rica ce tea PRIOR to the revolution, Peking was for many years the centre of the curio business in China and the home of most of the famous dealers al- and experts, for during the time of the emperors, the ministers and high officials were truly scholars and fine gentlemen, and delighted to free them= selves from the cares. of state or the rounds of political intrigue snd indulge in the contemplation of a scroll written by Some ancient caligraphist, and invite their friends to criticize a landscape painted by some artist of ote or to try and decipher some inscription ona piece of stone or a bronze vessel.
They were also connoisseurs of snuff bottles and jade thumb rings, while many of them had collections of porcelains and ancient bronsce, Tu those days when a dealer got hold of something of interest he did not advertise the fact or even exhibit it in his shop, but would show it {fo one Or two of his patrons and if they. were interested in it the two parties would begin a leisurely but one the less serious process of bargaining, and this would go on until Such atime when a happy medium was reached and an arrangement made which gave satisfaction to born sides. The purchaser would show his wow treasure to a number of his rronies and they would congratulate him on his acumen and marvel at the low price paid, while the dealer would retire to his shop and over a pipe of opium dream of the riches that the future held in store for him.
The giving of curios as presents was 1 method frequently adopted by those who wished to gain the favour of some high official o member of the went. He had a spell of prison at Monte Carlo where and while waiting trial he borrowed from his yader a sum of £15 sent by by a friend for his personal comfort, negotiate a 1000 to 15 bet against his getting five years from the judge.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.