Chapter 32

[330]About one sixth of an acre. On old title-deeds of landed property in China may still be seen measurements calculated according to the amount of grain that could be sown thereon.return to text[331]The king here uses the words “ku-t‘u-tzŭ,” which are probably intended by the author to be an imitation of a term in the savage tongue.return to text[332]Fondness for children is specially a trait of Chinese character; and a single baby would do far more to ensure the safety of a foreign traveller in China than all the usual paraphernalia of pocket-pistols and revolvers.return to text[333]Literally, “a million of taels,” the word used being the Buddhist termchao.return to text[334]Here again we have 100chün, onechünbeing equal to about 40lbs.Chinese weights, measures, distances, numbers,&c., are often very loosely employed; and it is probable that not more than 100catties, say 133lbs., is here meant.return to text[335]That is, until the change of the monsoon from S.W. to N.E.return to text[336]SeeNo. XLI.,note 237.return to text[337]Used for pounding rice.return to text[338]A fancy name for the Tung-t‘ing lake. SeeNo. XXXVIII.,note 226.return to text[339]The commentator declares himself unable to trace this allusion.return to text[340]These are bound in between several sharp-pointed stakes and serve their purpose very well in the inland waters of China.return to text[341]This deity is believed to be constantly on the look-out for wicked people, aided by the Goddess of Lightning, who flashes a mirror on to whomsoever the God wishes to strike. “The thief eats thunderbolts,” means that he will bring down vengeance from Heaven on himself. Tylor’sPrimitive Culture,Vol. I.,p.88.return to text[342]SeeNo. V.,note 48.return to text[343]Gambling is the great Chinese vice, far exceeding in its ill effects all that opium has ever done to demoralize the country. Public gaming-houses are strictly forbidden by law, but their existence is winked at by a too venal executive.Fantanis the favourite game. It consists in staking on the remainder of an unknown number of cash, after the heap has been divided by four, namely whether it will be three, two, one, or nothing; with other variations of a more complicated nature.return to text[344]SeeNo. XLVI.,note 271.return to text[345]SeeNo. LIII.,note 288.return to text[346]The virtuous conduct of any individual will result not only in happiness and prosperity to himself, but a certain quantity of these will descend to his posterity, unless, as in the present case, there is one among them whose personal wickedness neutralizes any benefits that would otherwise accrue therefrom. Here we have an instance where the crimes of a descendant still left a balance of good fortune surviving from the accumulated virtue of generations.return to footnote anchor 346return to footnote anchor 456return to footnote anchor 617[347]One of the six departments of State administration.return to text[348]This seems a curious charge to bring against a people who for a stolid and bigoted conservatism have rarely, if ever, been equalled. Mencius, however, uttered one golden sentence which might be brought to bear upon the occasionally foolish opposition of the Chinese to measures of proved advantage to the commonwealth. “Live,” said the Sage, “in harmony with the age in which you are born.”return to text[349]Only slave-girls and women of the poorer classes, and old women, omit this very important part of a Chinese lady’s toilet.return to footnote anchor 349return to footnote anchor 400[350]Alluding probably to the shape of the “shoe” or ingot of silver.return to text[351]SeeNo. XLVI.,note 271.return to text[352]Literally, “One who would make wild geese alight and fish dive down for shame;” or, as the next line from the same poem has it, “a beauty which would obscure the moon and put flowers to the blush.”return to text[353]Slave-girls do not have their feet compressed.return to text[354]Wherein resides an old gentleman who ties together with a red cord the feet of those destined to become man and wife. From this bond there is no escape, no matter what distance may separate the affianced pair. The first go-between, Ku Ts‘ê, was originally seen, on ice, arranging matches with some onebelow:—“Marriage is not a trifling thing—The Book and the Vermilion String!On ice by moonlight may be seenThe wedded couples’ go-between.”