Directory_and_Chronicle_1845 — Page 399

4. Kiu yù教諭

уй

5. Hien ching,

6. Chi pu主簿,

7. Tien sz 史

H

8. Hong pủ sz, sin kin

黄浦司巡檢,

72

拉邦彥:

Cháu Pảng yen | #

Livi Kwok tung 劉國棟

Liu Ming i 劉名義;

Liú

Yuen Wan chi 袁文治:

Chin Chung 陳中;

Of the incumbents, in these several offices, we know nothing, ex- cepting of Hienling, whose name has become familiar to foreigners. He has resided at Cantour and has once or twice visited Hongkong. He was present at the sigiring of the treaty in Nanking; and from that time has been a steady supporter of the new and more liberal policy that has been adopted, by the Chinese, in their intercourse with for- eigners.

The offices, eight in number, as they stand above shall be here briefly noticed.

1. This officer's long title, literally translated runs thus: " By imperial authority superintendent of the maratime customs in Kiángsú and joint director of the military in the departments of Súchau, Sungkiáng and Táitsang. "The office of táutái, or Superintendent, though the highest in Shanghái and having the most to do with for- eigners, does not properly form a part of the local magistracy, but belongs rather to the provincial government, the head quarters of which are at Suchan, and is designed to exercise a general surveil- lance over the local magistracy.

It is one of considerable importance, yielding large emoluments. It was first established in the ninth year of Yungching; is situated not far from the walls, half way between the great eastern and little south gates; and occupies a large suite of apartments, corresponding in number to the departments of business that come under the táutái's superintendency. To this office appeals may be brought up from the subordinate courts. Before the principal gate, warrants written upon boards are daily placed; and any individual by taking in hand one of these, according to the nature of the case, is authorise thereby to enter personally and appear before the presiding functionary. So the law ordains. The practice is not so.

That is áll a sham. Who has not heard of the drum placed at the outer gate of the imperial palace? The like is to be found at the entrance of each local office throughout the empire. There is such an one at the tautai's gate.

It is of generous dimensions, and was once furnished with a fine painted head. But time, alas, quite destroyed this beau