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scattering of thin white ashes？〃
〃Assuredly it would be a conclusive testimony；〃 I replied； 〃yet in
that case consider how inadequate a witness could be borne to your
enlightened condescension； when none would be left but one to whom the
spoken language of this Island is more in the nature of a trap than a
comfortable vehicle。〃
〃Your reasoning is profound； Kong Ho；〃 he replied； 〃yet abundant proof
shall not be wanting。〃 With these words he raised his hand； and
immediately the air became filled with an overwhelming shower of those
productions with which Kwan Kiang…ti's name is chiefly
associatedshells and pebbles of all kinds； lotus and other roots
from the river banks； weeds from seas of greater depths； fish of
interminable variety from both fresh and bitter waters； all falling in
really embarrassing abundance； and mingled with an incessant rain of
sand and water。 In the midst of this the demon suddenly passed away；
striking the table as he went； so that it was scarred with the brand
of a five…clawed hand； shattering all the objects upon it （excepting
the stone and the books； which he doubtless regarded as sacred to some
extent）； and leaving the room involved in a profound darkness。
〃For the love av the saintsfor the love av the saints； save us from
the yellow devils！〃 exclaimed a voice from the spot where last the
barbarian princess had reclined； and upon this person going to her
assistance with lights it was presently revealed that she alone had
remained seated； the others having all assembled themselves beneath
the table in spite of the incapability of the space at their disposal。
Most of the weightier evidences of Kwan Kiang…ti's majestic presence
had faded away； though the table retained the print of his impressive
hand； many objects remained irretrievably torn apart； and in a distant
corner of the room an insignificant heap of shells and seaweed still
lingered。 From the floor covering a sprinkling of the purest Fuh…chow
sand rose at every step； the salt dew of the Tung…Hai still dropped
from the surroundings； and； at a later period； a shore crab was found
endeavouring to make its escape undetected。
Convinced that the success of the manifestation would have enlarged
the one Glidder's esteem towards me to an inexpressible degree； I now
approached him with words of self…deprecation ready on my tongue； but
before he spoke I became aware； from the nature of his glance； that
the provision had been unnecessary； for already his face had begun to
assume； to a most distended amount； the expression which I had long
recognised as a synonym that some detail had been regarded at a
different angle from that anticipated。
〃May I ask；〃 he began in a somewhat heavily…laden voice； after he had
assured himself that the person who was speaking was himself； and his
external attributes unchanged； 〃May I ask； sir〃 （and at this title；
which is untranslatable in its many…sided significance when
technically employed； I recognised that all complimentary intercourse
might be regarded as having closed）； 〃whether you accept the
responsibility of these proceedings？〃
〃Touching the appearance which has so essentially contributed to the
success of the occasion； it is undeniably due to this one's
foresight；〃 I replied modestly。
〃Then let me tell you； sir； that I consider it an outragea dastardly
outrage。〃
〃Yet；〃 protested this person with retiring assertiveness； 〃the
expressed object of the ceremony； as it stood before my intelligence；
was for the set purpose of invoking spirits and raising certain
visions。〃
〃Spirits！〃 exclaimed the one before me with an accent of concentrated
aversion； 〃yes； spirits； impalpable； civilised； genuine spirits； who
manifest themselves through recognised media； and are conformable to
the usages of the best drawing…room societyyes。 But not demons； sir；
not Chinese devils in the Camden Roadno。 Truth and Light at any
cost； not paganism。 It's perfectly scandalous。 Look at the mahogany
tableruined； look at the wall…paperconventional mackerels with a
fishing…net background； new this springsoused； look at the Brussels
carpet； seventeen six by twenty…fivesaturated！〃
〃I quite agree with you； Mr。 Glidder；〃 here interposed the individual
Pash。 〃I was watching you； sir； closely the whole time； and I have my
suspicions about how it was done。 I don't know whether Mr。 Glidder has
any legal redress； but I should certainly advise him to see his
solicitors to…morrow； and in the meantime〃
〃He is my guest；〃 exclaimed the one whose hospitality I was enjoying；
〃and while he is beneath my roof he is sacred。〃
〃But I do not think that it would be kind to detain him any longer in
his wet things；〃 said another of the household； with pointed
malignity； and accepting this as an omen of departure； I withdrew
myself； bowing repeatedly； but offering no closer cordiality。
〃Through a torn sleeve one drops a purse of gold；〃 it is well said；
and as if to prove to a deeper end that misfortune is ever
double…handed； this incapable being； involved in thoughts of funereal
density； bent his footsteps to an inaccurate turning； and after much
wandering was compelled to pass the night upon a desolate heathbut
that would be the matter of another narrative。
With an insidious doubt whether； after all； the far…seeing Kwan
Kiang…ti's first impulse would not have been the most satisfactory
conclusion to the enterprise。
KONG HO。
LETTER VII
Concerning warfare； both as waged by ourselves and by a nation
devoid of true civilisation。 The aged man and the meeting and
the parting of our ways。 The instance of the one who expressed
emotion by leaping。
VENERATED SIRE；You are omniscient； but I cannot regard the fear
which you express in your beautifully…written letter； bearing the sign
of the eleventh day of the seventh moon； as anything more than the
imaginings prompted by a too…lavish supper of your favourite shark's
fin and peanut oil。 Unless the dexterously…elusive attributes of the
genial…spoken persons high in office at Pekin have deteriorated
contemptibly since this one's departure； it is quite impossible for
our great and enlightened Empire to be drawn into a conflict with the
northern barbarians whom you indicate； against our will。 When the
matter becomes urgent； doubtless a prince of the Imperial line will
loyally suffer himself to Pass Above； and during the period of
ceremonial mourning for so pure and exalted an official it would
indeed be an unseemly desecration to engage in any public business。 If
this failed； and an ultimatum were pressed with truly savage contempt
for all that is sacred and refined； it might be well next to consider
the health even of the sublime Emperor himself （or； perhaps better；
that of the select and ever…present Dowager Empress）； but should the
barbarians still advance； and； setting the usages of civilised warfare
at defiance； threaten an engagement in the midst of this unparalleled
calamity； there will be no alternative but to have a formidable
rebellion in the Capital。 All the barbarian powers will then assemble
as usual； and in the general involvement none dare move alone； and
everything will have to be regarded as being put back to where it was
before。 It is well said； 〃The broken vessel can never be made whole；
but it may be delicately arranged so that another shall displace it。〃
These barbarians； less resourceful in device； have only recently
emerged from a conflict into which they do not hesitate to admit they
were drawn despite their protests。 Such incompetence is characteristic
of their methods throughout。 Not in any way disguising their purpose；
they at once sent out an army of those whom could be the readiest
seized； certainly furnishing them with weapons； charms to use in case
of emergency； and three…coloured standards （their adversaries adopting
a white banner to symbolise the conciliation of their attitude； and
displaying both freely in every extremity）； but utterly neglecting to
teach them the arts of painting their bodies with awe…inspiring forms；
of imitating the cries of wild animals as they attacked； of clashing
their weapons together with menacing vigour； or any of the recognised
artifices by which terror may be struck into the ranks of an awaiting