mony at the temple, her Majesty, followed by her ladies, goes into the field, and, surrounded by the farmers' wives, cooks some mulberry-leaves and lays them on a basket containing the newly hatched worms. The festival is closed with her winding a cocoon
Fig. 4.—Thanks to the Goddess of Silk.
In Szechuen our ancestors in ancient times
Became masters of the precious worms;
So, when the snowy skeins we see,
Let us pay our vows, all, at Loui' Tseu's feet.
Bending our heads before her shrine,
Offering her silk and the flowers of the land.
by way of setting an example, in the presence of the people, and distributing gifts to those persons who have been reported by the authorities of their villages as most worthy by reason of their fidelity in attention to the care of the silk-worms.
charged with making all the calculations. There are four full astronomers, two Chinese and two Tartars, who appear in the religious solemnities. Under the reign of the Emperor Kang-Hi the astronomers were Jesuits, and had a great influence at court. But they were denounced at Rome by the Franciscans, as favoring idolatry. A suit ensued, which the Franciscans gained, and the Jesuits had to resign their long-held functions.
