The Newtown bee., 1904-05-27
San FranciscO Ca1

MdrCl 0, lSO4.
 Yesterday proved to be foggy day
 that threatened rain all day long, but l did not succeed in doing anything more
 than threaten, and so make one afraid
 to start out on any long excursion, ol
 stir without carrying an umbrella
 In the morning we went up in s'The
 Call" building, which is the highest
 building on the Pacific coast,-3O(
 feet. From the top of the dome one
 gets the finest bird d's-eye view of the
 city to be had anywhere One goes
 nearly to the top in an elevator, but
 even if he had to walk, the view from
 the top would be almost worth the
 climb.
 At night we took guide, and at 6
 o'clock started for Chinatown. They
 occupy space about 10 or 12 blocks
 square, and into this comparatively
 small space tat the least estimate)
 3o, 900 Chinamen :.live, and move and
 the same way that they do in China. By people who have seen both it is
 stated that Chinatown in San Fran
 cisco is all that Pekin, or any Chinese
 city is, except in so far as the board of
 health interferes with garbage and
 refuse, and also the decent paving of
 streets which are found here.
 Our first visit was to ''joSS house,
 or temple. We stopped at an ordinary
 looking door, on narrow street, and
 climbed up three flights of narrow, steep and dimly lighted stairs. At the
 top we found-ourselves in a long, but fairly we'll lighted apartment, with a raised, throne-like platform at one end oyer which was an altar, with pictures of Confucius. Down the middle of the room was long table, surrounded with chairs, and the walls were hung incidents of their religious history, it, lustrated with large writings which were texts, or quotations from "The Wisdom of COnfucius," their sacred books. This is the roonein which the elders of the temple meet to arrange the business affairs in connection with the joss house, and these business af- falrS are quite extensive, inaSmuch as they are really mutual benefit asso- citation, and the common funds are used not only to keep up the joss house itself, but for the support of any mem- Der unable to work, or who is i'll, or old, or in want. The side wallsof the stairs coming up were almost covered with strips of red paper (pasted onl about two inches wide and six inches 1oh6' AA\OO OOO4 UlC u0AlCS Ol 0V0TY member, and the amount he pledges each year for the support of this tenn pie. Of course the characters are Chinese, but the guide translated some of them for us. Most of the smaller were S15, but one mem- Der paid 5000. There are quite number of these joss houses in the city, but the one we were in is one of the finest. After five or ten minutes we were admitted to the temple. Next the door is great bronze incense urn, from China some years ago. at cost of about $2, 400. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of bronze casting ever seen in this country; it is in shape, like great round globe, surmOunted with their sacred dragon. The incense is flung into this urn, lighted, and the smoke comes out Next the door on the other side is their "Good Luck God," placed there next the door to keep out the Devil. This is very popular god indeed, for offerings to him not1only keeps away the devil from the wOrshiper, but brings good luck. Offerings are made to this god before going into all enter orises' where luck isl needed, special l y poker or fan tan. Going past sever Il screens of the most beautiful hand | carving l have ever seen, or ever ex- oect to see, within which were various 1 'hrines and divinities then we came before the altar of their greatest, their l God. The great altar before 1 Jim was full Of piles of cake and rice ind sweetmeats and little cups of tea, III oblations and sacrifices from wor- hipers. The guide told us that fowls, nd even whole roast pig was some imes placed upon the altar These hings remain limited length of time nd are carried away by the extreme ,Hoor of the community, after which he giver believes that his offering has 'een received by the god. A sort of rum and bell shaped gong hang on ne side of the altar, and the worship ng Chinaman strikes blow on each 0 tell his god that he is there, and to ttract the divinity's attention. Then 1 ropping on his knees, he prostrates imSelf three,times to the floor, mut-