The Empire County argus., 1855-02-03

FUNERAL CEREMoNIEs-On Monday last great
concourse OF people attended the funeral obseques
OF the victims OF the explosion. At the appointed
hour o'clock p M.,tbe several fire bells were toll
ed, and the procession moved along Front street to
X, up X to Second, through Second to 7. I'm 7 to
Seventh, and through Seventh to the Cemetrv,
On arriving at the ground the coffns were re.
moved from the hearses and placed -opposite the
graves, whereupon the Rev Mr.. Shuck read seye-
raj appropriate 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
benediction by the Rev. Mr.. Pratt
During the progress of the services as above
the Chinese engaged in yielding the last trib
ute of respect to their deceased countrymen in an
other part Of the ground.
The ceremonies practised on the decease of o.
person in China vary in different parts of the coun
try, though they are not necessarily elaborate or
expensive anywhere, and all the important 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 thew
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 elysum and receives Judgment; 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 off, were per.
forming the last sad Offices over fifteen corpses of
their countrymen At every grave incense sticks
were smoking and red candles burning, while tho
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, a large
platter of cooked rice, sweet meats, pickles and
wines. In front of these vands stood Chinese.
attired in the habiliments of native priest beat
ing time with two steel plates, and in measured
tones chanting prayers for the repose of the dead
Just opposite the person thus officiating could be
observed small, short stake to the end of which
was paper streamer. which was written in
charm, as is their custom on fune-
raj occasions With prayers for the dead, the Of
fcating 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 small gilt spot in the
centre of each sheet. All these were set on fire,
the survivors supposng 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 9TH
er world. During all these funeral services there
was native band of Chinese music, which played
their national airs according to their home usages.
--Sacramento Union.