The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-02-03
CHINESE NEW YEAR.
How the Heather Celebrates
And Other Points.

There are about 15o Cinnamon il
this city, and they have nearly re
covered from the celebration OF theil
New Year. There is no other day
which the Celestial celebrates with
such zeal as his New Year, and a:
the one Just ushered 10 is the veal
10000, John Ohinaman feels iusl
O.009 times as good as he ever did
before. It is mistaken idea that
their NsR Year festivities last but
three days. They may be carried on
for any period up to month, and IL
is frequently done in the Flowery
Kingdom. The duration of the cele-
bration depends altogether on the H.
dividual and on his means. II he is
poor, as is the Case with those in this
city, about three days ia all he can
stand; but as they are weslthier the
advent OF a new year is more elabo-
rately observed, and for q longer
period.
Ii it we're true that Cinnamon are
very close and s.ingy-irugsl might
be iuster term-it woald be q truth
only when they are not celebrating
their New Year. They are not only
hospitable to each other, but 70 ell
persons. They perform as little labor
as possible, make innumerab!e and,
considering their means, costly pres
ents. and spend money freely. The
lily in bloom in very place Id one OF
the most prominent features; after
and in addition to which are many
little trinkets hung here and there,
which tend TO give an air OF gaiety
and pleasure. Curious candies and cigs-
rettes. in plates or dishes, are left for
any one who desires to take them.
VI course. they have tea. and for all
who desire it, they have rice whiIky,
which is decidedly good-like the
good civilized article IN appearance,
but has a peculiar and to many per-
sons q very pleasant flavor. 1t is
imported from China, is very ex-
pensive, and is an article in which
they do no ideal commercially.
Few Cinnamon ever get drunk;
none ever do except during this
period. For those who do, they have
a drunk house, or a place to which
their comrades take them when they
get a little boozy, and put them to
bed to sleep of the effects. When
they recover they are released. They
are never known to resist when being
led to this house; and are given
plenty OF strong coffee as a restorative.
At this season. also, they pay all
their debts or are disgraced-a custom
which is q most bsrbsrions one, if the
OF the civilized world in
hat regerd is to be taken as the
standard.
In a place he Salt Lake, their
principle, aid in fact, only smuse-
nents, are gambling and opium
Under the heading of
gambling is included a LOTTERY bnsi-
mesa, which, like all their U.nes
sfiairs, is run on principles pecuisi
10 themselves, and is considered
legitimate and essential part Of their
business. While they
gamble and smoke opium at all
lines, it is a special feature during
heir holidays.
They are remarkably pleasant,
zind and courteous to each other.
The only outside evidence of their
celebration, and in fact their only
noisy denominations, are in the
iring of Of fire crackers. This they
10 with lavishness that would turn
he cheek OF the most patriotic con OF
Uncle Sam crimson for shame ct the
way IL which he is outdone by China
men even on his great 4th OF July.