156 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. IX. 
house was set in order, a large table was placed in the 
centre, and shortly afterwards covered with small dishes 
filled with the various articles commonly used as food 
by the Chinese. All these were of the very best 
description which could be procured. After a certain 
time had elapsed a number of candles were lighted, and 
columns of smoke and fragrant odours began to rise 
from the incense which was burning on the table. All 
the inmates of the house and their friends were clad in 
their best attire, and in turn came to Jw-tou, or bow 
lowly and repeatedly in front of the table and the altar. 
The scene, although it was an idolatrous one, seemed to 
me to have something very impressive about it ; and 
whilst I pitied the delusion of our host and his friends, 
I could not but admire their devotion. In a short time 
after this ceremony was completed a large quantity of 
tinsel paper, made up in the form and shape of the 
ingots of Sycee silver common in China, was heaped on 
the floor in front of the tables, the burning incense was 
then taken from the table and placed in the midst of it, 
and the whole consumed together. By and by, when 
the gods were supposed to have finished their repast, 
all the articles of food were removed from the tables, 
cut up, and consumed by people connected with the 
family. 
On another occasion, when at Ning-po, having been 
out some distance in the country, it was night and dark 
before I reached the east gate of the city, near which I 
was lodged in the house of a Chinese merchant. The city 
gates were closed, but two or three loud knocks soon 
brought the warder, who instantly admitted me. I was 
