266 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XVII. 
While this was going on the other priests were still 
chanting the service. The time of the music frequently 
changed : — now it was fast and lively, — now slow and 
solemn, — but always in a plaintive key. This part of 
the service being ended, all knelt lowly before the altar, 
and when they rose from their knees a procession was 
formed. The priests on the right of the altar filed off to 
the right, and those on the left to the left, each walking 
behind the other up the two sides of the spacious hall, 
and chanting as they went a low and solemn air, time 
being kept by the tinkling of a small bell. When the 
two processions met at the farther end of the building, 
each wheeled round and returned in the same order as 
it came. The procession lasted for about five minutes, 
and then the priests took up their stations in front of the 
altar, and the chanting went on as before. A minute or 
two after this the whole body fell upon their knees, and 
sang for a while in this posture. When they rose, those 
on the left sang a part of the service by themselves, 
then knelt down. The right side now took up the chant, 
and, having performed their part, also knelt down. The 
left side rose again, and so they went on for ten minutes, 
prostrating themselves alternately before the altar. The 
remainder of the service was nearly the same as that at 
the commencement. 
This striking ceremony had now lasted for about an 
hour. During the whole time a thick screen had been 
hanging down in front of the large door, to keep out the 
sun's rays. J ust before the conclusion of the service the 
curtain was drawn aside, and a most striking and curious 
