The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-06-03

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of the shops of rich merchants receive
fresh coat of vivid red paint, while
the walls of the interior take on a sky
blue tint Improvised sideboards are
put up, spangled with fancy tinsel paper,
| and loaded with nuts, candies and cooked
meats. Along the outer walls are hung
rows of large lanterns, painted in all
colors and adorned with those curious
| figures, which may represent the fauna
of the Confucian age, but which have
no living counterparts in the beasts of
| Celestial fields or the fishes in Celestial
waters. Arranged in a corner of each
shop is store of fire-crackers, for this
noisy squib plays a great part in the re-
joicings.
The night before the great day is
ushered in with hideous changing of
tom-toms, squeaking of one-stringed tid
dies and rattle of a thousand exploding
fire-crackers. This is the time to see the
Chinese quarter thoroughly aroused. a
walk through the main streets is not al
ways safe, but the risk of a burned coat
or singed eyebrow is amply repaid by
| the many amusing spectacles seen on
every side. The shops and houses are
all brilliantly lighted, while the rows of
lanterns arranged at varying heights
make the street at a distance look like
political torch-light procession in which
the ward patriots have absorbed too
much beer. On each side of the street
long scarlet ropes of tire-crackers hang
from the upper balconies, the blazing
ends dangling over the sidewalk.
One gets a kind of opera bouffe
baptism of fire " in venturing through
the street. Seated aloft, smoking his
small pipe or cigar, is the proprietor
of the house. his eyes dancing with eX-
element as he watches the line of fire
climbing slowly up his firecrackers.
Occasionally he adds to the confused,
whiplash reports of the small artillery
by throwing into the street a bomb
which explodes with an ear-splitting
report. The pavement is soon buried
under the red fragments of firecrackers,
among which the daring hOOdlum ranges
and secures any crackers which the fuse
has failed to ignite. From the upper
balconies of many houses, all adorned
with beautiful lanterns and Towering
plants which give them the appearance
of hanging gardens, comes the sound
of minstrelsy. The sing-song saluta-
lions of friends, the wailing cry of the
vendors of hot refreshments, the shrill
sound of the fiddles, the clash of Gym
bols and the hoarse roar of exploding
pyrotechnics-all these make up a scene
as essentially barbaric as one could de-
sire.
On the following morning the visit
ing begins in earnest. The shops are
decked out in the bravest styles and
likewise their owners. The poorest
Chinaman scorns work at this time and
gets good food at the houses of his
wealthy friends. He wears his custom
airy clothes, smartened, perhaps, by
new hat or jacket. The Chinese full
dress, however, is worn only by the
weather. class, and it is seldom seen
on the street except at this high feast.
1t differs widely from the ordinary
costume in cut and material, being
far richer and more picturesque garb.
The trousers are of damask silk, worked
with flowers and other designs. They
are of all colOrs, but the prettiest are of
delicate fawn color or of Nile green
the identical tint which feminine fash
ion has lately added to her spectrum.
Some trousers even may be seen
made of fine chamois skin All fit
the leg closely and are wrapped
tight about the ankle. Over the
inner pajama of white linen or nan
keen is worn a long ulster-like
coat, generally of thin sky-blue cloth.
1t falls Just below the knee, and on each
side is slit open, so that it gives some
what the appearance of those dresses
worn by the shapely beauties of the va
riety stage, when one leg is counted up
on to do spectacular duty. The sleeves
of this coat extinguish the hands en-
tirely, and when the usual salutations
are made on the street-raising the
hands quickly and joining them for an
instant-the tapping of these loose
sleeves gives a singular effect. Over
this garment is worn pajama or frock
of rich cloth or satin, with sleeves full
six inches shorter than those of the
blue undercoat. This outer frOck is
short, reaching only to the hips. Some
are thickly quilted, but the majority are
of fine blue or purple cloth. The head
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silk with button of red or lemon color.
This dress is universal; there is no vari-
alton except in tint. Many of the COM
binations of color are artistic and upon
a graceful Chinaman the costume sits
easily. The greater number, however,
wear it with an air of constraint, and
as they 90 numbering along with their
awkward rolling gait they look not un-
like band of sailors, masquerading in
army overcoats half covered by pea
jackets. Each carries fan, no matter
what the state of the weather, and when
not held in the hand it bangles from
belt at the side.
On entering the door of house or store,
the visitor salutes by bowling low and
placing the hands together in front.
Generally two elaborate bows are made.
The compliments of the season are ex-
changed; few sweetmeats are eaten,
sip of rice brandy taken, another low
bow is made, and the visit is ended. On
meeting in the streets salutatiOns are
exchanged by placing the hands togeth
er and wishing the usual g Kong he fat