ABSTRACT
The Chinese dynasty of Sung dominated the main Empire to the south from a.d. 960 to 1279. Su Tungpo, destined to become one of China’s major poets and prose writers, was born in Meishan, on the Polikiang, or Glass River. The Censorate was peculier to the Chinese system, a long-established institution to represent public opinion and act as frank critic of both Emperor and government. After the period of Mongol rule from a.d. 1280 to 1367 the Chinese again took control of their own destinies. In China the vast extent of the empire, and great difficulties of communication and travel gave added importance to the development of an effective system of local administration. The Emperor of China from time immemorial had been responsible to heaven for maintaining within his dominion the harmonious order that existed naturally in accordance with heavenly decree throughout the universe.
