154 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. IX. 
examining my dress and everything about me with the 
most earnest curiosity. Nor does this apply to priests 
only ; the laity, and particularly the female sex, seem 
equally sincere when they engage in their public devo- 
tions. Whether they are what they appear to be, or 
how often they are in this pious frame of mind, are 
questions which I cannot answer. Before judging 
harshly of the Chinese let the reader consider what 
effect would be produced upon the members of a 
Christian church by the unexpected entrance of a 
small-footed Chinese lady, or a mandarin, with the 
gold button and peacock feather mounted on his hat, 
and his long tail dangling over his shoulders. I am far 
from being an admirer of the Buddhist priesthood ; they 
are generally an imbecile race, and shamefully ignorant 
of everything but the simple forms of their religion, but 
nevertheless there are many traits in their character not 
unworthy of imitation. 
There are two other sects in China, namely, the fol- 
lowers of Kong-foo-tze or Confucius, and the sect of 
Taou or Reason. Although these three sects form the 
principal part of the population, it is well known that 
there are a great number of Mohammedans in every 
part of the empire, who are not only tolerated, but 
admitted to offices under government in the same 
manner as the members of the three established sects. 
J ews also are found in several districts, but more parti- 
cularly at a place called Kae-foong-foo, in the province 
of Honan. 
The various religious ceremonies which the Chinese are 
continually performing prove at least that they are very 
