half an eye you would see that his family was a
thousand years or so older than that of anyone else present, and
had held the throne at various times. Here is a touch of the
great gentleman: he would never fish with a net, or shoot at a
bird on the bough; it was unsportsmanlike. (3) A very natural
jovial man, not above "changing countenance" when fine meats were
set on his table:--a thing that directly contradicts the idea of
a cold, ever play-acting Confucius. A parvenu must be very
careful; but a scion of the House of Shang, a descendant of the
Yellow Emperor, could unbend and be jolly without loss of
dignity;--and, were he a Confucius, would. "A gentleman," said
he, "is calm and spacious"; he was himself, according to the
_Analects,_ friendly, yet dignified; inspired awe, but not
fear; was respectful, but easy. He divided mankind into three
classes: Adepts or Sages; true Gentlemen; and the common run.
He never claimed to belong to the first, though all China knows
well that he did belong to it. He even considered that he fell
short of the ideal of the second; but as to that, we need pay no
attention to his opinion. Here, then, is Chapter X:

"Amongst his own countryfolk Confucius wore a homely look, like
one who has no word to say. In the ancestral temple and at court
his speech was full, but cautious. At court he talked frankly to
men of low rank, winningly to men of high rank. In the Marquis's
presence he looked intent and solemn.

"When the Marquis bade him receive guests, his face seemed to
change, his knees to bend. He bowed left and right to those
behind him, straightened his robes in front and behind, and sped
forward, his elbows spread like wings. When the guest had left,
he always reported it, saying: 'The guest has ceased to
look back.'

"Entering the palace gate he stooped, as though it were too low
for him. He did not stand in the middle of the gate, nor step on
the threshold. Passing the throne, his face seemed to change,
his knees to bend; and he spoke with bated breath. Mounting the
royal dais, he lifted his robes, bowed his back and masked his
breathing till it seemed to stop. Coming down, his face relaxed
below the first step, and bore a pleased look. From the foot of
the steps he sped forward, his elbows spread like wings; and
when again in his seat, he looked intent as before. He held his
hands not higher than in bowing, nor lower than in giving a
present. He wore an awed l