rporated into the
Empire. There he set himself to civilize the rude inhabitants, until
soon recalled and once more reinstated in office; and to this day
there is a shrine dedicated to his memory, containing the following
inscription: "Wherever he passed, he purified."

Another great statesman, who flourished over two hundred years later,
and also several times suffered banishment, in an inscription to the
honour and glory of his predecessor, put down the following words:
"Truth began to be obscured and literature to fade; supernatural
religions sprang up on all sides, and many eminent scholars failed
to oppose their advance, until Han Yu, the cotton-clothed, arose and
blasted them with his derisive sneer."

Since the fourteenth century there has existed a definite organization,
known as the Censorate, the members of which, who are called the "ears
and eyes" of the sovereign, make it their business to report adversely
upon any course adopted by the Government in the name of the Emperor,
or by any individual statesman, which seems to call for disapproval.
The reproving Censor is nominally entitled to complete immunity from
punishment; but in practice he knows that he cannot count too much
upon either justice or mercy. If he concludes that his words will be
unforgivable, he hands in his memorial, and draws public attention
forthwith by committing suicide on the spot.

To be allowed to commit suicide, and not to suffer the indignity of a
public execution, is a privilege sometimes extended to a high official
whose life has become forfeit under circumstances which do not call for
special degradation. A silken cord is forwarded from the Emperor to the
official in question, who at once puts an end to his life, though not
necessarily by strangulation. He may take poison, as is usually the
case, and this is called "swallowing gold." For a long time it was
believed that Chinese high officials really did swallow gold, which in
view of its non-poisonous character gave rise to an idea that gold-leaf
was employed, the leaf being inhaled and so causing suffocation. Some
simple folk, Chinese as well as foreigners, believe this now, although
native authorities have pointed out that workmen employed in the
extraction of gold often steal pieces and swallow them, without any
serious consequences whatever. Another explanation, which has also the
advantage of being the true one, is that "swallowing gold" is one of the
roundabout phrases in