4sa 



On the return of the procession, tbe eulogy of 

 the deceased, which is generally written in gold* 

 en characters, and which was carried before the 

 cofHn, is placed on one side of Hie room, whilst 

 the priests drive a nail into the opposite wall 

 in order to prevent the spirits of the deceased 

 Irom secretly departing to Hades» The son, or 

 grandson, who obtains possession of i\m, is sup- 

 posed to secure great happiness. At this time 

 too recourse is had in the temples to enquiring 

 the will of the deceased, or of the gods, by means 

 of the keoon-pti, or throwing up two oval pieces 

 of wood, with a hole cut in the centre. This is 

 done three times, and should the smooth side 

 fall uppermost the oftenest in the trial, the cir- 

 cumstance is supposed to denote a propitious an- 

 swer. Should the contrary happen, the process 

 is generally repeated, until successful.* 



Amongst the Chinese handicrafts, there is a 

 class of person's who are very ingenious model- 

 lers. The heir sends for one of these, and in- 

 atructs liim to make a faithful model of the house 

 of the deceased, in which every thing, such as 

 the number of male and female relatives and do- 

 mestics — pigs—poultry— furniture — pictures &c ; 

 must be curiousfy exact, as otherwise the spirit, 

 not being able to recogni.se it, would be disquieted 

 in its grave. 



Handbills are pasted op in different parts of the 

 town towards the conclusion of the mourning, 

 announcing that on such a day the fatnily design 

 to finish the ceremony, or» as it is expressed in 

 Blalayese, ifiilii^ which literally meauH to turn. 



• Indo Cliioeic Gkancr, \qU III, p. 130. 



