Letters of Note has a form letter from the 9th century found in western China produced by the Dunhuang Bureau of Etiquette. They had insisted officials issue letters of apology to dinner hosts after any embarrassing drunken escapades. The offender was supposed to recopy the characters in their own hand while inserting the recipient's name. The translation:
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Yesterday, having drunk too much, I was intoxicated as to pass all bounds; but none of the rude and coarse language I used was uttered in a conscious state. The next morning, after hearing others speak on the subject, I realised what had happened, whereupon I was overwhelmed with confusion and ready to sink into the earth with shame.
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It's such a captivating, important, seminal letter of note, and should be disseminated for its uniqueness, and its beautiful prose.
What happened there?
...Sang a certain singer....
9th century....?
From the then 'Dunhuang Bureau of Etiquette'...?
....NOT.... I'd say.
:lol: