forwards towards
the front bar of his carriage; in the same manner he would also salute
the bearer of a census-register.

When a sumptuous banquet was spread before him, a different expression
would be sure to appear in his features, and he would rise up from his
seat.

At a sudden thunder-clap, or when the wind grew furious, his look
would also invariably be changed.

On getting into his car, he would never fail (first) to stand up
erect, holding on by the strap. When in the car, he would never look
about, nor speak hastily, nor bring one hand to the other.

"Let one but make a movement in his face,
And the bird will rise and seek some safer place."

Apropos of this, he said, "Here is a hen-pheasant from Shan Liang--and
in season! and in season!" After Tsz-lu had got it prepared, he smelt
it thrice, and then rose up from his seat.

[Footnote 22: Because, it is said, such colors were adopted in fasting
and mourning.]

[Footnote 23: Because they did not belong to the five correct colors
(viz. green, yellow, carnation, white, and black), and were affected
more by females.]

[Footnote 24: Since white was, as it is still, the mourning color.]

[Footnote 25: The act of "grace," before eating.]

BOOK XI

_Comparative Worth of His Disciples_

"The first to make progress in the Proprieties and in Music," said the
Master, "are plain countrymen; after them, the men of higher standing.
If I had to employ any of them, I should stand by the former."

"Of those," said he, "who were about me when I was in the Ch[']in and
Ts[']ai States, not one now is left to approach my door."

"As for Hwui,"[26] said the Master, "he is not one to help me on:
there is nothing I say but he is not well satisfied with."

"What a dutiful son was Min Tsz-k[']ien!" he exclaimed. "No one finds
occasion to differ from what his parents and brothers have said of
him."

Nan Yung used to repeat three times over the lines in the Odes about
the white sceptre. Confucius caused his own elder brother's daughter
to be given in marriage to him.

When Ki K[']ang inquired which of the disciples were fond of learning,
Confucius answered him, "There was one Yen Hwui who was fond of it;
but unfortunately his allotted time was short, and he died; and now
his like is not to be found."

When Yen Yuen died, his father, Yen Lu, begged for the Master's
carriage in order to get a shell for his coffin. "Ability or no
ability," said the Maste