Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1892-02-20
CHINESE FEAST.
Interesting Occasion at the Legation
in Washington.
The Annual Feast of Lanterns Marked by g
Chiidren's Party-A Description of the
Manner in Which the Feast Is Cele-
brated in the FIowery Kingdom.

WASHINGTON, Feb 15-"The Feast
of Lanterns was celebrated Saturday
evening at the Chinese legation by a
young peoples party, given by Mr..
Pung, in accordance with the custom in
China, where. the celebration of the
feast being obligatory, it is turned into
a season Of merrymaking for men,
women and children. According to
the celestial calendar the date falls on
the 18th of January, which this season
falls on the 18th of February. Mr..
Pung gives most interesting descrip-
tion of the festivities incident to the oc-
casion
In anticipation of this great day in
China, freestone arches are erected at
the ends Of all the principal streets,
where theY remain from the 18th to the
iTtn instst From one to the other Of
these arches are arranged lanterns OF
all colors, which, with garlands of
flowers, also extend from the houses,
and the native custom is to make the
streets so decorated grand driveway
and promenade. In front of all the
principal houses are arrayed small
tables from which tea and cake are
served to those taking part in the great
procession, and in return halt is called
while music and feats OF jugglery are
performed.
The emperor's house is gorgeously
decorated inside and out for the occas-
ion, and like the majority of fine res
licences of high-cast society, the front
is gayly illuminated with Lanterns in the
form of beasts birds, reptiles, flowers
and angels In all the large stores
music is played incessantly, gongs hav.
ing the place of precedence over all 9th.
er instruments. Beginning at o'clock
in the morning, and lasting until 10,
the great parade keeps moving to the
music of the gongs
The great feature Of this parade is an
enormous white silk lantern, ten feet in
circumference, and known as the
pearl" from its shape and color.
Within this are countless smaller lam
terms, arranged to move continuously,
while the pearl" carried by one man,
is stationary on its pole. On either side
of this, each borne along by four men,
are great dragons, also of white silk.
These dragons like the pearl" are
filed with lanterns. blaze of light is
suing from their great open mouths,
With dexterity born of long months
of careful drilling, the boys and sol.
diers, from which classes the hearers
are selected advance the snuous
cleaning white serpents until they are
close upon the coveted prize Of the
pearl" which must be partially swal-
lowed by each in turn.
The effect OF this contest, heightened
by the lights, the flowers and the ex-
cited cheering of the watching throng
of people, can be imagined, and it is no
wonder that the celebration of the
feast of lanterns is an annual festival
looked forward to with most pleasur-
able anticipation by the people. In all
other parts OF the parade are carried
two smaller lanterns, in the shape of
lions, which are made to go through
similar evolutions in jumping after a
large bali,
At the legation an explanation of the
feast of lanterns was given the chill
dren, in whose especial honor Mr.. Pung
gave the entertainment, and the even.
ing was then spent in games and dane
ing in the ballroom