The feasting o’er, from bow, Lacquered and strong and bright, Four well-poised shafts each sends, That in the target light. The guests are ranged as they The mark have nearest hit. They shoot again; the shafts Are fairly lodged in it. Their bearing then is judged; Each takes his final place, As mild propriety Has round him thrown its grace. The long-descended king Presides and ends the feast. With spirits sweet and strong From vase he cheers each guest. And for the old he prays, While all with rapture glow, That they the wrinkled back And whitening hair may show; Striving with mutual help In virtue’s onward ways, That brightest happiness May crown their latest days.” LEGGE. PASTORAL ODE. (An industrious wife wakens her husband at early dawn.) “‘Get up, husband, here’s the day!’ ‘Not yet, wife, the dawn’s still gray.’ ‘Get up, sir, and on the right, See the morning-star shines bright. Shake off slumber, and prepare Ducks and geese to shoot and snare. All your darts and line may kill, I will dress for you with skill. Thus a blithesome hour we’ll pass, Brightened by a cheerful glass; While your lute its aid imparts, To gratify and soothe our hearts.’” LEGGE. ODE TO A BRIDE. “Gay child of Spring, the garden’s Queen Yon peach-tree charms the roving sight; Its fragrant leaves, how richly green! Its blossoms, how divinely bright! So softly smiles the blooming bride, By love and conscious virtue led, O’er her new mansion to preside, And placid joys around her spread.” SIR WILLIAM JONES. The Book of Rites prescribes rules of conduct for all occasions, from the most important down to a mere interchange of greetings. With Chinamen ceremonial is everything, and the influence which this book has exerted on manners and society for three thousand years cannot be estimated. It is still the standard of etiquette, a governing board at Pekin being charged with the duty of enforcing its rigid observance.