—A Thousand Character Essay for Girls.Hence the common phrase “to do the ice (business),”i.e., to arrange a marriage.return to text[355]This proceeding is highly improper, but is winked at in a large majority of Chinese betrothals.return to text[356]The term “sea-market” is generally understood in the sense ofmirage, or some similar phenomenon.return to text[357]A famous General who played a leading part in the wars of the Three Kingdoms. SeeNo. XCIII.,note 482.return to footnote anchor 357return to footnote 482[358]A hit at the hypocrisy of the age.return to text[359]Shewing that hypocrisy is bad policy in the long run.return to text[360]The tears of Chinese mermaids are said to be pearls.return to text[361]SeeNo. XIX.,note 135.return to text[362]Good ink of the kind miscalled “Indian,” is usually very highly scented; and from a habit the Chinese have of sucking their writing-brushes to a fine point, the phrase “to eat ink” has become a synonym of “to study.”return to text[363]This all-important point in a Chinese marriage ceremony is the equivalent of our own “signing in the vestry.”return to text[364]Literally, “if you have no one to cook your food.”return to text[365]“Dragon Palace” and “Happy Sea,” respectively.return to text[366]Alluding to an old legend of a letter conveyed by a bird.return to text[367]SeeNo. V.,note 49.return to text[368]The “Spinning Damsel,” or name of a star in Lyra, connected with which there is a celebrated legend of its annual transit across the Milky Way.return to text[369]These are of course only the equivalents of the Chinese names in the text.return to text[370]To keep off the much-dreaded wind, which disturbs the rest of the departed.return to text[371]For which a very high price is obtained in China.return to text[372]Of the Ming dynasty; reignedA.D.1426–1436.return to text[373]These beadles are chosen by the officials from among the respectable and substantial of the people to preside over a small area and be responsible for the general good behaviour of its inhabitants. The post is one of honour and occasional emolument, since all petitions presented to the authorities, all mortgages, transfers of land,&c., should bear the beadle’s seal or signature in evidence of theirbonâ fidecharacter. On the other hand, the beadle is punished by fine, and sometimes bambooed, if robberies are too frequent within his jurisdiction, or if he fails to secure the person of any malefactor particularly wanted by his superior officers. And other causes may combine to make the post a dangerous one; but no one is allowed to refuse acceptance of it point-blank.return to footnote anchor 373return to footnote anchor 416return to footnote anchor 618return to footnote anchor 632[374]A favourite Chinese expression, signifying the absence of food.return to text[375]That is to say, his spirit had entered, during his period of temporary insanity, into the cricket which had allowed itself to be caught by his father, and had animated it to fight with such extraordinary vigour in order to make good the loss occasioned by his carelessness in letting the other escape.return to text[376]This is the term used by the Chinese for “Persia,” often put by metonymy for things which come from that country,sc.“valuables.” Thus, “to be poor in Persia” is to have but few jewels, gold and silver ornaments, and even clothes.return to text[377]The name here used is theHêngor “ceaseless” river, which is applied by the Chinese to the Ganges. A certain number, extending to fifty-three places of figures, is called “Ganges sand,” in allusion to a famous remark that “Buddha and the Bôdhisatvas knew of the creation and destruction of every grain of dust in Jambudwipa (the universe); how much more the number of the sand-particles in the river Ganges?”return to text[378]Drunkenness is not recognised in China as an extenuating circumstance; neither, indeed, is insanity,—a lunatic who takes another man’s life being equally liable with ordinary persons to the forfeiture of his own.return to text[379]A favourite Chinese figure expressive of old age. It dates back to the celebrated commentary by Tso Ch‘iu Ming on Confucius’Spring and Autumn(SeeNo. XLI.,note 237):—“Hsi is twenty-three and I am twenty-five; and marrying thus we shall approach the wood together;” the “wood” being, of course, that of the coffin.return to text[380]SeeNo. VIII.,note 63.return to text[381]“... Move these eyes?... Here are severed lips.”—Merchant of Venice, Actiii.,sc.2.return to text[382]SeeNo. LIII.,note 288.return to text[383]This method of arranging a matrimonial difficulty is a common one in Chinese fiction, but I should say quite unknown in real life.return to text[384]This term, while really including all literary men, of no matter what rank or standing, is more usually confined to that large section of unemployed scholarship made up of (1) those who are waiting to get started in an official career, (2) those who have taken one or more degrees and are preparing for the next, (3) those who have failed to distinguish themselves at the public examinations, and eke out a small patrimony by taking pupils, and (4) scholars of sufficiently high qualifications who have no taste for official life.return to text[385]Unless under exceptional circumstances it is not considered creditable in China for widows to marry again. It may here be mentioned that the honorary tablets conferred from