number, making themselves at home in the reception-room, assisted at the conference, as if it were a public show. The democratic side of Chinese manners is shown in nothing so much as in this life-in-common of master and servants. And, strange to say, the familiarity does not appear to diminish at all the veneration of the inferior for his superior. What is more, this incessant contact keeps up in the mind of the subordinate a feeling of respectful dread, which manifests itself every moment. This vigorous observance of the laws of their social hierarchy, results from those rules of exacting courtesy which may be said to govern China. Certain habits of deference and respect are never deviated from, whether by equals, among equals, or by subordinates, in the company of their superiors. Pan-se-Chen received his visitors in a hall upon the ground floor; a semicircle of those massive easy chairs I have described being ranged around the door. The noisy gong announced the arrivals, and very likely their titles and dignities, for, at the sound of that instrument, our mandarin rose from his seat, and, according to the rank of the new-comer, either went out to meet him or awaited him on the threshold. The moment the visitor set foot inside, the whole company rose, and remained standing until the host had conducted his guest to a seat. The same etiquette was observed when any one took leave. Pan-se-Chen
