively.

[35] Thus in 1910 Prince Ching, president of the grand council, was,
for the third time, impeached by censors, being denounced as an "old
treacherous minister," who filled the public service with a crowd of
men as unworthy as himself. The censor who made the charge was
stripped of his office (see _The Times_ of the 30th of March 1910).

[36] For details of local government see Richard's _Comprehensive
Geography_, 1908 edition, pp. 301 et seq.

[37] Morse, op. cit., 1908 edition, p. 76

[38] See _The Times_ of the 28th of February 1910.

[39] See _The Statesman's Year-Book_ (1910 edition).

[40] A few of the old native customs stations, which are deemed
per