Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-24
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Local CeIestiaIs Celebrate
Feast of San Lin.
IN THE Joss HOUSE
Pay Calls After Attending the Purif-
cation Exercises.
START THE FESTIVITIES EARLY
Laundrymen and Merchants Begin to
Attend Religious Service at Mid
night-Cheer for Visitors.
START THE FESTIVITIES EARLY


| Acknowledged celestials went about paying
New Year calls and indulging in sweetmeats
| and liquid refreshments. Posted on the
front of the numerous launderies and other
business places were the red visiting cards
which We're intended to welcome callers.
Every Chinaman. whether resident of
Chinatown or of some remote section of
the city. was out this morning shortly after
the midnight hour on his way to the joss
house at 31S Pennsylvania avenue, where
Moy Gong welcomed those who called to at
tend the publication ceremony. Every one
who attended the ceremony had paid all his
debts and forgiven his enemies, if he had
any. Being free from debt and having only
good feelings toward the whole world the
Chi11man can attend the ceremony and
turn to his home much happier man. He
then feels that there is something good in
store for him during the year
Yesterday many Of the local celestials
went about settling their bills and giving
expressions of good will toward those with
whom they had any differences during the
past year. Merchants presented their bills
TO their patrons, and many Of them, 1t is
stated, received more money over their
counters than they had on any day for a
year In addition to collecting outstanding
biiis yesterday the Chinese merchants did a
Dig business. They were kept busy selling
candies preserved and dried fruits, NUS and
upon the tables today. 1t was not until
after the ceremony of publication had been
attended that the Cinnamon prepared their
tables for the days callers.
Some. thought is given by the Cinnamon
to the matter of making their tables pre-
sent an attractive appearance, each try
ing to Guido the other. Immense pictures
OF good men" are displayed against a
wall or partition and in front of them the
sweetmeats, nuts. liquid refreshments and
smoking material are arranged Every
Chlnaman has pot of tea for his guests,
but this is nothing unusual. as many OF
them have tea in their places at all times
Chinese wines and whisky were served In
all the larger establishments today and
some of them had native whisky to be
served to their Mclean friends Very
few of the Cinnamon indulge in American
whisky, but many of them have contracted
the habit of rushing the growler' and
joy glass of beer with their meals as
much as some of their neighbors.
Out Before Dawn.
Although the callers started out early in
the morning and were able to get what
liquid refreshments they wanted, there was
no evidence of drunkenness seen in China
town this afternoon All the residents
were attired in their best clothes and all
seemed to have wholly forgotten their
cares. The sight of one or more celestials
trudglng along the streets during the early
morning hours long before dawn of day,
presented a scene that was calculated to
attract the attention of belated pedestrians.
Men with their small children were among
those who wendell their way to the joss
house during the early hours and were
| made happy by going through the cere-
mOny of publication.
In the Joss house, which is on the top
| floor of the Pennsylvania avenue house,
there much burning of incense and the
shaking of the joss sticks. Cinnamon gath
cred there in large numbers, but did not
remain long, Withdrawing in order TO make
room for others as soon as they had shaken
| the box of sticks and had picked out the
ones that told their fortune.
Moy Gong. arrayed in an elegant native
costume bearing number of decorations,
was much in evidence. He has charge of
| the hall of the Chinese Free Masons and
| joss house, and his big. well-nOurisned form
| lowered above most of those who called to
| pay joss his annual visit. The room was
| filled with smoke from the burning wood
| and punk, but it did not seem TO affect
| those who called to worship, as they were
| intent only upon wiping out the past and
making a new beginning for the year. Joss
| was approached with an air of reverence
that makes the Chinese feel that they are
perhaps better than their friends who call
merely because of curiosity There was
| no congregating In the hall leading from
| the street to the top fGor OF the building,
each man and child having but one thing in
view, and being anxious to accomplish that
without any sign of irreVerence.
Hospitable Hosts.
Having paid their visits and learned OF
what IS in store for them during the year
| they then feel free to indulge in New Year
salutations. although even this is usually
deferred until the calls paid later in
the day Visits are exchanged, and each
China man shakes his own hand as he rush.
es into the house of his host. Almost
before the caller has had time to exchange
the compliments of the season his host
ushers him to the spread of good things,
hands him a cigar and offers him some
thing to eat and drink The caller in
yariably takes something and often laughs
and shakes his head when offered an in
toxicating beverage Seldom does he re-
fuse a cigar however, and never does he
refuse to accept of the hospitality in some
manner The red visiting cards some of
them from China, and others from New
York or San Francisco, are exchanged.
Some are as large as sheet of the average
newspaper and others are not much larger
than the ordinary visiting cards. Inscrip-
lions upon them give the name of the
sender and also tell of his business, some
of the merchants having an idea that their
business is advertised in this way. These
cards are exchanged by residents of differ
ent cities. who mail them in time for them
to reach their destination not later than
New Year day.
Peacock feathers and flowers We're used
for decorative purposes, narcissus being the
fayorite plant. Bulbs are planted in glass
and earthen vessels by the Chinaman, and
the one who has a plant to show its first
blossom on New Year day is considered
fortunate AS a rule the smoking of opium
is not INDUCED in much during the day ON
the holiday. but at night when the callers
have become tired most of them are glad TO
Init the pipe" Many of the more success
full merchants and iaundrymen will con-
tjnue the celebration until next Monday. but
others win be satisfied with one day away
from their labors, and will be over the
dashboard or ironing table tomorrow. The
celebration OF San Lin will be brought to
a close by all Cinnamon not later than
Monday of next week
Was With Taft Party.
Charles Lee 500 his American wife and
two children-Raymond, five years old. and
Bernard three years of age-who recently
returned from a trip TO China, received
callers at their home, In rooms adjoining
the Joss house, today. Charlie Is one of
the most prominent residents of that Sec
ton and his children are bright and attrac-
tive They made their voyage to China on
the trip upon which Miss Alice Roosevelt
and party were passengers, and Charlie fire.
auently tells his friends of the company he
had aboard the Manchuria. Charles par
I 10 -. o.