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tii’’
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May,
1827.
good spirit, and at others to the evil. Near the beach to tbe north-
ward of Potsoong, upon the shore which faces the coast of China, there
■ were several square stones ivith pieces of paper attached to them. Ihe
natives gave us to understand they were the prayers of individuals; but
we could not exactly understand the nature of them. A label similarly
placed to those upon the beach was carried away by Captain Hall, and
found to contain a prayer for the safe voyage of a friend who had gone
from Loo Choo to China; it is very probable, therefore, that those which
we saw were for similar purposes. At the Jos House at Potsoong
I have mentioned pieces of paper being suspended between the panels,
and have also suggested the probability of their being supplications
of a similar nature. Indeed one of these also was taken to Macao by
Lieutenant Clifford, and found to be an invocation of the devil*.
In a natural cave near Abbey Point, I found a rudely carved image,
about three feet in height, of tbe goddess Kwan-yin (pronounced Kwan-
yong by the Loo Chooans). In front of the deity there ivere several
square stone vessels for offerings, and upon one of them some short
pieces of polished wood were placed, which I conjectured to be for
the purpose of deciding questions, in the manner practised by the
Foo sect in China, by being tossed in the air, or rattled in a bamboo
case until one falls to tbe ground with its mark uppermost; when it is
referred to a number in the book of the priest, and an answer is given
accordingly. The natives were very unwilling to allow me to approach
this figure, and pulled me back when I stepped into a small stone
area in front of it, for the purpose of examining these pieces of Avood.
In China there are fasts in honour of this goddess, and no doubt there
are the same in Loo Cboo.
Tbe following answers to several questions Avhich I put to tbe
natives of Loo Choo Avill fully explain the religion of tbe people.
“ How many religions are there in Loo Cboo ?” “ Three.”—
“ I l’bat are these religions ?” “ Joo, Sbib, Taou. Sbihis the same as Foo.”
—“ Are there many persons of tbe religion of Joo?” “ Plenty.”—
“ Foo ?” “ No good.”—“ Taou ? ” “ F cav.”—“ Hoes the sect Joo Avorship
^ I-Iall’s Loo Choo, 4to, p. 206.
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