Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-05-23

inland districts where the Chinese are
most numerous, there has not been
until lately a regular building or the
kind in the New South Wales metro
polls. There was a small temple de-
voted TO the Joss in Charge OF the
Gates Of Heaven. a deity corresponding
with the Christian idea of st. Peter,
but this was not sufficient, and at last
the See Zip. a powerful Chinese or
ganization. whose surplus funds are
devoted 10 charitable purposes, decided
that their meagre house OF prayer
should become transformed into real
Chinese temple, at a cost Of several
thousand pounds. The new building is
a fronted and triple-altered each altar
having its own chamber, the central
one being occupied by the original joss.
To the right is a chamber contain
ing the Joss of the Home Of the Dead,
while on the left is that of the Joss OF
Good Fortune. Each joss is en-
shriued in an elaborate gilt framework,
on which the Chinese dragon and nu-
merous Chinese divinities are con-
spicuous. Large candles burn before
each deity, and the fumes of sandal
wood and ''garoo" pervade the whole
place. which appears a blaze or gold
and rich colOr. in the midst OF which
several huge candlesticks or Mexican
silver. the gift of wealthy Celestiais,
stand out in bold relief. The shrine
of the Home of the Dead is regarded
as the most important of the three
affairs. f. it is here that Chinese
mourners intercede with the joss for
the release of a departed soul from
the under world"
But the interior is not yet complete,
additional paraphernalia, representing
an expenditure of $1,000, having been
ordered from China. The josshouse
stands in the midst of beautifully kept
gardens, about an acre in extent,
which are TO be enlarged by the pur-
chase OF additional land. The open
ing ceremony commenced at midnight,
when leading Chinese merchant
magnificently attired in a robe OF
crimson silk, declared the temple open.
This was followed by a prolonged
display Of fireworks, mostly crackers,
i'm the midst OF which the four leading
Chinese organizations paraded, each
headed by fits dragon, and constituting
a moving mass of paint, gold, color,
and quaint ornamentation, in front Of
the josshouse. where they were re-
ceived by the dragon of the See Zip.
Then came a series of open-air devo-
tions, followed by a strangely weird
performance by each of the dragons,
concluding with more fireworks and
terrible din occasioned by the blowing
OF trumpets and the banging Of gongs,
after which the ceremony was repeat
ed afresh. The elders of each organ
ization then entered the temple and
made obeisance TO the deities, subse-
Quently proceeding to a large refresh
ment tent erected in the grounds.
While in the temple the elders made
offerings Of roast pig. fowls. and ducks
TO the central joss. The open-air
proceedings were then continued In
adequate manner until daybreak,
when numbers of Chinese began max
ing their appearance from all points
OF the compass. until about a. m,
when there must have been several
thousands I'm the temple grounds,
which were surrounded by an immense
multitude of white spectators.
Thenceforward until a late hour at
night there were professions, dragon
fronts. fireworks. beatings of gongs
and tom-toms, and quaint ceremonies,
until the visitor could have imagined
himself in the heart of the Celestial
Empire. Large numbers Of grotes-
que dresses and portions of ancient
armor were worn, together with con-
siderable quantities of colored glass
jewelry, while several of the process
sionists carried weapons of venerable
antiquity. At night the whole Of the
participants in the festivities were
RECALLED with roast pork and other
delicacies, while the leaders held a
great Chinese concert in one of the city
halls. at which Representatives Of all
the Chinese organizations in Austria
lasia were present. The whole of the
proceedings were regarded with mark
ed interest by the assembled crowds,
the unruly portion of which were eff
fectually kept in check by a large body
OF Sydney police.-Syndey Correspond
elt London Globe.