“More important do you mean to tell me, than of giving solemn testimony upon which may depend perhaps the life or death of a human being?”
“Undoubtedly, madam,” said Thomasz.
“Well!” cried Henriette, “I should like to know what questions those may be!”
“To give you only one instance,” replied Thomasz, “the great oath, the solemn oath which the Government requires to be taken when a man is made a Chinese officer.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed Henriette with a laugh, “do you call that so very serious a matter?”
“And then,” continued the assistant clerk, “on certain occasions, though rarely, the great oath is administered in civil cases, where the interests involved are very considerable.”
“Ah, now I understand you! When it is a question of £ s. d.,” laughed Henriette; “but, pray, tell us something about that great oath.”
“With pleasure, madam, only I am afraid I do not know very much about it. The rites observed on such occasions are borrowed from the ceremony with which the oath is administered in China to princes and high state officials on their appointment. I will, in as few words as possible, try to describe to you what takes place. The witness first writes down the evidence he intends to give or the promise he intends to make, on a strip of red paper, and then he confirms the truth of his words by calling down upon himself the most fearful curses should his evidence prove untrue, or should he fail to carry out his engagement. This strip of red paper the witness next carries to the temple, and solemnly spreads it out upon the table of offerings, between a number of burning candles, some bottles of wine and some confectionery, which are destined to be gifts or offerings to the idol. While this is going on the priests are screeching forth a form of prayer, at certain passages of which a bell is violently rung. Thereupon the witness, in a loud voice, reads out what he has written on the paper, the priests the while burning incense. Finally, the red paper is held to the flame of one of the candles, and, having been thrown down on the table, is allowed to burn until it is reduced to ashes. This concludes the ceremony. I know, ladies, my description is most imperfect; but I hope that I have succeeded in giving you some notion of this very curious solemnity.”
“Much obliged to you, Mr. Thomasz,” said Laurentia, holding out her hand to him as, with haughty glance, she surveyed the company assembled in the pandoppo.
“I wonder whom she is looking for?” whispered one of the young men in the body of the hall.