The Newtown bee., 1904-05-27
San Francisco, Cal.

A
 March 6, 1904.
 Yesterday proved to be foggy day, that threatened rain all day long, but did not succeed in doing anything more than threaten, and so make one afraid to start out on any long excursion, or stir without carrying an umbrella. In the morning we went up in "The Call' building, which is the highest building on the Pacific coast, BOO feet. From the top of the dome one gets the finest bird'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 8. o'clock started for Chinatown. They occupy space about 10 or 12 blocks square, and into this comparatively small space (at the least eStimate) 30, 900 Chinamen Give, and move and have their being" in almost exactly 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 
 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 long, but fairly we'll lighted apartment, with raised, throne-like platform at one end, over 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, il- lustrated with large writings which were texts, or quotations from 1.-The Wisdom of Confucius," their sacred books. This is the room in which the elders of the temple meet to arrange the business affairs in connection with the joss house, and these business af- fairs are quite extensive, inaSmuch as they are really mutual benefit asso- cia tiOn, 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 on), about two inches wide and six inches
 
 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 subscriptions were S15, but one mem- Der paid $2,OOO. There are quite a 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, imported from China some years ago, at cost of about S2, 400. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of bronze casting ever seen in this country; it is circular in shape, like great round globe surmounted with their sacred dragon. The incense is flung into this urn, lighted, and the smoke comes out through the mouth of the dragon. 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 prises, where luck isl needed, special | ly poker or fan tan. Going past sever-
 
 carving I have ever seen, or ever ex- pect to see, within which were various Shrines and divinities then we came before the altar of their greatest, their supreme God. The great altar before him was full of piles of cake and rice and sweetmeats and little cups of tea, all oblations and sacrifices from wor- shipers. The guide told us that fowls, and even whole roast pig was some times placed upon the altar. These things remain a limited length of time poor poo of the commInity, after which the giver believes that his offering has been received by the god. A sort of drum and bell shaped gong hang on one side of the altar, and the worship ing Chinaman strikes blow on each to tell his god that he is there, and to attract the divinity's attention. Then dropping on his knees, he prostrates himself three times to the floor, nut