tiful drum-head.
*3
Yet there it stands all tattered and torn, a silent.
but truthful index of the modern executive in all this land. The truth is, the better half of the provisions of Chinese law, has gone into disuse, and grievous usages and abuses have grown up in their stead. The local courts have become, in instances not a few, dens of robbers, fattening on the life-blood of the people. We have seen gangs of gamblers sitting in the courts of this establishment, there playing at cards, and for money.
2. Haifang tungchi, “the marine protectorate and joint knower,'' is a sub-prefect, whose chief or principal is resident at Sungkiáng fű. Shánghái being an important post, and much exposed on ac- count of its position to attacks from robbers and pirates, and withal- at the long distance of thirty miles from the seat of the prefect at "Pine River," this assistant has been placed here for the better defense and control of the people. His authority is both civil and military, extending alike to the common people and the soldiery. In rank and jurisdiction, he is superior to the Chí-hien or proper magistrate, and matters of importance must be reported up through him to the high provincial officers.
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3. Shảnghái hien chí hien, “the knower of the business of the district of Shinghái,” is the local magistrate of this city. The principal duties of his office are, to control the people, to punish offenders, to arrest disturbers of the peace, to admonish the lawless, to encourage the good and industrious, to collect the revenue, and forward it to the provincial treasury, to act as territorial arbiter and settle all disputes regarding the tenure and boundaries of land, to oversee all the agricultural pursuits of the district, to replenish the public granaries in times of plenty, and in seasons of drought and famine to obtain from his superiors permission to deal out from the same stores supplies as the exigencies of the people may demand. In short, his person is the true representative of majesty, and like bis imperial master, he ought and assumes to be father and mother to the people. In the capacity of judge, he examines into all lawsuits, can if he please use all manner of torture; but can act as final arbiter. only in minor concerns, it being incumbent on him to report all weighty matters to his superiors for their approval and sanction. To his superiors, moreover, he is accountable for the entire safe-keeping of his trust. If fire, sword, famine, or inundation, or ought else of evil, come upon the people, it must be through his negligence and be must answer for the same.
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His usual term of holding office is three years.
When it expires,