previous to which the right hand was the place of honour.

Finally, when the guest takes his leave, it is proper to escort him back
to the front door. That, at any rate, is sufficient, though it is not
unusual to accompany a guest some part of his return journey. In fact,
the Chinese proverb says, "If you escort a man at all, escort him all
the way." This, however, is rhetorical rather than practical, somewhat
after the style of another well-known Chinese proverb, "If you bow at
all, bow low."

A Chinese invitation to dinner differs somewhat from a similar
compliment in the West. You will receive a red envelope containing a
red card,--red being the colour associated with festivity,--on which
it is stated that by noon on a given day the floor will be swept, the
wine-cups washed, and your host in waiting to meet your chariot. Later
on, a second invitation will arrive, couched in the same terms; and
again another on the day of the banquet, asking you to be punctual to
the minute. To this you pay no attention, but make preparations to
arrive about 4 P.M., previous to which another and more urgent summons
may very possibly have been sent. All this is conventional, and the
guests assemble at the same hour, to separate about 9 P.M.

Women take no part in Chinese social entertainments except among their
own sex. It is not even permissible to enquire after the wife of one's
host. Her very existence is ignored. A man will talk with pleasure about
his children, especially if his quiver is well stocked with boys.

In this connection I may say that the position of women in China still
seems to be very widely misunderstood. Not only that, but a very
frightful crime is alleged against the Chinese people as a common
practice in everyday life, which, if not actually approved, meets
everywhere with toleration.

I allude to the charge of infanticide, confined of course to girls, for
it has not often been suggested that Chinese parents do away with such a
valuable asset as a boy.

Miss Gordon Cumming, the traveller, in her _Wanderings in China_, has
the following impassioned paragraph in reference to her visit to
Ningpo:--

"The delicate fragrance (of the roses and honeysuckle), alas! cannot
overpower the appalling odours which here and there assail us, poisoning
the freshness of the evening breezes.

"These are wafted from the Baby Towers, two of which we had to pass.
These are square towers, with small windows, about twelve feet