Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1869-08-13
Death and Burial in China.
Hired MourneTs Evil Spirits-.Provisi0n'
for the Dead-Paper MOney-CuriOus Su
DprstitiOus.

for the Dead-Paper Money-Carous SUE
perstitions.
Rites for the dead vary somewhat in
different parts of China. In some pla-
ces, while the body is on the ground and
the souls are departing, Tauist priest is
employed to chant portions Of their rit-
ual, accompanied with the beating of
gongs and drums, and the explosion of
powder crackers. The noise of drums,
gongs. and crackers is for the purpose Of
frightening away evil spirits. The fir
ing of guns and crackers, however, is
not common among the Cantonese at
their funerals, we are told. After death
articles of food are placed near the body,
abundant or meagre, according to the
ability of the friends These are sup
posed to be for the supply of the depart
ed spirit. Some Of the provisions are
presented to the mouth of the deceased,
by the Oldest son, or, if there is no son
present, then by some other near rela-.
tive or friend, who kneels beside the body
while feeding the spirit. Large sums
are often expended in dressing the body
for It's journey to the world of spirits,
The best suit is put on, or new garments
are provided throughout, and of costly
materials where there is sufficient means
to meet the expense; /; and where there
are not means, cheaper materials are
used, and even garments of paper have
been employed, which may be put to-
gether in such way as to resemble clo-
thing very closely. Much solicitude is
expended on the subject of the lon
geyity boards" or coffin the desire be-
ing to procure that which is most dura-
Bile. In China the aged often provide
coffins for themselves beforehand, or sons
make presents of this article to their pa
rents, thus furnishing proof of filial
regard, and putting to rest any solicitude
of the parent, lest when dead there might
not be funds sufficient to procure the
I" longevity boards" and furnish them a
becoming burial. When the body is
washed, dressed, and prepared for the
coffin, and covered with white cloth,
tables of provisions are set for the re-
calling of this particular spirit, and also
to appease such other spirits as may be
lowering around. Among these provis-
ions there must be FIVE kinds of animal
food uncooked, and the five kinds which
are cooked; also a variety Of cakes, and
dishes Of vegetables, with fruits, wine,
and tea. TlIo spectator may nutiuc
whole fowls and fish fantasticAlly orna-
mented; also, pigs head, or an entire
hog; with pyramids of cakes and fruits,
and vases of flowers. All these are
borne to the grave at the time of the in
terment, where they are again arranged
in order, and suffered to remain awhile
as an offering to the dead, and are then
brought home to furnish a repast to the
family and friends. Before the body is
placed in the coffin, and while the offer.
ings remain upon the tables, mourning
women gather around, who cause the all
to resound with their wailings. The
wife, concubines, and daughters-in-law
or any friend may join in these wailings
but often there are only hired mourners
These lamentations are exceedingly lu
gubrious, and are mixture of sobbing
of eulogies of the dead, and Of regrets
for the bereavement, and deprecatinG
the sad lot of those who have been rob
bed of friend, or of a support and pro
wider. The speeches are generally i'm
provised but are sometimes according
to formulas which have long been used
and which have been walled over myri
ads Of corpses. Any relation or frien'
who is SO disposed may contribute hi
quota to these audible demonstrations o
grief. When one mourner ceases anoth
er commences and chants his or he
dirge. 1t is not an uncommon occur
renee for old family troubles to be refer
red to in some indirect way, as when
secondary wife will vail out: All me
Who now will take my part when or
pressed by the mistressa" and as whel
the daughter-in-law sobs out her appre
tensions of increasing tyranny from th
: mother-in-law, by saying: "Alasl wha
will become Of me since my only frien
is departed" At Chinese funerals j
San Francisco these hired mourning We
men are sometimes put into carriages
follow the body to the grave. They ma
be known by the white garments an
white hoods which they wear-white b
, ing the funeral color. In many cases
band of Chinese musicians is employe
to join in the procession and escort tn
deceased to his last resting-place.
Funerals of aged men or dignitarie'
!. which are designed to be very impress
!. i've, often have one or more young me
: following the hearse on foot These rel
! ! resent the sons Of the deceased, and AZ
. dressed scantily in some coarse fabric (
dirty white; they are barefooted, leanin