Page:Madras Journal of Literature and Science, series 1, volume 6 (1837).djvu/281

1837.] banquet. He is represented by a black hideous image placed on a white pedestal covered with a Chinese inscription in black letters. The face, like that of Mokanna, was veiled. The covering was subsequently removed, as will be mentioned, from a visage frightful beyond description, black, covered with whitish blotches; a mouth of fearful dimensions, out of which was thrust a large red tongue. The head was large and covered with red shaggy hair. His apparel consisted of a black and gold vest, partially concealed by the folds of a red mantle thrown over his shoulders. A lion's head, painted green and white, adorns the idol's stomach. The legs are black and appear in all their naked deformity. The right hand grasps a banner on which appeared an inscription in Chinese.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the idol was brought forth with music and lights, and placed aloft on the platform last mentioned. The priests advanced to meet it, removed the cover from its face and bowed down before it. This done they seated themselves at the table on the platform within the enclosure. On the table were placed four large red wax lights, a ritual, two small bronze bells, a vessel of water, two sceptre-like wands, two sticks slightly curved at the end, a small red slab, a cup containing rice, several small vessels, one of ashes, a sword, a red blossom of the Siantan, and vases of burning incense. A little after eight, five lay-officials made their appearance; the Lochu and four Tao-kis, who are the annually elected trustees of the temple fund. They were clad in their purple robes of ceremony, their tailed heads covered by conical caps, from the apex of which flowed a profusion of a substance resembling horse hair, stained crimson. They proceeded to the middle shrine, and afterwards to one of the side ones, where they performed adoration and offered incense. Shortly after this the three priests went through the same ceremony. The chief priest was a benevolent looking old man, clothed in a long brown robe and wearing a hat, not very dissimilar from that at present in use among the dignitaries of the christian church. They then adjourned to the table where the feast was prepared, and finally resumed their seats on the platform. The ceremonies commenced by the officiating priest producing five gilt portraits of the goddess Hootchko, to which five adorations were