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XVIII
THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES OF A DOWAGER PRINCESS[5]
[5] Taken from Mrs. Headland's note-book.
One day I received a large sheet of white paper on which was
written in Chinese characters the announcement of the death of
the Dowager Princess Su, and inviting me to the "third-day
exercises." The real meaning of this "chieh san" I did not
comprehend, but I knew that those who were invited sent presents
of cakes or fruit, or baskets of paper flowers, incense, gold and
silver ingots made of paper, or rolls of paper silk, all of which
were intended for the use of the spirit of the departed. The
paper presents were all burned on the evening of the third day,
while the spirit feasted upon the flavour of the fruit and cakes.
As I did not feel that it was appropriate for me to send these
things, I had a beautiful wreath of white chrysanthemum flowers
made, and sent that instead. While I appreciated the invitation,
I thought it was probably given only as a matter of form, and
that I was not expected to attend the exercises, and so I sent my
Chinese maid with the wreath, saying that as I did not understand
their customs I would not go.
It was not long until the maid returned saying that they were
anxious to have me come, that under no circumstances must I
refuse, as they wished me to see their funeral ceremonies. The
Princess sent her cart for me, and according to the Chinese
custom, I took my maid seated upon the front, and set out for
Prince Su's palace
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