The morning times., 1897-02-01
NEW YEAR IN CHINAT OWN
The Event Is Being Observed by
the Local CeleStialS.
EXERCISES AT THE JOSS HOUSE
\ Sunptuous Feast Has Been Spread
of Which the Worshipers and
VIII Be Continued for Several
Days-Lesation to Celebrate Later

Gong He Tai Toi," which interpreted
means Happy New Year" is the pass
word in Chinatown today, for last night
at midnight the local laundrymcn and
Chinese merchants marked the beginning
OF their year, and from that time until mid
night tonight Will celebrate the event in
characteristic fashion. at any time after
IL O'Clock last night, in the vicinity OF
Four-and-a-half street and Pennsylvania
avenue, which is the heart of Chinatown,
crowds OF Celestials might have been
seen, dressed IL their Lest silk clothes
and all wending their way to the joss house
at No. 104 Four-and-a-half street north
west Continuous services have been held
there since the beginning OF the festival and
win be held until II O'Clock tonight
The front of the joss house was gayly
decorated with red bunting. lanterns and
artificial roses, and presented a most at
tractive appearance. The room for wor-
ship is upstairs, and ever since the be-
ginning of the festival has been crowded
with worShipers who came to do homage
to the joss and to offer up prayers in
their OVID and their friends behalf
The joss is a queer-looking picture of u
bearded Chinese hero, who died centuries
ago, and who has since been deified. Sur
rounding the picture is a costly frame
and in front of it fragrant Chinese incense
is kept burning continuously. Offerings
of the coStliest tea are placed before tie
joss at stated intervals by the attendants
Evidences OF the unusual character OF
the day are observable in the laundries
and Chinese stores. Last week was house
cleaning time with their proprietors, and
today every Chinese establishment is as
spick and span as new pin. In addition
to this appropriate decorations Of lanterns
and artificial flowers have been added in
many places.
Many of the natives of the Flowery
Kingdom have their own joss, before which
tapers and incense are kept burning. The
fayorite joss is Quon Kung, the patron of
laundrymen, who is also worshipped at
the Four-a nd-a-half street joss house
Beside the regular worship, the China
man also observes the dayin true American
fashion by making calls, still attired in
his best bib and tucker, and exchanging
cards and good wishes with his friends.
The Chinese etiquette for New Years
day demands that the visitor on entering
the house cross his hands in front of him
and make low bow, at the same time
invoking the blessing OF the gods upon the
home.
Still another feature OF the occasion
is the general feasting which continues
not only throughout the day, but is kept
up during the next two weeks. The
principal table will be set out in the joss
house. Here sumptuous feast Of
chickens, boiled with mushrooms, birds
nest soup, chop suey and all other oriental
delicacies Will be spread.
at the establishments of Quong Zee,
the dean, and Quong Sang Lung, the
nabob OF the Chinese colony, and at the
houses of other OF the powers in China
town similar repasts will be placed be-
fore callers. At all OF the laundries tea