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described； but these exceptions are clearly the outcome of their superficial
training； and do not affect the fact my feeble and frequently even eccentric
arguments are at length certainly moving the more intelligent into an
admission of what constitutes true justice and refinement。 It is not to be
denied that here and there exists a prejudice against our customs even in
the minds of the studious； but as this is invariably the shadow of
misconception； it has frequently been my sympathetic privilege to promote
harmony by means of the inexorable logic of fact and reason。 〃But are not
your officials uncompromisingly opposed to the freedom of the Press？〃
said one who conversed with me on the varying phases of the two
countries； and knowing that in his eyes this would constitute an
unendurable offence； I at once appeased his mind。 〃By no means；〃 I
replied； 〃if anything； the exact contrary is the case。 As a matter of reality；
of course； there is no Press now； the all…seeing Board of Censors having
wisely determined that it was not stimulating to the public welfare； but if
such an institution was permitted to exist you may rest genially assured
that nothing could exceed the lenient toleration which all in office would
extend towards it。〃 A similar instance of malicious inaccuracy is widely
spoken of regarding our lesser ones。 〃Is it really a fact； Mr。 Kong；〃
exclaimed a maiden of magnanimous condescension； to this person
recently； 〃that we poor women are despised in your country； and that
among the working…classes female children are even systematically
abandoned as soon as they are born？〃 Suffering my features to express
amusement at this unending calumny； I indicated my violent contempt
towards the one who had first uttered it。 〃So far from despising them；〃 I
continued； with ingratiating gallantry； 〃we recognise that they are quite
necessary for the purposes of preparing our food； carrying weighty
burdens； and the like； and how grotesque an action would it be for poor
but affectionate parents to abandon one who in a few years' time could be
sold at a really remunerative profit； this； indeed； being the principal means
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of sustenance in many frugal families。〃
On another occasion I had seated myself upon a wooden couch in one
of the open spaces about the outskirts of the city； when an aged man
chanced to pass by。 Him I saluted with ceremonious politeness； on account
of his years and the venerable dignity of his beard。 Thereupon he
approached near； and remarking affably that the afternoon was good
（though； to use no subtle evasion； it was very evil）； he congenially sat by
my side and entered into familiar discourse。
〃They say that in your part of the world we old grandfathers are
worshipped；〃 he said； after recounting to my ears all the most intimate
details of his existence from his youth upwards； 〃now； might that be
right？〃
〃Truly；〃 I replied。 〃It is the unchanging foundation of our system of
morality。〃
〃Ay； ay；〃 he admitted pleasantly。 〃We are a long way behind them
foreigners in everything。 At the rate we're going there won't be any trade
nor work nor religion left in this country in another twenty years。 I often
wish I had gone abroad when I was younger。 And if I had chanced upon
your parts I should be worshipped； eh？〃 and at the agreeable thought the
aged man laughed in his throat with simple humour。
〃Assuredly；〃 I replied； 〃after you were dead。〃
〃Eh？〃 exclaimed the venerable person； checking the fountain of his
mirth abruptly at the word。 〃Dead！ not before？ Doesn'tdoesn't that seem
a bit of a waste？〃
〃Such has been the observance from the time of unrecorded antiquity；〃
I replied。 〃'Obey parents； respect the old； loyally uphold the sovereign； and
worship ancestors。'〃
〃Well； well；〃 remarked the one beside me； 〃obedience and respect
that's something nowadays。 And you make them do it？〃
〃Our laws are unflinching in their application；〃 I said。 〃No crime is
held to be more detestable than disrespect of those to whom we owe our
existence。〃
〃Quite right；〃 he agreed； 〃it's a pleasure to hear it。 It must be a great
country； yours； a country with a future； I should say。 Now； about that
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youngest lad of my son Henry'sthe one that drops pet lizards down my
neck； and threatened to put rat poison into his mother's tea when she
wouldn't take him to the Military Turneyment； what would they do to him
by your laws？〃
〃If the assertion were well sustained by competent witnesses；〃 I
replied； 〃it would probably be judged so execrable an offence； that a new
punishment would have to be contrived。 Failing that； he would certainly
be wrapped round from head to foot in red…hot chains； and thus exposed to
public derision。〃
〃Ah； red…hot chains！〃 said the aged person； as though the words
formed a pleasurable taste upon his palate。 〃The young beggar！ Well； he'd
deserve it。〃
〃Furthermore；〃 I continued； gratified at having found one who so
intelligently appreciated the deficiencies of his own country and the
unblemished perfection of ours； 〃his parents and immediate descendants；
if any should exist； would be submitted to a fate as inevitable but slightly
less contemptuousslow compression； perchance； his parents once
removed （thus enclosing your venerable personality）； and remoter
offsprings would be merely put to the sword without further ignominy； and
those of less kinship to about the fourth degree would doubtless escape
with branding and a reprimand。〃
〃Lordelpus！〃 exclaimed the patriarchal one； hastily leaping to the
extreme limit of the wooden couch； and grasping his staff into a
significant attitude of defence； 〃what's that for？〃
〃Our system of justice is all…embracing；〃 I explaine