The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-01-04
CHINESE FUNERAL IN CALIFORNIA Gu
REGUS CEREMONY.

We find the following in late number OF
the San Francisco Herald
yesterday was great day in Chinadom.-
A rich man had died He had, during life,
been prominent merchant, and occupied po-
sition of influence among his countrymen.--
His death was, therefore, considered TO be an
event. IF he had been poor man he might
have been carried out, rolled up in winding
sheet on the back oil his some faithful
friend, and tunhled into tlly-constTucted
grave, and with the last sod laid over him would
have perishrd all recollections OF his virtues or
his faults. With the rich man it is different.
His good qualities are enhanced in the public
estimation bg o knowledge of his wRalth fir-
tue, WHEN associated with large possessions,
shines out with pure refuigence, while power
ty ohscures the brightest rays. 1t Is SO In CIV
ilized communities, and the Chinese have not
been bad imltators. The Chinese merchant at
whose grave most curious ceremony was per-
formed Yesterday, died about three weeks ago.
He was Inferred in the Lone Mountain Cemete-
ry without any pomp Yesterday, however,
large number OF his relat ions and friends pro-
ceeded TO his grave for the purpose OF making
offerings to his names. 4 reverence for the
dead is one of the most striking characteristics
of the Chinese race. 1t is, 10 fact, the corner
stone OF their religious belief. On arriving at
the grave the whole company alighted from the
carriages in which they had been conveyed, and
commenced the ceremony By spreading mats
all around it. A roast pig was placed at the
foot, something else al the head, while all over
II were strrwed apple dnmplngs, fruits, and
flowers. To an ontside barbarian If looked
very much like we'll gotten up picnic, and,
to all appearances, all that the Chinese at pres
ent required in order TO make a very good meal,
which would certainly be a very practicable
and sensible way Of teStIfying their respect for
the memory Of their deceased friend, We're the
chop-Slicks. The delicacleS were, however, all
intended Tor the use Of the hungry soul OF thr
deceased merchant, which had not tasted lood
for three weeks, "a privation that would I'D
doubt have been seriously trlt il it had been in
the Apsh.) aud which it was supposed was ho-
vering around, smacking It's lips over the dain-
tv food they had provided Tor ii. AS soon as
all the eatables We're laid on the grave, the
widow of the deceased hobbled up and took her
stand at the foot. Around her head several
wards of white cloth were rolled. A priest with
very curly pg-tail, very long blue gown
reaching to his leet, and very long face, stood
az the head. The friends and relatives stood
around As soon as the woman commenced to
wall, all the clothes of the deceased were taken
out ot trunk and set on fire. Among the
clothes were several pieces Of fine silk, which
had apparently never been worn. The whole
probably was worth over $500 Four canary
birds were let loose in order to help the soul OF
the deceased in its flight to another world, and
when the clothes were all consumed, and the
canary birds had taken shelter in the neighbor-
ing shrubs, the priest with The long face rang
bell which he had in his hand, al the time NUT
tFring prayer or incarnation. general howl
followed
The ceremony was concluded bv the whole
company marching around the grave, headed
by the priest, who rang his bell at every step,
and looked very solemn, indeed. The pig and
the appie-dnmpliGgs and the fruits and the
| flowers, and the mating. were all carefully
packed up and placed in the carriages, and the
whole party then returned 10 town where, we
are informed, the eatables exposed in the grave
will be sold in small pieces at eXorbtant prices
10 those who are reiigiously inclined"
I Western paper publishes marriage no.
tices under the head of esfuSioil.'
| u II a small boy be called lad; is il proper
! TO call a bigger bov ladder?