The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
FUNERAL OF Ii HUNG CHANG.
interesting Procession Escorting His
Body Out of Peking.
North China Herald.

North China Herald.
Yesterday morning Peking in it's thou
sands turned out to witness the departure
Of the mortal remains of Ii Hung Chang
from the city to their last long home in the
province of Anhui. For several days pre-
viously the family had been busy making
preparations for the departure. and for
eigners of all nationalities visited their pri-
vate residence, where the coffined body lay
in state, some showing their respect for the
great statesman by placing wreaths of
flowers on the coffin, and others their curl
osity by photographing what appeared TO
them most of interest. The procession
started for Tung-Chou at dawn, and, not
withstanding the early hour. thousands of
spectators lined the route, noticeable
among them being the great number of
Manchu women, with their picturesque
headdresses, painted cheeks and brilliant
garments.
The first object to claim attention was a
pagoda-shaped structure, worked in silk,
nearly thirty feet in height and borne by
sixteen men, on which was hung a satin
scroll Inscribed in gold with the name, age
and titles Of the dead man. This beautiful
work of art was presented by Sun Chung
Tang and other Anhui officials in Picking as
a tribute of respect to their famous fellow
provincial. Following on the pagoda came
the white cock in its cage, which is sup
posed to lead the spirit of the deceased 10
its destination. Accompanying the cock
were two hawks. two dogs and four camels,
the idea of these being to provide hunting
facilities for the dead. After a long process
sion Of the usual accomplishments of all
funerals of men of wealth and rank came
the gifts presented by the Emperor, placed
i'm miniature kiosks to the number Of TWEEN
ty, each being borne by four men. These
were followed by about fifty ''wanming
sans" complimentary silk umbrellas) and
a large number of flags of various colors.
These umbrellas and flags were sent from
all over the country by the late VicerOy's
admirers, and bore inscriptions in gold ex-
tolling his virtues and Sagacity. Following
on these came detachments of priests
Lama, Buddhist and TaOist-showing how
cosmopolitan is China in the matter of re-
ligiOn. Next came the deceased's official
chair and cart. his riding horses and the
most highly priced furniture of his private
room, all OF which were guarded by a small
detachment of Yuan Shih Kai's soldiers.
Just in front Of the bier, the embroidered
canopy of which was very magnificent,
walked the two chief mOurners. Lii Ching
Fang. the nephew and adopted son of Ii
Hung Chang. and his own son, Ii Ching
Mai. Both were dressed in deepest mourn
ing, white linen robes over the ordinary
white cotton ones, with rope Wristbands
ana white caps bound with rope, and each,
supported by two attendants, walked under
a white awning. Along the route at GER
tain intervals were paviliOns erected by
various yamens DESTROYS of doing honor TO
the memory of the dead. In each of these
were placed A chair on a raised platform,
a table in front, on which was spread a
feast and incense burners, and as the chief
mourners and high officials passed them
they entered and burned incense and made
obeisance to the spirit of the dead. Behind
the bier which was carried by sixty-four
bearers. came the white chairs and carts
of the women of the family. Lady Lii. her
young daughter and the wife of Ii Ching
Mai were the three chief women mourners.
and sometimes they gave vent to their grief
i'm loud wailing which could be heard by
the spectators on the roadside. The pro-
cession was two or three miles I'm length
and took nearly two hours to pass a given
point. Prince Chun. in his capacity as rep
resentative of the Emperor. and many other
princes and high officials were present to
take part i'm this, the last scene I'm the
career of one of the greatest statesmen
China has ever had. The body. on it's ar
rival i'm the province of Anhui, will be
placed in the. family temple until next year,
when it Will be buried. The reason for this
delay is that the burial ground Of the Ii
family faces south. and the present year
being considered unlucky for all such the
burial will have to be postponed until the
next, which is supposed to be a lucky one.