time to time by His Imperial Majesty upon virtuous widows are only given to women who, widowed before the age of thirty, have remained in that state for a period of thirty years. The meaning of this is obvious: temptations are supposed to be fewer and less dangerous after thirty, which is the equivalent of forty with us; and it is wholly improbable that thirty years of virtuous life, at which period the widow would be at least fifty, would be followed by any act that might cast a stain upon the tablet thus bestowed.return to footnote anchor 385return to footnote 419return to footnote anchor 679[386]Literally, a “pig old-woman dragon.” Porpoise (Fr.porc-poisson) suggests itself at once; but I think fresh-water dolphin is the best term, especially as the Tung-t‘ing lake is many hundred miles inland. The commentator explains it byt‘o, which would be “alligator” or “cayman,” and is of course out of the question. My friend, Mr. L. C. Hopkins, has taken the trouble to make some investigations for me on this subject. He tells me that this fish, also called the “river pig,” has first to be surrounded and secured by a strong net. Being too large to be hauled on board a boat, it is then driven ashore, where oil is extracted from the carcase and used for giving a gloss to silk thread,&c.return to text[387]Literally, in the utter absence of anybody.return to text[388]In passing near to the women’s quarters in a friend’s house, it is etiquette to cough slightly, that inmates may be warned and withdraw from the doors or windows in time to escape observation. Over and over again at interviews with mandarins of all grades I have heard the rustling of the ladies’ dresses from some coigne of vantage, whence every movement of mine was being watched by an inquisitive crowd; and on one occasion I actually saw an eye peering through a small hole in the partition behind me.return to text[389]Literally, “bald”—i.e., without the usual width and ornamentation of a Chinese lady’s sleeve.return to text[390]Small waists are much admired in China, but any such artificial aids as stays and tight lacing are quite unknown. A certain Prince Wei admitted none but the possessors of small waists into his harem; hence his establishment came to be called thePalace of Small Waists.return to footnote anchor 390return to footnote anchor 401[391]Probably of felt or some such material, to prevent the young lady from slipping as she stood, not sat, in the swing.return to text[392]A rebel chieftain of the legendary period of China’s history, who took up arms against the Emperor Huang Ti (B.C.2697–2597), but was subsequently defeated in what was perhaps the first decisive battle of the world.return to text[393]This favourite process consists in gently thumping the person operated upon all over the back with the soft part of the closed fists. Compare Lane,Arabian Nights,Vol. I.,p.551:—“She then pressed me to her bosom, and laid me on the bed, and continued gently kneading my limbs until slumber overcame me.”return to footnote anchor 393return to footnote anchor 583[394]SeeNo. LVI.,note 315. A considerable number of the attendants there mentioned would accompany any high official, some in the same, the rest in another barge.return to text[395]Generally known as the “cut-wave God.”return to text[396]At all great banquets in China a theatrical troupe is engaged to perform while the dinner, which may last from four to six hours, drags its slow length along.return to text[397]SeeNo. LIV.,note 292.return to text[398]The name of a celebrated beauty.return to text[399]In this favourite pastime of the literati in China the important point is that each word in the second line should be a due and proper antithesis of the word in the first line to which it corresponds.return to text[400]SeeNo. LXII.,note 349.return to text[401]SeeNo. LXIX.,note 390.return to text[402]The language in which this fanciful document is couched is precisely such as would be used by an officer of the Government in announcing some national calamity; hence the value of these tales,—models as they are of the purest possible style.return to text[403]The examination consists of three bouts of three days each, during which periods the candidates remain shut up in their examination cells day and night.return to footnote anchor 403return to footnote anchor 455[404]The name of a place.return to text[405]This interesting ceremony is performed by placing little conical pastilles on a certain number of spots, varying from three to twelve, on the candidate’s head. These are then lighted and allowed to burn down into the flesh, while the surrounding parts are vigorously rubbed by attendant priests in order to lessen the pain. The whole thing lasts about twenty minutes, and is always performed on the eve of Shâkyamuni Buddha’s birthday. The above was well described by Mr. S. L. Baldwin in theFoochow Herald.return to text

