Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-03-21

From ihe Ch,a Sc Courier.
CHINESE FUNERAL RITES.


The dead IN China. with the exeep.
ton OF particular sect of religionis,s,
Who consume the bodies Of their depart.
ed brethren, are buried; aud as many
superstitions are attached 10 the ce6e
mony OF rendering "duSt unto dust"
the obsequies of those who can afford
II are conducted with great maenlIi
cence ard ceremony, attended by an
immense rctinue Of hired mourners,
&c. while the remains of the poor are
hurried To their last home with only a
shadow OF the pomp whieh &C ompanies
tive rich man To his final resting place.
One oi the most important points
attending their ceremonial. is the fell.
cItious choice Of locality for the tomb.
In the selection Of fitting spot, Atten
lion is always paid TO The opinions Of
the Geomances, Who are hired 10 de.
eide the matter. snd pronounce upon
the eligibility of the place.
As the graves Of departed ancestors
and relatives are visited annually, up
ON the fifth of the third Moon. for the
purpose of altering up gifts and prayer.
to the shades of the departed, care /,
taken IN the selection not to place the
grave at ~ inconyehirA; distance from
the residence Of the senior surviving
branch oil the family. IL not uofre
queniiy happens, however, that mans
collin Is kept abu,e ground Tor many
years after his demise, in consequence
"i family disputes upon this head, or in
a. nj IL
the auguries u the crafty sooihsayers.
who delay the burial upon the plea Of
difficulty III making fortunate sslec.
ton. The body Of Chinese Of some
consequence, known 10 foreigners.
WAS Kept IN this manner for many
years in the house of his son, on ac
count OF some such impediment. AT.
ter these delays. the fu ner nj is conduct.
ed with the same parade. aud the grief
which was really felt at the death of
the individual is to be enacted once
more at distant period.
The colour Ut mourning 10 dirty
white, and the phraphernalia of a FL.
heraI, the lanterns, &c. instead Of he
ing red, a. usual, are painted white
aud light blue. A large scroll, which
~ suspended IN the houses in the nan.
ner OF hafchmenf, is usually made of
black cloth decorated with an inscrip
ton ia white. Persons accompany a
funeral. strewing pieces Of white ps per
cut IN 4 peculiar way, aud music of The
most dismal IL scfiption is indispcnsa
BILE. the lrlshtfIl bursts Of which are
relieved by gonss. borne ia the process
SION. The chair or palauquin Of the
deiunrt IS also part vi the pageant, a
sort 0i card being placed at the back
oi the vacant scat. II requires some
experience 10 detect the difference be-
tween a marriage aud funeral pro-
cessisn, from the music and the deuort.
ment OF the assistants, Il the chair and
the collin are not seen. Upon the cot
nm, which Is made Of immense slabs Of
cedar, or other expensive wood, i,
placed pail, composed Of cloth cover.
eel with knOts ~ red and white. which
has very CAV appearance. The
mOaTDcrs are dressed 10 dirty white,
The hair unshorn, and bear 10 their
hands small rods covered with white
cloth, = hliet Of which enCifcles the
head aud hangs down behind. Such
~ are immediate relations Of the de
ceased accompany the chair, aud are
supported on either side by a servant
Those who ase more disian;ly connect.
ed. and the domrstics. are clothed ~
light blue garments, while ire mu.i
cans aud hired attendant, wesr the
same gala dress with which they a..
STAT at the wedding feast.