The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-12-06
An Imposing Cortegc.

The announcement in yesterday's 5
CregoRiaR OF the death Of Quans
Wa, one of the oldest and most 10
auential Chinese residents. apprised
the community that that imposing
ceremonies were on the tapis tor tns
funeral, whi b took place during the
forenoon. BGt few, however, we-c
prepared to witness such aG extra0r-
dinary display and the healhenish
rites tuat celebrated the event At
an early hour the near relatives and
friends Of the deceased assembled al
the intersection of Alder and Second
streets and initiated the preparations,
which were decidedly superior to aIy-
thing Of the Ike character heretofore
seen in the city for some years Sew
eral temporary tables, formed OF
rough, unplsned pine boards, were
erected and decorated in the most
fancifnl and characteristic fashion.
The intervals between were filed
with banners inscribed with notices.
and prayers to joss, intercedi1g for
favorable reception for the depart
ed. The tables were bOunteOusly
supplied with every Chinese delieacy,
the names OF which We acknowledge
our entire ignorance. and gacuished
roast pigs, Drowned TO a turn. Solids
and liquids were abundant, and de.
lighted the sensitive olfactoTies Of
the assembled Celestials who were
present by hundreds, anticipating
the feast which would ensue at the
conclusion Of the ceremonies. The
whole was surrounded with mating
upon which were the high priest and
relatives, clothed from head 20 foot
in spOIless white. At the bead q
the display, enclosed by a guard of
Juvenile Chinese. lay the remains 0f
Quang Wa ia full state, which bv tLc
wsy, emitted most oyeTp0 we.iug
steneh, preventing too near 90 ap-
proach for the qualification 0f idle
curiosity Conspicuous 10 the thr0ng
were the recunbent figures 0l the
reict and son Of the dsfunct. the lat
ter eyeloped 10 sackcIoth aud With
bare feet, indicating bis extreme
grief and woe. and from both Of h0m
emanated the most dismal h0Wls
The Chinese band. consisting Of iom-
tom, fiddle, casianet aad fate. kep, up
the most dolefll strains and -lm41a
ed crowds Of people 10 witness ,he
Outre pageant The Offering Of 1-
eense, the burning of prayers and
Witch-like CantatiOns continued fJr
several hours, notwithstanding the
heavy and dIsagreeaUle RAIN which
fell throughout the whole perfor-
nance. With a proper regard for
the standing Of deceased and With
the determination to give him a ifst-
class funeral, the Northwestern Baad
a1d every carriage aud back ,aat
could be obtained were e1e get-
Finally, having concluded the aeces-
sarv formula, the tables were c.e8ccd-
the coffin placed ia the hear~e. and
led by the band playing funeral
airs. such as Yankee Doodle, Pop
goes the Weasel, etc, the procession
took up its line Of march through tie
principld thorOughfsres 10 the follow
ing order: Hesrse. m0uruers, with
the widow aad sou on foot, sustained
on either side by friends OF the iami-
ly. Cousins to the number Of ifiy 10
double file and a regiment Of Celes-
tials with carriages 10 the rear com
pieted the imposing c0ftege After
about the streets fDF some
time, the procession headed fIr the
cemetery where the mortal remains
Of Quang Wa were laid TO rest Our
neigbbors were doubtless
proud Of their appearance and salts
fed that they bad made an indeiibe
impress ion upon the minds o. their
American brethren. We presume no
particular BARN was done by their
dola,ions and heathenish perf0rman-
ses. vet no real benefit can be con
Teyed to the minds Of our people by
such scenes. Obseryances Of this
nature should be prohibited il within
he province Of the authorities