148 



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The new members are now led without the West-gate, where a furnace is burning. ( J ) The 



written oath is thrown on the fire and burned, as it is believed that the oath will, in 

 tlüs way, reach the Gods who will punish the perjurer. 



The president now gives to each member a print of the small diploma on linen, where- 

 by this quatrain is pronounced, which is also reproduced upon the diploma: ( 2 ) 



The five men divided a piece of poetry; 

 Nobody knows that the heroes of Hung have it about them; 

 Since this has been perpetuated amongst all the brethern, 

 They can recognize each other, when meeting again. 



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Their names are written on the back of this diploma, but again in a mysterious manner, 

 that other people may not recognize it: as, for example, the name Hü-siang ( 3 ) is analysed and 

 written: Yen-wu-a-nung . ( 4 ) 



The members are enjoined to wear this diploma upon their person, as a safeguard against 

 pirates or robbers of the league. The book, containing the oath, laws, regulations, secret 

 signs, etc, etc, is, also, given to them, 



Sometimes, too, a pair of poniards, called, in the slang of the league, // Bridge-planks" ( 5 ), 

 are given to them. They are easily concealed in the long and wide sleeves of the Chinese 

 dress, and are to be used on occasion. 



For all these things the new member pays a sum of 600 cash (nearly two rupees), as: 



360 cash for making clothes (the book with the laws, etc); 



108 cash for the purse (diploma); 

 72 cash for instruction (the oath); 



36 cash for decapitating the traitorous mijeet (the white cock); 

 21 cash for buying fruits; ( 6 ) 



C) Seepag. 110. ( 2 ) See pag. 29. ( 3 ) gS 



( 4 ) 9 ^ 35 3Ë ( 5 ) 1t M ( 6 ) See P a §- 84 > Q- i87-i9o. 



