481 



assembly, uuLil such time as he declares that their 

 prayers are answered. The ashes, after having 

 been worshipped, are removed in order to be 

 placed in the house upon the return of the pro- 

 Gessi*)o, which lakes place about three or four 

 o'clock hi the after noon. 



During the foregoing ceremonyi meals and 

 sweetmeats are placed before tlie ashes. After 

 the spiriiual portion has l>een, as tliey suppose, 

 consumed by the deceased the relatives devour 

 these viands, whilst crackers* at e let off, and red 

 and quick siUered paper burnt io profusion* The 

 grave is then filled up, and the party adjourns 

 for the purpose of refreshment to an uliap shed 

 erected in the neighhorhood until the time fixed 

 for returning home arrives. 



Meanwhile, the people, who have remained in 

 the hou.<ie of the deceased, have been busily em* 

 ployed in constructing a model of a Chhiese house, 

 the framework of which is, in general, composed 

 of split bamboo, covered with various coloured 

 paper. This is placed in the principal room of 

 the house, with a- white curtain hung before it, 

 which is drawn on each side on the return of the 

 procession with the ashes. These hist are depo- 

 sited inside the paper house, and immetlijttely 

 over tliem in the interior is introduced a repre- 

 sentation of the deceased clothed in white, and 

 in a recUning posture. The two images, which 

 have accompanied the ashes from the tomb, are 

 placed in front of the liouse, in which, of course, 

 the spirit is now supposed to be. 



ftbout ivr'olucUes in len%th whicU til fttrung uponqnick umtcb, afiuid' 

 N 2 



