The Washington times., 1904-02-16
SAN LIN FEAST
IN CHINATOWN
CelestiaIs Celebrate New
Year With Pomp
ALL HOSPITALITY INCLINED
Visitors Made Welcome in Stores and
Private Homes and Treated to
Good Things.
ALL HOSPITALITY INCLINED

Pei Nein. the Chinese New Year, oc-
ours today. and the general holiday Of
the San Lin feast prevails in Washing
ton. as everywhere else where the CeIes-
tials are assembled. throughout the
length and breadth OF the globe.
The day is being quietly. but appro-
priately celebrated at the Chinese le-
cation, 2oO1 Nineteenth Street by Sir
Chentung Liang-Chcng and his official
corps. Tonight a dinner viii be given
by SIR Chentung to the members Of his
household. Later in the festal season,
which lasts some two weeks. il is prob
able that a reception will be rendered at
the legation TO the American friends of
the minister.
While today is the real Pei Nein and
IS so recognized at the legation and by
educated Chinese. the members of the
Chinese colony In general. not only here
but ali over the country, have failed to
take into account the day gained in the
passage from China. and hence regard
yesterday as the New Year. and began
their celebration accordingly.
A tour of the local Chinatown was
made yesterday by reporter for The
Times. Everywhere the signs OF the
day were manifest. on the doors Of ali
houses were pasted the red strips, IN.
scribed with Chinese characters wishing
% all callers the best OF luck for the
coming year which have been placed
on the doorways Of Chinese homes from
time immemorial. On a number OF res
taurdnts the sign was posted IN Eng
llsh. notifying all Corners that business
functions had been suspended tor the
day.
ON entering a Chinese home or place
CT business. the caller was struck by
the abandonment OF the reserve and
bland expression OF stupidity with which
the Caucasian caller at q Monaghan
doniclle Is met at other times. lnsread
all was cordlaIity and gOod win, and
every courtesy dictated by a genuine
sense of hospitality is shown the caller
That this spirit is genuine is evidenced
by the fact that the courtesies are press
ed upon the visitor the moment he en-
ters, without stopping TO inquire as TO
his identity or the nature of his bust
ness.
votive Tables.
Instead he is met with the wish for
happy New Year and many Of them,
while wine. Bah mein dor tu,'' or
Chinese whisky. a pleasant and power
tul rice lqucr. cigars, candy. fruits and
nuts. are brought from the votive table
and served to the visitor by felt-slipper-
s. ed, smiling Cinnamon
These r0tiEo ia bles are to be found in
every house. They bear, arranged IN
symmetrical order, Chinese dishes filed
with all the products Of the Monaghan
caterer. including candied fruits Of q
grade difficult to purchase. vermicelli
OF n wilderness anG crlspness never
eoualed by any other manufacturers
InscaEoni which looks like cheese
straws. and confetti OF every character
and color. IN the center IS a dish Of
vided into compartments. the center
one being filled with watermelon seed
favorite delicacy. on top OF which re-
pose number Of mysterious folded
paper packages. These contain small
COINS. usually quarter OF a dollar. and
are there to be taken by the youthful
callers Of the colony. IN front Of this
dish stands Jar. filled with a fine ash
imported from China. I'm the center OF
which burns a fragrant piece of sanda
wood. while punk Fticks glow at inter
walls over the table and room.
Kok Do De.
Above the table. hung on the wall. i.
always a fine sample OF Chinese art
which Is the reason for the votive offer
ings. IL IS the figure either OF Koi
DO Ye or Of Guam Gong. usually tn,
former. These are the two general.
who. some thousands OF years ago. sue
ceeded IN driving the devils OF insomnia
from the sleepless eyer Of the reignini
Emperor. in return for which servic,
the decree went forth that ever aftei
they were 10 be specially honored a
the New Year season. These charac
tiers may be mythical. but they NEAR
10 the Chinese what Hiawatha meant I,
the Indian. and are regarded as worthy
OF all honor. Among other attribute
OF Kok DO Ye. IT is said that he live,
20 be 1000 years old. hence he stand
Tor longevity. which is the sentiment o