The National tribune., 1901-10-17

which the name, dignity, and the good
qualities OF the deceased are set forth;
silken lanterns lighted, incense in brazen
pans, and musicians playing the gong and
wind instrument.
Frequently 4 picture of the deceased is
borne upon n long staff with silken
StreamerS, upon each side of which is
inscribed in golden letters his name and
official appointments. This invariably
precedes the coffin. which is placed upon a
pondcrous bier. over which is a canopy OF
violet silk ornamented with tufts of white
silk, and carried by an immense number
Of men, who support the body of the bier
On bamboo poles. Frequently there are
from 60 to 20 men.
The Oldest son walks ahead of the
mourners, next to the bier; then follow
he remaining sons, grandsons. and rela-
tons clad in n species of loose sackcloth
and leaning upon STATS with heads bent as
If overwhelmed with grief.
The female members, clad in coarse
white cloth. follow in sedan chairs
Servants, slaves, and hired mOurners
bring up the rear, filing the air with
ahrieks and cries.
When the procession reaches the bury
ing place, the coffin is deposited in the
Sepulcher, offerings are made of wine, tea,
fruit, and gilt paper to the ghost of the de-
parted. Relatives and friends PROSTATE
themselves before the tomb knocking
their foreheads upon the earth.
Temporary buildings are erected near
the sepulcher, in which are spread tables
covered with various refreshments for
the use of relatives or friends; but the
hildren of the departed must neither eat
or drink while they remain near the sep
Ilcher. AS soon as the renast is ended
they return in the same manner as they
came.
The period of mourning for parents is
three years, during which time no man
may accept or hold an official position.
Should he be in Office at the time of the
death he is obliged to relinquish IT.
Three years is the time fixed. because
for the first three years of the child's ex-
istence the parents attention is constantly
required to preserve the child from harm.
The mourning color and texture of the
material never varies for prince or peas
anti is always white and coarse.
The funeral of Emperor Kang-hu'.
brother was attended by about 10000 peo-
pie. First came the band of trumpeters
and musicians, after which marched, two
by two, first, 10 mace-bearers, whose
maces were of gilt copper; four umbrellas
and four canopies of gold; six unloaded
camels with sable-skins hanging from their
necks; six camels loaded with tents; six
hunting dogs led by leash; IA horses, I'M
Nf'NiA'N' eight men III LnSlT MINUS
girdles, from which hung purses filed with
pearls; 10 men carrying caps proper for
each season of the year; an open chair,
such as the Emperor had used; another
chair with yellow cushions; two sons Of
the deceased, supported by eunuchs, and
seeming to weep. The coffin, over which
was great yellow canopy. was carried
by 50 men, who were clothed in green
with red plumes in their caps; the Agoes
in mil Inl III
wants, and the Beguloes and other Princes
followed.
Two other collins containing the bodies
of two concubines who had been hanged
that they might serve the Prince in the
other world; the guards of the Empire,
and chairs of the deceased Princes wife,
his relatives, and a multitude of people
and BONES (priests) closed the procession.
The eight banners, with the Emperor and
officers, had gone before and arranged
themselves in order of battle, in order to
receive the body at the entrance of the
garden, where it was deposited until the
tomb could be built. The merriest music
is always heard.
The story is told of Il woman who had
reached the age of 50 years, and, fearing
lest her son, who was a worthless fellow,
would not give her a grand funeral she =
decided to enjoy it before she died: so she
fixed upon a day, notified all her friends
and relations to come dressed in MOURN
ing; hired many priests and monks, and
all the paraphernalia usual at funerals,
including a splendid coffin and sedan chair,
and, amidst much weeping and praying,
she was carried all about the city in a
sedan chair followed by the coffin and,
surrounded by mourners. New she had.
nothing to fear, for she has had her fu-
neral.
The funeral ceremonies differ with each
class of Chinese