; 266 Tin: LO\.VL AND FAITHFUL 



name to be recorded on the golden list, I am fearful lest that herd 

 of foxes and greedy dogs, who cause commotion at court, would 

 induce him to associate with such as are void of talent, seek power, 

 oppress the indefatigable officers of government, and thereby slay 

 both reputation and fame ; how would he not then bring disrepute 

 on my spotless life, disgrace my ancestors, and in death be by them 

 railed at. The poet says, 



' Far preferable is that man who, receding from fame, 

 In maintaining just principles, delights in cultivating the land.'" 



The lady replied, " You, Sir, have instructed your son in that which 

 is correct." Thus the husband and wife continued conversing to- 

 gether till the sun sunk in the west ; on the table being cleared 

 they retired. 



It is said, that three days after this conversation, while Mei-kwei 

 was dressing himself to enter the court to attend to public business, 

 the servant advanced and said, " Two persons have come ex- 

 press, who stated that his majesty has appointed you, Sir, to aid him 

 in the government at the capital, and they are desirous of seeing 

 your worship." Mei-kwei, after pausing a little, bade them enter. 

 On their holding up in their hands the despatch, kneeling at the vesti- 

 bule and observing the ko-tow ceremony, i.e. bowing to the ground, 

 they said, " We have been sent express from the office of the presi- 

 dent of the Le-poo board of magistracy, to announce to your 

 worship, that you are promoted to the highest rank in the state." 

 Mei-kwei, on hearing what was said, could not refrain from laughing 

 aloud, then bidding them to rise, he said, " I will ask you a question. 

 As I am advanced in years, and have remained here for ten years a 

 poor officer, how happens it, that F, who have not taken the people's 

 wealth, nor associated with the wealthy, and have no one at the ca- 

 pital to recommend me, nor am able to bribe the higher officers, am 

 promoted ? Are you not in error ?" The bearer of the despatch 

 kneeling said, " How can this be an error? see it bears the imperial 

 signet. I beg that you, Sir, will examine it; though I am ignorant 

 with which of the higher officers this affair has originated, it is ap- 

 parent that his majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint you 

 a member of the Le-poo board." Mei-kwei then looking at the 

 despatch, read, " I the emperor, being applied to by Ching-shing of 

 the Le-poo board, order a letter to be sent to Mei-kwei, knowing that 

 he has held for a long time an appointment remote from the capital, 

 and administered pure government, he is therefore required to re- 

 pair with all speed to the capital. Seeing that he Mei-kwei pos- 

 sesses noble principles, he is in consequence raised to be a member 

 of the Le-poo board. Respect this! " Mei-kwei, after reading the 

 document again and again, desired the bearers to withdraw, when he 

 would presently reward them ; and forthwith he entered the inner 

 apartments. The lady meeting him smiling said, " Sir, I congratu- 

 late you on your promotion.'* The son advancing towards him 

 bowing said, " Father, father, I congratulate you on receiving an ap- 

 pointment at the capital." Mei-kwei said, with a sigh, " My wife, 

 this despatch may cost me nly life." The lady and son, greatly 



