The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-01

THE FIRST COMPLETE CHINESE FUNERAL ~
sAN FRANCISCO.


SAN FRANCISCO.
The first genuine and complete Cninsse
funeral in SAN Francisco took place IN ,',a,
city about week ago. IL was that oi ""
shlng, late manager OF the wing wo suns
Company, who was suifocated by FUMES "a
an open charcoal fire. The funeral Is ,nus
described by the San Francisco Chron,ce
The procession moved In the ioliowIns
order: Along Sacramento street 10 heai-
nv, to Jackson, to Dupont, ana tnen alonH
tat street to Market and to the ouIy
ground. First came Chinaman attireu III
n long flowing robe OF iight.bltie materla5
which was girdcd ut the waist WIN suip
Of white cotton cloth. the Chinese eInDieih
Of mourning. lie was followed by TWO
coolies. each carrying large white lantern
i'm which was lighted taper. On each OF
these lanterns were Chinese characters III
blue. setting forth the name OF the deceased
and his office. These lanterns were carried
to light the path the spirit OF the deceased
had to walk In order to reach the
GATES of Heaven. Then came two more
coolies, each carrying n brass gong, which
thew beat loudly and continuously TO drive
off any evil spirit which might wish to
cross the path. In addition to the gongs
these coolies each carried square flag OF
yellow material. on which were characters
In black. These told OF the unfortunate
circums' ance by which the deceased met
his death. Next came four more coolies,
each carrying deep-red paper banner, on
which were written in characters OF gold
the virtues OF the deceased and the good
acts he performed in life. Then followed
carriage containing four musicians, each
playing upon wind instrument, which
emitted discordant, ear-piercing noises,
which were intended to assist the
gong-beaters in frightening away all
great white devils and small black
devils. Next in order came two
Cinnamon, each carrying a pole across
one OF his shoulders, at each end OF which
was n censor resting in natural flowers.
some OF which were twined around the
chains by which the censors were suspend
ed 10 the poles. In each censor was guam
tity OF periumed punk and sandal-wood,
which was ignited and sent forth per-
fumed fumes along the line OF march.
After these followed another long-robed
Cinnamon, wearing the emblem Of mourn
ing, and carrying very long, narrow
red-cloth banner affixed to q pole,
at the head of which was branch OF
laurel. This was what is known as the an
cestral banner, and was the pedigree Of
the deceased. Then came the hcarse, drawn
by four horses, each dressed with black
mourning clothes. In the hearse was the
coffin containing the mortal remains OF Ow
Shing. This was covered with large red
cloth us a symbol that the death OF the de-
ceased was a violent one. On the top OF
the hearse sat a Chinaman in full mourn
ing, who distributed paralielograms OF
Chinese paper five or six inches long, each
perforated several times. These sheets
Of paper are what the Chinese call
mock money, and each perioration repre-
scented one cash--a Chinese coin. This was
designed TO propitiate the spirits along the
road With might be disposed to make dis
turbances, affecting the coffin or its con-
tents. BY the distribution OF mock money
the Chinese believe that they purchase the
right OF way for the dead. Behind the
hearse, on each side Of which marched
palI-bearers in mourning, were four pro-
fessiOnal mourners attired from head To
foot in white. One OF these had his face
covered with n white cloth, and was led
along by two coolies, who carried before
them a small tray filled with food and tea.
After these followed number OF merchants
on foot and carriages containing friends Of
the deceased.