Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-08-26
Chinese Mourners.

Che.An, or Tz'ou.ap. the empress
mother and first co-regent OF China
the minority of tie present emperor
kuang.su, has lately died at Pekin. Sh.
was the wife of Hsien feng, vino rsignet
from 1850 to 1861, and was also one O.
the two re-regents during the long
minority of the late Emperor T'oung
chib. She vas an able woman, with s
firm will and great decision of character
and she conducted the government will
great prudence during her long admin
istraiion. The Berlin papers give in
teresting details of the ceremonial
observed at the embassy in the German
capital in honor Of her memory. It i.
much less q " mourning" in one sense
OF the word, than a demonstration oi
IN the days of Roman Imperialism. is
our reverence for her spirit, which, as
assumed to have only quilted this world
IN order to put on divine attributes.
The principal reception-room 10 trans.
formed into species OF temple, where
there is nothing mournful, but the
uncurtalned windows admit the light
freely. The fireplace is draped in
white; above it is lofty tablet bearing
the name and titles of the deceased.
This place is symbolically regarded as
the present seat of the departed spirit,
and is venerated accordingly. Every
morning about half-past niue, and every
evening about six, all the members of
the Chinese embassy, with their families
and their Chinese servants, assemble
here. and, having arranged themselves
IN line one after the other according
to rank, they thrOw themselves on their
knees before this supposed shriae, and
then fling themselves three times pros
trate on the ground, taking care that
the forehead always touches the floor.
This ceremonial is repeated morning
and evening three times. with a short
interval between each. During the first
twenty-seven days white garments only
are worn, and during the next hundred
days black, or at least dark. .colored
garments. For the remainder of the
twenty-seven months Of mourning, ex.
cept on official occasions when grand
uniforms have to be worn, latitude is
permitted as to color, provided however
that bright colOrS are not used. At
home. the Chinese are forbidden the
use OF razor or scissors for the first one
hundred and twenty seven days; but it
is understood that this abstinence is
not enforced upon the Celes.ials SO
Journipg among the outer barbarians.
The same rules as to color, etc., are
followed by women; during the first
twenty-seveu days they are not allowed
to wear any ornaments, and for the next
hundred days they may use them
only very sparingly.
The Fox and the Bear--A Fablo.
One day Fox which had earned q
widespread reputation for sharpness,
concluded to change his abiding place,
and he cast his eyes ON the COOL we'll.
made and we'll defended den of the
Bear. He knew that there WAS at leaat
one-half difference In price in the Bears
favor. but yet he began:
My dear old friend, I am sorry to
see you in such poor health. You seem
to be allrun down; you have no sand
IN your nature any more; you are not
long for this world"
Why, l am in the best of health" {"
replied the astonished Bear. "Oniy
yesterday my friend the Wolf was
complimenting me on my double chin
and fat Sides"
" Well, I see how yon are failing,
and am sorry for it," sighed the Fox
" what you need is new den, with new
scenery and new atmosphere. Now, l
have Just the place for you, and 1 am
willing to exchange even up with you.
My den is large, we'll ventilated. and
much moro pleasant and healthy than
yours, but for the sake of seeing YOU
again In robust health am willing to
sacrlhce my own comfort for yours.
You are very kind" observed the
Bear, but-but-n
Say no MORE" interrupted the Fox.
Your den is old, full of bad odors.
out OF repair-in fact, not fit for q
hyens to live IN, but my love for you
induces me to offer an even trade,
Comets it q whack ?"
The bear reflected for a time. and
then replied:
My friend, If my den is as bad . az
you say, neither of us should live here.
l WILL give it to my friend, the Wolf,
and 60 over and possess yours by force,
and don't you forget it,!
The Fox was thus left out in the cold
altogether. and as the Bear nestled
down in his new quarters, he erowled;
An animal which can't appreciate
half loaf is pretty certain to become
a loafer.'