Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-26
JOHN oH1NAmAN,s NEW YEAR.
Celebrating the Occasion actth Oriental
POn.p and CeremOny.
New York Star. Feb. 7.

New York Star, Feb. Z.
In the proverbs of Confucius it is writ
ten, "a year ended virtuously, the ensuing
one begins with joy and there is scarcely a
Chinaman in New York who is not just nom
repeatedly reminding his countrymen of
this sentiment, the maxim having been in
culcated into the entire nation by this long
queued philosopher of the Orient. The rea-
son for reviving this bit of wisdom and
giving 1t more attention than at other
times, is because to-day the festivities of
the Chinese New Year begin, and there is
not Mongolian in the country who will
not celebrate the occasion. 1t is obliga-
tory that the year should close with special
services, and tonight will be passed by
these trusting heather in praying for the
forgiveness of their sins, asking pardon for
any exorbitant laundry charges they have
made, and the pieces of clothing they have
failed to account for, and in thanksgiving
to Joss for his many blessings during the
year just brought to a close.
The New Year, like the five other holt
days in the Chinese calendar, is a movable
feast governed by the new moon, and is
never very far away from the beginning
Of the Christian Lenten fast. In China the
celebration ceremonies continue a month
or longer, beginning with an exchange Of
visits on the first day and followed with
great pomp and ceremony by public balls,
dinners and banquets to all classes of peo-
pie. AT tie close of the year every wrong
that an almond-eyed child Of the sun
may have suffered is to be forgiven, and
it is imperative that all debts and bills
shall be discharged before any greeting or
salutation may be exchanged. If the debt
or is Unable to release himself, he may
have the loan renewed for another year;
but so generally has this annual settlement
of accounts taken place, and so sensitive
is the unfortunate debtor about asking for
q renewal that number of them annually
prefer to commit suicide. The exchange
Of visits on the first day is carried on to a
great extent. Instead, however, of shak-
ing hands with the host, the guest takes
his own hand, and the compliments of the
season are made with many low obeisan
ces, while the young Chinese swells COM
pare favorably with the Western civiliz-
alton in their ability to consume tremen-
duous amount OF delicacies and wine.
To day with sleek queue and polished
skull, every gentle heather will HE himself
to the abode of his neighbor, where will be
found table grooming under the rare
delicacies of his country, at each corner of
which large candle will be burned to
keep the evil spirits from sharing uninvit-
ed these outspread luxuries In the early
morning sandal wood will be burned in
Precipitation of the gods who rule the .des-
TIMES of the Flowery Kingdom. The New
Year cards prepared for these visits are of
extraordinary shape and color. Some are
small, blue strips of silken paper, engrav-
ed with Chinese characters in silver, while
others have golden lettering on large.
thin sheets of red. Instead of being de-
posted in baskets these cards will be hung
on hooks driven into the wall for that pUr-
pose, and, swinging here all the year, they
are supposed to exercise evil thoughts.
The officers Of the three Chinese club
houses in this city, located at No. 105 Park
street, No. 283 Water street and No. Il
Mott street, have made extensive prepara-
tons to receive callers all day, and every
Celestial merchant in Mott
street will give dinner to the customers
of the year. Tonight the INDECENT Chinese
will be banqueted in several parts of the
city by their brethren who enjoy great
share of Joss favor.
To morrow morning large number of
these people go hence to Belleville, New
Jersey, where Joss house was recently
erected. Here they will be joined by all
the Mongolians Of Eastern cities who have
money for the journey, and will partici-
pate in grand New Year incantation.
As near as can be ascertained, this will
consist of incessant prostrations before
the altar, iaterspersed with such music as
can be evoked from the curious instru-
ments they take with them. A large table
in front of the altar will be covered with a
cloth of CRIMSON silk, in the center of
which will be placed life-like image Of
the great Joss. In the evening the cere-
monies will conclude with great display
OF fire works.