CHINA. 1751. 281 



Le Comte gives the following account of 

 that which happened to himfelf : " I once 

 " was called to baptize a tick man 70 years 

 u old, who lived upon a little pennon, which. 

 u the emperor bellowed on him. When I 

 " came to him, he faid, I am much obliged to 

 {< you, for you will deliver me from a great 

 " punifliment. I replied, This is not all ; bap- 

 " tifm not only delivers a man from hell, but 

 " it alfo leads to a happy life. I do not un- 

 * derftand you, faid the fick man, and per- 

 " haps I have not expreffed myfelf plain 

 " enough : you know, chat I have for feme 

 " time lived upon the emperor's bounty ; and 

 " our bonzes, who are well inftru&ed conceni- 

 " ing what happens in the other world, have 

 " aflured me, that I (hall be obliged out of 

 " gratitude to ferve the emperor after my de- 

 u ceafe ; and that my foul will undoubtedly 

 " animate a poft-horfe, to bring the ports to 

 " court out of the provinces. They exhort 

 " me, therefore, when I (hall have affumed 

 " my new form, to do my duty well, and take 

 '* care not to fnort, nor to kick, nor hurt any 

 " one. They further exhort me to trot well, 

 <c to eat fparingly, and to be patient, in order 

 if to move the companion of the gods, who 



" often 



