Religion of the Chinese-Three religious sects-Con-fou-tsze, or State Religion-Priests-Rites and ceremonies-Prayer of the Emperor Kang-he-Extract from the Chu-king, by Confucius-The followers of Lao-kiun, or Taou-Precepts and doctrines-Joss-houses-Decorations and idols-Demon mode of worship-Religious observances and processions-The followers of Foo, or Buddha-Beliefs-DoctrinesPrecepts and commandments-Transmigration of souls-AnecdotesTemples-Mode of worship-Priests and Nuns-Settlement of JewsMahomet's followers.

THE Chinese are divided into three religious sects, who are followers of the tenets inculcated by Confou-tsze or Confucius, Lao-kiun or Taou, and Foo or Buddha. The Confucian is the religion of the state (although the Emperor builds and endows temples belonging to the two other sects), and the court pretend to follow the scheme of ethics and politics, laid down by their renowned philosopher. Confucius was born in the province of Shan-tung, about five hundred and forty-nine years before the Christian era, consequently, if this data be correct, Confucius must have been almost contemporary with Pythagoras, Thales, and Socrates, but the principles inculcated by the Chinese philosopher, far outvie those promul

gated by the sages of ancient Greece. The memory of Confucius is held in extreme reverence by the Chinese; in every district is a temple dedicated to him, and in every school throughout the Chinese empire is a tablet inscribed in honor of his memory, before which incense is burned morning and evening. The precepts inculcated by the sage are, dread and gratitude to the Lord of the world, obedience and subordination to parents and superiors, mourning for ancestors, honest and conscientious dealings with our fellow-man, benefiting our neighbours to the extent of our ability, and never indulging in vice or sensuality of any description. Confucius enforces strongly the necessity of obedience in all ranks, ages, and positions; thus, servants and slaves must obey their masters, children must obey their parents, and the parents must obey the Emperor, who must himself obey the Lord of Heaven, whose son and delegate he (the Emperor) is. The works of Confucius, which are used by his followers, are called the "five canonical books," and are held in the greatest veneration, the whole tenor of these works indicate morality and sound political views; one political extract must suffice, "Let those who produce revenue be many, and those who consume it few; let the producers have every facility, and let the consumers practise economy, and thus there will be at all times a sufficiency of revenue.'

The high priest of this sect is the Emperor, the subordinate priests being the mandarins, officers of

• The Emperor of China is termed by his subjects "The Son of Heaven.

state, both civil and military; the heavens, earth, sun, and moon, are worshipped, when heaven is worshipped the Emperor is clad in silken robes of azure blue; when earth, his robes are saffron coloured; the sun is worshipped in crimson robes, and the moon in robes of a cream-white hue. The sacrifices are offered at fixed periods, that to heaven is made on the day of the winter solstice; to earth, on that of the summer solstice; the others being made according to the inclination or pleasure of the Emperor. The victims sacrificed, are cows, pigs, bullocks, and sheep, these are cut up and cooked, being afterwards placed upon altars dedicated to heaven and earth; the form of the altar dedicated to the former is round, to the latter, square. Before taking part in any of these sacrificial rites, the following regulations are enforced, a rigid fast must be maintained for three entire days, neither listening to music, cohabiting with wives or concubines, or mourning for the dead during that period. The mode of worship consists in numerous prostrations before the altar, koo-towing, or knocking the head nine times against the ground; but when the Emperor personally officiates, the koo-towing is not performed by him, bowing to the altar being substituted for the prostrations. Once in the course of the twelve months, the empress, princesses, and imperial handmaids, or concubines, are allowed to take part in the minor sacrifices.

If the various rites and ceremonies prescribed by Confucius are not followed by the officers of state, a fine is inflicted; but if any priests of the sects of Taou or Buddha should attempt to imitate the cere