West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-03-23
Chinese New Year In California.
toakland Correspondence Chicago Tines
The Cinnamon cslchrotcd ,b, o1,.o,,

The Cinnamon celebrated the adven,
of their New Year "allce same n,
Mclean man" his independence, with
tom'toms and crackers at midnight
and to-day many u fair hand has reluc
family turned to homcly service i'm tn,
absence of John, who has gone to cele
bratc, Our own Celestial said, no,
so this time; | spend hespee money last
year, j heapee foolee;" but chun
came along, and he could not resist tn,
prospect of a few days of iolifcation
The Chinese Y. NJ. &. 4. kept open
house during the day, and this evening
their doors were throngcd with Caucas
ian visitots. The appearance by gus
light was very pleasing and especially
novel to new conner, fresh from Yam
keedom. I'm the center of the room
stood u table laden with Chinese fruits,
confectionery, and curiosities, inter.
mingled with lonquil blooms whose
sweetness filled the mir. The cover was
ot a rich, plushy scarlet, embroidered
with golden dragons and those grotesquc
forms which only Chinese ingenuity
and skill can design and produce.
Above the table rcVolved large and
brilliantly il)uminatcdair-cast bearing
hundreds OF nodding figures, fantastical
I'M shape, and barbarically gorgeous in
color. At the rear was side-bo
spread with Chinese comtits and dclica-
cics, and the dearest little cups and
saucers that gave promise of n deli
ciously fragrant bcveraCc-if so small n
quantity as they held may he called II
beverage Two Cinnamon received call
ers at the door. two others conducted
themto the table of curiosltles, explained
all the mysteries, presented bright red
New Year cards, then ohered seats and
served refreshments. These were ar
ranged in good taste and were highly
palatablc, with the exception of n GER
tain dried fruit, which was oxecrable
Having taken n portion of this, knowing
that many almond-eSes were upon me-
| was obliged To swallow the dctested
morsel without wincing, TO the utter
disgust of my inner man. The delicate
rose-like aroma of that tiny sip of tea
beggars description, and ! refrain from
discussing the merits of that charming
decoctlon. BY request they sang
" Precious Jewels" All Garfield the
air, keeping excellent time, and har-
monizing well, their soft, liquid Eng
lish producing pleasing effect. The
attention paid by the Melicans was duly
appreciated and good feeling prevailed.
Before leaving, the callers shook hands
with each, wishing him happy new
year and all manner of prosperity. The
LIST of February is not only the China
mans New Year, but his birthday :;
every John among them reckoning his
age from the beginning of the year.
1T was recently my privilege to visit
the Chinese school held in the parlors
of the First Congregational church. Mr.
Sanford, Mclean superintendent, called
the Hchuol TO order, and Melican Miss
presided ut the piano. Chinese hymns
printed in mtislin were suspended from
frame, and n young Chinaman, baton
in hand, turned over the sheets and an
nounced the opening piece. 1'hc plano
struck up "ShiniDg Shore" and the
Cinnamon joined in singing, the leader
pointing out each word as they sung.
The long meter doxology followed, after
which the superntende announced
" ] need Thee Every Hour" from Eng
lish cards. Several hymns followed,
during the singing of which | took oc,
casiOn TO study the dress and general
appearance of the pupils. They were
notably clean, cheerful, and intelligent,
fNi NOh' h'Ouo w lfdtutIH anu NIlttThs
All were young, scarcely out of their
teens, and, with single exception, wore
cues that reached nearly 10 tho feet or
were wound around the head The front
part Of the head was shaven closely,
leaving on the back plat of hair from
four TO eight inches in diameter. The
upper garment was shirt-like affair
having q slit in each side, immense
flowing sleeves, narrow collar and
closed on the right side with three gold
buttons. Many Of the boys wore three
OF these garments, that next TO body
being white the second light blue, and
the euter navy blue. Some were made
OF very nice worsted trimmed with silk,
others OF coarse cotton. The stockings
were Of white cotton and hung about the
ankle in unsightly folds. The foot vas
encesed in the customary rosetted black
or blue slipper with wooden soles.
Prayer was offered by teacher-this
service ~ sometimes performed i'm
Chinese by convert-then all pro-
ceeded TO their work, some to study Bible
lessons, and more to read in primers and
books used in day schools. Each
teacher had charge Of three or four
pupils. The first read his lesson and
changed places with the second, after
him the third. While one read 10 the
teacher the others read by themselves
aloud, making 10 an unsOphisticated
ear, an intOlerable jargon, which,
however, did not seem 10 disturb the
members in the least. Nearly an hour
was spent In this manner, after which
volunteers quoted passages Of scripture,
many Of them rendering in English and
translatiDg into Chinese. Eighty China
men we're in attendance, and twenty-five
white teachers, both male and female
All the evangelical churches carry on
Chinese schools, and with gratifying re-
suit. The sentiment in Oakland is de
cidcdly in favor Of the Chinaman. He
is favOrite house servant, and his en-
ploycrs cannot commend too strongly his
tidiness celebrity, and general efficiency.
Down ON the Colleges.
"Sam," said Origins 70 his son the
other day, as he looked up from his
newspaper; what's the meaning Of
byvousc Y'
" don't know, father-can't recOllect
any such word. How does it read T'
..eI tIf 49,