poor wretches who happen to die without posterity. Deprived of all sustenance and relief, they wander about in the invisible regions, cold, hungry, and destitute.
The Buddhists have taken advantage of this prevailing sentiment, and have grounded on it a variety of superstitious services. In the first place, they induce survivors to call in their aid at almost every funeral, that the souls of their deceased relatives may be released out of purgatory, and be enabled to avail themselves of the provisions presented. But, not content with persuading private families to employ them, these fellows have succeeded in getting up public services on behalf of the wretched ghosts, who have no posterity to provide for them. This, they put forth, as entirely a benevolent undertaking, and solicit subscriptions for it on charitable grounds. The ceremony is generally performed during the seventh moon; and as each district, tything, and street, has hungry ghosts of its own, so each locality must have a separate sacrifice. A committee is appointed for collecting the funds, and laying in the necessary provisions. On the day fixed for the ceremony, stages are erected, one for the priests and one for the provisions; flags and lanterns are displayed near, while gongs and drums are beaten, to give notice to the forlorn ghosts that a rich feast is provided for them; and then the priests set to work to repeat their prayers, and move their fingers in a peculiar way, by which means they believe the gates of hell are opened, and the hungry ghosts come forth to receive the boon. Some of the spectators profess to be able to see the opening portals, and the scampering demons, pale and wan, with hair standing on end, and
