the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第13节
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you are getting on very nicely； Mr。 Kong； and one does not look for
absolute conformance from a foreignerespecially one who is so
extremely foreign。 If I can help you with anythingof course I could not
even speak as I have done to an ordinary stranger； but with one of a distant
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race it seems differentif I can tell you anything that will save you〃
〃You are all…exalted；〃 I replied； with seemly humility； 〃and virtue and
wisdom press out your temples on either side。 Certainly； since I have
learned that the heart is so poetically regarded； I have been assailed by a
fear lest other organs which I have hitherto despised might be used in a
similar way。 Now； as regards liver〃
〃It is only used with bacon；〃 replied the maiden； rising abruptly。
〃Kidneys？〃 suggested this person diffidently； really anxious to detain
her footsteps； although from her expression it did not rest assured that the
incident was taking an actually auspicious movement。
〃I don't think you need speak of those except at breakfast；〃 she said；
〃but I hear the others returning； and I must really go to dress for dinner。〃
Among the barbarians many keep books wherein to inscribe their deep
and beautiful thoughts。 This person had therefore provided himself with
one also； and； drawing it forth； he now added to a page of many other
interesting compositions： 〃Maidens of immaculate refinement do not
hesitate to admit before a person of a different sex that they are on the
point of changing their robes。 The liver is in some intricate way an
emblem representing bacon； or together with it the two stand for a widely
differing analogy。 Among those of the highest exclusiveness kidneys are
never alluded to after the tenth gong…stroke of the morning。〃
With a sincerely ingrained trust that the scenes of dignity； opulence；
and wisdom； set forth in these superficial letters； are not unsettling your
intellect and causing you to yearn for a fuller existence。
KONG HO。
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LETTER VI
Concerning this person's well…sustained efforts to discover further
demons。 The behaviour of those invoked on two occasions。
VENERATED SIRE；In an early letter I made some reference to a
variety of demon invoked by certain of the barbarians。 As this matter
aroused your congenial interest； I have since privately bent my mind
incessantly to the discovery of others； but this has been by no means easy；
for； touching the more intimate details of the subject； the barbarians
frequently maintain a narrow…minded suspicion。 Many whom I have
approached feign to become amused or have evaded a deliberate answer
under the subterfuge of a jest； yet； whenever I would have lurked by night
in their temples or among the enclosed spaces of their tombs to learn more；
at a given signal one in authority has approached me with anxiety and
mistrust engraved upon his features； and； disregarding my unassuming
protest that I would remain alone in a contemplative reverie； has signified
that so devout an exercise is contrary to their written law。
On one occasion only did this person seem to hold himself poised on
the very edge of a fuller enlightenment。 This was when； in the venerable
company of several benevolent persons； he was being taken from place to
place to see the more important buildings； and to observe the societies of
artificers labouring at their crafts。 The greater part of the day had already
been spent in visiting temples； open spaces reserved to children and those
whose speech； appearance； and general manner of behaving make it
desirable that they should be set apart from the contact of the
impressionable； halls containing relics and emblems of the past； places of
no particular size or attraction but described as being of unparalleled
historic interest； and the stalls of the more reputable venders of
merchandise。
Doubtless； with observing so many details of a conflicting nature； this
person's discriminating faculties had become obscured； but towards
evening he certainly understood that we sought the company of an
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assembly of those who had been selected from all the Empire to
pronounce definitely upon matters of supreme import。 The building before
which our chariot stopped had every appearance of being worthy of so
exceptional a gathering； and with a most affluent joy that I should at last
be able to glean a decisive pronouncement； I evaded those who had
accompanied me； and； mingling self…reliantly with the throng inside； I
quickly surrounded myself with many of the wisest…looking； and begged
that they would open their heads freely and express their innermost
opinions upon the subject of demons of all kinds。
Although I had admittedly hoped that these persons would not conceal
themselves behind the wings of epigram or intangible prevarication； I was
far from being prepared for the candour with which they greeted me； and
although by long usage I am reasonably unconcerned at the proximity of
any of our own recognised genii； it is not to be denied that my organs of
ferocity grew small and unstable at the revelations。
From their words it appeared that the spot on which we stood had long
been the recognised centre and meeting…place for every class of abandoned
and objectionable spirit of the universe。 Not only this； but several of the
persons who had gathered around were confidently pointed out as the
earthly embodiment of various diabolical Forces； while others cheerfully
admitted that they themselves were the shadows of certain illustrious ones
who had long Passed Above； and all united in declaring that those who
moved among them wearing the distinction of a dark blue uniform were
Evil Beings of a most ghoulish and repulsive type。 Indeed； as I looked
more closely； I could see that not only those pointed out； but all standing
around； had expressions immeasurably more in keeping with a band of
outcast spirits than suggestive of an assembly representing wisdom and
dignified ease。 At that moment； however； a most inelegant movement was
caused by one suddenly declaring that he had recognised this one who is
inscribing his experiences to be the apparition of a certain great reformer
who during the period of his ordinary existence had received the name of
Guy Fawkes； and amid a tumult of overwhelming acclamation a proposal
was raised that I should be carried around in triumph and afterwards
initiated into the observance of a time…honoured custom。 Although it had
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now become doubtful to what end the adventure was really tending； this
person would have submitted himself agreeably to the participation had
not the blue…apparelled band cleft their way into the throng just as I was
about to be borne off in triumph； and forming themselves into a ringed
barrier around me they presently succeeded in rearranging the contending
elements and in restoring me to the society of my friends。 To these persons
they complained with somewhat unreasoning acrimony that I had been
exciting the inmates into a state of rebellion with wild imaginings； and for
the first time I then began to understand that an important error had been
perpetrated by some one； and that instead of being a meeting…place for
those upholding the wisdom and authority of the country； the building was
in reality an establishment for the mentally defective and those of
treacherous instincts。
For some time after this occurrence I failed to
