272
Dreams in the Red Chamber.
MAY
pears to be a good deal of over-reaching in this matter, and many a promise of a rich dowry to be bestowed upon the parents of the bride, is dexterously evaded.
Ká, the magistrate, was living in aflluence, and his daughter so clever in writing poetry, attracted a great deal of attention. Go-be- tweens passed to and fro, but the fair damsel reluctantly refused her hand, until a powerful family wanted to force her into an union. All the efforts to obtain her being in vain, the head of this house resolved upon ruining the officer, and for this purpose made him pay heavy fines. Ká himself not having the means of meeting the constant de- mands, was finally obliged to take from the public treasury, and when the accounts were demanded he was found a defaulter. His enemy however did not obtain his heart's wish, and the match was not concluded.
Two other girls of the coterie were betrothed to faithless lovers, and felt a deep grief on seeing their affections slighted. On the ap- pointed time for accompanying them home, they upbraided the gentle- men in no very measured terms, and declared that they would never become their partners. But as the bridegrooms grew very pressing, the girls asked a little respite to retire to their rooms, and when alone they cut their throats, as being the least evil of the two.
Páuyu, that busy lady, on seeing her friends one after the other departing this life, felt rather lonely, and to prove her great attach- ment to her former companions, she went to sacrifice at their graves, and rehearsed a splendid funeral oration. It is sometimes customary among the Chinese, whenever a person of importance has departed this life, for one of the sorrowing friends to go to the grave, and re- capitulate the merits of the deceased. This female panygerist was however far more eloquent than many a statesman, who is purposely deputed to bury a compeer, and her praises made the departed an angel in human form.
A trial of manslaughter fills a great many pages, and probably details Chinese law proceedings pretty accurately. The individual was accidentally stain by one of his boon companions in a pot-house. To avoid all difficulties, the guilty party endeavored to hush up mat- ters, but a near relation of the deceased insisted upon having blood for blood. Witnesses appearing before the magistrate, a solemn ap- peal was made to him in open court, and when the culprit endeavor- ed to excuse himself, the incensed officer uttered dire threats and denunciations. This was a broad hint to the accused, and his friends mmmediately resolved to put an end to this cause by a considey ibli
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