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or "Four Golden Heroes." They are very large, and in a standing posture, two being on each side of the building. One, holding a large umbrella in his hands, is called To wen tien hwang, or "The All-hearing Heaven King," and it is said that when he spreads his umbrella it darkens heaven and earth. The one with a large guitar is called Tsang chang tien hwang, or "Add-length Heaven King," probably with reference to his power of conferring longevity. He is supposed to awe and subdue evil spirits and demons by touching the chords of his instrument. One, holding in his hand a sword, and having a fearful countenance, is called Chi kwoh tien hwang, or "Grasp-empire Heaven King." The remaining one, who is represented as holding in his hands a dragon, and trampling under his feet snakes and reptiles, is called the Kwang muh tien hwang, or "Clear-eyed Heaven King." These four gods are regarded as the protectors of the people generally, and particularly of those who believe in Fuh.

The second building is larger than the first, generally about seventy feet deep, ninety feet wide, and forty or fifty feet high, though sometimes larger. It is called the "Great, Glorious, Precious Temple." Its chief deities are three large images of Fuh, called the Past, the Future, and the Present Fuh; also the "Three Precious Ones." They are situated in the middle of the building, in a line facing the front door, and are represented as sitting on large high pedestals, surrounded by lotus flowers. In front of these immense images, which are generally about twenty feet high, is a tablet inscribed to the Emperor, no doubt to secure his favor to the sect. On the two sides of this building may be seen either the eighteen Lo-han, persons who are supposed to be absorbed into Fuh; or the twenty-eight Sing-sin, which represent different stars. All these are human figures about as large as life. Immediately in front of the three large images of Fuh is generally seen a standing veiled image of Kwan-shi-yin Poo-sah, one of the principal Buddhist deities, which is represented as a young virgin, and is executed in the best style of Chinese art. This

goddess is supposed to have appeared on the earth at different times, and in different forms and characters. She is worshiped as the Sung-ts neang-neang, or "Conferrer of Sons; " the "Thousand-handed Kwan-yin," the "Seven-faced Kwanyin," and also as a male deity of the same name. The "Conferrer of Sons" is generally represented with a child in her arms. This female deity is the one in which the Roman Catholics have recognized such a strong resemblance to the Virgin Mary as to attribute its existence to Satanic agency. It is evident that the natives are in a measure acquainted with this dislike of the Romanists, as it is reported among the people that they "hate Kwan-shi-yin because she killed Jesus." Behind the three large images of Buddha you sometimes see the thousand-handed Kwan-yin, or the Sung-ts neang-neang mentioned above, and sometimes one of a variety of other idols. In the back part of this main building it is not uncommon to find a separate shrine erected to the God of War, and to other favorite objects of worship.

In the larger temples a third building is generally found, about the size of the second. This is used as a "Worship

TORTURES OF HELL.

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Hall" for the priests. Less space is occupied by the images, and more is reserved for worshipers.

Besides the buildings mentioned above, in many temples others are added. The idols which they contain are very numerous, and in the disposition of them no regular order is observed. Most of them represent persons who are supposed to have been absorbed into Buddha, of which class there are in all more than five hundred. Some are taken from the popular deities of the people, and some even from the gods of Tauism. All these gods have their fabulous legends, which, though they might interest the curious, it would be as impossible as useless to give here. Sometimes lower side buildings are erected and divided into apartments, which are occupied by smaller images of all sorts and appearances, from one to two, three, or more feet in height. Several hundred of these images may be found in the same building. It is not uncommon to see in these side apartments several rooms representing the different divisions and tortures of hell. The god Ti tsang hwang, "Earth-concealed King," is supposed to preside over these regions. It is said that he was unwilling to become Buddha until he had rescued all the spirits in hell.