32
Hlustrations of Men and Things in China.
But I cannot take from them their laureate's seat, For dusty politics do daily follow hard on me. How shall I throw off the burden of my old disease? I'll consult with Lí Táipe about the means of cure.
ON SETTING OUT ON A JOURNEY IN WINTER.
The clarion of the cock was ceasing as we took up our way, And the curling smoke from the lone hamlet was just arising; In the cold-smitten forest not a withered leaf was found, And the birds in flocks descended to the level plain.
But the level plain was covered o'er with rotten withered grass, And the fanciful hoarfrost hid the roots from sight,
The birds descending found nothing there for food;
And turning in their flight to their empty nests made haste. The aged husbandman within the village dwelling, At dawn arising to fondle his grandchildren dear, Heard the rumor fly, "a magnate of the land doth pass,” And staff in hand he leans upon the matted door to gaze.
JUNE
Many strawy stacks on the west of his hut are seen piled up, While on the east the beams of the rising sun do glance;
His cotton dress made from the cotton tree seems warm and thick, And the hue of his face shows the plenty he enjoys;
By which I shrewdly guess that in his house there can, Still a measure of rice be found stored away in the bin. Military medals. We have lately seen some of the medals con- ferred by the high officers of Chekiáng upon the soldiery of that pro- vince, in reward for their bravery in repelling the invaders of their native soil. There are several sizes; some of them as large as the palm of the hand, and other larger ones six inches long by four broad. They are made of very thin paper-like silver plates, stamped with an ornamental border, which contains in large letters the in- scription "Conferred from the office of the governor of Chekiáng and Fukien." The character sháng (conferred) occupies nearly one half the surface. The medal is usually worn on the right lappet of the coat, suspended from the button. Yishán distributed a large num- ber of them to his troops last year after the settlement with captain Elliot, some of whom paraded them very conspicuously in the streets of Canton.