all, of these have been published. The style is easy, very unlike that of the P*ing Shan Leng Yen, a well- known novel in what would be called a high-class literary style, being largely made up of stilted dialogue and over-elaborated verse composed at the slightest provocation by the various characters in the story. These were P'ing and Yen, two young students in love with Shan and Leng, two young poetesses who charmed even more by their literary talent than by their fascinat- ing beauty. On one occasion a pretended poet, named Sung, who was a suitor for the hand of Miss Leng, had been entertained by her uncle, and after dinner the party wandered about in the garden. Miss Leng was summoned, and when writing materials had been pro- duced, as usual on such occasions, Mr. Sung was asked to favour the company with a sonnet. " Excuse me," he replied, " but I have taken rather too much wine for verse-making just now." "Why," rejoined Miss Leng, " it was after a gallon of wine that Li Po dashed off a hundred sonnets, and so gained a name which will live for a thousand generations." " Of course I could compose," said Mr. Sung, " even after drinking, but I might become coarse. It is better to be fasting, and to feel quite clear in the head. Then the style is more finished, and the verse more pleasing." "Ts'ao Chih," retorted Miss Leng, "composed a sonnet while taking only seven steps, and his fame will be remembered for ever. Surely occasion has nothing to do with the matter." In the midst of Mr. Sung's confusion, the uncle proposed that the former should set a theme for Miss Leng instead, to which he consented, and on looking about him caught sight through the open window of a paper kite, which he forthwith suggested, hoping in his heart to completely
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