2%6 OSBECK'S VOYAGE, 



The Roman catholics have, by means of the 

 jefuits and other learned men, converted many 

 Cbinefe to their faith ; but are now expelled the 

 country, after having experienced the viciffi- 

 tudes of favour and perfecution ; all except 

 thofe who were allowed to flay in the empire 

 (though not at court) in order to teach mathe- 

 matics, and are, it is faid, only about 20 m 

 number. Others hide themfelves in defarts, or 

 in diflant villages, waiting for the recovery of 

 the liberty of teaching their doctrine. 



The Cbinefe priefts, who in their language 

 are called Wo-aw-fiong, pay their morning and 

 evening worfhip in thofe idol temples which 

 we call Pagodas. They are daily clothed in 

 grey coats reaching down to their feet, with 

 very wide fleeves. About their necks they wear 

 a large firing of beads. Their heads are every 

 where fhaved. In this drefs they appear at 

 the above places by hundreds, and go in pairs, 

 one after another, feveral times round the 

 altar, at which they fometimes flop, and with 

 a low voice repeat their fervice, which they call 

 Wo-aw-fiong-lam-k'ing • at which they fome- 

 times fold their hands, and fometimes hold 

 them up to heaven. This they continue for 



a IV 



