70 NOTES OX THE SYMBOLISM OF THE 



Opposite the throne was pitched a great tent of yellow cloth, 

 in which the side-board was arranged. Then in the court before 

 the pavilion were placed four rows of little and low tables, 

 covered with coarse linen, and so disposed that there was one 

 between every two persons, except opposite His Excellency and 

 me, where a separate table was placed for each of us. 



This court was surrounded by persons of all ranks and 

 classes, not excepting stage-players and servants. The latter had 

 the impudence to come and stand before the great Mandarins, in 

 order to get a better view of us." 



In the Pao Ho Tien were also received the candidates 

 who had successful passed the triennial Examinations for 

 the highest Degree, those of Chin Shih and Han Lin, held 

 in the Capital, who were thus about to step automatically 

 into the ranks of the Nation's governing body. Theoretically, 

 and as a rule practically, no favoritism affected the status 

 of these candidates, but as Heaven, so far, has not permitted 

 perfection to be attained in mortal affairs, it did sometimes 

 creep in — evidently Kao, the toad, who wrote the following 

 reproachful little poem felt that had he been able to blossom 

 among the Clouds (Court Officials) of Heaven (the Emperor) 

 he would have been able to enjoy the east wind of spring 

 which brings fertilizing rain, and would not have been nipped 

 in the bud, as is the rose mallow, by the early autumn 

 frosts. 1 



A Poem from One Below handed up to> the Vice- 

 President Kao by Kao The Toad. 



1. — In Heaven above the peach trees with double blossoms, are 



planted in the dew, 

 2. — Beside the Sun the pink apricots are rooted — supported by the 



clouds — 

 3. — The rose mallow springs beside the chill river of autumn. 

 4. — It does not feel the east wind of spring — in resentment, it does 



not bloom. 



Through the Northern Doorway of the Pao Ho Tien a 

 descent is made from the huge stage on which stand the 

 San Ta Tien to the causeway leading through a Gate to 



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