Page:China- Its State and Prospects.djvu/122

 instead of the pronoun "you;, [sic]" and "the worthless fellow,"—"the stupid one,"—" the late born,"—or the "unworthy disciple," instead of the pronoun "I," are terms of common occurrence. "What is your noble patronymic?" is the first question; to which the usual reply is, "my poverty-struck family name is so and so;" again, the question is asked respecting the "honourable appellation, the exalted age, and the famous province," of the stranger, which queries are replied to by applying to one's self the epithets of "ignoble, short-lived, and vulgar;" and thus the conversation proceeds in a strain of compliment, the very commonness of which proves the civilization of the people. The titles bestowed upon the relations of others, together with the humiliating light in which persons speak of their own connections, are also remarkable. "Honourable young gentleman," for a friend's son; and "the thousand pieces of gold" for his daughter, are usual appellations; while the individual replies by bestowing the epithet of "dog's son," and "female slave," on his own offspring.

The ceremonies observed on the invitation and entertainment of guests are still more striking; complimentary cards are presented, and polite answers returned, all vieing with each other in the display of humility and condescension. On the arrival of the guest, considerable difficulty is found in arranging who shall make the lowest bow, or first enter the door, or take the highest seat, or assume the precedence at table; though the host generally contrives to place his guest in the most elevated position. When conversation commences, the mutual assent to every proposition, the scrupulous avoiding of all contradiction, and the entire absence of every offensive expression, or melancholy