Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-02-28
How the Chinese Mark Time.


'sThe Chinese Official Almanac is j
sued annually in December, and is car
fully prepared by the Board Of Astronom
an important body, impartially appointed
presided over by prince of the roy
blood, and equal in dignity to any otht
government body in the empire. The a
manac is bestowed as special act {
grace by the Emperor on the Corean
tary States.
! AS this publication is so highly respect
ed by the Chinese, it may fairly be cor
sldered as the representative of the high
est state of astronomical science reache
by them. A large part of the astrological
portion of the almanac is intended for
practical guide in the common affairs O
life" A translation Is given of the ad
monitions for the first days of the comm.
year as follows:
The first day is favorable for sacrifc
and for entering school; at noon it is al
lowable to battle. 1t is unfavorable fo
starting on journey or changing resi-
dence.
The second day is favorable for sacrifice
and bathing. It is unfavorable for start
ing on journey, removing or practicine
acupuncture.
The third day there are no indications
The fourth day; may receive or make
visits and cut out clothes; at a. M. may
draw up contracts or make presents. May
not go on journey or break ground.
The fifth day; may visit battle, shave and
clean up. May not plant and sow.
/ The sixth day is favorable for sacrifice
conjugal union, visiting, taking on new
servant, starting on journey, removing
marrying, repairing, building. breaking
ground; at 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, memorabilia
enter Office, assume ceremonial clothes:
at five a. m. may sit toward the southeast
also favorable for conjugal union, visits.
weddings, taking on a new servant, start
ing on journey, directing uprights and
putting On crossbeams, building, remov
ing soil and burying.
And so it goes on for nearly every day
in the year. Enough has been translated
to show the excessive childishness and alb
surdity of this, the principal part of the
Imperial Almanac. On the seventeenth
one may be treated for illnsss and open
teaches of provisions. On the twenty-sec-
ond it is allowable to pull down old houses
and walls, but drains must not be opened
or wells dug until the twenty-sevenths
Arrests should be made on the twenty
fifth; this is the only favorable day in the
month"; very satisfactory arrangement
for criminals.
There are four days in thirty in 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 5th,
23d and Goth, and to battle seven times in
the month. Unfortunately the intervals
between the bath days are unequal. and
the believer in the almanac must wait from
the 5th to the 18th, and from the 18th to
the 23d. Besides, on the first bathing is
favorable at an inconvenient hour, viz:
noon; the hour on the Goth Is o'clock is
much better.
These indications seem too silly to affect
sensible men, yet while the Chinaman it
not only sensible, but actually shrewd and
keen, he guides most of his important af
fairs by the almanac. The poorer classes
watch the almanac carefully, and marry,
bury and do other things only when it ad-
vises, and it is to be feared that the better
educated do not start on journey nor en-
ter office except on favorable days, though
it is to be hoped they battle, shave and
clean much Oftener.