本刊1984年第一期发表了徐川一同志的《太平天国的科举考试“始自辛开元年在广西永安州时”吗?》一文,就太平天国的科举考试始自何时何地同罗尔纲同志商榷。我们很快收到了罗尔纲同志的来信及《对旧著<太平天国史稿·科举志>举行考试始自永安州时说法订误》一稿,现将信、稿一并发表。我们完全同意罗尔纲同志来信中提出的建议:“为百家争鸣提倡一种好风气——互相切磋、承认错误的风气。”老一辈史学家罗尔纲同志的严肃认真的科学态度和治学精神,是很值得我们学习的。罗尔纲同志的来信全文如下:安徽史学编辑部:三月五日大示敬悉,惠赐贵刊两册亦已收到,谢谢!我读贵刊《史坛争鸣》栏徐川一同志《太平天国的科举考试“始自辛开元年在广西永安州时”吗?》,非常感动,特撰《对旧著<太平天国史稿·科举志>举行考试始自永安州时说法订误》一文,兹已撰成,同时另用印刷挂号寄呈,请检收斧正.纲撰此文,怀有区区微意,窃拟向贵刊建议为百家争鸣提倡一种好风气——互相切磋、承认错误的好风气。鄙见以为,提意见的同志应本学术为公与人为善的态度,以和风煦日的文笔提出商榷的意见,而被提意见的同志则应以闻过则喜和有则改之,无则加勉的态度去接受批评。自古文人相轻,同行成仇。特别是那些自封为专家、权威之流,如有人提出正确的意见,或考出真伪时,竟强辨不休,甚至结伙反对,使论问题则是非不明,考史料则真伪不辨。此种情况,于昔为烈,于今不绝,列位编辑同志,纵目学术界当有同感。近读一些当代社会科学家传,曾有些人对此表示沉痛的感慨。纲对来访的记者也谈及。兹奉上《中国老年》一册,其中对纲的报导有一段专谈接受批评的事,请指教(与拙稿同包寄上)。因此,拟建议贵刊在拙稿前加一篇编辑部的按语,以纲为的(有的放矢),论述著者承认错误是对人民负责的应有态度,而提意见的同志则应有与人为善的态度,为百家争鸣提倡一种好风气。是否有当,敬请卓裁。《张洛行传》想已蒙审阅,请指示不逮,至所企望。《张宗禹传》、《张禹爵传》一俟挤出时间,当即修改奉上。专此奉陈,此致敬礼!罗尔纲谨启1984年4月22日 The first issue of 1984 issue of Comrade Xuchuan a “test of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Examination” began when Xin Kai in Yongan, Guangxi “it?”, A text on the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom examination where and when with the Comrade Rollin Discuss. We soon received a letter from Comrade Rolf Gang and a copy of the letter entitled “Too Old to Say That When the Examination on the History of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was Held.” We fully agree with the suggestion made in Comrade Luo Ergang’s letter: “To advocate a good atmosphere for a hundred schools of thought-to learn from each other and to admit the wrong course.” The solemn and rigorous scientific attitude and spirit of the academician of the older generation of historians, We study. The full text of the letter from Comrade Luo Ergang is as follows: Editorial Department of Anhui Historical Science: Awarded with great show of honor on March 5 and received two copies of your magazine. Thank you! I read the column entitled “Syria in the History of the Forum” by Xu Chuanyi, “Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Of the imperial examinations ”began when Xin Kai was in Yongan in Guangxi in the first year?“ And was very touched and essay entitled ”On the Old Testament, When the Examination of the Imperial Examination of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was held, Has been created, at the same time another print registration with the submission, please check the ax is positive .Gen this article, with a mere subtle intention to steal the proposed publication for the sake of a hundred schools of thought to promote a good atmosphere - to learn from each other, admit the wrong good atmosphere . Despise that the comrades who make comments should be the academic attitude of the public and others for the good, and the style of the day to express their views, while the comrades are advised to smell the good news, and then change it, no plus Mian attitude to accept criticism. Since ancient times literati, colleagues become enemies. In particular, those who claim to be experts and who have the authority and flow of their opinions, if anyone submits correct opinions or test the authenticity, will find fault with each other and even oppose them together. This kind of situation, in the past as the fierce, nowadays, comrades in the rankings, prejudices in the academic world should share the same feeling. Recently, some contemporary social scientists have said that some people expressed their deep feelings about it. Gang also talked about visiting reporters. I hereby devote myself to a book entitled “China’s Elderly People”, of which there is a section in the coverage of the platform that has been specially designed to accept criticism. Please advise (please send it with memo). Therefore, it is proposed that your journal should include an editorial note in front of the coterie to explain the author’s attitude that mistakes are responsible to the people, while gratitude comrades should adopt an attitude of being kind to others, To promote a good atmosphere for a hundred schools of thought. If there is proper, please referee. “Zhang Luoxing Chuan” want to have been reviewed, please instruct, to the expectations. “Biography of Zhang Zongyu”, “Biography of Zhang Yujuan” a 俟 out of time, immediately modified offer. Dedicated to Feng Chen, sincerely salute! Luo Ergang cordial April 22, 1984