SI-FANS, OR TOU-PANS. 71 
believe like\vise that the soul is materials but not subject to the 
touch 5 that it retains the human figure after quitting the body, and 
that when it appears to former acquaintances, which they suppose it 
to do, the wounds of one that has been murdered will then be visible* 
They are of opinion that no man will be eternally punished ; that the 
good, after several transmigrations, will enjoy a perpetual happiness ; 
but that those who are not reformed will be doomed to transmigra- 
tion to all eternity. They believe in the existence of a Supreme 
Being ; but the objects of their adoration are departed saints, whom 
they consider as mediators or intercessors for them ; and to them 
both temples and images are erected. 
The men are allowed a plurality of women ; but excepting one, who 
is a wife by contract, the others are only concubines, and their 
children deemed incapable of any legal inheritance. Previous to 
every nuptial contract, an astrologer must be consulted, who calcu- 
lates the nativity of the parties, and determines whether their union 
is likely to prove fortunate or otherwise. When his prognostication 
is favourable, the lover is permitted to visit his mistress three times, 
at the last of which interviews the relations being present, the mar^ 
riage portion is paid, when, without any religious ceremony per- 
formed, the nuptials are reckoned complete, and soon after consum- 
mated. A few days after, the talapoin visits the married couple, 
sprinkles them with water, and repeats a prayer for their prosperity. 
The Siamese were anciently famous for their skill in astronomy. 
Si-Fans, or Tou-Fans. 
These are a people inhabiting the country on the w^est of China. 
The Si-Fans are divided into two kinds of people ; the one are called 
by the Chinese, black Si-Fans, the other yellow, from the different 
colours of their tents. The black are the most clownish and wretched ; 
they live in small bodies, and are governed by petty chiefs, who all 
depend upon a greater. The yellow Si-fans are subject to a family, 
the oldest of which becomes a lama, and assumes the yellow 
dress. These lama princes, who command in their respective districts, 
have the power of trying causes and punishing criminals ; but their 
government is by no means burdensome. Provided certain honours 
are paid them, and they receive punctually the dues of the god Fo, 
which amount to very little, they molest none of their subjects. 
The greater part of the Si-fans live in tents ; but some of them 
have houses built of earth, and even brick. Their habitations are not 
contiguous ; they form at most but some small hamlets, consisting 
of five or six families. They feed a great number of flocks, and are 
in no want of the necessaries of life. The principal article of their 
trade is rhubarb, which their country produces in great abundance. 
Their horses are small, but they are W'ell-shaped, lively, and robust. 
These people are proud, and of independent spirit, and acknowledge 
with reluctance the superiority of the Chinese government, to which 
they have been subjected. When they are summoned by the mandarins, 
they rarely appear ; hut the government, for political reasons, winks 
at this contempt, and endeavours to keep these intractable subjects 
