The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-07-30
CHINESE HOLIDAYS.

Overwhelming Music and Animated
Scenes.
In his series in Vide Awake on
when l was q Boy in China" Yam
Phon Lee gives the following description
of some of the many holidays in that
country:
1t would be matter Of many chap
tiers were to describe all the holidays
which we have in China. The bare
enumeration of them would be as diff
cult as tedious. In point Of fact we
have almost as many holidays and fes-
rivals as there are days in the year.
Each prominent idol has birthday,
also an anniversary Of his death both Of
which are celebrated. There are some
the Goddess of Mercy, for instance
who have half dozen days sacred to
them. There are number of deities,
great persons deited, that are common
to the nation; while each city, town
and hamlet has numerous local deities
who are its special protectors.
Extremely lucky it is for the afore-
said idols that their dev0tees are natur-
ally fond of shows, pageantry and dis
play; otherwise, idolatry would have
little to attract the multitude. As it is.
millions of dollars are spent in these
celebrations every year. At the dedi-
cation of temple in Canton, two years
ago, thirty thousand dollars were spent
As was present at this really great ex-
hibition, can give you an idea of 1t.
For q long time q committee OF citizens
had been collecting subscriptions from
jewellers far ana near; and weeks
before the completion of the tenn
pie, a large pavilion was erected,
the material of which was mainly bam-
boo in the form Of poles. mattings and
slips. Marvellous architectural results
are attained by combining few,
wooden pillars with the bamboo in
various forms, and soon light and
airy structure looms up in the sky,
which can be seen from a great dis
lance. This pavilion is directly in
front of the temple, while smaller ones
are built in vacant lots near by, all
connected with the main building by
awnings pitched over the streets.
There Is q high tower in the middle Of
the great pavilion, on tho ceiling of
which curls dragon OF many colors,
cleaning with innumerable spangles,
through whose mouth rope is dropped
on which is suspended an immense
chandelier. The latter is finely carved
so far as the body, which is of wood, is
concerned, and for brilliancy Of coloring
has no rival in China. 1t is octagonal
and each side throws out four branches,
which uphold kerosene lamps The
centers Of esch side are cut out, and
glass inserted, behind which automatic
figures are made to move by clockwork.
The finest effects Of this chandelier are
of course obtained when the lamps are
lighted. Suspended from the roof in
other parts are other chandeliers, less
elaborate and smaller perhaps, but not
less artistic and beautiful. Forests OF
pendants are attached to them, so that
on all sides the light is reflected. Then,
in the intervals between the chandeliers,
hang oblong cases. all decorated with
silks and satins, and finely carved. con-
tanning dolls. about two feet high, ele.
gantly dressed in character, and
grouped to represent historical scenes.
These figures have machinery placed
beneath them to make them shake their
heads, or lift their hands. or sway their
bodies, just as the role of each requires.
There are also smaller cases in which
are arranged tableaux from romance Of
which the Chinese are very fond
Sometimes a comic tableau Is given
for instance, in one case are shown Z
number Of blind men fighting with
bamboo sticks on the street, and as the
blows are dealt blindly and in all di
rections (by means Of the machinery
the crowd of spectators never fail Z
laugh.
Flowers of all the kinds which grow
in the "Flowery Kingdom" form ar
important and pleasing feature Of tn,
entertainment. They are made int,
shapes of men or birds, and their de
licious odors pervade the whole place
The walls Of the different pavilions an
gaily painted. On them pictures !,
water-oolors are hung Is wen as scroll
bearing the writings Of celebrated men
Under these, are placed in rows, fin
flower pots crowned with the choices
flowers OF the season. Dwarfed trees
too, are placed beside them.
There are platforms in every good
sized pavilion where the musicians 81
and discourse music for the pleasure o
. most attentive audience. There ar,
drums, kettledrums, immense cymbals
gongs, comets, flutes castanets, two
stringed fiddles. and I don't know wha
elee besides, and when they are sounde,
together the effect Is overwhelming Of
,ars unaccust0med TO such strang
symphoniea The flutist first blows hi
tiute, then the cornetist joins with hi
toot and then the kettledrum maj
strikes up. which il . signal for tn
cymbals to clash and the gong to rails
It's hoarse cry, while the shrill fiddle
may be distinguished in the din like tn
witches voices above the storm in Mac
beth.
Worse still follows, when the mu
sicians turn from instrumental to vocs
music. and one Of them gives you
solo with that falsetto-pitch which
meant to initiate . female voice. u
While the crowd Of people are enjoy
ing the different sights aud sounds Il
the pavilions. inside the temple variou
uM