the mirror of kong ho-第37节
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Nameless Things； to a race of primitive ghouls； and then went on in
relentless fluency to predict an early return in their descendants to
the condition of a similar state。 For some time he had a
well…gratified assurance that those whom he assailed were so
overwhelmed as to be incapable of retort； and in this belief he never
failed to call upon passers…by to witness his triumph； but on the
fourth occasion a young man whom I had thus publicly denounced for a
sufficient though forgotten reason； after listening courteously to my
venomous accusations； bestowed a two…cash piece upon me and passed on；
remarking that it was hard； and those around； also； would have added
from their stores had it been permitted。 From this time onward I did
not attempt to make myself disagreeable either in public or to those
whom I esteemed privately。 On the other hand； the barbarian manner of
retort did not find me endowed by nature to parry it successfully。
Quite lacking in measured periods； it aims； by an extreme rapidity of
thrust and an insincerity of sequence； to entangle the one who is
assailed in a complication of arising doubts and emotions。 〃Who are
you；no one but yourself；〃 exclaimed a hireling of hung…dog
expression who claimed to have exchanged pledging gifts with a certain
maiden who stood； as it were； between us； and falling into the snare；
I protested warmly against the insult； and strove to disprove the
inference before the paralogism lay revealed。 Throughout the whole
range of the Odes； the Histories； the Analects； and the Rites what
recognised formula of rejoinder is there to the taunt； 〃Oh； go and put
your feet in mustard and cress〃； or how can one； however skilled in
the highest Classics； parry the subtle inconsistencies of the
reproach； 〃You're a nice bit of orl right； aren't you？ Not arf； I
don't think。〃
Among the arts of this country that of painting upon canvas is held in
repute； but to a person associated with the masterpieces of the Ma
epoch these native attempts would be gravity…dispelling if they were
not too reminiscent of the torture chamber。 It is rarely； indeed； that
even the most highly…esteemed picture…makers succeed in depicting
every portion of a human body submitted to their brush； and not
infrequently half of the face is left out。 Once； when asked by a
paint…applier who was entitled to append two signs of exceptional
distinction behind his name； to express an opinion upon a finished
work； I diffidently called his attention to the fact that he had
forgotten to introduce a certain exalted one's left ear。 〃Not at all；
Mr。 Kong；〃 he replied； with an expression of ill…merited
self…satisfaction； 〃but it is hidden by the face。〃 〃Yet it exists；〃 I
contended； 〃why not； therefore； press it to the front at all hazard；
rather than send so great a statesman down into the annals of
posterity as deformed to that extent？〃 〃It certainly exists；〃 he
admitted； 〃and one takes that for granted； but in my picture it cannot
be seen。〃 I bowed complaisantly； content to let so damaging an
admission point its own despair。 A moment later I continued； 〃In the
great Circular Hall of the Palace of Envoys there is a picture of two
camels； foot…tethered； as it fortunately chanced； to iron rings。
Formerly there were a drove of eightthe others being freeso
exquisitely outlined in all their parts that one night； when the door
had been left incautiously open； they stepped down from the wall and
escaped to the woods。 How deplorable would have been the plight of
these unfortunate beings； if upon passing into the state of a living
existence they had found that as a result of the limited vision of
their creator they only possessed twelve legs and three whole bodies
among them。〃
Perchance this tactfully…related story； so applicable to his own
deficiencies； may sink into the imagination of the one for whom it was
inoffensively unfolded。 Yet doubt remains。 Our own picture…judgers
take up a position at the side of work when they with to examine its
qualities； retiring to an ever…diminishing angle in order to bring out
the more delicate effects； until a very expert and conscientious
critic will not infrequently stand really behind the picture he is
considering before he delivers a final pronouncement。 Not until these
native artists are able to regard their crude attempts from the other
side of the canvas can they hope to become equally proficient。 To this
fatal shortcoming must be added that of insatiable ambition； which
prompts the young to the portrayal of widely differing subjects。 Into
the picture…room of one who might thus be described this person was
recently conducted； to pass an opinion upon a scene in which were
depicted seven men of varying nationalities and appropriately garbed；
one of the opposing sex carrying a lighted torch； an elephant
reclining beneath a fruitful vine； and the President of a Republic。
For a period this person resisted the efforts of those who would have
questioned him； withdrawing their attention to the harmonious lights
upon the river mist floating far below； but presently； being
definitely called upon； he replied as follows： 〃Mih Ying； who was
perhaps the greatest of his time； spent his whole life in painting
green and yellow beetles in the act of concealing themselves beneath
dead maple leaves upon the approach of day。 At the age of seventy…five
he burst into tears； and upon being approached for a cause he
exclaimed； 'Alas； if only this person had resisted the temptation to
be diffuse； and had confined himself to green beetles alone； he might
now； instead of contemplating a misspent career； have been really
great。' How much less；〃 I continued； 〃can a person of immature
moustaches hope to depict two such conflicting objects as a recumbent
elephant and the President of a Republic standing beneath a banner？〃
Upon the temptation to deal critically with the religious instincts of
the islanders this person draws an obliterating brush。 As practically
every traveller who has honoured our unattractive land with his
effusive presence has subsequently left it in a printed record that
our ceremonies are grotesque； our priesthood ignorant and depraved；
our monasteries and sacred places spots of plague upon an otherwise
flower…adorned landscape； and our beliefs and sacrifices only worthy
to exist for the purpose of being made into jest…origins by more
refined communities； the omission on this one's part may appear
uncivil and perhaps even intentionally discourteous。 To this； as a
burner of joss…sticks and an irregular person； he can only reply by a
deprecatory waving of both hands and a reassuring smile。
With the two…sided memories of many other details hanging thickly
around his brush； it would not be an achievement to continue to a
practically inexhaustible amount。 As of the set days when certain
things are observed； among which fall the first of the fourth month
（but that would disclose another involvement）； another when flat cakes
are partaken of without due caution； another when rounder cakes are
even more incautiously consumed； and that most brightly…illuminated of
all when it is permissible to embrace maidens openly； and if
discreetly accomplished with no overhanging fear of ensuing forms of
law； beneath the emblem of a suspended branch； in memory of the wisdom
of certain venerable sages who were doubtless expert in the practice。
As of the inconvenient custom when two persons are walking together
that they should arrange themselves side by side； to the obvious
discomfort of others； the sweeping away of all opportunities for
agreeable politeness； and the utter disregard of the time…honoured
example of the sagacious water…fowl。 As of the inconsistency of
refusing； even with contempt； to receive our most intimate form of
regard and use this person's lip…cloth after a feast； yet the mulish
eagerness in that same youth to drink from a cup previously used by a
lesser one。 As of the precision （which still remains a cloud of
doubt；） with which creatures so intractable as the bull are
successfully trained to roar aloud at certain gong…strokes of the day
as an agreed signal。 As of the streets in movement； the lights at
evening； and the voices of those unseen。 As of these and as of other
matters； so multitudinous that they crowd about this person's mind
like the assembling swallows； circling above the deserted millet
fields before they turn their be
