Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-08
THE CHINESE IN SAN FRANCISCO
VISIT TO THE PAGAN TEMPLE.
.oche.ter Union and Adrert iser.l ]

| Cor. Rochester Union and Adycrtiser.l
SAN Francisco, Feb. I7.-Wednesday
last, besides being Ash Wednesday and Val
entine day, was the first of the new year
among the Chinese Of this city. | believe
have told you that there are from 5000 to
| 10000 of the moon-eyed celestials in this
city. Among them are SEINE very wealthy
| and respectable merchants and the "doings'
Of the New Year holidays -four days. have
| been quite interesting. Fireworks and
crackers have been rafting in all parts Of
the city, hut more especially in that part of
| the town known as Chinatown, where most
| of the Johns" reside. Many of these
merchants kept open house and received
their white friends with as much dignity and
ceremony as "any other man." Cham
| payne ano other wines were expended with
liberality.
The temple was opened to all mclean
visitors who would honor them with their
presence, and |, among others, "honored'
them with n call. The building is situated
in n miserably dirty alley, and is a small
building, three stories in hight. The first
story seems TO be occupied as a sleeping and
smoking department. There were a num-
Der ofthe "Johns" lingering in blissful re-
pose upon the floor, while others were en-
| joying the luxury Of smoke. The strong
| fumes of opium which the smoke not having
a salutary effect upon my olfactory organs |
was Obliged to beat a hasty retreat, and
! forthwith mounted 20 the second story. All
| about this room were characters in the
| Chinese language, brilliant lights were sus-
| pended from the ceiling, and incense burned
| upon the several affairs where were reared
| the gods whom they worship. On one side
were arranged what / took TO be standards
| or poles upon which were banners. These
standards were surmOunted with figures,
carved from brass, in the shape of dragons
and monstrosites of various forms. Near
| this was reared an altar or pedestal where
| an ugly boxing animal Of the dragon species
received the homageof the Johns" Around
| the "aninile' were some beautiful speci-
mems of Chinese handiwork, consisting of
| carved work, embroidered work and artih-
cial flowers, the whole being under a canopy
| Of carved wood work, handsomely gilded
with gold, silver and carmine.
Before this nondescript idol were placed
! plates containing oranges, candies and cups
Of tea, given as an offering; but the gentle
pussy" with the immense mouth and open
jaws touched them not,
In another portion Of the room are placed
a large number, one hundred or more, small
! figures, carved from brass, representing Chi
nese in various attitudes and pastures. l
! inferred that this was some historical repre-
/ sentation There were several spreads Of
most exquisite embroidery work, the figures
being Of the dragon and mermaid order,
handsomely wrought in gold and silver,
! upon heavy scarlet silk. These were Of
fered for sale at $50 each.
The third story is the most important
one, for here in all his majesty aud glory
! sits the Josh Of Joshes, Tong Gee. He is
! jolly, fat. and seemingly very good ma
| tured old fellow; his mouth is rather large
than Is necessary for a mortal TO possess, and
! he grins constantly He is a wooden man, but
/ grins constantly. He is a wooden man, but
a great nan among the Chinese. His COM
! plexion is rather darker than that Of his
devotees, being Of dark brown He sports
a moustaehe Of huge size He, also, had
several plates Of oranges, candies, and pot
! Of Tea before him. Whether it happened to
be his Lunch hour or not did not ascertain.
/ He was seated under q canopy Of richly EN-
| broidered silks, carved wood work and ar
tihcial chinese flowers, al arranged with
that taste and skill which the Chinese alone
! possess. There was also piece of en-
brcidery work here which is the most beau
tlful thing have ever seen. Ii represents
the High Mandarin Of China and his two
children, II was made IN China, and i'm
ported 10 this country expressly for the
Temple, As far as NV observations extend
ed, judge that the Chinese may have no
service. There was a large number present,
but they seemed 10 be as uneoncerned as
their visitors.