CHAPTER VII.

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ABOUT the same period as the eunuch and the Kitan quitted the market square, it was entered by a mandarin of inferior rank, whose title was that of inspector of the market." His duty was to observe if the weights and measures were of the legal standard, and if the provisions exposed for sale were good and fresh; and was further accompanied by a couple of rod-bearers -for he had authority to inflict upon any contumacious offender a punishment not exceeding twenty blows. His office, if in hands that knew how to wield the arbitrary power with which they were armed, was both lucrative and to be dreaded, of which the sales-people seemed to be well aware, by the obsequious attentions they paid him as he passed, although his absurdly pompous step and supercilious air proclaimed him as new to his office.

A numerous and vociferous crowd had collected around an old man who, with the assistance of the bystanders, had just seized an individual attempting to pass for solid silver some leaden ingots but covered with that precious metal; and, like all crowds, though the majority were as great rogues as would be met with during many a long day's journey, it was highly indignant with the culprit for his offence, and anxious for his punishment.

The mandarin made his way without difficulty through the crowd, that opened respectfully to give him passage, and directed the accuser to state his charge, without condescending to look at either party; but a sudden exclamation of the prisoner caused him to regard the last, between whom and his judge a momentary glance of intelligence passed, and then all other signs of previous acquaintance were concealed.

The plaintiff stated his case; the defendant replied, denying with effrontery each assertion of the first. The official decided in his favour, and condemned the accuser to receive a score of blows. When this chastisement had been inflicted, the mandarin received, with as much modesty as though they were merited, the thanks of the individual beaten, who averred that he felt honoured and flattered by this punishment, since it manifested the especial

interest in his morals experienced by a mandarin of such superior capacity.

Having spoken something to one of his attendants, who, immediately after, whispered to the rogue who had so fortunately escaped the infliction he merited, the mandarin crossed the square, directing his way to one of the shops with which we have already said it was surrounded. Before the door was a pole as lofty as the house, from whence waved a flag marked with red and blue chequers, and which was further ornamented with ribands and streamers. On either side of this was a board painted blue, and about four feet in height. On one was inscribed, according to police regulations, the number of the occupants of the house, together with their names and ages; on the other, the profession of its chief tenant, with a list of his most attractive merchandize; and at the bottom the two words Pou hou, that invited every one to place confidence in the dealer's integrity, as they signify "he will not cheat you."*

The official entered the shop, and cast his eye, it may be somewhat covetously, upon the divers works of its owner's craft, that were displayed upon beautifully varnished tables:

curiously carved tortoise-shell, ivory, and ebony, vied with precious trinkets of coral, amber, and of stones. Independently of many objects of luxury, there were not a few that were also of utility-as chop-sticks, signet-rings, and others adapted for costume as pins for the hair, bracelets, and earrings.

Before him, with body bent nearly double, and with arms so curved that the points of his fingers touched, appeared the merchant, owner of all these riches. Over a long dress of blue stuff, he wore a pelisse lined with skin, and bound with fur at the wrists and collar. His hair was confined within a net; his whiskers were closely shaven, and a broad separation divided his long moustache.

The customer or visitor, whichever he might be, seemed, most unaccountably, highly amused with the reception he met with, and, whilst he regarded the reverent posture of the merchant, a most unequivocal smile was spread upon his countenance. At last, as though tired of his mirth, he perfectly electrified the other as he said

"So, Kaopingte, thou avaricious wretch, Tyen has been kinder to me, whom thou didst drive from thy door, than to thee, who didst refuse thy orphan cousin the smallest pittance."

Had the earth opened at his feet, the mer

chant could not have testified more unfeigned surprise and confusion. He appeared perfectly uncertain how to conduct himself. He seemed both to be under the influence of fear and galled by the reminiscence of some past occurrence. Presently, however, as he recovered from the first emotions the unexpected visit had caused him, he performed the lowliest salute of an inferior to a superior. As he arose, the official continued

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Kaopingte, we will converse together in thy saloon destined for study and retreat. To revive past recollections will be more pleasing than for me to upbraid you for your neglect in practising the social laws."

The speaker uttered this last in so loud a tone of voice, that it seemed specially designed for the edification of his attendants, whom he then directly addressed, bidding them await him in the square; and then he entered the merchant's retired apartment.

It was a small room, with walls of painted and varnished panels. On a table were implements for writing, and a sanpan," or mathematical instrument, consisting of various coloured beads, strung upon files of wire. The door was not inelegantly carved, and the windows looked into a court ornamented with vases of flowers, and with a small fountain in its centre, stocked with gold fish.