234 A CENTRE OF TRADE 



beating his wives, of whom he had four. By 

 all accounts, the lady who had recently presided 

 over his house stood in need of some correction. 

 Being annoyed with him one day, she stood at 

 the door of his official residence and howled 

 abuse in a voice which brought all the neighbour- 

 hood flocking round to find out the cause of the 

 uproar. This reached the Viceroy's ears, who, 

 sapiently remarking that if a man could not 

 manage his own household, he certainly could 

 not undertake the responsibilities of an official 

 position, turned him out. However, he seemed 

 quite happy, and gave us an exceedingly good 

 meal. 



One invariable concomitant of a meal in China, 

 especially if served by Chinese who are unaccus- 

 tomed to Europeans, lies in the guttural explosions 

 which frequently resound in the ears of the diners. 

 Nor are these phenomena confined to those who 

 wait, for the natives have a disgusting habit of 

 showing their appreciation of their host's cuisine 

 and, at the same time their own good manners, 

 by loudly expelling through their mouths in a 

 succession of loud grunts the air with which 

 they have surcharged their interiors. Civilisation 

 has much to answer for, but at least it covers 

 tlie amenities of social life beneath a decent gloss. 



Before leaving we called on Peng-ying-chia, who 

 had recently been appointed Provincial Treasurer 

 of Sian-fu, a post which he was in no hurry to fill. 

 He received us most kindly, big gates open, 

 retainers lined up and a personal escort to the 

 outer door. Very progressive and a friend to 

 foreigners, he owes his life to a British officer. 



