Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-28
T5so Chinese official Almanac.

The December number of The 4a,e.seq,
Journal q Science aad Art contains an article na
the Chinese Official Almanac, OF which H. is
said that ''it is issued annually in December,
and is carefully prepared by the Board OF AS
tlonomy, an important body, imperially ap-
pointed, presided over by prince Of the royal
olc0d, and equal ii dignity u any other govern
Etent body III the empire. The Almanac is be-
stow ed as q special act Of grace by the Emperor
on the CoreanS, LoochocanS, AnnamteS, and
other tributary states. As this publication is
50 highly respected by the Chinese it NAV
fairly be considered as the representative Of the
n!SAe>t state OF astronomical science cached
by them large part of the astrological
portion OF the Almanac is intended for .'prac-
teal guide III the common affairs Of life" A
translation Is given OF the admonitionS for the
hISJ days OF the current year as follows:
TIE first day is favorable for sacrifice and for
entering school; at noon it is allowable 20 battle.
Il is unfaNor3De Tor starting on a journey or
changing residence
The second day is favorable for sacrifice and
bathing. 1t is unfayOrab,e Tor starting on
journey. removing or practising acupunc ure
Tie TIE third day; there are no indications.
TIE fourth day; may receive or make visits
and cut out clothes; at a. IN. may draw up
contracts, barter and maj presents. May not
so On tourney nor break ground.
TIE NTH day; may visit, battle, shave and
ciean up. May not plant and SOW.
1he sixth day is favorable for sacrifice, con-
Jugal union, visiting. taking on Il new servant,
starting on journey. removing. m arriving, re-
pairing, building, breaking ground; at d. m.
may draw up contracts open shop, barter
send presents. seal. test the soil and bury.
me seventh day: may level roldS, but must
not start on q Journey.
The eighth; may sacrifice, memorabilia. enter
once, assume ceremonial clothes: ar ) a. m
may sit toward the southeast: also favorable for
c0njug&i union visits, weddings, taking on
new servant, starting on Journey, cree ing up-
rights ana putting on cgOS>beamS, building. re-
moving soil and bury ing.
The writer gtTeS d few mere items and COM
mCntS as follows:
and so ii goes on for nearly every day in tie
year Enough has been translated to show tie
excessive cEiidieS5Dc>,S ana aGsurlity OF ais,
on The lltn one may be treated for Illness ard
open caches Of provisions. on the 22l it is al
lJWG0ie to pull down old houses and walls, blt
Or ms must not be opened Or wells dug until
the eth. Arrests should be made on tie 25th:
this Is the only favorable DAY In the m1ath-a
YER satisfactory arrangement for criminals.
Ihcie are four day In - on which one NAV cut
OUT cloiEes, and the same number on which one
may sweep and cleanup. It is advised TO Sh I'VE
On the 18th. 23d and 29th, and to battle seven
times in the month. Unfortunately the inter
vas between the b2th-dayS are unequal. and
the believer in the Almanac must wait from the
9Th TO the 18th and from the 18th TO the 23d
BESIDES on the 1St bathing is favorable at an in
convenient hour, viz, noon; The hour OF the 18th
8 O'clOck} is much better.
These indications seem too silly to affect SEN
Slbie men, yet While the Chinaman is not only
sens BILE, but actually ShreWd and keen. he
guides most CT his more important affairs by the
Almanac. The poorer classes watch the Alma
nae carefully. and marry. bury and do other
things only when it advises. and it is to be
feared that the better educated do not start on
a Journey n0r enter Office except on favorable
Gays. though 1t is to be hoped they battle, shave