The mandarin of the district is one of the two who were dismissed for extortion discovered by the inspecting mandarin, who recently returned to Urumchi. It is maintained, however, that he had not exceeded the limits of extortion established by custom, for he is said not to have demanded more than 3 lan 2 tchen in payment for 1 tan (125 djin) of grain, for which he is bound to forward 1 Ian 6o tchen to Urumchi. The Begs, however, had extorted as much as 5 lan 6 tchen in his name, which led to complaints from the population and resulted in his removal from his post on the representations of the »Wu» by wire. I am told, however, that in such cases an investigation is often made, at which the accused mandarin has an opportunity of clearing himself and obtaining a post similar to the one of which he has been deprived. My friend, the mandarin in Khotan, is also likely to be removed from his post, though not on the report of the »Wu», but because, it is said, a flaw in his origin has been discovered. In China, where anyone can by means of study or, perhaps, still more easily by purchase, and in any case by both together attain any official position, it is curious that the descendant of a barber, »yamen jai» (a kind of lower servant in a yamen) or an actor is not entitled to fill the post of a mandarin. Unless my poor friend with his charming manners can clear himself of this accusation — unfounded, I hope, — his official career will be at an end or cannot be continued except in entirely subordinate positions, e.g., as a »jai» — a rôle in which I can hardly imagine him.
My stay in Faizabad was prolonged for two whole days, owing to a misunderstanding over an order — which deprived me of my arbah and luggage until last night. As I did not want to risk my luggage being left still further behind, there was nothing for it but to wait. Among the »sights» of Faizabad there is a Christian Chinese employed as a scribe in the yamen — one of the very few proselytes of the Swedish missionaries. Both he and his wife — a Sart woman, from her appearance — are baptised. He seemed an honest and decent fellow. I called on them and among the religious books in Chinese displayed in the house, I found a volume entitled, in good Swedish, »Primer for Elementary Schools»
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