His Majesty, recovering from his anger, smiled, and took the arm of his councillor to re-enter his carriage. When he had reached home empty-handed he said, “I have had a very successful day, for instead of bringing home a good bag, I have had a good lesson.”
Under the present dynasty the Court used to go out to the chase from time to time, and men of letters used to take part in these excursions. Whenever a member of the Academy of Han-Lin shot a stag, he at once received a decoration of peacock’s feathers. Since about thirty years, however, this institution has been neglected, as we have only had minors on the throne. But as the reigning sovereign has reached his majority, it is probable that before long he will return to these pleasures, which are as useful as they are agreeable.
There are no game-laws in China. Everybody has the right to shoot wherever game is to be found. It is quite usual for a landowner to see sportsmen walking about his estates with their guns on their shoulders, doing as if they were on their own lands. The golden pheasant is found in great quantities in China. It is one of the favourite pastimes of Europeans who live in China to shoot these splendid birds. Amongst other feathered game that we possess in China, I may mention woodcock, snipe, quail, wild duck, and wild goose. In the way of fur we have stags, deer, roes, rabbits, and hares; besides foxes, wolves, bears, panthers, and tigers. Imitators of Nimrod will find plenty of sport in China.
CHAPTER XVII
FISHING
If a certain number of men of letters take refuge in the pleasures of gardening, fishing also has its number of votaries. The bulk of these are men who, having lost all the illusions of life, and finding that politics are, after all, a hollow mockery, give themselves up to a quieter and less disappointing pastime.