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shiping wandering spirits as well as these gods; the rites are called Tá tsiâu. They are in Canton, among the most showy idolatrous ceremonies. Three, or four streets combine, and ornament the streets with chandeliers, puppets, figures and scrolls, and fit up a room for religious exercises to appease the wandering kwei.
Nov. 1st--IXth moon, 9th day. Tau-mú yuen kiun, Mother of the Dipper; a goddess adored to obtain happiness. This day is also observed as a time to visit the graves, and for children to fly kites; it is called from this, tang kau, ‘ascending on high.'
November. It is in this month, on a fortunate day of the 9th moon, that the empress, either personally, or by proxy, accompanied by a train of princesses and honorable ladies, repairs to the altar sacred to the discoverer of silkworms. After sacrificing, the empress with golden, and the princesses with silver implements, collect mulberry leaves to feed the imperial silkworms. They then wind off some coccoons of silk, and so end the ceremony. This very ancient festival is considered as the counterpart of the agricultural one observed by the emperor in the spring.
Nov. 9th.-IXth moon, 17th day. Sien-fung yé-yé, lord of the Front Spear, worshiped to obtain success and profit in life and business.
: Nov. 20th.-IXth moon, 28th day. Wa-kwang Tai-ti, god of Fire; wor- shiped by all classes with great parade to preserve houses and shops from fire. Nov. 23d.-Xth moon, 1st day. Tung-hwang Tá ti, Eastern August Great Ruler; a god of the Rationalists.
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Dec. 8th.-Xth moon, 15th day. Tau shin Liú Sz' god of Small Pox; his name was Liú, and he is accommodated with a niche in other temples,
Dec, 20th,-Xth moon, 27th day. Peh-kih Tsz'-wi. Also Wú Yoh, Wá Ti, the festival of the gods of the Five Hills and the Five Rulers, names of five places and five deities collectively worshiped. The Five Hills are Tái shan in Shantung, Hang shan in Húnan, Hwa shan in Shensi, Hang shan in Chibli, and Sung shan in Honan. The Five Rulers are the Azure, Red, Yellow, White, and Black, Shángti.
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Dec. 22d.—The tung chi, or winter solstice, a festival observed by all classes; it is also called cháng chỉ tsieh, or the time when the long days come, because then the sun begins to return, and the days grow longer. Officers go in state to worship the emperor's tablet, and the people adore their lares. Dec. 26th.-XIth moon, 4th day. Confucius born; his festival is observed by officers of government and scholars, who repair to his temple.
Jan. 7th.-XIth moon, 17th day.-Ometo Fuh, the present Budha.