The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-27
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
Its Celebration In New York - The
Heather Temple I'm Baxter Street.

Its Celebration In New York The
Heather Temple In Baxter Street.
The attention OF citizens has been attracted
during the past few days by the appearance on the
streets OF an unusual number OF Chinese. Their
attire was better and more becoming than is worn
by the permanent Monaghan colony In New York.
These strangers came from New Jersey, Massa-
chusetts and other points where they are en-
ployed to celebrate. according to the custom of
their country, the new year, which, as laid down
in Chinese chronology, has just commenced. The
ceremonies partake largely OF a religious charac.
ter, and as New York Is the only city this side OF
the Rocky Mountains favored with Joss, or
heather tempe, in which Is installed o deity
and IN charge of a Buddhist priest, many faithful
Celestials came here to welcome in the new year,
10 settle outstanding debts, compose past ieuds
and generally enjoy themselves
THE TEMPLE IN BANTER STREET.
The Chinese Temple Is situate at No. IL Baxter
street, one OF the most squad quarters OF the city.
IL is on the second noOr OF an ancient, dirty and
dapldated frame building rnere is no attempt
q. elegance IN the arrangements of the two apart
ments, which are OF about equal dimensions and
connected by doOrless opening. The first entered
is used for carrying ON gambling, with square, Thin
frame, in which small rails run from one end to
the other and as the play progresses wooden balls,
the size OF an ounce bullet. are passed TO and ro
the visitors are manly cOngregated In this room,
and seem to enjoy pastime at which no money
appears to be lost or Won but whether sucn Is
called the Chinese Club Room.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHAPEL.
The chapel or temple fronts on Baxter street,
and diners rom the outer apartment very little
beyond the addition OF an altar, over which Is sus-
pended CANDY and hdeous picture OF the God
FO seated. with an expression OF malice mingled
with gross senSuallty. He is surrounded with
cheap, tawdry paraphernalla and an abundance OF
tnsel, which Is so attractive to Monaghan taste.
There are pictures OF two pretty females, APP
parently attendant gOddesses-one at each side OF
FO On the walls OF the room are suspended strips
OF red paper, on which are inscribed quotations
from the writings OF COnfucius, and sickening
odor arises from tue barbarous incense that fills
the atmosphere, combined with the smell OF kerO-
cOlored balloon Is suspended from the ceiling
directly IN 'front.' OF TO, and smaller ones in other
parts or the room. The furniture Is OF the ordinary
kind very scanty and cheap There Is an alcoye,
or recess, In which are sleeping al arrangements for
three or more persons arranged In the shape Of
hunks on board ship one above the other.
OBSERVANCE OF THE SEASON.
The CELEBRATION OF the beginning OF the new year
Is always great event with the Chinese at home,
and always where their numbers are considerable
IL is likewise festive occasion. In California 1t Is
season Oh great rejoicing, and is made the occa-
sion OF an unusuM display OF pomp and Monaghan
splendOr. The Joss temples are brilliantly lighted !;
bombs anu crackers are burned by the thousand !;
the tOm-tom keeps up continual racket, and the
Chinese, mgh and low, peramDulate the streets III
visited, and after performing the customary
salaams ana partaking OF refreshments, the
propr1etors are called aside and asked II it would
not De convenient TO settle little standing bills
requests which are, In almost every case, complied
with. The municipal authorities in San Francisco
grant permission to heads OF the native companies
TO carry on these noisy Observances under certain
restrlctlons; out II appears that the Police Com
mlssiOners or New York were unwilling to grant
inc same license TO our Chinese residents