( 330 ) 



THE LOYAL AND FAITHFUL MINISTER 

 MEI-KWEI. 



{From the Chinese, resumed from the September Nmnber.) 



Mei-kwii, perceiving that he had abruptly responded to his lady's 

 JOitd advice, on taking a glass of wine, said, " As you will return 

 home to-morrow, we ought to retire early to rest." He then called 

 o the servants to take away the wine, and enjoined on his son the 

 necessity of taking care of his candle, when he bade him good night. 

 The young gentleman repaired to his study ; when, aided by his 

 domestic, he packed up his kin (an instrument of music), his sword 

 (which at this period ^was worn by the literati), and all his books. 

 Early next morning, while Mei-kwei and his lady were dressing 

 themselves, the young gentleman entered their room. The lady, on 

 seeing him, said, " My son, how is it that you have risen so early?" 

 The youth replied, " This being your birth-day, your son has come to 

 congratulate you thereon.'' Mei-kwei, surprised, said, " Really this 

 is your natal day ; it had escaped my recollection.'' He then called 

 to the servants to prepare the fragrant lights (incense), and to be 

 in waiting. On Mei-kwei and his lady entering the hall, and con- 

 gratulating each other on the happy occasion, the son came forward 

 to pay his respects, and was followed by the domestics, who, kneel- 

 ing, made their prostrations. The lady, on lighting up the incense, 

 worshipped the gods of the house (the penates), and her ancestors. 

 This ceremony having been gone through, the early meal was pro- 

 vided. While Mei-kwei and his lady were breakfasting, the servants 

 took the luggage on board, as she was returning to her family. 

 On breakfast being removed, the lady and her son took leave of the 

 several persons who were waiting in the public court, and then 

 repaired to the inner apartments, to take leave also of the Shin-che 

 (implying " God's manifestation," the family altar), at which she wor- 

 shipped ; she then bade farewell to her husband. On the son taking 

 leave of his father, the lady again admonishing said, " Laou-ya.y, 

 'Venerable Sir,' while travelling do take care of your person; when 

 cold add to your apparel, when hungry refuse not to eat." Before 

 she had finished speaking the domestics came to take leave of the 

 young gentleman. The lady enquired, "Sir, how many servants do 

 you take with you to the capital?" Mei-kwei replied, " 1 shall not 

 require many — Mei-pih is the only person who will accompany 

 me, the rest will attend on you.'' While thus conversing, a noise 

 was heard from without, as though a thousand persons were wrang- 

 ling. Mei-kwei, the lady, son, nor domestics could imagine the 

 cause. The ode says : — 



" The black-haired people, on tlie promotion of their virtuous majjistrate, 

 Fail not to shed a profusion of tears, as they drag along his carriagre. 

 Oa account of his many viitues and unimpcachaljle integrity, 

 'J'lie whole road is perfumed with his fnt^rant name." 



