re a gold-embroidered robe, with long sleeves turned up
at the wrists. It was of violet colour, and a strong material; and,
being closed all round, must have been put on over the head. On his
breast and back were two plates of rich gold embroidery, representing an
eagle, or a bird like one. In his hand he had a large fan, the case of
which hung at his girdle like a knife-sheath. His slippers were square
at the toes, and embroidered with gold; but his legs were bare.

Under the vestibule of the temple, a hog and a goat, with the horns on,
were killed as burnt-offerings, and placed on a stand, with their
entrails before them. The interior of the temple was filled with tables
covered with preserved fruits and tea, where the bonzes and rich people
were sitting eating, drinking, and smoking; but none of the multitude
ventured in. Many female bonzes, or bonzesses, were in the vestibule,
dressed in violet silk robes, but without embroidery. Their hair was
twisted and turned up behind, forming a round tuft, fastened with two
diamond-headed pins. These tufts were stuck round with other very rich
pins, forming the beams of a most brilliant sun. They took no part that
we saw in the ceremonies.

What I have described seemed to be a prelude to the ceremonies. The
bonzes, fifteen in number, left the vestry to the sound of shrill, noisy
music. They took their stations before the altar, where they made many
genuflexions and gestures. They then presented to the high-priest, who
had no distinguishing mark, many meats which were on the altar. On this
he made various signs, pronouncing some words in a whining tone of
lamentation. After having made various libations with several liquors,
which he spread over the offerings, the other bonzes replaced them on
the altar. One of them then took a card, containing characters, from
which he sung. Judging from the loud laughter of part of the auditory,
the words seemed to have little analogy to the ceremony. Every bonze
held in his hand a box filled with incense matches, one of which he
lighted as soon as its predecessor was extinguished. After a repetition
of this ceremony, during which the music was never discontinued, they
entered the side-room to take refreshment. Having drunk their tea, they
went in procession to a second temple, where the same ceremony was gone
through. Thence they repaired to the theatre. When they had reached
the front of it they halted. "Are they going