CEREMONY OF PROSTRATION. 
355 
had so manured the courts of the temple during the night, it was with great 
difficulty we could find an uncovered spot to tread on, or bear the strong 
effluvia which exhaled from the rich deposit. 
The trackers have a song which they call tseen-foo-ko, which they chaunt 
to inspirit them, and give unison to their efforts. The greater part of it is 
merely the tone of exertion, interspersed with a few expressions, alluding to 
the country they are passing, and the place to which they look as the end 
of their toils. One person repeats the sentences, which have meaning, and 
the whole join in a chorus, hei-o, Wo-to-hei-o, the import of which appears 
to be, ‘ pull away, let us pull away. Mr. Morrison requested a man to 
write down a tracker’s song and it closed by holding out the hope of a 
breakfast when they reached Teen-tsin.” 
Page 83. — Ceremony of Prostration. 
The ceremony performed by the Chinese at Tien-sing, and required by 
them of the British Ambassador, was the san-kwei-kew-kow, or the kotow, 
nine times repeated. The following notice respecting the forms of respect 
at present observed in China, is taken from Mr. Morrison’s journal : — 
“ The lowest form by which respect is shown in China, at this day, is 
kung-show, that is, joining both hands, and raising them before the breast. 
The next is tso-yeh, that is, bowing low with the hands joined. The third 
is ta-tseen, bending the knee, as if about to kneel. The fourth is kwei, 
to kneel. The fifth ko-tow, kneeling and striking the head against 
the ground. The sixth sam-kow, striking the head three times against the 
earth before rising from one’s knees. The seventh lul-kow, that is, kneeling 
and striking the forehead three times, rising on the feet, kneeling down 
again, and striking the head again three times against the earth. The climax 
is closed by the san-kwei-kew-kow, kneeling three different times, and at 
each time knocking the head thrice against the ground. 
“ Some of the gods of China are entitled only to the sam-kow, others to 
the lul-kow ; the Tien (Heaven) and the Emperor, are worshipped by the 
san-kwei-kew-kow.” 
Page 95. — Visit of the Ambassador to the Imperial Commissioners, at Tung-choiv. 
The following interesting account of the interview of Lord Amherst with 
the imperial commissioners, is from the pen of Mr. Morrison : — 
“ The party finally arrived at the Heo-yuen, or Literary Hall, of Tung 
z z 2 
