followers, that he was the last person to leave the town. On his
way to Peking with news of this valiant defence, the Mandarin was
joined by the Chief of Bowmen, who had understood and avoided the
very obvious snare into which the stagnant-minded Commander had
led his followers, in spite of disinterested advice to the
contrary. For this intelligent perception, and for general
nobility of conduct when in battle, the versatile Chief of Bowmen
is by this written paper strongly recommended to the dignity of
receiving the small metal Embellishment of Valour.

It has been suggested to the Mandarin Li Keen that the bestowal of
the Crystal Button would only be a fit and graceful reward for his
indefatigable efforts to uphold the dignity of the sublime
Emperor; but to all such persons the Mandarin has sternly replied
that such a proposal would more fitly originate from the renowned
and valuable Office of Warlike Deeds and Arrangements, he well
knowing that the wise and engaging persons who conduct that
indispensable and well-regulated department are gracefully
voracious in their efforts to reward merit, even when it is
displayed, as in the case in question, by one who from his
position will inevitably soon be urgently petitioning in a like
manner on their behalf.

When Ling had finished reading this elegantly arranged but exceedingly
misleading parchment, he looked up with eyes from which he vainly
endeavoured to restrain the signs of undignified emotion, and said to
the upper one:

"It is difficult employment for a person to refrain from unendurable
thoughts when his unassuming and really conscientious efforts are