School begins at the first dawning of light, and closes when we can see to read no more.  No intermission is allowed, excepting for the pupils to go home to get their meals.  The first thing in the morning we begin to study the book of Confucius, all the pupils studying aloud.  We shall have to recite to the teacher very soon.  When we go up to recite, we must hand the book to the teacher and turn our faces from him.  This gives no chance to see which word comes next.  This is called backing the book.  The consequences will be very sad should we fail in reciting our lessons.  A new lesson is then assigned if we recite well.  School dismisses for the pupils to go home for breakfast at 9 o’clock.  The writing lesson begins as soon as we come back.  We study again, and write again, {pg 214} and our copy books are examined by the teacher.  The nest time we recite, the teacher picks out ten of the hardest characters from our lesson to see if we recognize them.  We shall have much trouble this time if we miss.  The teacher will inflict some curious punishment upon us and will say, “You know this very well, I suppose, but the trouble is, you are too old to study your lesson, and I am afraid you cannot see; I will give you a pair of spectacles for a present.  Perhaps that may help you to see.”  Then he takes some red ink and draws a large circle around both eyes, and then we may go home for lunch.  No one is allowed to clean it till coming back to school.  Hardly any one with such marks wishes to go home for lunch; every one who saw you would know you had been in disgrace.

We come back for our afternoon’s work.  The first part we spend in writing, and the remainder of the day preparing our lesson for the next morning.  For the slightest offense the children are whipped severely.  The teachers are so strict, that it is no wonder the children run away from school; some go fishing, or else to the woods hunting birds’ nests.  If the boys see anybody not belonging to their company they will climb up a tree as high as the branch can hide them from view.  All you boys will know the reason we are afraid any one should see us.  I remember running away from school once, but unfortunately my father sent my sister to the school for me to go home on business.  As she could not find me, my father knew I had not been to school that day.  I went home for lunch about the time school dismissed.  When I got home, the first question my father asked was, “School dismissed?” I answered, “Yes sir.”  He then said, “How did you get along with your lesson?” I answered, “First class.”  “And who was the first one in the class to-day?” I answered, “I am, sir.”  Then I noticed his voice seemed to have an angry tone, and he said, “Are you sure you have been to school?” I answered, “Of course I did, do you think I am a liar?” I got terribly whipped this time, and when I went to school in the afternoon, I also got a whipping from the teacher.  I did not have any more chance for running away from school this year, for I was too closely watched.  The children of China, you see, have no pleasant time as you American boys and girls.