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BOOK XV. SHẢO I
OR
SMALLER RULES OF DEMEANOUR".
1. I have heard the following things): When one wished to see for the first time another of character and position, his language was, ' I, so and so, earnestly wish my name to be reported to the officer of communication?' He could not go up the steps directly to the host. If the visitor were of equal rank with the host, he said, 'I, so and so, earnestly wish to see him.' If he were an infrequent visitor, he asked his name to be reported. If he were a frequent visitor, he added, 'this morning or evening. If he were blinds, he asked his name to be reported.
2. If it were on an occasion of mourning, the visitor said he had come as a servant and helper; if he were a youth, that he had come to perform whatever might be required of him. If the visit were at the mourning rites for a ruler or high minister, the language was, 'I am come to be employed by the chief minister of the household
See the introductory notice, vol. xxvii, pages 31, 32. • The visitor did not dare to send even a message directly to the master of the establishment where he was calling.
That is, an officer of music, high or low. • The name of the minister here is generally translated by • Minister of Instruction.' But that can hardly be its meaning here; and there were officers so called also in the establishments of Great officers; see vol. xxvii, page 154, paragraph 20.
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