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this period, which lasts fifteen days, clothes made of various colored papers are burnt, that they may so pass to the invisible world, for the benefit of de- ceased relatives. Prayers also are recited and food offered, chiefly for those who have been drowned at sea. This festival is much observed by the people of Fuhkien province. The custom arises from a tradition respecting a young man who obtained admission to Tartarus, and brought his mother from thence. Aug, 3d.—VIIth moon, 7th day. Sháng kung sien nii, the female genii of the seven palaces descend; a festival observed by women, who worship these fairies to avert disease, and get skill in domestic work.
Aug. 18-VIIth moon, 22d day. Tsang-fah Tsai-shin, god of Happiness and Wealth; placed in niches at the doors of shops. This deity, the Plutus of the Chinese, is seldom carved into an image, but a piece of paper is pasted on the back of a niche near the door; the shrine is called trú páu tăng, i. e. Hall of Collected Values.
Aug. 20th.-VIIth moon, 24th day. Tú chỉng hwáng shing, festival of the municipal deity, worshiped by officers and people; he might be termed the Palladium Deity, as he has a temple in every city in China.
Aug. 26th.-VIIth moon, 30th day. Ti-taang wáng shing, a deified Budhist, worshiped for remission of sins.
Aug. 27th-VIIIth moon, 1st day. Autumn festival commences. This
• festival continues from the 1st to the 16th of the moon ; during which period families visit and feast with each other, and friends interchange presents of moon cakes. These are round white cakes, with figures of men and women painted on them; they derive their name from a legend of an emperor-of the Tang dynasty, who being led one night to the palace of the moon, saw there a large assemblage of female divinities, dancing and playing on instruments ́of music ; on his return he instituted plays in commemoration of it.
Aug. 28th-VIIIth moòn, 2d day. Shé-tuh Tá-wáng, great Prince of the Agricultural Gods.
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Aug. 29th. VIIIth moon, 3d day. Sz'-ming tsáu kiun, the Lord who orders the Prince of the Furnace; worshiped to preserve the health of the household.
Aug. 31st—VIIIth moon, 5th day. Lui-shing Tá-ti, god of Thunder. Sept. 10th.-VIIIth moon, 15th day. Chung-tsiú, mid-antuma. This being the middle day of autama, is the chief day of the autumn festival; oblations are made to the moon on this day. On the following day, young peoplẹ amuse themselves by pursuing the moon; it is also called ko yuck, congra- tulating the moon. On the evening of this day, every householder and boatman raises a lautern upon the tip of a high pole from the highest part of his house or vessel, on which is inscribed king ho chung tsiú, 'joyfully congratulate the middle of autumn.' From the greater display of lanterns made, the festival is usually called at Canton by foreigners, the Feast of Lanterns.
Oct. 24th-IXth moon, 1st day. Nán tau sing-kiun, Starry god of the South Pole, descends; this god belongs to the sect of Rationalists.
Oct. 24th to 31st.-Xth moon, 1st to 9th day. The nine gods of the Great Bear descend; worshiped by the Rationalists, and generally also by the peo- ple, tradesmen, and others, for peace. This period is usually chosen for wor-