Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-10-29

rejoicing and all sorts OF diversions.
But the most solemn and pompous
part of the festivity begins on the 18th
day of the same first moon, and is, by
the Chinese, styled the Feast of the
Lanthorns. It's commonly ushered in
at court, and the capital of Pekin, pref
ty late on the preceding night, by the
ringing of vast large bell; the first
sound of which is no sooner heard than
it is accompanied by whole vollies of
cannon from the palace and city ram
parts, the beating of large kettle drums,
the sound of trumpets, and great va
riety of other instruments. The same
notice is givenin all parts of the empire,
especially the great cities, about the
same time, and much in the same way,
the cannon excepted. immediately
upon which, they every where kindle
such vast number of fires. hang up such
infinite numbers Of lanthorns, and play
off such variety ofire works, some rep
resenting castles, towers, ships, drag
ongs, elephants, fishes, and other crea-
lures, that the whole atmosphere seems
to be in flame. They have likewise
a very dexterous way of intcrmixing
their Ianthorns with those fire works,
SO as to represent horses and other ami
mails, in full career, birds flying, ships
sailing, armies fighting, princes march
ing with their whole retinue, and a
large variety of other such surprising
scenes; whilst the ears of the spectators
are entertained with the best music the
country affords, and with the Joyful ac-
CARNATIONS of the people; all which are
answered by the trumpets, bells, and
other instruments, of every temple and
monastery.
g. Mr.. Isbrandz Ides, who was present
at one Of these feasts, says that the noise
at Pekin. which continued the same till
the next day at noon, was as great as if
an army of 100000 men had been all in
close and fierce engagement. And
father lie Comet, who was likewise an
eye witness of the grand solemnity, at
the time he was there, says that the
number of lanthorns commonly lighted
at these iIluminations, through the
whole empire, was computed to be a.
bout lo0,000,000. During the festival
the shops are closel y shut up; all bust
ness is suspended; the streets crowded
with professions of numberIess idols,
carried about in great pomp, the monks
and priests attending them, with their
censers, songs, and musical instruments :;
the very women, of all ranks, who, at
other times, are not suffered to appear
IN public, are then permitted to ride
through the streets of Pekin; those of
: common rank upon asses, adorned with
ribbands and other trinkets; and those
of quality in their two wheeled chaise,
covered on every side but the front.
and either singing or gently touching
some musical instrument, or even smok-
ing pipe, s. attended with a maid servant
riding behind them, and playing also on
some musical instrument Some of
those lanthorns are so vastly rich and
beautiful, that the price of them amounts
to 1900 or 1900 crowns, and even be-
yond; and not house but hath some
sort of them, the best they can afford,
burning both before and within it, In
a word, The Chinese are so ambitious of
making the most magnificent figure on
this festival, that they will retrench
from their common expenses the year
round, that they may do something ex-
4 Of L Il.
the masquerading, will allow themselves
IN all the extravagancies Of Venetian
carnival But what the cause fall this
JOY, or the origin of this grand festival
is they either do not care to tell US, or
probably know nothing oft themselves.
*' These ianthorns are adorned with beau
tiful carving, gliding and japanning, and have
about six or eight panes of thin blue silk,
made transparent by fine varnish, and paint
ed with figures of trees, men, horses, birds,
&c. so skilfully disposed, as to receive, as it
were, life, from the great number of lamps or
candles burning within them. Others are
made of blue transparent horn, through which
are seen sudry kinds of creatures, painted to
the life, and seeming to move, through the
motion of the fame within, and representing
variety OF scenes, to entertain the spectators
The common sort of them are about four or
five feet high, and have their tops adorned
with curious streamers, waving in the wind
but those of the noblest sort are about 90
feet in diameter, and illuminated with lamps
4 and wax candles, the sides of which repre-
sent TO the eye various figures of men and wo-
men in diftcrnt characters, or exhibiting some
theatrical representations, with gestures suit
able to their parts. These are moved by wires,
by people underneath, like our puppets, or,
according to one of their own authors, are
acted by living persons. They have likewise
bontres, and other fire works, in all the parts
Of the cities, towns, and villages; and the
whole nation seems to run mad with Joy for
| they know not what - Salon, H..