Objects of the Hall of United Benevolence. 425 



since its foundation undergone many reforms, and at the 

 period of our visit was confining its sphere of usefulness to 

 three main objects : 1st, The pensioning aged and broken- 

 down 23ersons of both sexes, with 600 cash a month. These 

 however were not supplied with the money, but were for 

 the most part taken into the house itself, or at least supported 

 through it. 2nd, The dispensing free of charge of various so- 

 called universal medicines, for headache, stomach-complaints, 

 fever, diarrhoea, spasms during the unhealthy season (June 

 to October). On the 3rd, 8th, 13th, 18th, 23rd, and 28th of 

 each month (that is, on every date ending w^ith a 3 or an 8), 

 during tlie continuance of the sultry, damp, unhealthy season 

 there was also provided for the sick and poor, gratis, advice 

 from Chinese physicians in the great hall. 3rd, The furnishing 

 coffins for the Interment of those who died without means, 

 or on payment in part by families not altogether penniless. 

 In one of these extensive magazines we saw a coffin bearing 

 the number 1084, which was just coming Into requisition. 

 During 36 months 1000 coffins and upwards had been sup- 

 plied to poor families for the interment of their dead ! As 

 we were leaving the building, we remarked in the principal 

 apartment a large quantity of paper, partly written upon, 

 partly in shreds, all heaped up. On inquiry as to the ob- 

 ject of this collection, we were informed that it was for no 

 industrial pm-pose, but solely to be ascribed to the profound 

 respect the Chinese have for every sort of ^vrltlng. They 

 regard written leaves as positively holy, and are particularly 



