It is to be observed that in our Illustrious Kingdom there is a tendency to superstitious observances. We have several _Sects_ [pho-ti]; but our _Literati_ merely tolerate and do not worship. A simple and pure homage to the Sovereign Lord of Heaven [Hoang-chan-ti] is an act of the Wise: and even the _Sects_ make their _Spirits_ subordinate to Him. The Western Barbarians, however, dishonour the true worship by strange "rites"--even by incredible superstitions, when the intellectual culture is considered. It is not long since, in the monstrous credulity of the people, directed by the Bonzes, it was believed that the _Devil_ (Chief of the _Evil Demons_) would enter into an individual--generally some old, ugly, and friendless woman--and, _by her_, turn the milk sour, drive the cattle mad, torture children, shrivel up the limbs, blast with the _Evil Eye_; and even plague with disease and with horrible death! And these wretched women, and sometimes men, themselves often fancying that the Devil was really in them, were seized upon, dragged through mud and mire, fearfully maltreated, and put to death by the horrible torments of fire, upon this wild accusation: and this terrible scene was not caused by a maddened rabble of the common sort, but under the lead of the Bonzes, and according to the Laws of the Land. The great, central figure of idolatry is the Pope, who sits enthroned in Rome; and is, generally, a very old man, not always remarkable for wisdom nor virtue. He claims to be the sole vicegerent of the Christ-god, and only visible divine Head--all who do not worship him are really not true worshippers. Yet, there are many _Sects_ of this _Superstition_; and in England, the Sovereign is held to be the true Pope and Head! The English Pope now worshipped is therefore a woman--the Queen! Such a thing seemed to me to be too wild--a phantasy--I could not comprehend. I knew that this Sect--the Roman--had long ago followers in our Flowery Kingdom; and our annals show was tolerated: not, however, for the _Superstition_, but for the Bonzes, who were masters of some useful knowledge. Personally, I never knew any native devotees of the Superstition--in fact it has steadily diminished in repute, and its few and scattered adherents are very obscure. So I was, and am still, puzzled by this extraordinary _Sect_. I have read the _Creed_; a sort of verbal incantation, made by devotees in the temples.