The weekly union record., 1864-08-20

To Cus QUA.-Wbstever that may mean
We hold ourselves responsible for phonetic in
tegrity only, hazarding to furnish the barba-
rian eouvaleu, of the idea. Perhaps it may
De translated freely, religious fete, carnival,
a jubilee in short, anything which will ez-
press the performance OF idolatrous rites
To Gun Qua has been II course of celebration
for the last week Great has been the excite
ment in Mongolianville (vtdgl.s Chinat0isn) ;
drained has been every part of the country of
the faithful. An equal interest has been
awakened in the " outside barbarians." whose
curiosity has sent them to mingle nightly, man,
woman aud child. with their Asiatici breth
ren, as spectators. Perhaps it may De deemed
presumption in az ignorant barbarian TO ven
ture description Of the ceremonies and awful
symbols that met bis gaze 10 hAsty visit, but
bowing tremblingly to the great JOSH. We
humbly hope that the difference expressed to-
wards that august tuteary deity will plead 10
mitigation of any seeming liberty the descrip-
tion NAV take, in the eyes OF bis followers
On our visit. il may be proper 70 say, We ayalled
ourselves Of the protection OF couple OF stalWaIl
friends stalw4rt morally and physlc4liy-ieToci-
0usly virtuous and physically invnclble. Iakicg
the middle Of the street TO avoid giving otfense by
declining the pressing ove-tures constantly made
BY friendly inclined MOngollau- OF the softer per
snasion to accept their hospitality. We proceeded
through al avenue gorgeou>ly lighted with yarl-
gated globe-. illustrated with strange devices
Flags emhlazoned with awe inspiring cryptography
shook their wierd folds from arches over head,
which the celestial paSzer paused 10 salute Ap-
preaching the end OF the street, We became aware.
from the multiplication OF lights, the increase of
decorations. the-Hhat an uuedGcated ear would
call-din of vocal and instrumental musicians, the
convergence of the crowd, that wei had reached
the chief scene-the point of glory and perfection
Of Moago2n display. Foorn shantes dressed
with ornaments OF pasteboard and other GIN
crackeries of Oriental taste, became striking in
their fantastic habiliiaments. Dozens of square
feet OF placard. filed with strips of red paper IN
derstood TO represent receipts Tor contributions by
the faithful to the occasion ana notification to the
backward OF their delinquencies, leant against the
walls Erected in the middle of the street was a
platf0rm-a sort of .' Punch and Judy affair
whence the 80 band di>cOursed eloquent music with
the hew gag and tODjon. intelspersed with song and
dialogue. Our space viii not afford critical an
alysis OF the species Of fharmOny presented. the
PLAYERS otherwise we might be IN position to pro-
pound certains new chromatic canonS not hitherto
euioined by the authority OF eber or Handel. Bat
to pass TO the temple Securing a footing within
the sacred portals not without bribe II the Can
at once interested. The pictorial display novel
and startling. Craven images foot high of
the best type of Mongolian lineaments, occupied
dias in front. Various fruits designed offerings
were placed near. while candles Illuminated and
incense fumigated the shrine. Retributiye justice
was illustrated by irighttul symbols as warning
% the delinquent. Here the liar having his
tongue cut out there the more cupable offender
waliows in a seethng cauldron, to keep which hot
a kneeing imp fan in hand urges the flame. The
doctrine OF metemPsychosis-a apparently an article
in their creed-is represented by a wheel, the
crank of which Is turned by an awful looking being.
The culpiits are popped into a kind Of hopper and
are whrled out in different directions, changed III
10 doves. fishes, snakes &c.
Other grotesque and incomprehensiole features
of punishment probatiye stages completes the IL
lustratons- Presently carpet Is sp' cad. This
now becomes holy ground, and sanctited to the
Priests The barbarian ventures Upou it at his
peril. troop OF priests soon advances. six dress
cd in a kind OF white sdrphce, two in black robes,
and one in purple The one in purple takes the
lead-he seems the 'pontifeX maXmus the great
hi YOU muck a muck instruments strike up. a
chant Is began the nina tests advance 10 the i'm
80 alternate till the ceremony i over. which terni
mates with the imposing discharge OF bunch OF
fire crackers.
In an ont house of which he enjoys exclusive pos
session, is their devil. figure OF gigantic dmen-
sionS aud an awful visage constructed with paper
or frame of wckerwUrk. The chief feature OF
this image is an imposng-belly. Il is said the
tfcer took the hint from a distinguished model in
town. This fellow, the devil, of course is destined
TO destruction by fire as an appeasing offering. In
an adoiuing apartment is limp cadaverous figure
in white office unknown. who shares similar fate.
We were rot present AT the finale, but have author
ity for stating that every thing passed oil pleasant
ly with the exception of little outside interference
by one Odd Nick - who in consideration of his
name. ventured upon fraternal embrace with the
devil for which piece OF sacrigiouS familiarity he
was summarily expelled, by an indignant jluizary.
The devil was soon after made to promptly disap
pear in cloud Of his own element and little later
the curtain tell upon the closing scene OF the great
To-Cun Qla.