h he could
scarcely support his frame, all bespoke a man exhausted by great
excesses. We thought at first that this premature senility resulted from
an immoderate use of opium, but he informed us himself, in our very first
conversation, that it was brandy which had reduced him to this state.
Having obtained permission to quit the service, he was now about to seek,
in the bosom of his family, and by a careful and severe diet, the
restoration of his shattered health. The ambassador Ki-Chan had in fact
hurried our departure in order that we might go in company with this
Mandarin, who in his quality of Tou-Sse, was entitled to an escort of
fifteen soldiers.

Ly-Kouo-Ngan was very well instructed for a military Mandarin; the
knowledge he had of the Chinese literature, and above all, his eminently
observant character, rendered his conversation effective and full of
interest. He spoke slowly, almost in a drawling manner, but he had the
faculty of giving to his stories and general conversation a dramatic and
picturesque turn. He was very fond of philosophical and religious
discussions; he had even, he said, magnificent projects of perfection for
the time, when quiet and unembarrassed in his family, he should have
nothing to do but to play at chess with his friends, or go and see the
play. He believed neither in the Bonzes nor in the Lamas; as to the
doctrine of the Lord of Heaven, he scarcely knew what it was, and
required to be initiated in it before he embraced it. Meanwhile, all his
religion consisted in a fervent veneration for the Great Bear. He
affected aristocratic manners and exquisite polish; unfortunately, he
happened sometimes to forget himself, and to expose his altogether
plebeian origin. It is superfluous to add that his excellency the
pacificator of kingdoms, was passionately fond of silver ingots;
otherwise it would have been difficult to recognise in him a Chinese,
much less a Mandarin. Ly-Kouo-Ngan had a luxurious breakfast prepared
for us; and his table seemed to us all the finer as for two years we had
been used to live almost like savages. The habit of eating with our
fingers had nearly made us forget the use of the Chinese chop-sticks.
When we had finished, Ly-Kouo-Ngan informed us that everything was ready
for departure, but, that before setting out, it was his duty to go to the
palace of the ambassador, with his company of soldiers, to take leave.
He asked us if we would not accompany him. "By