Peeps into China . year, atthe beginning of the next he is reckoned as two yearsold, the reason being that he has seen two person is therefore one year older when theNew Year begins. In growing older, the Chinesealways seem to rejoice. This season is also a memorial season. If anyhome during the past year has been visited by death,the remaining members of the household recall thesad day, and in meditation quietly remain at homes and shops and official residences are atthis time decked with new paper signs and mottoesof red, thus symbolising a new year as yet unstained,th
Peeps into China . year, atthe beginning of the next he is reckoned as two yearsold, the reason being that he has seen two person is therefore one year older when theNew Year begins. In growing older, the Chinesealways seem to rejoice. This season is also a memorial season. If anyhome during the past year has been visited by death,the remaining members of the household recall thesad day, and in meditation quietly remain at homes and shops and official residences are atthis time decked with new paper signs and mottoesof red, thus symbolising a new year as yet unstained,the houses of mourning paste up against the doorwaysome motto written on paper that is blue or white,either being a sign of mourning, instead of black. This period is introduced by a general wash-day. 32 Peeps into China Every person now takes a bath. This is all the morean important event in the lives of a few, from itsoccurrence only once a year. Having thus been madeclean himself, the Chinaman now puts on his best. CHINESE THEATRICALS. clothes. If he has none good of his own, he hires orborrows a dress. Every one, well dressed in silks,satins, and furs, marches forth to make calls, to bowor be bowed to, and, more than all, to impress self The Chinese New Years Day 33 and others with the fact of elegance. About thethird day the women begin to exchange calls, likewiseshowing a desire for fine dress, good looks, andflattery. This season, last of all, is one of amusement. Richmen hire actors, build a stage in the open air, andamuse the masses. Pious people, with worldlyproclivities, can find at the temple a theatre. Highofficials, who close their offices for thirty days, giveto the poor, listen to the music of some strollingband, laugh at the jugglers, hire a theatre, or receiveguests to well-prepared feasts. A large portion ofthe people gamble, drink, or smoke, and so frequentlyquarrel.
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectmissions, bookyear189