[330]About one sixth of an acre. On old title-deeds of landed property in China may still be seen measurements calculated according to the amount of grain that could be sown thereon.return to text

[331]The king here uses the words “ku-t‘u-tzŭ,” which are probably intended by the author to be an imitation of a term in the savage tongue.return to text

[332]Fondness for children is specially a trait of Chinese character; and a single baby would do far more to ensure the safety of a foreign traveller in China than all the usual paraphernalia of pocket-pistols and revolvers.return to text

[333]Literally, “a million of taels,” the word used being the Buddhist termchao.return to text

[334]Here again we have 100chün, onechünbeing equal to about 40lbs.Chinese weights, measures, distances, numbers,&c., are often very loosely employed; and it is probable that not more than 100catties, say 133lbs., is here meant.return to text

[335]That is, until the change of the monsoon from S.W. to N.E.return to text

[336]SeeNo. XLI.,note 237.return to text

[337]Used for pounding rice.return to text

[338]A fancy name for the Tung-t‘ing lake. SeeNo. XXXVIII.,note 226.return to text

[339]The commentator declares himself unable to trace this allusion.return to text

[340]These are bound in between several sharp-pointed stakes and serve their purpose very well in the inland waters of China.return to text

[341]This deity is believed to be constantly on the look-out for wicked people, aided by the Goddess of Lightning, who flashes a mirror on to whomsoever the God wishes to strike. “The thief eats thunderbolts,” means that he will bring down vengeance from Heaven on himself. Tylor’sPrimitive Culture,Vol. I.,p.88.return to text

[342]SeeNo. V.,note 48.return to text

[343]Gambling is the great Chinese vice, far exceeding in its ill effects all that opium has ever done to demoralize the country. Public gaming-houses are strictly forbidden by law, but their existence is winked at by a too venal executive.Fantanis the favourite game. It consists in staking on the remainder of an unknown number of cash, after the heap has been divided by four, namely whether it will be three, two, one, or nothing; with other variations of a more complicated nature.return to text

[344]SeeNo. XLVI.,note 271.return to text

[345]SeeNo. LIII.,note 288.return to text

[346]The virtuous conduct of any individual will result not only in happiness and prosperity to himself, but a certain quantity of these will descend to his posterity, unless, as in the present case, there is one among them whose personal wickedness neutralizes any benefits that would otherwise accrue therefrom. Here we have an instance where the crimes of a descendant still left a balance of good fortune surviving from the accumulated virtue of generations.return to footnote anchor 346return to footnote anchor 456return to footnote anchor 617

[347]One of the six departments of State administration.return to text

[348]This seems a curious charge to bring against a people who for a stolid and bigoted conservatism have rarely, if ever, been equalled. Mencius, however, uttered one golden sentence which might be brought to bear upon the occasionally foolish opposition of the Chinese to measures of proved advantage to the commonwealth. “Live,” said the Sage, “in harmony with the age in which you are born.”return to text

[349]Only slave-girls and women of the poorer classes, and old women, omit this very important part of a Chinese lady’s toilet.return to footnote anchor 349return to footnote anchor 400

[350]Alluding probably to the shape of the “shoe” or ingot of silver.return to text

[351]SeeNo. XLVI.,note 271.return to text

[352]Literally, “One who would make wild geese alight and fish dive down for shame;” or, as the next line from the same poem has it, “a beauty which would obscure the moon and put flowers to the blush.”return to text

[353]Slave-girls do not have their feet compressed.return to text

[354]Wherein resides an old gentleman who ties together with a red cord the feet of those destined to become man and wife. From this bond there is no escape, no matter what distance may separate the affianced pair. The first go-between, Ku Ts‘ê, was originally seen, on ice, arranging matches with some onebelow:—“Marriage is not a trifling thing—The Book and the Vermilion String!On ice by moonlight may be seenThe wedded couples’ go-between.”—A Thousand Character Essay for Girls.Hence the common phrase “to do the ice (business),”i.e., to arrange a marriage.return to text

“Marriage is not a trifling thing—The Book and the Vermilion String!On ice by moonlight may be seenThe wedded couples’ go-between.”—A Thousand Character Essay for Girls.

“Marriage is not a trifling thing—The Book and the Vermilion String!On ice by moonlight may be seenThe wedded couples’ go-between.”

“Marriage is not a trifling thing—

The Book and the Vermilion String!

On ice by moonlight may be seen

The wedded couples’ go-between.”

—A Thousand Character Essay for Girls.

