This diversion [dancing on the tightrope] is only practised by those people who are candidates for great employments, and high favour, at court... 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. Very often the chief ministers themselves are commanded to show their skill, and to convince the emperor that they have not lost their faculty. Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to... Read More