THE LOVAL AND FAITHFUL MINISTER MEI-KM'EI. 331 



During their consternation they saw the porter enter, who said, 

 " There are several writers belonging to the public courts without 

 side, who are desirous of seeing you. Sir/' Mei-kwei, on requesting 

 his lady to retire, bade them come in. On their entering, Mei-kwei 

 asked, "Who were the persons that made such a noise without •? ' The 

 writers replied, " We have an afliair to communicate to your Ex- 

 cellency. The people having heard that your Excellency has been 

 promoted, and desirous of detaining you among them, they have closed 

 the city gates, with the market." Mei-kwei, on hearing which, re- 

 plied, " Since that is the only cause, you will go and tell them to 

 cease causing a disturbance ; that the Heen magistrate will enter the 

 court and give his instructions." These wi'iters went and did ac- 

 cordingly. Mei-kwei, addressing his lady and son, said, " The 

 people being unanimous that I should remain among them it is diffi- 

 cult to decide what course to take." The lady replied, " This results 

 from your having invariably commiserated the people, and by not 

 seeking their wealth. It is really distressing to withstand the grati- 

 tude often thousand of the people." Mei-kwei replied, " You must 

 wait till I have dispersed the people before you can go on board. The 

 city gates being shut against you, how can you leave?" He ordered 

 the branding; instrument to be taken into court. The people, as soon as 

 they heard the noise of that instrument, were submissive. On drawing 

 aside the screen, and taking his seat, Mei-kwei said, " If there be 

 any respectable (aged persons) among you, let such come forward, as 

 I am desirous of asking a few questions. Several persons instantly 

 advanced, who, bowing, thus spoke, " We little, or mean pc-sons, 

 are grateful for those heavenly favours conferred on us by your Ex- 

 cellency, we can never forget them. For these ten years past, during 

 your {Excellency's residence among us, really we have had no occa- 

 sion to shut our doors at night, nor fear aught on the highways. The 

 bold and daring have become virtuous, while the designing and 

 artful dare not wound honourable principles. As to the influential, 

 your Excellency has governed them by harrowing out from 

 their mid>t those who were disaffected. In supporting nnd 

 aiding the weak, making no distinction between the wealthy and 

 such as are not so, nor coveting their wealth, you have gained the 

 love of the people. In all your judicial affairs, without due delibera- 

 tion you have not inflicted punishment, and never the extreme penalty 

 of the law. Further, all those persons whom you have employed 

 about your court have been men who have not dared to insult the 

 people ; despising gain, they have been intent on expelling the 

 mean. Really, Sir, you have acted as the father and mother of your 

 people. Hearing that your Excellency has been promoted to an im- 

 portant office, we, persons of no note, are desirous of petitioning the 

 Too-tang ofl!icer, with all the senior magistrates, to allow you to 

 resign your new appointment, that you may preside over us. Should 

 you be intent on proceeding to the capital, to have an audience 

 with his Majesty, we are willing to bear your expenses, and despatch 

 a memorial petitioning his Muje^ly that you may be re-appointed 

 over us.'' Mei-kwei, witii a sigh, said, " Gentleman, and virtuous 

 people, arise. Your motives are hrnourable to you in endeavouring 



