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examination or to compose a poem of inimitable brilliance； and where one
wearing gilt buttons and an emblem in his hat proves upon ingratiating
approach not to be a powerful official but a covetous and illiterate slave of
inferior rank？ Thus； through their own narrow…minded inconsistencies；
even the most ceremoniously…proficient may at times present an ill…
balanced attitude。 This； without reproach to himself； concerns the inward
cause whereby the one who is placed to you in the relation of an
affectionate and ever…resourceful son found unexpectedly that he had lost
the benignant full face of a lady of exalted title。
At that time I had formed the acquaintance； in an obscure quarter of
the city； of one who wore a uniform； and was addressed on all sides as the
commander of a band； while the gold letters upon the neck part of his
outer garment inevitably suggested that he had borne an honourable share
in the recent campaign in a distant land。 As I had frequently met many of
similar rank drinking tea at the house of the engaging countess to whom I
have alluded； I did not hesitate to prevail upon this Captain Miggs to
accompany me there upon an occasion also； assuring him of equality and a
sympathetic reception； but from the moment of our arrival the attitudes of
those around pointed to the existence of some unpropitious barrier
invisible to me； and when the one with whom I was associated took up an
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unassailable position upon the central table； and began to speak
authoritatively upon the subject of The Virtues； the unenviable condition
of the proud and affluent； and the myriads of fire…demons certainly laying
in wait for those who partook of spiced tea and rich foods in the afternoon；
and did not wear a uniform similar to his own； I began to recognise that
the selection had been inauspiciously arranged。 Upon taxing some around
with the discrepancy （as there seemed to be no more dignified way of
evading the responsibility）； they were unable to contend against me that
there were； indeed； two； if not more； distinct varieties of those bearing the
rank of captain； and that they themselves belonged to an entirely different
camp； wearing another dress； and possessing no authority to display the
symbol of the letters S。A。 upon their necks。 With this admission I was
content to leave the matter； in no way accusing them of actual duplicity；
yet so withdrawing that any of unprejudiced standing could not fail to
carry away the impression that I had been the victim of an unworthy
artifice； and had been lured into their society by the pretext that they were
other than what they really were。
With the bitter…flavoured memory of this； and other in no way
dissimilar episodes； lingering in my throat； it need not be a matter of
conjecture that for a time I greeted warily all who bore a title； a mark of
rank； or any similar appendage； who wore a uniform； weapon； brass
helmet； jewelled crown； coat of distinctive colour； or any excessive
superfluity of pearl or metal buttons； who went forth surrounded by a
retinue； sat publicly in a chair or allegorical chariot； spoke loudly in the
highways and places in a tone of official pronouncement； displayed any
feather； emblem； inscribed badge； or printed announcement upon a pole；
or in any way conducted themselves in what we should esteem to be
fitting to a position of high dignity。 From this arose the absence of outward
enthusiasm with which I at first received Sir Philip's extended favour； for
although I had come to distrust all the reasonable signs of established
power； I distrusted； to a much more enhanced degree； their complete
absence； and when I observed that the one in question was never
accompanied by a band of musicians or flower…strewers； that he mingled
as though on terms of familiar intercourse with the ordinary passers…by in
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the streets； and never struck aside those who chanced to impede his
progress； and that he actually preferred those of low condition to approach
him on their feet； rather than in the more becoming attitude of
unconditional prostration； I reasoned with myself whether indeed he could
consistently be a person of well…established authority； or whether I was not
being again led away from my self…satisfaction by another obliquity of
barbarian logic。 It was for this reason that I now welcomed the admitted
power which he has of incriminating persons in a variety of punishable
offences； and I perceived with an added satisfaction that here； where this
privilege is more fully understood； few meet him without raising their
hands to the upper part of their heads in token of unquestioning
submission； or； as one would interpret the symbolism into actual words；
meaning； 〃Thus； from this point to the underneath part of our sandals； all
between lies in the hollow of your comprehensive hand。〃 *
There is a written jest among another barbarian nation that these
among whom I am tarrying； being by nature a people who take their
pleasures tragically； when they rise in the morning say； one to another；
〃Come； behold； it is raining again as usual； let us go out and kill
somebody。〃 Undoubtedly the pointed end of this adroit…witted saying may
be found in the circumstance that it is； indeed； as the proverb aptly claims；
raining on practically every occasion in life； while； to complete the
comparison； for many dynasties past this nation has been successfully
engaged in killing people （in order to promote their ultimate benefit
through a momentary inconvenience；） in every part of the world。 Thus the
lines of parallel thought maintain a harmonious balance beyond the
general analogy of their sayings； but beneath this may be found an even
subtler edge； for in order to inure themselves to the requi