The herald., 1893-02-17
HEAP CELEBRATE NUNG ELUNG.
The Chinese Colony in the
Midst of Festiviti es.
Observing New Years and the En-
per0r's Birthday Together.
Chinatown in Blaze OF Celestial Glory
Varied by tho Pop OF Flrecrack-
ers and the Presence of
the Tourist.

Chinese New Year was fairly ina ugu.
rated yesterday, and the smell of burnt
powder fingered long in the air over that
portion of the city where they run riot
in ways of life that are unamerican, un-
civilized and bad smelling.
AS near as can be ascertained the oc-
casion, besides being the celebration of
the first of the year, is also commem-
orative of the birth of Kwong Suey, the
emperor Of China, and the commence
ment of the 10th year of his reign. In
Chinese parlance the day ia terme d
"Klung Klung."
Cords of firecrackers were let off DUR
ing the day as propitiatory offerings to
the evitspirits who are supposed to hover
over them, and all day long the narrow
streets and alleys of Chinatown were
thronged by Cinnamon, as we'll as an
unusually large number of white Wis.,
itors.
The average Chinaman does not like
the curiosity seeker in this particular
part of the city, and they do not show
very much courtesy to visitors, unless
accompanied by some one who knows
the ropes. They have very little use for
the white man, and were it not fer the
servile fear they have Of the strong hand
of the law, they would be much less
accommodating than they are.
The preparations this year for the
observance of New Year week are very
elaborate. The fine new joss house, off
Marchessault street, has been adorned
with particular magnifcence, and fairly
shines with costly silver pieces and
gorgeously embroidered tapestries and
curtains. Never before in the history of
the observance of the event in Los An
geles have tho Chinese put ss much
money into tho decorations Of their joss
houses. The significance of the various
emblems is lost upon the ordinary Wis
itor to the joss house, but each piece
and each emblem has an occult mean
ing, that even the Chinese themselves
sometimes cannot fully divine. In the
decorations this year there are
no less than two dozen solid
silver ornaments to the affairs, and In
them all the dragon is seen, which is
the symbol of the Chinese empire.
From midnight Wednesday night a huge
silver bowl, placed in the middle of one
of the tables, has been simmering away
with dull, kissing sound. 1t emits q
strong, pungent odor which is not un-
pleasant, and the Cinnamon who enter
the room seem to pay particular atten-
tion to it.
In every Chinese store and opium
| Joint there are some preparations for the
celebration of this week. In nearly all
| the preparations consist of layout Of
Chinese eatables and flowers, and the
ever-present burning punk. In many
places the displays are lavish, and there
ism OhinamAn man so Door that hat he doeH not
orcising of the bad spirits.
Business is practically suspended in
Chinatown during the week and every
one is in some way more particular In
his attire and has taken great care that
his pigtail has its every hair in place. Z
Yesterday the Chinese theater opened
and it was packed all day with dense
crowd of Cinnamon and women, and
was visited by many parties of white
people. The play occupied all the after
noon and was still on last night. The
theater has been put in better shape
than ever before and there is a curious
feature in connection with the present
performances which has never been
witnessed there before. One
of the women parts is taken
by woman. Heretofore no Chinese
woman has appeared on the stage, the
female parts being always taken by
males. The present plays that are be-
ing produced, as Chinese plays invari-
ably do, represent events in the lives
of the Chinese monarchs, and to those
who have never one them the spectacle
is very interesting.
For the balance OF the week China
town will present scene that can
scarcely be described. Long lines Of
lanterns are stretched everywhere, and
at night cause the quarter to present a
most picturesque appearance. The
burning of powder is becoming more and
more lavish every day and will culmi-
nate at the close Of the week in grand
effort to eASectually drive away all evil
influences.