and children, F. Heard, A. Greven, C. Bovens-Tudela, FG. Walsh, W. B. day. The Chinese on the contrary affect pork more than any other meat. Christians have no prejudice on the subject of diet; but introduce the ques-
GAZETTE, Prick, Tus. 12 9 AN. tion of animal food into religion by laying down that it shall be abstained from at certain seasons—this, however, not from any respect to the animals, but in order to mortify themselves, as the rule does not extend to fish which is used largely as a substitute. Buddhism is more logical, in laying down the sanctity of life as a principle, though it is indi-cativo of the slight regard the Chinese have for religion, that all kinds of animal food enter into their diet except beef. The protection both of religion and custom has been thrown around horned cattle, on account of their importance in agriculture. The Buddhist principle, however, is admitted though not acted on; and in times of drought or its influence prevails to obtain a prohibition of animal food for a period, to appease the wrath of the gods. For some weeks now, edicts to this effect have been posted throughout Chekeang and Keangsu, and observed probably with as much regard as such rales usually obtain, Our correspon. dents' Letters from Hangchow and Soochow, the capitals respectively of these provinces, show that they are fully endorsed by public opinion; though an interruption to the fast is related from the former city, which queerly illustrates the contradictions prevalent in Chinese life. The ringleaders in some late riots had to be executed, but custom prescribed that they must eat pork before the ceremony. Custom was too strong for religion; the propitiation of the gods who were ruining whole districts by withholding rain, was less important than compliance with a tradi tion that criminals must eat pork before execution. Theinterdictouanimal food was accordingly raised for 24 hours, to permit the butchers to exercise their eraft—and then re-imposed.
The recent destruction by fire of the caitle-pens und slaughter-houses con neded with the foreign settlement has been attributed to incendiarism at the instance of Buddhist priests, irritated at the disregard by foreigners of the general prohibition.
We have mentioned that, in ordinary times, the Chinese dist
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.