Page 400 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

224 CHINESE PORCELAIN.

lanterns are usually made of bamboo or wooden slats about a foot
or more covered with thin and coarse white gauze, or with
square,
white the streets is not done at the expense
paper. Lighting
of Government, but done, if done at all, by shopkeepers, and
those interested in their immediate vicinity. Now,
particularly
besides these lights suspended by the sides of the streets and
in front of shops for the purposes of business, there are many
others in a dark place or at the corner of an alley,
suspended
oftentimes in of vows made in order to
really consequence
or from sickness, but professedly
procure longevity recovery
to aid the traveller in his way." P. 449, Burning
night finding
"
a lamp before the gods : It is the frequent practice for people
to make vows in regard to burning a lamp before
specific
some particular god or goddess, in a temple dedicated to the
for a month or a for the time or
divinity, year, night only,
both and the
day night, during period specified. They usually
employ the temple keeper to buy the oil and trim the lamp.
Sometimes people prefer to vow to burn a lantern before the
heavens. The lantern is usually suspended in front of the
of the vower. In such a case, it is trimmed
dwelling-house
by himself or some member of his family. Many also make
'
vows to the ' twenty-four gods of heaven,' or to the Mother of
the Measure,' writing the appropriate title upon the lantern
they devote to carrying out their vows. On the occurrence
of the of the or the
birthday god goddess, family generally
an of meats, fish, and On the
presents offering vegetables.
burn incense
first and fifteenth of each month, they regularly
in honour of the divinity, whose title is on their lantern, before
the heavens. The objects sought are various, as male children,
from disease, or success in trade."
recovery
"
Middle Kingdom," vol. ii. p. 58, Marriage ceremonies :
"
The gentlemen also make the bridegroom a present of a pair
of lanterns to at his
hang gateway."
Indian Porcelain.
This class should include all the porcelain made in quantity
for ox port to Europe. It is chiefly decorated in styles which,
"
like the mandarin, lay no claim to be of "Ming origin. The
shapes in most cases are European, and where saucer-shaped
dishes have been ordered to suit some
appear, they specially