I had now made a good progress in understanding and speaking their language.
The emperor had a mind, one day, to entertain me with one of the country shows, wherein they exceed all nations I have known, both for dexterity and magnificence.

I was diverted with none so much as that of the rope-dancers, performed upon a slender white thread, extended about two feet, and twelve inches from the ground.

Upon which I shall desire liberty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a little.
[Illustration] This diversion is only practised by those persons who are candidates for great employments and high favor at court.

They are trained in this art from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal education.

When a great office is vacant, either by death or disgrace (which often happens) five or six of those candidates petition the emperor to entertain his majesty, and the court, with a dance on the rope, and whoever jumps the highest, without falling, succeeds in the office.