The evening times., 1896-08-17
GRAVtsCOVERE0WITHFO FOOD
Chinese Hold Their Memorial
Day Service.
GRAND FEAST FOR SPIRITS
Many Daint Dishes Cooked and
Placed Upon the Little Mounds.
Time-HOnored Custom and It's Sig
nificance-Misch IiDys Made
Merry After Mourners Departed.

chinatown" held u celebration yes
terday. 1t was not in honor Of the an
ticipated visit of Ii Hung Chang. but in
memory of the three dead Celestials who
were Inferred in Graceland Cemetery. 1t
was sort OF memorial day, but instead NJ
decorating the graves of the dead with
flowers. they scattered upon the little
mounds of earth dainty edibles to FEED the
spirits of the departed
Usually, when Chinaman dies in WASH
ington-aDd 1t is very seldom that they do
de here-theiI bodies are shipped either TO
Philadelphia or New York, where their
souls can better be guarded against fideous
demons OF death which are supposed to
haunt the graves of the departed. A China
mans greatest desire during life, except
his eagerness for opium and ran-tan. Is that
when lie shall lay aside the wash bourd anu
enter the spirit land his body may be buried
in the fertile soil OF the FlOwery Kingdom.
AN OLD PRACTICE.
His bones do not rest wcIl when elsewhere
uttered, but in his native land daily cere-
monies FOR the dead are held in the ceme-
teries, and the big and little devils do not
dare inolest the silent sleepers. This prac-
tice has been In vogue since the time
OF ConfIcius, and is held by Cinnamon in
America once every six months.
IeSlcItldS WdS Tue heIIl-duHudl OCtuE-
renee, the day Being called Chenn-toDs
f,si, which mc.ns '.reace 10 tie dead"
GracelaDd was the scene OF the ceremonies.
and half hundred or more Celcsiiais.
gayly attired in their finest Sunday raj
ment, and who had congregated in lit
tie shop on Four-and "a half street the
Mott street OF Washington, were the par
ucipaDts.
Inc preparations made for this DECORATION
n ~ txr-s.t nIa ak,ora 10 aud
many hard earned dollar is expended to
snake the feast for the departed spirits a
royal banquet. 1t is a solemn service. and
the rich dainties were devoured with mourn
ful reverence, but it was not noticeable that
tear fell from the almond eye Of any
inourner.
They puffed away at cigarettes in silence
while the food was being prepared.
FOOD FOR THE SPIRITS.
First an impromptu altar was erected.
and about 1t the spectators burned JOSS
sticks. and bowed reverently, at the same
time muttering a sort OF mass in honor OF
the dead big pot OF rice was cooked
over each grave, and spread upon the
mound
Then there was a goodly supply of nicely
fried chicken. little roasted pigs trimmed
In bright colors. dainty rice cakes cut into
curious shapes and baked a delicate brown,
and many other paiatable visnds known
only TO Chinese cooks. and IL was all
left upon the graves OF the deceased to
nourish their spirits. which are supposed
TO make nightly rounds after the mourners
depart and gather IN the food Fancy
candies make up the dessert.
Scarcely had the uournels returned to
the Joss house before the niischievOus ur-
chps OF the nei eighborhoOd and all the stray
cats and dogs in the vicinity repaired to
the scene OF The feast and ma de merry with
the edibies which are supposed to furnish
sus;cuauce for the spirits.
Yesterdays celebration was q general
one. and much more elaborate ceremonies
were held in the larger cities.