t'KftTlVALS. 



didl v-drease^l boy of five or six years oM. The other 

 man holds out a spear in a slanting position, on the 

 sharp edge of which another hoy seem-* fo stand self- 

 supported* but who is in reality kept in his position 

 by iron rods. The Madras exhibitor was therefore 

 no discoverer. 



When the elligy or U>k-mn fen l>^ i dep »-i«e...l in 

 llie Kwan-yhi-meaUi another of Kwantwyai a dei- 

 fied mortal also, is conveyed thither with the sains 

 ceremonies. 



On the Lull of tins month, the peuates, or huuseholil 

 «*uurdian spirits, art* honored by otlertugs of food and 

 fruits. The animal pfOpet*itjfli of the Chinese are 

 strongly exemplified in the nature of their offerings, 

 and flieir fanciful belief that spirits carry their gro*- 

 ser passions and capabilities of in. lulling these, along: 

 w ith them to BwAa, the Chinese hades. The Sizzle 

 is one of the 72 region* inferior to the earth, Time 

 are, according to Chinese cosmogony, thirty-six re- 

 gions superior to, that is, above, the earth. The Sin- 

 ni;se have only ihe water under the earth, and 

 twenty-one regions superior to, or above it. 



These pemites are pourtrayed by pictures or images, 

 nnd the latter are always put up in the most con- 

 spicuous part of the house. 



The ceremonies conclude with the exhibition of 

 painted lanterns, fire-works, and the invariahle feast 

 of good tilings ; for in this particular instance the Chi- 

 nese are counter-parts of John Bull ; and wUely con- 

 sider that no affair cat) be successful without a dinner, 

 preceding or following ir. 



The temples, on (he night succeeding the nh »ve 

 day, are thronged with person., of all ages, and Intli 

 sexes — far the Chinese do not here immure Ihefr wo. 

 men. Pai and Pooee are two extern*! acts of adorn-, 

 lion performed before the iimges in th< temples. 



