The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-09-03

nuu pCrlsheu miseraOly IN the burning
forest.
CHINESE OFFERINGS TO 1HE DEAD. The
Chinese burial ground at Lone Mountain
was the theatre the other day Of general
observance of these customs. They are
usually performed twice year, on the
18th of February and the 18th Of july,
according to their calendar At an ear
ly hour long procession Of carriages AMI
express wagons moved toward the ceme-
terry from the Chinese quarter. Every
one was filled with Chnamen, some of the
wagons being overloaded. In the latter
were the offerings to be made at the
graves. Each party of sacrifcers had a
roast hog, laid on a shallow wooden trough
or tray, baked ducks and chickens,
pyramids Of cakes composed of lard, -four
and sugar, and baked in various colors,
pots OF tea, bottles Of wine and brandy,
cbop-sticks, cups, plates and saucers
packages of rice and large bundles of
yellow and crimson paper.
The ceremonies at all the tombs were
similar, so that description OF those at
one will answer for all. The tray hodin
the Toast pig was placed at the foot of Il
grave or enclosure containing several and
behind this was placed piece Of mating
on which was spread the smaller dclicacics
Of the Celestial lunch. Rice was scatter
ed on the ground tea and wine and brandy
poured into little cups, the chop sticks
placed in position for use, and the pyIa-
mlds OF cakes uncovered Then the men
OF the party, singly or in couples, bowed
twice with clasped hands toward the
offering and the graves, then k1elt anl
bowed the head thrice to the ground.
Joss sticks and crimson wax tapers were
lighted and stuck in the sand on the tomhs,
the latter for the purpose Of dscouraging
the presence and oficious interference Of
evil spirits, or those who had been foes on
the earth Of the dead. The peculiar odor
OF Chinese incense filled the air and was
at times SO pungent as to almost discour.
age the presence OF Caucasians. clothed
in the strong armor Of the earth earth.
The oblations being all properly arranged,
the packages Of paper were unlooscd and
prepared for the flames. Some of the
papers bore Inscriptions written by men
called wise in matters Of religion. Some
were prayers to the gods for good har-
vests. health, peace and joy to the livins
Some were in the nature of bills of fai c
informing the departed Of all the ingred:-
ents Of the offerings, the names OF the
donors, and a petition to them to come
and partake. Then there were piles of
money paper" representing copper,
silver and gold, according to the color Of
a little piece Of gilt paper stuck in the
centre of each sheet. This is intended to
be drawn on sight by the dead, and used
by them to defray their necessary ex-
penseses in the other world All these,
and such other communications as may
be written, are supposed to become visible
and tangible to the spirits when reduced
to ashes, The pile is fired, aud in few
minutes clouds of smoke and ciuders fill
the air the immortals are present, and
the festivities Of mortal life. 1t is always
supposed that there mc spirits who have
no friends to call them back-chariy
reaches into the land Of Buddha. The
Chluaman cuts off small portions of the
pig, the lower bill Of a duck, portion Of
a chickens breast, takes a morsel of cake,
u little wine or tea and rice, and deposits
them in a side dish for the gustatory ell
joyment of the poor spirits. At the con-
cusion Of the sacrifcial ceremonies, all
the edibles that have not been cast upon
the ground are gathered up again, re-
placed in the wagons, and retlrned to the
abodes Of the living, where the tables re-
ceive them, and they soon disappear down
the throats Of all who have contributed
to procure aud cook the Celestial feast
San Francisco Bulletin.
, "EF HE'D SAID DUCKS. During tie
class meeting held several years since by
the Methodist brethren of IA Southern Vi =
age, Brother Jones went among the co.,
ord portion Of the congregation. Finding
, there an old man notorious for his end
eavor to serve God on the Sabbath AID
Satan the rest of the week, he said
=. Well Brother Dick, I'm glad to see You
here! Heven't stoc any turkeys since |
saw you last, Brother Dick ?'
"No, no Broudder Jones; no turkeys
"Nor any chickens; Brother Dick ?"
mo, no, Brudder Jones: no chickens
"Thauk the Lord, Brother Dick
Tat's doing well, my brother :" said!
Brother Jones, leaving Brother Dick,
who immediately relieved his over burd-
ened conscience by saying to near neigh
Dor, with an immense sight Of relief;
"Ei he'd said ducks, he'd a had me-"
Napoleon does rot consider the apro-
aching meeting of the Emperors Of Ger
Lnnn.. Rns.in MI 4 - 49,. L.. -.