ABSTRACT
Chinese characters are often styled “the eyes of the sage,” and sometimes “the tracks or marks which the sages have left behind.” Paper deposited in the baskets is taken away by the agents of the societies. The members of the societies each contribute monthly a sum of money to’ defray the expenses of gathering and buying the waste paper. The ashes of lettered paper are carefully put into earthen vessels, and kept until a large quantity is collected. In order to determine which one of the applicants shall be received to fill a vacancy, on a propitious day a list of their names is made out on a piece of paper, and burnt before the idol, to inform the god of the business to be transacted. The members of the society carry each a large stick of incense, already lighted, held reverently in one hand before them as they pass along.
