Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-02-11
Letter from California.

We are indebted to friend for the following
letter, which he has received from California ::
SAN Francisco, Jan. 30 y estcrday the
Chinese New Year commenced, and, 10 con-
sequence, there is perfect cessation of bust
hess among them, and for love nor mouey can
you get them to work until three days have
come and goue, as some of them, to the nun
Der Of thousands, are employed in place of wo
men as cooks in American families You can
imagine what a stir it created among house
keepers to have John walk off without saying
a word and they not knowing when he will re-
turn. Last night | made a tour through the
Chinese quarter for the purpose of seeing how
things are conducted on this occasion. Wish
ing to commence In systematic manner, l
visited the Joss house, on Mason street, near
Post, and found that the Mongoan hosts, con-
siS!ing of Chinese washmen, family servants,
and general utility men in private families, had
commenced their devOtions, offering up pray
crs TO the Josses for prosperity during the com-
ing year The place, which is low rooted
black looking tenement, contained four hideous
figures, three Of which probably represented
the qualities designated as h1ammon, Hope,
| and plenty to eat, or at least this was the con-
Strnctiou placed upon them by the chaperon
pro tenn, who | engaged to decipher the mean
ing OF the figures. In front Of these three fig
urcs was another, the big Joss, Alice Same, !"
the ruler ot the universe, the creator OF man
kind aud the architect Of human fortunes, ac-
cordlng to Mungoan scri pture, before whom
every Chlnanan bowed five times upon enter
ing the joss house, prnstrating himself before
the great Idol as scrviIely as if it were the En-
peror himself. The place was brilliantly ilIu-
minated and hung with tnsel and bright COL
orcd cloths, while musicians (so-called), print
tive in their rendition of Asiatic operas and
airs, as well as hymns and anthems, pounded
away upon miniature bass drums or blew upon
discordant claronets. This place, | was in
formed, is the resort Of itenerant wash-house
men and household servants but the Tee Yup
Asylum on Pine street. near kearny,s entirely
different. This is the oldest JOSS house 10 the
city, and contains only one joss, the chief god
OF all the other gods. Here the various genu-
Elections aud discordant sounds we're gone
through with as they we're in the JOSS houses,
on Brooklyn alley, off Sacramento street near
Stockton. and Jackson street, near kearney,
and the boss temple of the alleys leading
out Of Dupont and Jackson streets. In this lat
ter place, which is most generally visited by San
ErancScanS, the noise Was deateung, tlrecrack-
ers, bombs and brass bands (so-caed) lending
sclr dlu 10 Tue upFOaT Ol lll!arlOuS CeieSllalS
who were shouting and singing with vim equal
to the joy of Boston jubilee Here it was
that me: with my first rebuff A pleasant
looking ChnaulaD stepped up to me aud pre-
scented me with piece Of paper upon which
were Inscribed the words, "Anercans are re-
questcd to refrain from visiting the JOSS house
until Friday next" All Cinnamon kept open
house to-day and displayed upon side-boards
all the delicacies Of the season, including dried
ducks birds nest soup oranges, curd cakes,
various swcetmeatS and Chinese bon bons. All
Of them we're tastetully decorated with tinsel.
bright col1red ribbons and tinted paper. These
houses are open to respectable Americans, but
the element is strictly prohibited from par
taking Of the free lunch. Cinnamon made calls
upon each other all through the day, ard en-
close tue kind of visiting cards that were used.
This is the card of triend of mine, very fine
and highly educated gentleman, both in Chi
nese and English; he is a Merchant Prince,
having one Of the largest business houses here;
his name is Chy Lung. | hope this will not
tire or exhaust your patience.
We are having to-day our first rain storm
since the first Of January, the weather being
bright all the time. Yours, D. NJ. w.
To \. H., Washington city