The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-03-02


'eri3e the funeral ceremonies # ID,
Chimes, an!, must Il uec.s..ty. Z.
wanting IL scops a. 50 very A.i,e !,
even now, positively kuo@u -: tie il
her lie %; the Celestial
rs con ~ lns .,.l...y are co4v.ucel
that all consciousness has ceased aue
iiie has departed. the dead body is ar
rayed II robes Of state. or in most cost
> apparel, varying, Of course. with si..
soc'ai s'.--r. Of tn. deceased ablution.
are hot performed. nos any unnecessary
haLd!lng Of the body Suffered Th,
coffin. WHICH i occasionally purchased
III life time all iaii by. il readiness 4
receive the destined remains. i, geue-
rally made Of plank c1cecdlry son,.
SIX or eight inches in thickness and ar,
coated aver internally with q compost
tion Of pitch or cement; externally
they are either painted. lacquered,
guided or carved, the joinings of the
cotiin being most carefully rendered
alr-tight.' An embroidered pillow is
placed under the head, cotton and lime
being also strewed in the coffin. When
the body is lifted in, cotton wool is
stuffed into the vac.nt space - main
tain 1t IN one position. Fnr All entire
week the nearest male relatives IF the
deceased sit around the coffin on mats
IN nsada at
which period they do not touch meat,
Eor wine. The catatalgue is placed IN
In the principal room, covered with a
white or violet cloth. both Of which
colors are mourning IN China, before a
table or altar. en which sands wooden
tablet with the name of the deceased
carved thereon. this being surrounded
with lighted joss sticks, ia species Of
slow match) ornamental devices and
jars filled with flowers. Across one
portion of the apartment curtain is
drawn, behind which are the female
members of the family, who give ex-
preston to their grief IN a series Of un-
earthly howls and spasmoiic shriek..
The various relations and friends row
pay visits Of condolcnce when they are
received by the eldest son. the head Of
the family; the visitors prostratiuy
themselves before the coffin, while the
son, or whoever it may be, who does the
honors, gives vent IL sighs and groans.
After this ceremony Is over the guests
are uskered into q distant apartment
where they partake of Refreshments.
aad where, by their goiugs OH. tb,y
might be constituted officiating al !,
wedding instead of u death.
As soon as the day Of the funeral is
fixed upon. due notice is given 10 al
the relations, friond- and Connections ~
the family, as al connected with the
deceased look upon 1t as an imperative
duty to attend thc funeral ob>ogUi,,
The procession Is preceded 10y tags
AMI tablets, on which are the name aul
virtues aud good qualities ot
tie deceased. lanterns, lighted incense
in brazcn pans, and musicians ylay.ng
upon gongs and wind Instruments The
she'll was placed Oh a roaderous bier,
over which IS a canopy oi velvet or
white cloth ornamcntod with tdfts or
punches of white fabric, th, massive
machine being garfield hy u large uum-
ber of mcu. " no supported Tia body .,
tie b,er.oE bamboo poles, For = great
mar. - many as one hundre,. ctrri,rs
are usci Inc oldest son walks q. ihe
Ii, ad ci the mourucss. neat the bier.
tiiei follows tie remaining male rela
tive~, with heads hanging down "a. II
},., q Il 4
,ackclnth The female mt.uirr~ 4 tie
family. clothed in coarse white Goth.
followed III sedan chairs. which are
covered with sacacloth also. while the
servants. slaves. and, strange as /. HAY
seem, the hired mourners. bring up the
rear. filling the air with cries aud
shricks. hen the procession arrives
at the place ot scpalturc. the coffin IS
,irposl'c! IA the grave offerings ut to.
aud fruits. wine and gilt lapcfs l,i,x
made Ia the ghost ot shc departed, The
relations AID friends pfo>.ra.ing then
selves before the tomb ana kuock king
their foreheads on the ground lie
are then offered ia those as
semblcd, but the children # the depart
ed neither speak. eat nor drink while
thev remain near the mansoi,um As
soon "a the rejection i over the pro
ces>iun is supposed Ia return IN the
same order a. that III which il started
out
The period Of mourning IS fixed by
law. and when the Emperor the father
of the people dies. solemn mourning
IL ordered of many months Duration
throughout the Empire, during great
portion ot which 10 oifiCisl business
may be transacted. AMI the people gen
orally allow the hair on tie usually
shayen part of their head ~ grow tn"
time OF mourning for par,Its i oriertl:
10 last three years, during waieh t.mt
a man can neither accept CT bold Of
ci.l appointment. while tAat pry>c,: hsd
fsr IL her relatives J. IL a r,iaacc
With Their degrees ~ atlia.;y. the f.
mods 1eirg shorter lhsn Iic time e,
lowed - er,eye for lhe loss of Y.se':>
Tie mourning color. IS has besa sad
!. v h.,e. the prince as wel. as ihe peas
ant being close AUAe, cap, jacket rooa',
pants, shoes. boots. and ;he cori which
Is plsi,dei into his hair being a.l whI'c
which. sad,n the a',o,It> G; the wealthy.
here money can procure more po'--
aaut grief the chain covers are .,so a.;
the same coioF
White 81 the subject of funeral l.r"-
ce<~ions Il the hine>e ! ava.3 u.sa-
ticn that >etuc historian Il ihe & .e~
,lal Empire. ,hlnG the Ahtc du HsAe
.-.- 81. "a ~ 4 .-y ~..xs-s.3 = tr.s q. .rY