Red scroll for the Second Session of the Jiangnan Provincial Examination in 1879

This is a red-ink exam paper used by examiners to review candidates' answers in the 1879 township examination. In the Qing Dynasty, candidates wrote their answers using black ink on paper known as 'ink scrolls'. After collecting the ink scrolls, they were sealed to conceal the candidates' personal information. Then, a copy was transcribed using red ink, known as the 'red scrolls', to avoid revealing the candidates' identities through the handwriting.

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This exhibited red scroll bears the examiner's comment written in blue ink, stating, "Verbose and lacking a sense of coherence." This indicates a negative evaluation, suggesting that the candidate might have failed this provincial examination.