The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-02-12
Society
CONTINUED from Page 81

Chinatown ARE unaware that many
ceremonies of these people are as Sc
rious as church service is to us, and
far more obligatory
The New Year is to the Chinese, a
season of prayer, wherein all previous
sins are atoned and future ones avoid
ed. The customs that prevailed in
the day of Confucius are in the present
generation respected and adhered to.
One reason why China as nation is
weak is on account of the respect to
ancestral doctrines. What was right
for his father and grandfather is right
for Chinese. Age has it's compensa-
ton in China, for the experience and
judgment gained by the years are not
ignored but followed by the younger
generation.
Before dinner is served to the hosts
of the household on the eve of the Ney
Year, it is placed before the images OF
bygone ancestors, as a mark Of respect,
and Difference, signifying they are not
forgotten. ana at the same time
prayer, and meditation of the past is
INDUCED in making a serious and awe
inspiring spectacle.
Previous to this reverence a delicious
ly perfumed toilet water, principally
concocted from boiled persimmon
leaves which are fragrant, and other
sweet herbs, is used wherewith to
battle, and the most gorgeous robes in
possession are donned for the sacred
ceremony.
At the New Years dinner all the
members of family are present, re-
CARELESS of whatever differences may
have prevailed during the past, and
everyone IS imbued with serious
thoughts and intentions. And after
dinner, according to old customs, all
retired after shaking hands with each
one, and biding him good-by for last
time in the old year. But now it is
the custom to stay up till one o'clock
when the worship of ancestors is again
in. At dinner, and afterwards
as may have been noticed by those who
have enjoyed their hospitality, every
thing is served in courses Of eight.
This evolves from an ancient adage
an evil potent in the num-
Der eight, and the same mineral is
now used as a talisman and antidote
to any i'll luck that may follow.
On New Years Day the members OF
each family risperse to call on every
person of their acquaintance to wish
WE'LL and shower congratulations up
on them. The wives of the families
must return to their parents to con-
graduate them and wish them all pos
sible Joy. And then commences the
fun when every one must be happy
The education of the Chinese is a
most profound learning, as is well
known, and a man is at least forty
before his education is complete. There
are four degrees of title alone in China.
The first degree includes that applied
% ministers OF the navy and army, OF
Foreign Affairs and the Grand Consul.
The second is applied to Assistant
Ministers, Governors, Admirals and
Provincial Treasurer.
The third is bestowed on the REEVE
Tue and Tax Commissioners and judges
md the fourth, or Honorable, as we so
,ften have associated with the Chinese
etiquette, is applied only to the fourth
the general senior protector,
nd the junior and senior secretaries
n tn Capitol.
Charles P. Black was host at a din
Ter preceding the Mardi Gras ball, at
which his guests were Mr.. and Mrs.
Patrick Calhoun, Mr.. and Mrs. Wake
eld Baker, Mrs. H. P. Schwerin and
Hiss Maud O'Connor.-Chronicle
9 z e
Miss Lurline Matson has sent out
Invitations for dinner to precede the
assembly next Friday even
lg. 1t will be given at the Matson
esdence on Jackson street, and covers {
yill be laid for fourteen. Among the
uests will be Miss Florence Clufr, Miss
.nna Olney, Miss Amalia Simpson,
Iiss Marguerite Doe, Alan Green, X.
'urner Richard Pennoyer, Allan Van
'leet and Fred Havens.-Chronicle
& & &
Dr. ]. l.. Howard who is a permanent
esident Of the Stewart, is planning /
acation trip to Honolulu for a month.
IT. and Mrs. Howard will sail ON enc
on February 10th, taking {
heir touring car with them. While :