164 THE KING'S MIRROR 



pecially, that we cannot be sure of a chance to inquire 

 when it seems most needful to seek knowledge. Now 

 after having learned the trader's mode of_ living and 

 how to travel in unknown lands, it might happen that 

 I should want to visit the king's court, where I could 

 see more perfect manners than thosejto be seen on my 

 commercial tours; and therefore I should like to learn 

 from you, while here at home,lsuch manners as are most 

 needful to know, when one is at court^though it is not 

 sure that I shall have to use them. Now if such an in- 

 terest does not seem worthless to you, I should like to 

 have you inform me as to those customs that I have 

 mentioned. 



Father. It cannot be called worthless curiosity to 



wish to know what customs prevail and must be ob- 



j** ~ '^ -" i 



.> f served at the king's court ;lf or all rnurt.esy and proper 

 conduct have their origin there, if the mode_qf life is 

 ^as it ought to Vft and fts it was ordained of old.MStilK 

 customs at court are by no means of one sort only, for 

 there isfa multitude of services and offices about the 

 kingjandfthose of his men who are less in rank are usu- 

 a lly no t held to strict manners. Those who are higher 

 ~* / in the service often differ much in manners and deport- 



^ V mentjso that the men who observe the better customs 

 are, unfortunately, fewer, as a rule, than those who are 

 moderately courteous, or scarcely so much. Now I do 

 not know whose conduct you are interested in, that of 

 the more mannerly or of the greater number. 



