Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-14

/ reu paper. livery WOIu oPOhSh va
this day must be of the nature o
congratulation and well-wishing
nothing like sadness, complaint, re
proof or foreboding will be heart
with pleasure; even the religious
teacher, should he hold his publ,
services on this day, will better
please the majority of hearers if h.
dweIls only on those themes which
bring to view the profits of godli
ness and the joys of the world tC
come, without any allusion to thar
place which, in some circles, it il
thought, should "never be men
toned to ears polite" Every
Chinaman, whatever his business OF
his social position, and in whatever
part of the world he may be, will
claim at least this one holiday du
ring the year.
The Chinese New Year occurred
on what, in our calendar, is sci
down as the tenth day of February
The Chinese year now ending
commenced on the twenty fourth Of
January, 1868, and the previous
year commenced on the first day OF
our February, while the year soon
to commence will close on January
20, 1870.
2 x \ One feature of a Chinese
New Year in San Francisco, OF
which account may be made, is the
number of American callers. The
merchants appear highly delighted
to see and to welcome all of our
citizens whom they can recognise
as friends, and all with whom they
have had any kind of business con-
nections and to provide for such
calls large stock of wines, cigars
and other refreshments has been
secured. 1t should be noted, how
ever, that liquors and cigars are not
usually offered TO the callers of their
own race, but only to the white
people. Many entire strangers enter
the stores merely from curiosity,
and they also are treated with the
same hospitality, and even with a
cordiality usually extended only to
old acquaintance. They are like
wise exposed to a raid from that
class who are always thirsty who
go from house to house washing
their Threats with champagne and
brandy, taking at each place cigar.
or two while troops of boys and
halfgrown men, who, at other
times, pelt and boot at "John" when
they meet him alonea and where they
will not be in danger Of arrest, are
clamorous for cigars, frecrackers
and sweetmeats.
Among such Chinese as are re-
inclined and are DESTROYS
to begin the year in such man.
ner as will best please the gods and
be most likely to secure their favor
in the various concerns of the COM
ing months, this first day is devoted
in q large measure to religious rites;
they restrict themselves to a vege-
table diet, and Hastings are re
served for the following days. But
in San Francisco, where the greater
portion of the Chinese are so en-
gagged in business, or as laborers
and servants, that only one day can
be afforded for recreation, they en-
deavor to make the most they can
Of this one day therefore, feasting
begins very early, and there is an
incredible amount Of heavy eating
performed during all these holt
days. Private kitchens being in
capable of meeting the demands of
these occasions, the restaurants, be-
sides the successive companies
served at their own tables, have as
much as they are able to do in send
ing hot dinners and lunches to those
who prefer to be served in their
own apartments.
Each person seeks enjoyment in
the manner suggested by his tastes
or passions. Betel nut is on almost
every table in the reception rooms,
and offered to guests; inner apart
ments are literally supplied with
opium and pipes; cards and domi-
noes are in use everywhere, and
men and women become equally
engrossed in the games; the numer-
Gus gambling shops are crowded
without cessation, except to give
the operators time for refreshments;
the owners Of the tables relieving
each other in order to get time for
sleep. Day and night the theaters
are open, and crowds 60 and come.
While in the theater the people
amuse themselves with eating nuts
and fruit-in gossipfng or watching
the play. There are three such
places of amusement now in San
Francisco, all of which appear to
be profitable to the stockholders.
Forth from many Chinese apart
ments during this season, will come
the sounds Of their various stringed
and winged Instruments; and the
performers seem TO enjoy it, for
they think it is music; there is also
much of what they call singing
Children and young men congre-
gate in the alleys for such sports as
they are acquainted with, and prac-
teal Jokes are occasionally played
upOn each other.
Our cities and towns which have
Chinese streets will have much
larger population at these seasons
than at others, because there is a
general gathering at these centers;
and all who can be spared, leave the
rancho and the lonely mining camp
to mingle. with the multitudes
around the places Of amusement
Ships sailing for China during the
later months of the year are wei
filled with passengers, all who are
able having arranged their plans
so as to spend these holidays with
their families.
1 -----E---=
! n tAsE OBJ AFFECTION, DISAP
POINFMENT And DAMAGES
As far back as 1851, Gardner d. War
rem, of Sodus, n. Y, bestowed his atten
tions upon Miss Frank ID. Chapman.
was understood that the parties woui
marry, but they did not A wedding da
was fixed in the summer of 1851, but th
groom did not appear. For ten years o
so there was a sort OF suspension OF IN
teTcourse, when in some manner tn
/, acquaintance was renewed, and ncgOtl
| atinns ware eil-ecied for a settle ment I