200 THE ORIGIN OF B OWING. 



bowing and scraping are no longer the fashion ; 

 but equals pay to equals and expect from equals 

 an amount of real and genuine politeness which is 

 seldom equalled in the countries where conven- 

 tional courtesy takes the absurd form of an elabo- 

 rate and profound servile adulation. In China a 

 man asks his friend, " How are your exalted self 

 and your distinguished wife and noble children ? 

 Have you left them well at your palatial man- 

 sion?" To which his friend answers politely, 

 "Your poor slaves, my miserable wife and un- 

 worthy children, are at their insignificant dwelling, 

 enjoying such health as their character deserves. 

 Your meanest servant is glad to see your eminent 

 presence." In America we say simply, " How do 

 you do ? " and the answer is merely, " Pretty 

 well, thank you " ; but the real sympathy and 

 friendliness between man and man is a thousand 

 times greater than it can ever be among all the 

 flowery phrases of the Celestial Empire. 



