[36] Probably of felt or some such material, to prevent the young lady from slipping as she stood, not sat, in the swing.
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[37] A rebel chieftain of the legendary period of China’s history, who took up arms against the Emperor Huang Ti (B.C. 2697–2597), but was subsequently defeated in what was perhaps the first decisive battle of the world.
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[38] This favourite process consists in gently thumping the person operated upon all over the back with the soft part of the closed fists. Compare Lane, Arabian Nights, Vol. I., p. 551:—“She then pressed me to her bosom, and laid me on the bed, and continued gently kneading my limbs until slumber overcame me.”
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[39] See No. LVI., [note 315]. A considerable number of the attendants there mentioned would accompany any high official, some in the same, the rest in another barge.
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[40] Generally known as the “cut-wave God.”
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[41] At all great banquets in China a theatrical troupe is engaged to perform while the dinner, which may last from four to six hours, drags its slow length along.
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[42] See No. LIV., [note 292].
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[43] The name of a celebrated beauty.
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[44] In this favourite pastime of the literati in China the important point is that each word in the second line should be a due and proper antithesis of the word in the first line to which it corresponds.
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[45] See No. LXII., [note 349].
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