Hence the common phrase “to do the ice (business),”i.e., to arrange a marriage.return to text

[355]This proceeding is highly improper, but is winked at in a large majority of Chinese betrothals.return to text

[356]The term “sea-market” is generally understood in the sense ofmirage, or some similar phenomenon.return to text

[357]A famous General who played a leading part in the wars of the Three Kingdoms. SeeNo. XCIII.,note 482.return to footnote anchor 357return to footnote 482

[358]A hit at the hypocrisy of the age.return to text

[359]Shewing that hypocrisy is bad policy in the long run.return to text

[360]The tears of Chinese mermaids are said to be pearls.return to text

[361]SeeNo. XIX.,note 135.return to text

[362]Good ink of the kind miscalled “Indian,” is usually very highly scented; and from a habit the Chinese have of sucking their writing-brushes to a fine point, the phrase “to eat ink” has become a synonym of “to study.”return to text

[363]This all-important point in a Chinese marriage ceremony is the equivalent of our own “signing in the vestry.”return to text

[364]Literally, “if you have no one to cook your food.”return to text

[365]“Dragon Palace” and “Happy Sea,” respectively.return to text

[366]Alluding to an old legend of a letter conveyed by a bird.return to text

[367]SeeNo. V.,note 49.return to text

[368]The “Spinning Damsel,” or name of a star in Lyra, connected with which there is a celebrated legend of its annual transit across the Milky Way.return to text

[369]These are of course only the equivalents of the Chinese names in the text.return to text

[370]To keep off the much-dreaded wind, which disturbs the rest of the departed.return to text

[371]For which a very high price is obtained in China.return to text

[372]Of the Ming dynasty; reignedA.D.1426–1436.return to text

[373]These beadles are chosen by the officials from among the respectable and substantial of the people to preside over a small area and be responsible for the general good behaviour of its inhabitants. The post is one of honour and occasional emolument, since all petitions presented to the authorities, all mortgages, transfers of land,&c., should bear the beadle’s seal or signature in evidence of theirbonâ fidecharacter. On the other hand, the beadle is punished by fine, and sometimes bambooed, if robberies are too frequent within his jurisdiction, or if he fails to secure the person of any malefactor particularly wanted by his superior officers. And other causes may combine to make the post a dangerous one; but no one is allowed to refuse acceptance of it point-blank.return to footnote anchor 373return to footnote anchor 416return to footnote anchor 618return to footnote anchor 632

[374]A favourite Chinese expression, signifying the absence of food.return to text

[375]That is to say, his spirit had entered, during his period of temporary insanity, into the cricket which had allowed itself to be caught by his father, and had animated it to fight with such extraordinary vigour in order to make good the loss occasioned by his carelessness in letting the other escape.return to text

[376]This is the term used by the Chinese for “Persia,” often put by metonymy for things which come from that country,sc.“valuables.” Thus, “to be poor in Persia” is to have but few jewels, gold and silver ornaments, and even clothes.return to text

[377]The name here used is theHêngor “ceaseless” river, which is applied by the Chinese to the Ganges. A certain number, extending to fifty-three places of figures, is called “Ganges sand,” in allusion to a famous remark that “Buddha and the Bôdhisatvas knew of the creation and destruction of every grain of dust in Jambudwipa (the universe); how much more the number of the sand-particles in the river Ganges?”return to text

[378]Drunkenness is not recognised in China as an extenuating circumstance; neither, indeed, is insanity,—a lunatic who takes another man’s life being equally liable with ordinary persons to the forfeiture of his own.return to text

[379]A favourite Chinese figure expressive of old age. It dates back to the celebrated commentary by Tso Ch‘iu Ming on Confucius’Spring and Autumn(SeeNo. XLI.,note 237):—“Hsi is twenty-three and I am twenty-five; and marrying thus we shall approach the wood together;” the “wood” being, of course, that of the coffin.return to text

[380]SeeNo. VIII.,note 63.return to text

[381]“... Move these eyes?... Here are severed lips.”—Merchant of Venice, Actiii.,sc.2.return to text

[381]

“... Move these eyes?... Here are severed lips.”—Merchant of Venice, Actiii.,sc.2.

“... Move these eyes?... Here are severed lips.”

“... Move these eyes?

... Here are severed lips.”

