San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-03-16
THE CALIFORNIA CHINEE,
I. H. JULIAN, Editor.

the Heather ut Oakland-A sunday.
school In Full Blast.
Oakland (Cal) Correspondence Chicago
Times.l
The Cinnamon celebrated the advent
of their New Year "allee same as Nell
can man" his independence, with TOM
toms and crackers at midnight, and to-
day many fair hand has reluctantly
turned to homely service in the absence
of John, who has gone to celebrate.
Our own Celestial said, 81 not 60 this
time; spend heapee money last year,
I heapee foolee;" but u chum came
along, and he could not resist the pros
pect of few days of jollification. The
Chinese Y. M. G. A. kept open house
during the day, and this evening their
doors were thronged with Caucasian
visitors. The appearance by gas-light
was very pleasing and especially novel
to a newcomer, fresh for Yankeedom,
In the centre of the room stood table
laden with Chinese fruits, confectionery,
and curiosities, intermingled with jon
ouil blossoms whose sweetness filled the
air. The cover was of rich, plushy
scarlet, embroidered with golden drag
ons and those grotesque forms which
only Chinese ingenuity and skill can
design and produce. Above the table
revoloed large and brilliantly illumi-
mated air-castle, bearing hundreds of
nodding figures, fantastical in shape
and barbarically gorgeous in color.
At the rear was a sideboard
spread with Chinese comfts and
delicacies, and the dearest little cups
and saucers that gave promise of de-
liciously fragrant beverage-if SO small
quantity as they held may be called
beverage. Two Cinnamon received
callers at the door, two Others conduct
ed them. to the table of curiosities, ex-
planned all the mysteries, presented
bright red New Year cards, then offered
seats and served refreshments. These
were arranged in good taste, and were
highly palatable, with the exception of
of certain dried fruit, which was ex-
ecrable. Having taken a portion OF
this, knowing that many almond-eyes
were upon me, was obliged to swal-
low the detested morsel without winc-
ing to the utter disgust of the inner
man The delicate rose-like aroma of
that tiny sip of tea beggars description,
and refrain from discussing the merits
of that charming decoction. BY re-
quest they sang "Precious Jewels"
All carried the air, keeping excellent
time and harmonizing well, their soft,
liquid English producing pleasing eff
feet. The attention paid by the Nell
cans 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 Chinaman's New Year,
but his birthday also; 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 school to order, and Nell
can miss presided at the piano. Chi
nese hymns printed in muslin were sus-
pended from frame, and a young Chi
naman, baton in hand, turned over the
sheets and announced the opening piece.
The piano struck up Shining Shore"
and the Cinnamon joined in singing, the
leader pointing to each word as they
sung. The long meter doxology fol-
lowed, after which the superintendent
announced, 81 Need Thee Every
Hour" from the English cards. Sew
eral hymns followed, during the singing
of which 1 took occasion to study the
dress and general appearance OF the pu-
pills. They were notably clean, cheer
full and intelligent, very courteous to
teachers and officers. All were young,
scarcely out of their teens, and, with a
single exception, wore queues that reach
ed nearly to the 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 gar
ment was a shirt-like affair, having a
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