CHINESE FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES. ·
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platform being raised about four feet above the ground, the spectators all stand in the street in front; the expenses are paid by private subscription, usually, of several merchants. Gel- tlemen have them also at their own houses, where in some instances there are substantial buildings erected for the performance of the players, and accommodation of persons invited to see the play. Even in this case, an open space is left for the free admission of the people. Almost all the threatrical performances of the Chinese are held on the birthday or festival of some god, and are therefore of a religious character. They are particularly numerous in honor of the god of Fire.- Also Kwán-shing Tai-ti, the Chinese God of War, died. Má Wang-shin, the God of Horses, worshipped to avert disease from horses, and by horsemen to become skilful in equestrian feats.-July26th.-VIth moon, 23rd day.
SHAU-I-Or Burning-clothes festival. At 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 diseased relatives. Prayers also are recited and food offered, chiefly for those who have been drowned at sea. This festival is much observed by the peo- ple 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. 2nd.--VIIth moon, 1st day.
TSIH-KUNG SIEN-NU.-Tsih kung sien-nü, the female genii of the seven palaces des- cend; a festival observed by women, who worship these fairies to avert disease, and get skill in domestic work.--Aug. 8th.-VIIth moon, 7th day.
TSANG-FUH 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 isï páu táng, i. e. Hall of Collected Values.-Aug. 23rd.-VIIth moon, 22nd day.
TU-CHING-HWANG TAN.--Festival of the Municipal Deity of the City, worshiped by officers and people; he might be termed the Palladium Deity, as he has a temple in every inwalled city in China. On this day, the Cantonese resort to a temple on the White Cloud Hills north of the city, in great numbers, to worship Ching-sien, a deified official of the Ming dynasty.-Aug. 25th.-VII moon, 24th day.
TI-TSANG WANG.-A deified Budhist worshiped for remission of sins.-Aug. 31st.-- VIIth moon, 30th day.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL.-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.-Sept. 1st.-VIIIth moon, 1st day.
SHE-TUH TA-WANG.-Great Prince of the Agricultural Gods.-Sept. 2nd.-VIIIth moon, 2nd day.
Sz'-MING TSAU-KIUN.-The Lord who orders the Prince of the Furnace; worshipped to preserve the health of the household.-Sept. 3rd.-VIIIth moon, 3rd day.
LUI-SHING TA-TI.-God of Thunder.-Sept. 5th.--VIIIth moon, 5th day. CHUNG-TSIU.-mid-autumn. This being the middle day of autumnn, is the chief day of the autumnal festival; oblations are made to the moon on this day. On the following day young people amuse themselves by pursuing the moon;' it is also called ho yuch, congratulating the moon. On the evening of this day, every householder and boatman raises a lantern upon the tip of a high pole from the highest part of his house or vessel, on which is inscribed king ho chung tsiu, joyfully congratulate the middle of autumn.' From the great display of lanterns made on this occasion, the festival is usually called at Canton by foreigners, the Feast of Lanterns.-Sept. 15th.--VIIIth moon, loth day.
NAN-TAU-SING-KIUN-Starry god of the south Pole, descends; this ged belongs to the sect of Rationalists.-Oct. 1st.--IXth moon, 1st day.
TAU-MU-YUEN-KIUN.-Mother of the Dipper; a goddess adored to obtain happiness and long life. This day is also observed as a time to visit the graves, and for children to fly -kites; it is called from this, tang kuu, ‘ascending on high.'-Oct. 9th.-IXth moon, 9th
day.
COCOON FESTIVAL.-On a fortunate day of the 9th mocn, the empress, either per- sonally, or by proxy, accompanied by a train of princesses and honorable ladies, repairs to the altar sacred to the discoverer of silkworins. After sacrificing, the empress with golden,