Canton, Sept. 14.
It has often been said, and I think with truth, that the Southern Chinese are much more religious, or superstitious, than the natives in other parts of the empire, and especially in the northern provinces. Temples are more numerous; side shrines more in evidence; the gods of the shops and kitchens are everywhere. It is true that many of the people are not deeply interested in these gods, on the other hand most of the women worship them, and the men, if they do not believe and lake part, at least acquiesce.
From what is going on now it would appear as if there are yet a few men interested in their re ligion, at least in the external forms which buttress what religion they possess. Yet so far as can be judg. ed there is & good deal of confusion in the minds of southern Chinese a to what they shall do, and whit they shall leave undone, as to what they shall try to conserve, and whit they shall allow to be filched fron them of old ways of thinking, and of the old religious customs, For example, there is a big ten ple here, dedicated to the North Star. It was one of the first tenples that I visited when I cam to China many years ago. The, it was frequented by a largo nun ber of persons, especially of scholars, for it was believed, or at least hoped, that by offering worship in this temple, they would sueeed in their literary efforts after fame, Now the name of this famous ten: plo is to be changed, and it is to be dedicated to Confucius. The reason of this change is that it feared that the idols will have to go, and, if they are cast out, the temple, sooner of ister. wil! g3 too if the temple be re-dedicated to the Sage, there may be a chance for it, and the authorities will still be abl to get money out of the rank and file, who will not distinguish be tween a temple to Confucius snd one to the North Star.
Vigorous Action by Officials, Whilst this is happening in oe part of Canton, the officiale in other part havoordered that tain temple be turned into a creche.
stimulate the managers of th temple to action, a posse of soldier was sent, Theeo men pulled dow the idols from their pedestals and flung them outside on the bask of the river. This gave great dis tress to some of the boat people who still believe in idols, and ther made frantic efforts to rescue them. without success, however.
During the same week officials issued, what seam to serious orders, in regard to the yearly worship of the god of fire This superstition had reached, it Canton, vast dimensions past. All the principal streets of the city were lit up for three nights in succession by thousands of chao jellers, and tens of thousands of lamps. The consequence is much inconvenience, some loss of busines. an occasional unnecessary fire and good deal of stealing.
This year. as mentioned abors the local officials are determined that this ancient custom shall be stopped. It argues something for the intelligence of some of the better educated of the people thet they have accepted the situation without any fuss, and one of the richest streets.—at least the ebop-Keeners in it—was first on the list of those who were willing to bre with the past
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.