The obsequies of a wealthy Chinese are the antithesis of a Western funeral, In the latter, whatever the rank of the deceased, whatever the length of the corrige, the solemnity of the occasion is enhanced by the sombre " trappings and the suits of woe." A large Chin-spared. more yor's show. Gay colours predominate, and the display of pageantry, the indifferent bearing of the spectators, and even of many of those participating in the procession, seem incongruous to Western eyes. Last Friday's faneral, like all other native none, wasa curious medley of colour and slovenliness. The exquisitely embroidered umbrellas, banners and streamers wore in striking contrast with the clothing of those who carried them. And perhaps an even greater anomaly was the appearance of " motor car and foreign brougham in a corrige that also contained many unkempt Chinese ponies and such snschroniems as make-believe arch and halberdiers. postponed from the preceding Tuesday.
The faneral of Mr. Ta Foong bad been was timed to start from deceased's residence in Tientsin Road at 10 a.m, bat owing to the difficalty of marshall. ing s procession of such length it was nearly 11 a.m. before it started on its long journey through the Settlement. Crowds of Chinese, s well as many foreigners, lined the route, and a large number of extra police was on daty to prevent unnecessary disturbance to traffic. The procession was headed by twelve mounted Sikhs, riding four abreast, lance in hand. "Then followed two gigantic paper figares, mounted on full tacks, mho by the ereenees of fall their ask of eoaring away malign, sir expression appeared fully able to
fant opirite. In their train came a detachment of bannermen, mounted on shaggy ponies. Gong-beaters, men on foot bearing flags, and the red tablote setting out the offices of the family followed, and they in tara were sucseeded by ® Chinese brass-band, playing mouratul dirge. To describe the remainder of the procession in detail would involve mach repetition. At intervals in the long and slowly moving archers, foot-men carrying wospone line wore mounted men dressed at with heads" and "wooden handles, Buddhist and Taoist priests in elaborate costarness, and drammers, and gong-beaters, Ever and anon' the bleating of reed lustraments announced the approach of a Chinese band, of which there were several in the process sion, while a boys' band with foreign instrament, and the Filipino band also
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.