—Merchant of Venice, Actiii.,sc.2.

return to text

[382]SeeNo. LIII.,note 288.return to text

[383]This method of arranging a matrimonial difficulty is a common one in Chinese fiction, but I should say quite unknown in real life.return to text

[384]This term, while really including all literary men, of no matter what rank or standing, is more usually confined to that large section of unemployed scholarship made up of (1) those who are waiting to get started in an official career, (2) those who have taken one or more degrees and are preparing for the next, (3) those who have failed to distinguish themselves at the public examinations, and eke out a small patrimony by taking pupils, and (4) scholars of sufficiently high qualifications who have no taste for official life.return to text

[385]Unless under exceptional circumstances it is not considered creditable in China for widows to marry again. It may here be mentioned that the honorary tablets conferred from time to time by His Imperial Majesty upon virtuous widows are only given to women who, widowed before the age of thirty, have remained in that state for a period of thirty years. The meaning of this is obvious: temptations are supposed to be fewer and less dangerous after thirty, which is the equivalent of forty with us; and it is wholly improbable that thirty years of virtuous life, at which period the widow would be at least fifty, would be followed by any act that might cast a stain upon the tablet thus bestowed.return to footnote anchor 385return to footnote 419return to footnote anchor 679

[386]Literally, a “pig old-woman dragon.” Porpoise (Fr.porc-poisson) suggests itself at once; but I think fresh-water dolphin is the best term, especially as the Tung-t‘ing lake is many hundred miles inland. The commentator explains it byt‘o, which would be “alligator” or “cayman,” and is of course out of the question. My friend, Mr. L. C. Hopkins, has taken the trouble to make some investigations for me on this subject. He tells me that this fish, also called the “river pig,” has first to be surrounded and secured by a strong net. Being too large to be hauled on board a boat, it is then driven ashore, where oil is extracted from the carcase and used for giving a gloss to silk thread,&c.return to text

[387]Literally, in the utter absence of anybody.return to text

[388]In passing near to the women’s quarters in a friend’s house, it is etiquette to cough slightly, that inmates may be warned and withdraw from the doors or windows in time to escape observation. Over and over again at interviews with mandarins of all grades I have heard the rustling of the ladies’ dresses from some coigne of vantage, whence every movement of mine was being watched by an inquisitive crowd; and on one occasion I actually saw an eye peering through a small hole in the partition behind me.return to text

[389]Literally, “bald”—i.e., without the usual width and ornamentation of a Chinese lady’s sleeve.return to text

[390]Small waists are much admired in China, but any such artificial aids as stays and tight lacing are quite unknown. A certain Prince Wei admitted none but the possessors of small waists into his harem; hence his establishment came to be called thePalace of Small Waists.return to footnote anchor 390return to footnote anchor 401

[391]Probably of felt or some such material, to prevent the young lady from slipping as she stood, not sat, in the swing.return to text

[392]A rebel chieftain of the legendary period of China’s history, who took up arms against the Emperor Huang Ti (B.C.2697–2597), but was subsequently defeated in what was perhaps the first decisive battle of the world.return to text

[393]This favourite process consists in gently thumping the person operated upon all over the back with the soft part of the closed fists. Compare Lane,Arabian Nights,Vol. I.,p.551:—“She then pressed me to her bosom, and laid me on the bed, and continued gently kneading my limbs until slumber overcame me.”return to footnote anchor 393return to footnote anchor 583

[394]SeeNo. LVI.,note 315. A considerable number of the attendants there mentioned would accompany any high official, some in the same, the rest in another barge.return to text

[395]Generally known as the “cut-wave God.”return to text

[396]At all great banquets in China a theatrical troupe is engaged to perform while the dinner, which may last from four to six hours, drags its slow length along.return to text

[397]SeeNo. LIV.,note 292.return to text

[398]The name of a celebrated beauty.return to text

[399]In this favourite pastime of the literati in China the important point is that each word in the second line should be a due and proper antithesis of the word in the first line to which it corresponds.return to text

[400]SeeNo. LXII.,note 349.return to text

[401]SeeNo. LXIX.,note 390.return to text

[402]The language in which this fanciful document is couched is precisely such as would be used by an officer of the Government in announcing some national calamity; hence the value of these tales,—models as they are of the purest possible style.return to text

[403]The examination consists of three bouts of three days each, during which periods the candidates remain shut up in their examination cells day and night.return to footnote anchor 403return to footnote anchor 455

[404]The name of a place.return to text

[405]This interesting ceremony is performed by placing little conical pastilles on a certain number of spots, varying from three to twelve, on the candidate’s head. These are then lighted and allowed to burn down into the flesh, while the surrounding parts are vigorously rubbed by attendant priests in order to lessen the pain. The whole thing lasts about twenty minutes, and is always performed on the eve of Shâkyamuni Buddha’s birthday. The above was well described by Mr. S. L. Baldwin in theFoochow Herald.return to text

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