Chap. VIII. 



FUNEKAL PEOCESSION. 



155 



among the last of tlie sorrowful procession. Look- 

 ing into the court and hall, I found that the 

 sacrifices had been entirely removed, the tables 

 were bare, not a morsel of any kind remained, and 

 it seemed as if the gods had been satisfied with 

 their repast. The silver ingots, too, and the nu- 

 merous gaudily-painted dresses which had been pre- 

 sented as an offering, were smouldering in a corner 

 of the court, having been consumed by holy fire. 



As the funeral procession proceeded slowly down, 

 inside the covered pathway adjoining the temple, 

 the large bell tolled in slow and measured tones, 

 rockets were fired now and then, and numerous 

 priests joined in as we went along. Having 

 reached the last temple of the range, the body was 

 deposited on two stools in front of one of the huge 

 images, and, China-like, before proceeding further, 

 all went home to breakfast. This important busi- 

 ness finished, the assembly met again in the temple, 

 and performed a short service, while the coolies 

 were busily employed in adjusting the ropes by 

 which they carried the coffin. All being ready, 

 two men went outside the temple and fired three 

 rockets, and then the procession started. First 

 went two boys, carrying small flags on bamboo 

 poles, then came two men beating brass gongs, 

 and then came the chief mourner, dressed in white, 

 and carrying on a small table two candles which 

 were burning, some incense, and the monumental 

 tablet. After the chief mourner came the coffin, 

 followed by the young priests of the house to which 



