The Washington herald., 1908-02-01
San Lin is here. or hereabouts.

San Lin is here. or hereabouts.
Pei Nein is upon US.
Wa-shun has been In progress for sew
erai days.
"Hai-moon-tai-kat" placards have al
ready been prepared. Beginning tonight
with the stroke Of = o'clock, "Kung no
fan tsoi' will be "a common salutation.
Lung Wong, Fung-fo-Hhin, Tien How,
and Shing Wong are about to come into
their own.
However mysterious the foregoing
phrases 10 the Caucasian, to the China
man-whether in Washington or in the
far-away Celestial empire-they mean
that the Chinese New Year, the greatest
Of all national festivities. is at hand.
Celestial BacchanaIia.
The Chinese New Year celebration has
been aptly called Celestial BacchanaIia.
The festivities extend over a period Of
from one 10 three weeks and practically
commence several days before the close
of the old year.
Here, as in the FlOwery Kingdom, pleas
ure is the goddess, and business must be
of pressing nature to receive any atten-
ton. One who is familiar with Chinatown
customs becomes aware, as he strolls
down Pennsylvania avenue and visits the
habitatiOus Of the Chinese. that some
thing unusual is on.
In front Of each laundry grocery store
ana restaurant a Chinamau Will be seen
with pail Of water and cloth, busily pol
ishing windows and door knobs. Inside
others may be found with what CORE
spends TO dustpan and brush, removing
every yestjge of dust and cObwebs. Still
others are covering the antique tables
and chairs with flaming red cloth. EN-,
broidered with flowers Swiftly moving
Orientals are decorating the walls with
fresh scrolls and quaint charms. similar
10 those that viii be found I'm the shops
and homes in the great walled cities of
the Chinese empire.
Holiday Attire DOnned.
The Chinese colony i'm Washington is
in holiday attire. AT the outer door of
each mysterious abode are seen strips of
red paper bearing weird characters
These scripts are supposed to bring good
luck, wealth, and happiness to the dwell
lers within.
The local celebration, OF course, viii not
contain one-tenth the features. nor pos
sess half the eclat Of the home event.
where New Years Day is observed by
all the population with many quaint and
peculiar customs and ceremonies.
Nevertheless, the feast Of san Lin is
here, as everywhere, the great yearlyevent
and viii be observed as far as means and
facilities and environment viii permit,
Business VIII be suspended for three days.
while visits are interchanged.
Every laundry and store viii be "open
house Each figure of the Joss viii APP
pear above a table laden with the richest
of food and cigars, which viii be freely
dispensed TO all callers. Al the end Of
the three days business viii be resumed.
but nightly feasting will still be the order.
Joss House Celebration.
The religious rites will be performed at
the Joss house on Four-and-a-half street.
where fine image of the Joss stands
amid strictly Oriental surroundings. and
is administered to by devoted priests.
Elaborate preparations for the proper
observance Of the festival at the Chinese
Legation have been completed. The din
Her which is given by the Emperor of
China 70 his diplomatic representative in
all parts of the world on this day will
Doe the most significant feature OF the
days celebration at the local legation.
The first secretary and charge d'affaires
viii preside at this social function in the
absence Of the newly appointed Minister
10 this country, Mr.. Wa Tmg-faug. who
has not yet arrived at his post The
members of the legation stan, with a
small number Of personal friends. will
sit down TO the dinner table.