[46] See No. LXIX., [note 35].
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[47] The language in which this fanciful document is couched is precisely such as would be used by an officer of the Government in announcing some national calamity; hence the value of these tales,—models as they are of the purest possible style.
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[48] The examination consists of three bouts of three days each, during which periods the candidates remain shut up in their examination cells day and night.
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[49] The name of a place.
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[50] This interesting ceremony is performed by placing little conical pastilles on a certain number of spots, varying from three to twelve, on the candidate’s head. These are then lighted and allowed to burn down into the flesh, while the surrounding parts are vigorously rubbed by attendant priests in order to lessen the pain. The whole thing lasts about twenty minutes, and is always performed on the eve of Shâkyamuni Buddha’s birthday. The above was well described by Mr. S. L. Baldwin in the Foochow Herald.
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[51] There is a room in most Buddhist temples specially devoted to this purpose.
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[52] The Buddhist emblem of cleanliness; generally a yak’s tail, and commonly used as a fly-brush.
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[53] Tree-worship can hardly be said to exist in China at the present day; though at a comparatively recent epoch this phase of religious sentiment must have been widely spread. See [The Flower Nymphs] and [Mr. Willow].
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[54] Literally, “had been allotted the post of Nan-fu magistrate,” such appointments being always determined by drawing lots.
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[55] Such is one common explanation of catalepsy (see No. I., [note 40]), it being further averred that the proper lictors of the Infernal regions are unable to remain long in the light of the upper world.
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