THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 48, 25 February 1880, Page 4

THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.

In thecourse of a description of this ereat CblneßP feast dov, a correspondent of the LylteUon Times say a : — The grand Festival of the New Tear is of a domestic character, Families visit each other, exchange mutual compliments and prrsenle, find abstrain from all labor for several days. E?ery Chinese, however poor, eotocvives at this time to treat himself and bia family with new dresses. Hia house is newly painted, end tablets of paper variously shapeJ and inscribed wit Chinese characters saalnjjouS to the Engliah Bslutatiorj of "Happy New Year," adorn the wbHb of tha apart ments. On New Year'a Day each Chinese strictly watches his own conduct, and everything that beFalla him, being persuaded that whatever he does on that day. will influence hia conduct ttartog the whole year. An universal holiday prevails, labor is suspended, &nd nothing but feastingr, rtjjicing aud firing of crackers prevail from the raidnight preceding the first day of the New Year until the close of the Festival. It may here bo as well to observe that females are not permitted to feast with the men, but have their portion of the repast served to them in another apartment. To come to the celebration of the Festival nearer home, viz., at the establishment of Messrs Ching Won and Co., St. Albnns, and Messrs Chine Lung, Ching Cneon, and . Yut Neon, Kingstown, and doubtless also at the dwellings of other Chinese in the Colony. The houses of those named hadj been scrupulously cleaned and the walls adorned with paper in .the manner previously alluded to. The rooms were brilliantly lighted, and a number of coloured wsx| tapers and perfumed rushes (torchlights) were constantly burning. The tables were decorated with flowers and some rare specimens of old chine, valuable »s articles of vertn, were displayed. The repast consisted of a profusion of fowls »nd pork, cooked in various ways, to-, gether, with vegetables, rice, fruit, con-fectionery,-and a number of these delicacies in which (ho Cbiaesa bo greatly delight, but which are generally unpalatable to European tnstea. Shortly before midnight the religious ceremonies cpmaitnenced. The oldest man present rose, and advancing to the table, (ffered up a ptayer to the Good Spirit for health and temporal prosperity to themselves and families during the coming year. This w«3 uccosu* panied but a series of bowiuop, genuflexions, and prostrations. A smoll china cupful of brandy was th( n token and after being waved twice or thrice in the air, its contents were spilled upon the ground. Upon the question being asked — "In whose honour this libation was poured ?" the reply was — " It is for him down below. *' The

further question — " Who is him down below ?" wng Qt oDce responded to— "Him what you cell debbi!]." At midnight ft numerous discbarge of oracWs, moroous, rockets, anr! other fireworks took place, and this w.a kept up whhout intermission till lou« &ffer daybreak. During fchia morning the only food partaken of will be of Chiuese Rrowih and production, censisting of dried fruiio, sweutmfa's, and rice. In the evecing, however, greater latitude ia allowed, an>? the romsina of the previous evsuing's repast are eaten, A perusal of the follow iog will indicate the manner in which each day of the fast 13 fo be observe.' 1 , as set forth in the Imperial calendar : — First dayNew Year's day — fowls' day — On this day all poultry, of whatever kind, enjoys immunity from slaughter, and ia profusely fed. Second day — Doga' day — On this day similar privileges are accorded to the canine race. Third dey — Pigs' day. Fourth day — sheep and goats. Fifth day— Cattle. On theaa days respectively similar immunities and privileges are accorded to the animals named. Sixth day— Horaes' day — These useful quadrupeds are on this day treated with more than usual kindness and attention. Seventh day — Men's day. .Another day of general rejoicing, closed by a display of firewoiks. Eighth day — Rice day. A day set apart for rejoicing over the staple cereal of China. Ninth daySoldiers* day. Tenlh day— Robbers' day... These days, are supposed to be lacky for .military: or marauding expeditions. • . ' L : - ' • :; - ■" T :< ■ •'■