, 1861-04-15

TEE Joss HOUSE.
A. the rites and ceremonies held before their
heathen god, Joss, on these occasions, are
usually quite imposing, We determined-a
witness them. We went to the Se-Ynf Asy~
lu1n, on Pine street, and entered through an
arehway Of brick, sort OF labyriuthian alley,
fanked on each side by high brick walls, and
wids enough for two or three persons to
walk abreast. Following this short distance,
turning. at right angles several times, we
emerged into paved court, surrounded by
high walls. Fronting this WAS i alargetwo-stary
brick building, erected Tor their idol worship.
The facade was ornamental With silk banners,
Of intense crimson, and many cuTions]y carved
tablets, On which, in staring gilt. were Chinese
characters, the meaning Of which Was all
aGreek" to Us.
The lower floor contained an entrance hail
and large room which appeared to be a sort
Of parlor. It wna furnished with massive IT,
bles carved in ebony, aud huge chairs and
sofas covered with richly embroidered
cloth, While from ths csiiipg I3,g hung IL, sle.
elaborately painted and ornameuted with
heavy silk fringe. On either slde Of the build
ing, narrow staircase, Tery 1lkhy, and stfeWn
with exploded fire crackers md the ends Of
wax candles, led to the second floor, which
contained the audience chamber ot their great
idol, Joss. Ascending tho stairs. We we're ush-
deity. The room was lofty one, hung with
folds Of crimson silk and pendant banners,
and tablets inscribed With eybilic sentences
IN the language Of Confuclus. At the fat
ther end Of the hall, seated on a raised
dais, surrounded with barbaric trapplngs Of
great splendor, wss Joss himseu, LOOKING very
comfortable, with the exception that his knees
were drawn up to his breast, and his toes were
turned up In manner that would have been
torture to sn5thins but = wooden man"
The figure waa Of the size Of life, Of darker hne
than the Chinese, and decidedly Tartar in his
beard, sort Of e gable sflvered." His whole ap-
pearance, although not grand, was gloomy
and pecu.tar' 1t the left Of tho idol was
suspended large bell and . drum. On the
right WIS = screen, behind which the ofAeias-
ing priest passed when he presented the pr4y-
his goaship was L masslVe table, carved
with grotesque designs, and covered
with crimson cloth that reached to the floor,
on which we're wrought in gold peaoocks, grit
fms, dragons and all sorts Of unique deaigns.
On this table was the great feast Of joss,
hensibls dishes, the only recognizable things
being smoked pigs, tea il tho tN1iest cups, and
the ineyitahls RIGS The offeringe were nj serv-
ed in tiiyer aud the finest porcelain. It ia raid
that the feaat cost over five thousand dollars.
II 60, "peasls Of great price" must have been
with dtAmdud SAUCE Large earthen vessels
] filed with sand, In which we're stuck 8 prnfu-
sion Of wax tapers, lghtedAnd burning joss
! sticks Of odorous woods, which hlled
| the entire roon With their incense, were
/ antezspersed with the yiands NotWlth-
! berge that Joss paftook Of any portion OIL be
| seemed to be remarkably abstemloua. In
] front OF the tabla INST Was spread on the
| aoar, on which the officiating priest. and the
worsAippess knelt on either side Of the hall
were arranged large chairs, several covered
contiguous to the altar, Eaeks vera placed con.
/ taining spears and battle axes, richly giadak5
! and colored.
| When we entered, the room YVES unoccupled,
| with the exception OF joss, and 4 stupid Chi
nanan, who appeared TO be engaged 10 trying
inedninutely the furniture ahd pazpahelnalis
| Of thS ball, and eVen laid our pronne hands or
| the August person of Joss hiuaself, seatsd
ourselves in good position for obs rzntinn,
aud waited for the ceremonies to begin. In i
short time the Priest, venerable Ch1nsman
habltod 1 long dark, robe with a
blue silk gird1e around his waist, entered
Kicked oH his shoes, and knGlt on The mat In
front Of the Idol, leaned over on his hands,
aud YigdEonsly bumped his forehead severn
times on:the hard Hoor. White be wss going
through with thess gymnasties, az a. sssistan'
thumPed the drum and rang the bell, said 70
be for tha purpose Of waking np Joss, thst h
might pay dus attention to his worshIpPers'
The deyosee& uow entered and ranged them
selves in front Of the idol, aad made profound
oriental salaans. The priest meanwhile con
tiuued to hump bis aknn against the foor, re
gardiess OF consequences. They held II thet1
BANDA stripe OF red paper covered with Chi
nesa charseters, said to be petitions
for III sorts Of good luck dnrinG
the year. These papers Nere received by ths
priest, who want behind the &e9eeo, ostsnktol!
10 pressnt thsRn tn Jnaa We Gound aftsr
! wafds ~thAt 1ae praesutat1on was made b
sticking them bs6iad ht. b&ek, between ht'
| Woods1 cs,zus aud taA esaltng} ~
The nauaeof each petitioner Was insctthet
On peper aad handed to the priest, who mum
| bled over some sort Of gibbefash, aud 7iolent1!
threw some hard pisces Of wood On the aoor
With . tsetnenaous bang; after Hhich he r
RaI. He took i ha san, OF s5aadsr, about tk'
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