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The Princess told me that they were about to form a procession to
go to the great street. I therefore took my leave in order that I
might precede them and see the procession arrive, and witness the
burning of the presents for the spirit.
When I arrived on the great street I there beheld a paper cart
and horses which were intended to transport the spirit to the
eastern heaven. There was a sedan chair for her use after her
arrival, numerous servants, money, silk, and a beautiful, big
house for her to dwell in, all made of paper. I had not long to
wait for the procession, which was headed by the priests playing
mournful, wailing music on large and small horns and drums. The
priests were followed by the mourners and their friends. When
they arrived at the place of the burning, the mourners prostrated
themselves upon white cushions before the paper furnishings amid
the shrieks of the instruments, the wailing of the hired
mourners, and the petitions of the priests for the spirits to
assist the departed on her way.
While this was going on, fire was applied to various parts of the
paper pile, and in a moment a great flame sprang up into the
air--a flame that could be seen from miles around, and in less
time than it takes to tell it the whole was a heap of glowing
ashes, the mourners had departed, and the little street children
were stirring it up with long sticks.
The first three days after death, the spirit is supposed to visit
the different temples, going, as it were, from official court to
official court receiving judgment, and cards of merit or demerit
to take with it, for the deeds done in the body
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