Evening star., 1897-02-01
CHINESE FESTIVAL.
Great Rejoicing Among the Celes-
tfals Tonight.

tfals Tonight.
This win be a great night In "China-
town." for the celestials are going to cele-
brate the Chinese New Year. as well as
the anniversary Of the birth of the four
flial sons. It was the intention Of all
chinatown" to turn out last night at mid
night and celebrate the day by setting off
fireworks, but Major Moore would not give
his permission. His refusal had made the
Cinnamon angry, but they made no effort
to violate the law. although they did sit in
Judgment on the authorities. And so the
followers of Confucius will celebrate be-
tween and 10 o'clock tonight
Gong He Fo Toi," which means a happy
New Year, is printed on red cards, and
these cards are distributed and pasted on
front doors as well as in laundrfes and
other places of business conducted by Chi
namen. These cards are also exchanged
between Cinnamon in different cities. For
the first time In the present century the
New Year falls on the anniversary of the
birth of the four filial sons, so that the
celebration, which will last three days, has
double significance. The temple or Joss
House at 104 AZ street has been handsome
ly decorated with silk flags, lanterns and
Chinese characters, and the sweet-scented
incense is kept burning all the time. What
the Chinese call good things were placed
on the altar offering to Joss, and the
prayers and petitions that were laid at his
feet were enough to keep him busy for
several days The Chinese Masons are to
Celebrate the event more elaborately than
the ordinary private citizens, and the feast
which they will enjoy, they say, is fit for
Joss. Dressed in their best garments the
eelestials appear before this queer-looking
Chlnese character and make their wants
known, as well as to give thanks for pros
perity in the past. But in order that their
prayers shall be answered 1t is necessary
that they shall appear free from debt, so
he n anna ,bn ir, 1oht do
every effort during the past week to settle
their earthly accounts.
Rice and Chinese whisky and wine, as
well as tea and something more substantial
are set on tables for guests. who help
themselves. Tobacco and opium are also
on the free list, but a Chinaman to be
among the leaders must take part in the
big dinner prepared at the Chinese reStau-
rant. This is a little costly but the sub
scribers to the dinner are entitled to three
sittings. At the first spread some of the
Cinnamon usually indulge in so much
liquor that they roll under the table and
have to be put to bed. The more who get
in this condition the better the caterer is
suited. for then he has fewer number of
them at the next spread. AT the Center
market Saturday ducks and chickens were
in great demand, the celestials getting in a
supply to last during the holiday. Among
the dishes served are duck leg soup with
noodles sharks fins, stewed, served with
dried oysters smoked duck with Chinese
vegetables, rice birds from China, salted
duck eggs and chop sol, dish of chicken
llver onions and celery, bamboo sprouts,
watermelon seed and Chinese whisky pre-
served sea fruit. candy and nuts.
This season is a time that "fan-tan' and
dominoes are INDUCED in by the laundry
men and merchants who too poor or
too busy to indulge in the sport Curing the
remainder of the year, and some of them
who smoke tobacco enjoy the opium pipe
only at this time. AT the Chinese legation
New Year will be observed tomorrow, and
1t is likely that many of the laundrymen
and merchants will call to wish the minis
ter a happy New Year and make him
present of some kind.