188 RELIGIOUS SECTS OF THE CHINESE. ([Cnar. X. 
There are two other sects in China, namely, the 
followers of Kong-foo-tze or Confucius, and the 
sect of Taow or Reason. Although these three 
sects form the principal part of the population, it 
is well known that there are a great number of 
Mohommedans in every part of the empire, who are 
not only tolerated, but admitted to offices under 
government in the same manner as the members of 
the three established sects. Jews also are found 
in several districts, but more particularly at a 
place called Kae-foong-foo, in the province of 
Honan. 
The various religious ceremonies which the 
Chinese are continually performing prove at least 
that they are very superstitious. In all the 
southern towns every house has its temple or altar 
both inside and outside. The altar in the inside 
is generally placed at the end of the principal hall 
or shop, as the case may be, raised a few feet from 
the ground, and having some kind of representation 
of the family deity placed upon it. This is sur- 
rounded with gaudy tinsel paper, and on the first 
of the Chinese month or other high days candles 
and incense are burned on the table which is placed 
in front of it. The altar on the outside of the door 
resembles a little furnace, in which the same cere- 
monies are regularly performed. In the vicinity 
of small villages, and sometimes in the most retired 
situations, the stranger meets with little joss- 
houses or temples, gaudily decorated with paint- 
ings and tinsel paper, and stuck round about with 
