Note 62 — VIII. MISS CHIAO-NO.

More or less proficiency in the art of poetry is an absolutely essential qualification for all who present themselves at the great competitive tests by which successful candidates are admitted to Chinese official life. [See Appendix A.] The following anecdote is given by the London correspondent of the Leeds Mercury:—

“The new Chinese ambassador in this country is a man of considerable literary ability, and perhaps one of the few diplomatists since the days of Matthew Prior (Lord Lytton alone excepted) who has achieved distinction as a poet. Shortly after his arrival in this country, he expressed a wish to become acquainted with the principal English poets, and as Mr. Browning is more accessible and more a man of the world than the Poet Laureate, an arrangement was made the other day by which the two should be brought in contact with one another. After the mutual courtesies, Mr. Browning having learnt that His Excellency was also a poet, expressed a desire to know how much he had published. “Only three or four volumes,” was the reply, through the interpreter. “Then,” said Mr. Browning, “I am a greater offender than His Excellency, and unequal to him in self-restraint. What kind of poetry does His Excellency write: pastoral, humorous, epic or what?” There was a pause for a short time. At length the interpreter said that His Excellency thought his poetry would be better described as the “enigmatic.” “Surely,” replied Mr. Browning, “there ought then to be the deepest sympathy between us, for that is just the criticism which is brought against my own works; and I believe it to be a just one.”” return to text