CHAPTER XXXVII
ETHICS
Peculiar customs—Formalities of surrender—A number of instances of succession rules—Status of wives-Cases where the Emperor himself breaks the rules—Instances of irregular succession in various states—Customs of war—Cutting off the left ear as trophy—Rewards for heads—Principles of facing north and south— Turning towards Mecca—Left and Right princes—Modern instances of official seating—North and south facing houses—Chivalrous rules about mourning—Funeral missions—The feudal yearnings of Confucius explained—Respect even of barbarians for mourning—Many other quaint instances of funeral and mourning rules—Promises made to a dying non compos of no avail—Mencius and the diplomatists.