Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-27
Chief and Assistant Engineers of the Fire De-

n-~~~-nr~s----r-
Chief and Assistant Engineers Of the Fire De-
partmcnt
knickerbocker Engine Co. 5.
Eufeka,,.....,............. 4.
oacramento.....-.......... 3.
Protecuon. .................. .............No. z.
Alert Hook and Ladder. ..........No 2.
Mutual Hook and Ladder /.
Confidence Engine Co.. /.
Hebrew Benevolent Society.
Golden Horizon Temple Of Honor No. l.
Temperance Organizations.
Odd Fellows.
Masonic Fraternity.
Citizens in Carriages.
.Draymen Mounted.
Ch nese Mars halls
Eight Hearses
Chinese in Carriages.
Chinese Music.
Chinese in Wagons.
Chinese Mounted
Chinese on foot, with scarfs on left arm.
The several associations and classes above
enumerated were largely represented, the ag
gregate number being variously estimated
from $500 to 5000. Of these there could not
have been much less than 700 Chinese. The
general appearance of the procession was ex-
lrcHtly SOlemn ana imposing
Large numbers who did not form in process.
sion followed the cortege to the Cemetery to
witness the final ceremonies. On arriving at
the ground the collins were removed from the
hearses and placed opposite the graves, where
upon the Rev. Mr. Shuck read several appro
pirate passages from the scriptures, after which
hymn was sung by the choir, an eloquent and
impressive prayer offered by the Rev. Mr..
Crouch, brief and pertinent address by the
Rev. Mr.. Wheeler-the ceremonies concluding
with benedction by the Rev. Mr.. Pratt.
During. the progress of the services, as
above, the Chinese were engaged in yielding
the last tribute of respect to their deceased
countrymen in another part of the ground.
The ceremonies practised on the decease of
person in China vary in different parts of the
country, though they are not necessarily elab.
crate or expensive anywhere, and all the i'm.
portant ones can be performed by the poorest.
The inhabitants of one part Of the empire
put piece of silver in the mouth of the
dying person and carefully cover his nose
and ears. Scarcely is he dead, when they make
hole in the roof to facilitate the exit of the
spirits, proceeding from his body, Of which they
imagine each person possesses seven animal
senses, which die with him, and three souls,
one of which enters elysium and receives iudg-
ment another abides with the tablet, which is
set by the side of the body by the priest, and
the third dwells with the tomb. Yesterday
while the services were going on in English,
the Chinese, not far of, were performing the
last sad offices over fifteen corpses of their
countrymen. At every grave incense sticks
were smoking and red candles burning, while
the friends of the departed came one by one to
the foot of the grave and placing their hands
together bowed their bodies forward several
times.
In central place among the graves, large
quantity of edibles were laid out and arranged
in order-a whole roast hog, piles Of cakes,
large platter Of cooked rice, sweet meats,
| pickles. and wine. In front Of these yians stood
Chinese, attired in the habiliments Of ma
tive priest beating time with two steel plates,
and IN measured tones chanting prayers for
the repose OF the dead. Just opposite the per-
son thus officiating could be observed a small
| short stake, to the end of which was a paper
streamer, on which was written in hieroglyphics
a charm, as it is their custom on funeral occa
sions. With prayers for the dead, the oficia-
ting individual mingled simple quotations from
the Chinese religious books. Many came to
the graves, and threw into them gilt paper and
cards. At several places could be observed
piles OF paper cut into small squares, with a
square gilt spot in the centre Of each sheet
All these we're set on fire, the survivors snip
posing that the smoke transmits them into
hades, that they there turn into celestial money
and go into the hands Of the departed, and by
them are used to bear their expenses in the
other world. During all these funeral services
| there was a native band of Chinese music,
which played their national airs according TO
their home usages.
1t was rare sight, and at once hattering
to the liberaty of our institutions, to see there
assembled on common ground the Christian
and the Pagan, each acknowledging the sacred
character Of the departed, and manifesting, &C.
cording TO their peculiar tenets, respect for
their memory and worth. This unusual cir
cumstance, together with the large number Of
new-made graves and confined bodies, and the
immense crowd Of persons in attendance, con-
tributed to render the occasion one of sad and
singular interest.
The bodies were left upon the ground un-
inferred, in the charge Of watch, to secure, if
possible, their Identification by their friends.
The coroner will be in attendance at 10 o'clock
this morning, TO render every facility in the
premises. OF the number, sixteen were the
bodies Of white and thirteen Of Chinese. We
are not advised of the number Of those included
therein that have heretofore been announced
as having been recognized.