480 



sock and white bands, with a square black cap, 

 somewbat similar to that of a collegian, Wbilst 

 the procession is moving towards the Bukit Ckmf, 

 or Chinese burial hills, a |>erson precedes the cof- 

 fin, scatterings the red and quicksilvered paper 

 profusely right and left as money for the use of the 

 spirit in eternity. The grave has been previously 

 dug, the Sifigsth having carefully ascertained be- 

 forehand by means of a pocket compass the precise 

 position of the sun in the heavens : there appears 

 to be no particular reason for this mummery be- 

 yond the desire to impose upon the credulity of 

 the people, as the very priests, when pressed up- 

 on the subject take refuge in dogged ^taciturnity, 

 contenting themselves with briefly replying that 

 this is a sacred mystery revealed only to the Sing- 

 seh. 



The coffin is now eav eloped in several folds of 

 coarse paper, in order to defend it from injury by 

 the clay, and it is then carefully deposited in the 

 grave. Two images, to which the same names 

 have been given as to their piedeccivsors, but veil- 

 ed from head to foot arid considerably superior 

 in size, are placed on each side of the tomb, thet 

 one provided with a ve^ssel for holding water, and 

 the other with a napkin or toweU After having 

 received similar injunctions with the others to at- 

 tend to the wants of the deceased, they are re- 

 moved, and the chief mourner approaches with 

 the ashes, into which he conjures the priest to 

 cause the i^pirit to enter. The latter according- 

 ly enters the tomb, bearing several bells, which 

 he jingles, and prays with a loud and dismal 

 voice, in which exercise he is joined by the whole 



