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Show ! inane Vou, Sir. Mr. Balfour, in his "Leaves from My Chinese Scrap Book." says that a mnt amuMiig chapter in tho history of official etiquette in China might be written under the heading of "The Emperor is Thanked." He says he is reminded by this Chinese formality of a pedagogue who always insisted on his pupils' thanks on every occasion. If he asked a boy what time it was, the proper form for his reply was, "Half-past 2, sir, thank you." The constitutional maxim, "The king can do no hirm," might, in Chinese official language, bo translated, "The emperor can do nothing that is not benevolent." be-nevolent." An amusir.g incident occurred not long ago in connection with a Manchu officer of high rank, Wulahsich-ungah, the president of the board of ceremonies. This gentleman returned thanks for the honor of having been invited to a sacrificial sacri-ficial feast by the emperor, and the next day a terrible snubbing was administered adminis-tered to him. It appears that the emperor had not inviteil him at all, and was much astonished. aston-ished. "His name,'' says the decree, "does not apiear in the list of guests approved by us, and in thus thanking us he has been guilty of a great piece of carelessness. careless-ness. The committee of the board of punishments punish-ments allotted a penalty to poor Wulahsich-ungah, who should, according to etiquette, have leou grateful for that also, though his thanks are not recorded. |