PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. J 97 



tice originated, but as an observer I could not help 

 noticing that the same operation is performed on the 

 heads of criminals, or of persons who are disgraced in 

 China ; and from I'Abbe Grosier it appears to be con- 

 sidered a similar disi^race in Loo Choo.* 



I endeavoured to distribute amongst the inhabitants 

 some religious books which Dr. Morrison had given 

 me in China, but there was a very great repugnance 

 among the better part of the community to suffer 

 them even to be looked into, much less to being car- 

 ried away ; and several that were secretly taken on 

 shore by the lower orders were brought back the next 

 day. However, I succeeded in disposing of a few 

 copies, and Mr. Lay, I am glad to find, was equally 

 fortunate with some which he also obtained from the 

 same gentleman. 



It has been shown, in the course of the narrative, 

 that the present manner of disposing of the dead 

 differs from that described by Pere Gaubil, who says 

 they burn the flesh of the deceased, and preserve the 

 bones. It is not improbable that the custom may 

 have changed, and that there is no mistake In the 

 statement, as there is no reason to doubt the veracity 

 of the Chinese author whom he quotes. 



They pay every possible attention and respect to 

 their departed friends by attending strictly to their 

 mourning, frequently visiting the tombs, and, for a cer- 

 tain time after the bodies are interred, in supplying the 

 cups and other vessels placed there with tea, and the 

 lamps with oil, and also by keeping the tombs ex- 

 ceedingly neat and clean. We have frequently seen 

 persons attending these lamps, and Lieutenant Wain- 

 wright noticed an old man strewing flowers and shells 

 * Description de la Cliine, vol. II. p. 143, 



