Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 545

nography of the Yellow River

507

led Yüho汝河 and Hwui ho, 澮河

ises not far from the banks of the branch, the whole course of

ined by the R. Yui is

› of the Great Plain.. nnel of Lake Hung- ntrances of the Grand large square pieces of vide. The Chinese who

of the river dangerous on nt, which frequently carries nce. Barrow gives the follow- and the religious ceremonies

eam of the Yellow River, which rolled es were conceived to be indispensably gion (which indeed may be considered less solicitous to avert a possible evil, d of all evils personal danger is most ap- ed expedient that an oblation should be the genius of the river. The animals that were different in different yachts, but they pig, two animals that were very common in with the feathers and the hair, was drubed upon

On the forecastle of some were placed cups of a, flour and salt; and in others, oil, rice and salt. thought by the Chinese, as well as Hebrews, a 5 every sacrifice. Every oblation of thy meat- with salt: neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the co- king from thy meat-offering. As, however, the high re to feast on those parts of the meat-offering which orthy the acceptance of heaven, which parts, by the best of the victim, one might, perhaps, assign a reason on of offering salt, this being a scarce article in many , and the best preservative of meat against putrefaction. ughtered animal, and several made-dishes, remained on the ain standing over them on one side, and a man with a gong other. On approaching the rapid part of the stream, at the ne gong, the captain took up the cups one by one, in order reeks of old, he might perform the rites, and pour the ruddy e did by throwing their contents over the bow of the vessel into Le libation performed, a quantity of crackers and squibs and gilt burnt, with uplifted hands, whilst the deep-sounding gong was struck with increasing violence as the vessels were swept along The victim and the other dishes were then removed for the captain and crew, and the ceremony ended by three genuflexions Any proctrations.

deet consisted of about thirty sail, and from each vessel there proceeded, Lunching into the stream, such a din of gongs and crackers, and such er of smoke from the burnt offerings, that the deity of the river must seen in a very surly humor if he was not pleased with such a multitude lations. The safe arrival, on the opposite bank, of the whole squadrer s a proof of his having accepted the homage, and accordingly he was again