A CHINESE FUNERAL.

THE LATE MR PING KEE.

(From the Daily Telegraph.)

This lentleinan, who for a good number of years held a prominent position among Chinese merchants iv Victoria, and who died on the 4th Nov., was interred at the Melbourne Cemetery on the 7th. Those who understand the feelings and customs of the Chinese will know that it is among them an object of the highest import, engendered and fostered by their religious training, that their bodies should ultimately rest in the soil of their own land. The body of Ping Kee was, therefore, interred | yesterday with all the precautions necessary to enable it to be lifted and carried to China eighteen months hesice. Ping Kee arrived in Melbourne early in 1856, and joined the well-known Chinese firm of Kontj Mcug, and Co., remaining a partner there until about three years ago, when he retired, and continued business on his own account. Froni the lime of his arrival until his death he bore' a high character for probity in commercial matters, and amongst his own countrymen he was noted for kindly and unostentatious, generosity. The feeling with which he was regarded by his kindred, and people and dependnts was manifested at his grave yesterday. The preparations for the funeral were of a character so foreign to the preparations of Europeans that it will not be uninteresting to mention them. The body of Ping Kee, after lieing dressed in a complete walking suit of beautifully embroidered satin, was placed in a lead coffiin. A fan was placed in his right hand, and a handkerchief in hio left, and beside the body was deposited a quantity of gold and silver, the Chinese evidently thinking, from their keen commercial instincts, that gold and silver would only cease to be useful when their friend had fairly arrived in the spirit land. Over all was tin own a heavy maroon-colored satin cover, the whole being enclosed by the coffin lid. This leaden coffin was placed in a heavy case of polished cedar, mounted heavily with solid brass. The cedar case bore the inscription, "Ping Kee, died 4th Nov. 1871, aged 42 years. The ftineral procession, which was under the charge of Mr Sleight, of Collinns-street east, started from the house of the deceased in Flinders--gtreet. It consisted of a hearse bearing the body, ten mourning coaches, twelve private carriages, and several other private Vehicles, numbering in all forty conveyances. On the front seat of the hearse was seated a nephew of the deceased, who scattered broadcast, as the procession advanced, oblong sheets of yellow colored paper. The grave was an underground Ijrick sarcophagus, lined with cement and imprevious to water, and when the coffin was placed in it stone slabs were placed on the top, also made watertight. Amongst those present were Kong Meng, Ah Ching, Chun Hoo, Kong Lee, Ah Goon, Hang Hi, Hi Kee, Ah Foou, Honw Kee, On Kee, Moong Loong (from Ballurat) aud about

200 other Chinese. Mr k. L. King ILL. A , Mr F. Hunt (of the Victorian Customs), add many other European*, were also attendants on the funeral cortege. When the procession arrived at the ground the ceremony of interment commenced. The chief mourners were the wife and five children of deceased, together with his brother and nephew. Miss Mann, an adopted daughter of Ping Kee, was also present. Mrs Ping Kee ancl Miss Mann were very much affected ; and standing round the grave also were many of the countrymen of deceased crying bitterly. The eldest son was led forward, and he threw three handsful of earth on the coffin and all the other children were led forward to imitate his example, the grave was theh closed, and those present kindled a fire, in which were thrown joss sticks and joss papers. Candles of various colors and sizes were also lit, and those present cast into the fire their white hatbands. The Chinese wear white as a sign of rejoicing^ that their dead have entered into a better world, and those left are supposed to mourn only because they have not been chosen first. After the closing of the grave gift? were distributed. Little neatly constructed paper envelopes were handed to everyone who had attended the funeral, when these packets were opened they were found to contain ten shillings. Over £60 in silver was thus distributed. Cigars and candied sugar were also distributed liberally, and the ceremony concluded.