264 THE LOYAL AND FAITHFUL 



poo board, who superintends the whole of the civil department of 

 the government ; another, a native of the district Shang-yang, of 

 the city Wei-gan, whose name was Lo-teen, one of the public 

 examiners, and member of the superior privy-council ; a third was a 

 native of the district Heang-ching, of the city Kae-fung, in Ho-nan 

 province, whose name was Tang-tun, one of the professors of 

 literature, at the celebrated college Han-lin ; a fourth was a native 

 of the district Tse, of the city Tung-chow, in Shan-tung province, 

 who was called Fuh-tse, and held the office of supervisor at court. 

 The strictest friendship existed between these distinguished persons 

 and Mei-kwei, and as they all lived at the capital Loo-ke and his 

 adherents durst not attempt to injure Mei-kwei. 



It occured one day, that as Mei-kwei had no official business to 

 transact, he thus addressed his wife : " While Loo-ke and his partizans 

 promote and censure those who exert their utmost abilities for the 

 royal house, it is indispensable that all who hold office should aid the 

 government, thus manifest consideration for the black-haired people 

 (the Chinese), and recompense the royal munificence. Large gifts 

 of gold, silver, jewels, and other valuables, are requisite to obtain the 

 favour of Loo-ke and his cabal (before any one is promoted to an 

 important appointment) ; but, alas ! how few of all those that acquire 

 degrees possess a thousand pieces of gold! Imagine a poor scholar 

 sitting for ten whole years at his lonely window grinding his ink, how 

 could he obtain this wealth! If after receiving his first appointment 

 he is desirous of being promoted, he must doubtless abstract from the 

 people all they possess, merely to open a road to promotion, thus the 

 people are made to suffer; but I apprehend Shang-teen (God), will 

 not be insulted. You see, I possess only this Ting-sha-maou, cap of 

 crape, with low rank, and have endured deprivations for these ten 

 years, but I am grateful for the favour of Whang-shang-teen (the 

 Almighty), and the altars of my blessed ancestors, that while re- 

 siding here I have been enabled to preserve the people from plunder. 

 How could I imitate those avaricious officers, giving to their su- 

 periors a handful of gems ; does such become the dignity of a 

 minister of state ? I, relying on Heaven's blessing, remain here 

 discharging my duties, and at the close of each day retain my 

 integrity. When unable to discharge those duties I will return to 

 my family, with my wife and son, and, living on a few acres of poor 

 land, enjoy happiness in my native village the residue of my days. 

 Never will I do that which is wrong, or destroy the noble feelings 

 of my heart, which have been given me from heaven." 



On another day of vacancy from business, Mei-kwei in conver- 

 sation with his wife said, " Time has flown with the rapidity of an 

 arrow; for I find I have held my present office upwards of ten 

 years, during which period I have known no cessation ; I am happy 

 to-day that I have no business, and, as your natal day is at hand, I 

 am desirous that an extra dish of vegetables (food generally) may 

 be prepared that we may observe your birth-day." The lady replied, 

 "As you, Sir, have seen many more years than I have, why not ob- 

 serve it in honour of yourself?" Mei-kwei then called for the 

 servant, and told him to order the compradorc to purchase the vt'ge- 



