The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-02-20
HOW THE CHINESE MARK TIME.
some Very Curious Excerpts from the
Latest Official Almanac.a
lAmerican Journal of Science.l

lAmerican Journal of ScienceJ
The Chinese Official Almanac is is
sued annually in December, and is care
fully prepared by the Board of Astrono-
my, an important body, imperially ap-
pointed, presided over by prince of
the royal blood, and equal in dignity to
any other government body in the en-
plre. The Almanac is bestowed as a
special act of grace by the Emperor on
the Coreans, Loochoans, Annamites
and other tributary States. As this pub
lication is SO highly respected by the
Chinese it may fairly be considered as
the representative of the highest state of
| astronomical science reached by them.
| A large part of the astrological portion
OF the Almanac is intended for ssa prac-
teal guide in the common affairs of
life" A translation is given of the ad-
monitions for the first days of the cur
rent year as follows:
The first day is favorable for sacrifice
and for entering school; atnoon it is al
lowable to bathe. II is unfavorable for
| starting on a journey or changing resi-
| dence.
The second day is favorable for sacri-
| fee and bathing. 1t is unfavorable for
starting on journey, removing or prac-
ticing acupuncture.
The third day; there are no indica-
tions.
The fourth day; may receive or make
| visits and cut out clothes; at a. M.
may draw up contracts, barter AND make
presents. May not go on journey nor
break ground.
The fifth day; may visit, batbe, shave
and clean up. May not plant and SOW.
The sixth day is favorable for sacri-
fee, conjugal union, visiting, taking on
a new servant, starting on journey,
removing, marrying, repairing, build
ing, breaking ground; at 8 a. m. may
draw up contracts, open shop, barter,
send presents, seal, test the soil and
bury.
The seventh day; may level roads,
but must not start on journey.
The eighth; may sacrifice, memorial
ize, enter Office, assume ceremonial
clothes; at a. m. may sit toward the
southeast; also favorable for conjugal
union, visits, weddings, taking on q
new servant, starting on journey,
erecting uprights and putting on cross
beams, building, removing soil and
burying.
The writer gives few more items and
comments as follows:
And so it goes ON for nearly every day
in the year. Enough has been trans
lated to show the excessive childishness
and absurdity of this, the principal part
of the Imperial Almanac. On the 18th
one may be treated for illness and open
caches of provisions. On the 22d it is
allowable to pull down old houses and
walls, but drains must not be opened or
wells dug until the 9th. Arrests should
be made on the 25th, this is the only fa-
vorable day in the month"; very salts
! factory arrangement for criminals.
There are four days in thirty on which
one may cut out clothes, and the same
number on which one may sweep and
clean up. 1t is advised to shave on the
9th, 23d and 29th, and to bathe seven
times in the month. Unfortunately, the
intervals between the bath-days are un-
equal, and the believer in the almanac
must wait from the 5th to the 18th, and
from the 14th to the 23d. Besides on
the 1st bathing is favorable at an incon-
venient hour, viz noon; the hour on
the 29th 6 o'clock) is much better.
These indications seem too silly to af-
feet sensible men, yet while Chinaman
is not only sensible, but actually shrewd
and keen, he guides most of his more
important affairs by the almanac. The
poorer classes watch the almanac care
fully, 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 journey nor enter Office
except on favorable days, though it is to
be hoped they bathe, shave and clean
much Oftener.
4 uynnrhnrnon pIao cupou