Page:Brinkley - China - Volume 2.djvu/109

and agents, called Wei-yuen, over the province; and even prefects and intendants despatch their messengers. All these functionaries, during the time of their mission, take rank with the highest officers according to the quality of their employers; but the imperial commissioners, who for one object or another are constantly passing and repassing through the Empire in every direction, exercise great influence in the government, and are powerful agents in the hands of the Emperor for keeping his pro-consuls at their duty."

It has already been mentioned that no civil official above a certain rank may serve in the province of his nativity, and it may be here added that an official is forbidden to own land in the district under his control or to have any near relative serving under him, neither is he continued in the same locality for more than three or four years, as a general rule. There is also a system of espionage which, though its ultimate effects are demoralising, imposes a temporary restraint upon vicious practices. Another notable feature is that a triennial catalogue, showing the merits and defects of every official in the Empire, from a Chih-hien upwards, is compiled and submitted forimperial inspection by the Board of Civil Office. In order to obtain material for this catalogue, all officials have to report upon the character and qualifications of their subordinates, and also to act as self-accusers when occasion requires. It is a fact that very few officials have ever risen to