Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-11-08

New YEAR IN CHINA-The following is an
account Of New Years day in China "The
first Of the Chinese year falls in the middle of
the month of February and is called at Vat.
You'll. For some days preceeding,all business
is suspended, and the people of all classes fire.
quent the theaters, and indulge in good cheer
The authority of the mandarins is suspended
during those days, which sometimes occasions
disturbances. All disputes between parties,
especially between creditors and debtors, are
endeavored to be arranged amicably on the
eve of the new year The solemnities obSerT-
ed on the day itself are called oon-Nin, and
are the following In the vicinity OF each
temple large theater in bamboo is construct
ed for the performance of pieces in honor OF
local divinity every house is decked ont with
new lanterns the furniture Of the house IS, in
part, renewed red paper is stuck up at the
door, and the inhabitants put on their best
clothes The popular belief is that man
would be poor all the year if be were not well
dressed on New Years day and the poor.
whose garments are shabby, do not hesitate
even to pilfer in order TO obtain something
new At midnight, loud detonatioDs are heard
everywhere, being caused by fire works, which
everybody lights up. In front of the houses
of the nandarins the fireworks are attached
to long poles, and burn about ten minntes,
causing successive detonatiouS. The Chinese
suppose that the use Of fireworks renders the
dvnities propitious, and they employ them Oh
many solemn occasions. The Chinese pay each
other visits of ceremony on the first of the
year 4 rich man to receive his friends places
himself on a sofa in large room newly de-
cOrated, and his servants, all wearing new
clothes, are stationed round the room. The
furniture, freshly polished, is covered with red
coiored stuffS. When the visitor arrives, the
door is flung wide open and the master of the
house advances amidst beating of tOmtomS to
welcome him. The two acquaintances bow re-
pcatedjy to each other. and exchange cOmpli-
ments when one them is Of high rank, tho
compliments occupy sometimes ten minutes
afterwards tables are placed before each of
them, and they drink one another's health in
tea. Then they part crying in loud voice
extravagant compliments. Festivities are
kept up for ten days after the new year The
first is calek Kay Vat : the day Of the BIRDS
and is destined to remind the people that birds
form part Of the food of man. The use of
meat is vigorously abstaned from, and the sin
galar custom of removing bells and Secreting
broOms is observed, from the belief that those
articles can occasion misfortunes. The second
da7 is called Kov-Yat, the day of dogs-an
animal which the Chinese reverence, though
they eat its flesh The third is Cben-Yat,
the day Of swine , the fourth, Yaong- Yat,
the day Of lambs the fifth of COWS, and the
sixth ofhorses The four other days are ded-
icated to Pout SO, divinity, who is supposed
to have taught the Chinese the use of wheat.
rice and meat, the cultivation of peas and
beans, and other useful arts Offerings are
made to this god, bat they can only consist of
wine, water, and vegetables"