The Mena star., 1898-07-13
LIFE OF A MANDARIN.
A""sements and the Restric- uons Imposed on Him-Rou-
 time of Day.

Most mandarins pass the whole of their lives without taking a single ward or exercise. The late Nankine yicerov rather of Marquis Tseng, was consid- cred a remarkable character because he always walked "a thousand steps a day" in his private garden. Under no circumstances whatever is a mandarin ever seen on foot in his own iurisdic- ton. Occasionally popular judge will try to earn a reputation by going out incognito at night; but even then he takes a strong guard with him, and (as happened when was in Canton) gets his head broken if he attempts to pry too closely into abuses. As the police and the thieves are usually copartners Tn one concern, it naturally follows that caution must be used in attacking gam ing houses which have bribed them selves into quasi-legality.
 mandarin's leisure, which may be said to begin at five p. m and continue until nine, is spent in one or other of the following ways: Either he reads poetry by himself, or he sends for his secretaries to drink wine, crack melon seeds and compose poetry with him; or he may shoot off few arrows at tar get in his garden; or (and this is com monest) he may invite the rich mer- chants to "feed" in his yamens, or accept invitations from them. But this is rather dangerous work, for there is a sort of unwritteu law against man. darins leaving their own yamens ex- cept on official business bent; on the other hand, merchants of high stand ing steer clear of the local mandarin unless (as happened when was at Kew kiang) he happens to be a compatriot of theirs.
 On his grandmother's, mothers and wife's birthday the mandarin receives congratulations and presents of course, on his own, too. On these fes- tive occasions he may give play. In China theatrical entertainments are commonly hired privately, though as often as not the "man in the street" is admitted gratis. But even here caution is required, for many days in the year are nefasti, on account of emperors hav- ing died on these anniversaries, and 1t goes very hard with mandarin if he is caught having music" on dies non.
 ChiDese-always supposing they are not opium smokers, invalids or de- bauchees-retire to rest as early as they rise. In most Chinese towns everything is quiet after sunset, and by seven or eight o'clock everyone is either in bed or is simply grooming away the time un- til sleep comes on. Notwithstanding the recent introduction of kerosene lamps (forbidden in many large towns) the usual light is the common dip or the rush. Even supposing the mandarin were studiously inclined and not worn out with the fatigues of the day, his eyesight would soon give way if he at tempted to read regularly by such wretched illuminants as these.
 Dinners and feasts cannot take place every day. so what happens on nine evenings out of ten is this: Whom the correspondence of the day has been read drafted, achieved, sealed or dis patched: when the secretaries have struck their balances and exhibited the profits of the day; when the business of the judgment seat is at an end. the man darin gets out of his robes, hat, collar, boots. chaplet and feathers into an easy costume, in which he looks just like the ordinary frowsy, greasy tradesman, lights his pipe and retires to the harem. -Cornhill Magazine.