Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-01-13
ACHENESE FESTIVAL.
Scenes of an historical and Religious ma
ture Seldom Witnessed In This Coun-
TFrom the San Francisco hta.]


TRANS on Kearny Street have noticed
vast numbers of Cinnamon swarming
in and out of q large white-fronted
which floats the yellow dragon flag OF
the Chinese Empire. A number OF the
more curious even went so Tar as TO
visit the place, attracted by the great
red, blue and gold sign above the en-
trance and the partial vision OF bar
barous splendor from Within. but not
understanding the meaning of all they
saw, they failed to appreciate the
many really beautiful sights. Know
ing this, an Alta reporter took occa-
sion last evening to enlist the services
of one of his Chinese acquaintance
who speaks English, and made a care
full inspection of the place and took
notes of his interpreters explanations
for the benefit of the Alta readers who
are DESTROYS of witnessing the novel
scenes there presented. The building
is called the Kong Chow Asylum and
belongs to a religious society of thas
name, which is supported by the mem
bers of one of the Six Companies.
The society being very rich one, the
oIICCuOIS dL0 w SlNO co oAAOAA
NAL exhibition or fair, in conformity
with a religious custom as well as to
show something for the large sums OF
money.contributed The present cele-
bration is in honor of Tai Tseung, one
of the greatest commanders and most
honorable and exemplary characters
China has ever known. He lived and
ruled many centuries ago, and is now
looked upon by his worshiping coun-
trymen as a. sort of deity. On either
side of the short passageway leading
to the first exhibition room are rows
of spears, swords and battleax
used in ancient warfare, and in the
corners are large silk umbrellas
or canopies, elegantly and ex-
pensively decorated, which are
used by mandarins and men OF
high rank upon state and
festival occasions. just inside the
doorway of the first room stand two
huge images of the greal Tai Tseung
and his brother, who are supposed to
act as guardians of the sacred emblems
within. Near them are paper models
of the horses ridden by them in bat
tie, and at the animals heads are wax
figures of their grooms. Along the
walls are suspended small cases In
which wax figures of Chinese men and
women are arranged in positions to
represent certain important events OF
a historical character. The workman
ship is really excellent, and each life
less tableau tells it's own story. The
scenes are of q highly moral nature,
and are intended to warn the subjects
of the Kingdom Of the Flowers against
the inevitable consequences ofevil and
wrong-doing. as well as showing how
honesty and virtue can be rewarded.
Interspersed between these pictorial
cases are beautiful emblems and orna-
ments symbolical of the Mongolian
faith. At the further end of the room
numerous battle flags and trophies Of
war are hanging above and about
large table, upon which are pots of
growing flowers. A narrow doorway
near this flower stand takes the visit
or into an adjoining room of equal
magniticence, but larger proportions,
at the end Of which is a stage, where
several Chinese musicians discourse
discordant sounds upon drums, TOM
toms and screeching fddles. Around
the walls Of this room were more his
torical tableaux, and in the center of
the ceiling hangs chandelier of intri-
cate and beautiful design which cost
81 900. To the left of this room is
another. wherein the only three Bud
dhist priests in America offer up con-
tinued prayers to their gods, amid the
wierd rattle OF deep-toned drums and
hideous sound of peculiar reed instru
ments. The altar is gorgeous IN green
and gold trimmings and solid silver
dishes, in which offerings of food and
drink are placed. The atmosphere is
heavy with incense, and the rising va
pOrs give a strange effect to the
painted Hkenesses of the various Bud
dhist deities which are suspended on
the walls. The sound of the drums is
to attract the attention of the gods,
SO that they may hear the prayers OF
the priest to pour blessings on those
assembled. Upstairs is the regular
Confucius image, or "Joss," above
handsome altar of gold and silver
magnifcence, The usual food offer
ings are here, but, unlike the one be-
low, there are no priests, and all good
MOngolians burn their own incense
and make their own prayers before
the image of their god. Around this
room are any number Of elegant de-
signs in wood, covered with strange
characters, which are given by grateful
Mongols, whose success in business
was due to the advice and instruc
tions of GLOSS" AS he was passing
out the reporter saw a benevolent and
wise. looking old Chinaman sitting in a
small room, with two or three OF his
countrymen bowed before him and
listening with attentive eagerness to
the words he was uttering. Upon in
quiring, the reporters guide explained
that the old man was possessed of the
highest literary attachments, having
passed all of the examinations in
Chinese education. He had been
brought from China on a large salary
by the society, to settle the disputes
which constantly arise among them
selves, and to adjudicate all matters