Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-08-22
CHINESE OFFERINGS TO THE DsAD.


FROM the Ban Francisco Hullotinl
The Chinese battle-ground at Lone Noun
tain was the theatre yesterday Of a general
Observance Of these customs. They are usu-
ally performed twice each year, on the 18th
Of February and the 18th Of July according
to their calendar. In China Il il regarded rs
a sort Of festival, aud the houses and shops
are decorated In all the profession Of Oriental
splcudur. In this country such general OBJ
servance Is unknown, and the people content
themselves with the less costly operation Of
cooking food and carrying II as an Offering
TO the tOmbs.
At an early hour, Sunday, a long process
sion Of carriages and express wagons moved
toward the cemetery from the Chinese quar-
ter. Every one was filled with Cinnamon,
some Of the wagons being overloaded. In
the latter were the offerings 10 DO made at
the graves. Scores Of white people, attracted
by the novelty Of the proceedings, went TO
the cemetery to witness them.
Arrived At the ground the teams halted
and the sacred burdens were taken out con-
vCyCd Ia the tumbi and Deposited on the
ground.
Each party " sacrincrrs had roast hog,
laid on n shallow wooden trough or truy,
baked duCkR and chickens, pyramids Of cakes
composed Of lard, -four and sugar, aud baked
In various Culur', pots Ot tea, bottles NJ wine
and brandy, chop. sticks, Cups plates aud
/ sauces, packages NJ riCU and large bundles Of
| yellow and crimson paIcr
The ceremonies 1T all the tnmbs were SINH
lar, 50 that q description ot those vt one will
answer for all.
The tray holding tho roast pig was placed
| nt the foot Ut grave or enclosure contain
ing several, and behind this was placed u
piece Of mating, on which WA spread the
| smaller dClicaClcs Of the Celestial lunch.
Rice was srattcred on tho ground, tea aud
wine and brandy poured into littlc cups, the
chop sticks placed In position for use, aud
the pyramids OF cakes uncovered. Then the
men Ot the party, slngly or In couples, bowed
twice with claspcd hands towards the offer
Ing aud the graves, then knclt and bowed tho
head thrice TO the ground. JUss- sticks and
crimson WAX tarCrs were lighted and stuck
| In the sand on the tumbs, the latter for the
| purpose Ui Encouraging the presence and
OtllclUus interference Of evil spirits, or those
who hud been foes on the earth OF the dead.
| The peculiar UdOr Of Chiucse Incense filled
the air and was at times 50 puugcnt rs to al.
most discourage tho presence Ut Caucdslans,
clothed In the strong armur ui the earth
earthly.
Tue oblations being all properly arranged
| Tue packages Ol paper were unlUOscd aud
| repaired for the flames. SDmr Of the paper,
| bore inscriptions written 10y mGn called wist
| In matters ui religion. Some were prayers I,
the gods for good haryCsts health, peace and
| 10y to the living. Some were In tho natur,
ni bills of fare, informing the departed Of al
the Ingredients Of the offerings the names u
the donors, aud n petition Ia them to count
and partakC. Thou there were piles a
money paper representing copper, silycl
and gold, according To the color vi littlC
piece OF gilt paper stuck In the Cuntru uf each
sheet. This Is Intended to he drawn On sight
by the dead, aud used by them Ia duiray thuiI
necessary expenses In tho other world. Al
these, and such other communications Us MAJ
be written, arc supposed 10 become VislbL
and tangible TO the spirits when reduced :,
ashes. The pile Is fired, and 10 few mlnutci
clouds of smoke and clndGrs I'LL the air. Thu
immOrtals arc present, and renew the festiyl
tics OF mortal life. II Is always supposed
that there are spirits who have no friends Il
call them back. Charity reaches Into tht
land Of Buddha. Tho Chinaman cuts OF
small PORTIONS Of the zig. the lower hill Of
duck, "A portion Of chickens breast, takes
mursCl OF cake, u little wiuU ~ tea aud rice
and deposits them In sidp dish for the gus.
tatOry enjoyment Of the poor spirits. At IN,
conclusion IL the saCrinUiA ceremonies, al
tho edlblcs that have not been east upon tn
ground arc gathered up again, replaced II
the wagons, aud returned 10 the nbodcs o
the living, whore the tables receive them
aud they soon disappear down the threats q
AL who have contributed to procure auI
cook the Celestial feast.