The Bonzes, in general, perform the Marriage Ceremonies, which they will have to be a Sacred _rite_ in their Superstition, though some _Sects_ think otherwise. However, the High-Castes do not consider a Marriage without a Bonze safe; some evil to the children, or other calamity, might ensue. Thus the Bonzes, for their services in this matter, obtain consideration and good fees [tin-tin]. After all, however, with the lowest Caste the Superstition is not much more than a _Fright_; its morality does not touch them, nor those things which refine. They have only a dim and low idea of the Sovereign Lord--debased, in so much notion as they do have, by the Jewish debasement. The devil-and-Hell part is familiar to them, and, in truth, fits well to the origin of the Barbarous tribes, and to their rude and savage character. As I have said, the Upper Castes consider this portion of their Superstition the really valuable part, in practical use. All evidence in the Courts, and every sanction, touching important interests or statements, rest upon this hold upon the fears of the common people. "Oh" (as an Englishman once said to me), "we must keep the devil and his _hot place_ in our service, I tell you, Ah-Chin; or we should have 'the devil to pay' in good earnest!" It is very difficult to change the Superstitions of a people, because rooted in their fears; and, in a matter wherein the imagination has chief power, and nothing can be _known_, even honest men of wisdom fear radical changes; they prefer to bear inconveniences, and dread the effect of _new doctrines_ upon ignorant masses. Priests, and the varied interests, and large establishments and revenues--in fact, a great portion of the whole community--are concerned in maintaining the Superstition, on selfish grounds, or think that their own interests are involved. The higher orders regard the _Established_ condition of things in Worship and in the State as too _Sacred_ to be touched. They denounce all who endeavour, in any faint degree, to suggest reforms, as "_infidel_" [un-ti-dsi]--a term of deepest reproach--agitators, who covertly would overthrow "our Temples, our Idols, and the Queen-Pope herself."