The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-07
A Great Many Varieties
of Crackers in
Use.
Stores Set in Order and Decorated
for the Receiving of the
Guests.

waved above host of dew
otees, who in an alien land,
maintained the traditions of
the fathers. and saw the old year out
and the new year in with accustomed
ceremony. BY the glare of rocket and
parti-colored fires, the yellow flag of
the Orient was to be seen floating in
the air redolent of powder and reson-
ant with explosions. Midnight came
with noises and until long in the morn
ing the burning of vari-hued torches
and the setting off of strings of crack
ers. furnished amusement and employ
ment for the Chinese denizens.
1t was an ear-racking greeting that
the new year, according to the Oriental
calendar. received last midnight. From
steam Whistles, great bombs and the
musket volleys of small crackers,
there resounded a series of noises
which rose and fell without rhyme or
reason. like the shrill music which
found its way, whenever the outside
uproar left room for it, from the res
taurants. where orchestras were adding
the discords of their pipes and cymbals
to the general clamor. And though
there was salvo to welcome the in
fant following the round which sped
the age of time. the noises kept grow
stretched all over the city, and every
one within the limits was ready to take
his share in the celebration.
The noises were as varied as the
places from which they proceeded. All
along the streets which the Orientals
have made their own, there were bunch !
es OF blazing and exploding rolls of !
paper. Where here there hung from !
the awning a magnificent string of |
7recraskers ten feet long which, when |
lighted at the bottom, furnished sever !
al minutes of rare fun: there the win
dow OF . sleeping room over head was |
pushed open and there was flung out |
into the street little packet of |
crackers which sputtered and made ,
their noises and went out long before !
the greater Offering to the God of
Ciamor had reached it's perihelion.
The celebration of the entrance upon
the records of their nation of the thir-
tieth year of Kwang Hsu. was most
auspicious, and for liveIiness was quite
up to the average in this city. For
a week past the Chinese have had in
preparation their events, and they have
been buying as literally as of old, for
despite hard times they have had much
TO be thankful for in the year which
has passed. Crackers, fine foods, in
cense bright clothing and brighter dec
orations have been gathered into the
general collection in every house in the
city. and when the last purchases were
made and the stragglers were on their
way to their outside homes. then it
was that the Chinese merchant set his
house in order. Every store in the city
which is to be the scene of reception
today was as bright as water and mus
Gle could make it. Where before long
rows of eatables and shelves of wear
ing apparel appeared. now there hang l
banners and embroideries. In one
Mace the panelled scenes representing c
the four seasons are fianked by the
red sheet bearing the good wishes of
the wear. In another there is placed q
a great banner bearing the picture of c
Some wonderful soldier or statesman of I
china with legends commencing his !
career. Il
When the metamorphosis was COM t
nIete the midnight had come and the I
adorning their chairs with :
and their tables with ILL f
les and bright candles, sat down to re- e
ceiye their guests. There were stores,
however. which are not the residences :
If the owners. These were closed and u
scaled with red seals, which told OF d
the closing of the places of business, e
md that there would be nothing doing ;,
ritttn for several days. Everywhere il
,her. was the same air OF enjoyment r
and the absence of care and business. :,
s-d cards were being left at the houses ;.
,f business friends and associates. and I
The visits Of ceremony were taken UP $