Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 102

1841.

Sketch of Teen Fe, or Matsoo Po.

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months ensued, at the end of which period she gave birth to the god- dess Fe. Her birth took place in the first year, third month, and twenty-first day of the reign of Teënkwan of the Tang dynasty. At the time of this birth a wonderful fragrance was perceptible for a mile around, and at the end of ten days it was not dispersed. In her infancy her intelligence was extraordinary. During her first year, while she was carried in the keung paou,' when beholding any of the gods she folded her hands, and manifested desires to do them

At the age of five she could recite the sacred books of Kwanyin; and at eleven she was able with gravity to attend upon the feasts and music of the gods.

reverence.

Now Fe concealed her sacred proceedings, thus rendering them obscure to vulgar eyes. She would attend to her toilet, but would speak but little. She had four brothers, who in their mercantile pursuits proceeded backward and forwards among the islands of the sea. Upon a certain day while Fe was busily engaged, all her ener- gies were suddenly paralized, and closed were her eyes for a time. Her father and mother perceiving that a great storm had arisen call- ed out for her. Fe, upon awaking, sighed and said, why did you not allow me to assist my brothers that there might have been no misfortune? To her father and mother her meaning was inexplicable, nor did they make any further inquiries of her. Her brothers having gained a competency and returned, they, weeping, said, three days ago a mighty gale of wind arose, the waves reached the heavens, and we brethren being each in different vessels, our oldest brother's ves- sel was driven by the storm beneath the surge. Each one of them declared that during the prevalence of the gale they beheld a female child leading the vessels along, and proceeding over the waves as if upon level ground. The parents now at once perceived that when formerly Fe had closed her eyes, her spirit had gone to the rescue of her brothers. The eldest brother was not saved, owing to Fe's being too hastily aroused, and the spirit therefore could not achieve his deliverance, which caused the parents unceasing regret. When Fe became of sufficient age to wear the hair-pin," she made oath that she would not become the bride of any man, nor did her parents presume to force her to marry. She did not remain long with them, for sud- denly while sitting in a grave dignified posture her spirit passed away. Again the fragrance was perceptible for several miles around, just the same as upon the day of her birth. At first her spirit was frequently observed, and in aftertimes there have been many who have seen her. These persons who saw her, supposing her to be an