These _Tchou_-Bonzes intermarry with the High-Castes, perform the marriage ceremony for them, wait upon the Queen with invocations to the gods--baptize royal infants; that is, sprinkle them when eight days old, in the Temples with invocations, with many ceremonies, after which they are safe from the devil and the dreadful Hell; these are the chief duties of their exalted office. As great _lay-lords_ (that is Lords not of the soul but of the clay--lay), they sit in the great Law-making _Council_; where their function is, to see to it that no law be made which in any way can injure the temples, or their own revenues and powers. One does not see that they are remarkable for the practice of the virtues which they teach; nor that they are meek and lowly followers of the Lamb (Christ-god); or that they very often "wash the feet of the disciples"--although they are commanded in the _Sacred Writings_ to do these things; and also to succour the distressed, give to the poor, and other like acts of charity. I should have been pleased to see a Bishop kneeling and washing the feet of some devotee! but I never did. They discharge those duties which they owe to Society with honourable punctuality: keeping up neat equipages, sleek horses, and pious servants; and wearing the garb of their order with a scrupulous exactness, even to the shoe-buckles. They quote the example of the Christ-god, who, when on the world, made from common water _good wine_; and are very choice respecting this article. As to charity, they are so robbed by Society, that, what with gifts for the _Heathen_, and poor relations (for whom they are also expected to get good _Livings_ in the Temples), they have but little to spare. Then, too, "Charity begins at home" (the _Sacred Writings_ declare), and he who does not take care of himself, and those who are dependent upon him, "is worse than a Heathen" (This is again from the _Sacred_ words). For those poor and benighted creatures, sunk in dreadful idolatries, indeed, something must be put into the Missionary box! The different _Sects_ quarrel as to particular modes of Worship in the Temples. Some will have candles lighted, to please the idols; others say, they do not need candles, and are offended by the smell. Some say, You should make Invocations kneeling; others say, standing. Some say, one should face to the East, others say, to the North. Some say, you should pray aloud; others say, silent prayers are more acceptable. And very sharp quarrels and _new Sects_ arise upon these matters. None are allowed to worship in Temples but devotees of the High-Caste Sect. All others must worship in Temples not dignified by a loftier name than _Conventicle_, _Chapel_, or the like. I will state, briefly, what is the ceremony of Idolatry in the great _Queen-pope_ Sect. She is worshipped in the Invocations, and receives, with her children, a place in the prayers.