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greater animation to the scene； but with this exception I have never taken
part in a more impressive and well…extended procession。 Even while I
looked； the helmets of other official watchers appeared in the distance； as
immature junks upon the storm…tossed Whang…Hai； apparently striving
fruitlessly to reach us。
As I was by no means sure what attitude was expected of me； I smiled
with an all…embracing approval； and signified to the one at my side； by
way of passing the time pleasurably together； that the likelihood of his
nimble…witted friends reaching us with unruffled garments was remote in
the extreme。
〃Don't you let that worry you； Li Hung Chang；〃 he said； in a tone that
had the appearance of being outside itself around a deeper and more bitter
significance； 〃if we get out again with any garments at all it won't be your
fault。 Why； youwell； YOU ought to have been put on the Black List long
ago； by rights。〃
This； exalted one； although I have not yet been able to learn the exact
dignity of it from any of the books of civil honours； is undoubtedly a mark
of signal attainment； conferred upon the few for distinguishing themselves
by some particular capacity； as our Double Dragon； for instance。 Anxious
to learn something of the privileges of the rank from one who evidently
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was not without influence in the bestowal； and not unwilling to show him
that I was by no means of low…caste descent； I said to the official； 〃In his
own country one of this person's ancestors wore the Decoration of the
Yellow Scabbard； which entitled him to be carried in his chair up to the
gate of the Forbidden Palace before descending to touch the ground。 Is this
Order of the Black List of a like purport？〃
〃You're right；〃 he said； 〃it is。 In this country it entitles you to be
carried right inside the door at Bow Street without ever touching the
ground。 Look out！ Now we shall not〃
At that moment what this person at first assumed to be a floral tribute；
until he saw that not only the entire plant； but the earthenware jar also
were attached； struck the official upon the helmet； whereupon； drawing a
concealed club； he ceased speaking。
How the entertainment was conducted to such a development this
person is totally inadequate to express； but in an incredibly short space of
time the scene became one of most entrancing variety。 From every visible
point around the air became filled with commodities whichthough
doubtless without set intentionfittingly represented the arts；
manufactures； and natural history of this resourceful country； all cast in
prolific abundance at the feet of the official and myself； although the
greater part inevitably struck our heads and bodies before reaching them。
Beyond our immediate circle； as it may be expressed； the crowd never
ceased to press forward with resistless activity； and among it could be seen
occasionally the official watchmen advancing self…reliantly； though
frequently without helmets； and； not less often； the helmets advancing
without the official watchmen。 To add to the acknowledged interest； every
person present was proclaiming his views freely on a diversity of subjects；
and above all could be heard the clear notes of the musical instruments by
which the officials sought to encourage one another in their extremity； and
to deaden the cries of those whom they outclubbed。
Despite this person's repeated protests that the distinction was too
excessive； he was plucked from hand to hand irresistibly among those
around； losing a portion of his ill…made attire at each step； so agreeably
anxious were all to detain him。 Just when the exploit seemed likely to have
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a disagreeable ending； however； he was thrust heavily against a door
which yielded； and at once barring it behind him； he passed across the
open space into which it led； along a passage between two walls； and
thence through an involved labyrinth and beneath the waters of a canal
into a wood of attractive seclusion。 Here this person remained； spending
the time in a profitable meditation； until the light withdrew and the great
sky lantern had ascended。 Then he cautiously crept forth； and after some
further trivial episodes which chiefly concern the obstinate…headed slave
guarding the outer door of a tea…house； an unintelligent maiden in the
employment of one vending silk…embroidered raiment； the mercenary
controller of a two…wheeled chariot and the sympathetic and opportune
arrival of a person seated upon a funeral car； he succeeded in reaching the
place of his abode。
With unalterable affection and a material request that an unstinted
adequacy of new garments may be sent by a sure and speedy hand。
KONG HO。
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LETTER V
Concerning the neglect of ancestors and its discreditable
consequences。 Two who state the matter definitely。 Concerning the
otherside way of looking at things and the self…contradictory bearing of the
maiden Florence。
VENERATED SIRE；A discovery of overwhelming malignity
oppresses me。 In spite of much baffling ambiguity and the frequent
evasion of conscious guilt； there can be no longer any reasonable doubt
that these barbarians DO NOT WORSHIP THEIR ANCESTORS！
Hitherto the matter had rested in my mind as an uneasy breath of
suspicion； agitated from time to time by countless indications that such a
possibility might； indeed； exist in a condensed form； but too
inauspiciously profane to be contemplated in the altogether。 Thus； when in
the company of the young this person has walked about the streets of the
city； he may at length have said； 〃Truly； out of your amiable
condescension； you have shown me a variety of entrancing scenes。 Let us
now in turn visit the tombs of your ancestors； to the end that I may
transmit fitting gifts to their spirits and discharge a few propitious
fireworks as a greeting。〃 Yet in no case has this well…intentioned offer been
agilely received； one asserting that he did not know the resting…place of
the tombs in question； a second that he had no ancestors； a third that
Kensal Green was not an entrancing spot for a wet afternoon； a fourth that
he would see them removed to a greater distance first； another that he
drew the line at mafficking in a cemetery； and the like。 These things； it
may occur to your omniscience； might in themselves have been conclusive；
yet the next reference to the matter would perhaps be tending to a more
alluring hope。
〃To…morrow；〃 a person has remarked in the hearing of this one； 〃I go
to the Stratford which is upon the Avon； and without a pause I shall
prostrate myself intellectually before the immortal Shakespeare's tomb and
worship his unequalled memory。〃
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〃The intention is benevolently conceived；〃 I remarked。 〃Yet has he no
descendants； this same Shakespeare； that the conciliation of his spirit must
be left to chance？〃
When he assured me that this calamity had come about； I would have
added a richly…gilded brick from my store for transmission also； in the
hope that the neglected and capricious shadow would grant me an
immunity from its resentful attention； but the one in question raised a
barrier of dissent。 If I wished to adorn a tomb； he added （e