CHINESE FESTIVALS, FASTS, AND OBSERVANCES.
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a 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. Gentlemen have them also at their own houses; where in some instances there are substantial buildings erected for the performance of the players, and accom- modation 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 theatrical performances of the Chinese are held on the birthday of festival of some god, and are therefore of a religious character. They are particularly numerous in honour of the God of Fire.-Also Kwan-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 eques- trian feats. Sixth moon, twenty-third day.
WANG-LING-KWAN-SHING. Wang-ling-kwan-shing, a deified statesman, worship- ped for averting punishment -Sixth moon, twenty-sixth day.
SHAU-I.-Or Burning-clothes festival. At this period, which lasts fifteen days, clothes made of various coloured papers are burnt, that they may so pass to the invisible world for the benefit of deceased relatives. Prayers also are recited and food offered, chiefly for those who have been drowned at sea. This festival is much ob- served by the people of Fuhkien province. The custom arises from a tradition respecting a young man who obtained admission to Tartarue, and brought his mother' from thence.-Seventh moon, first day.
TSIH-KUNG-SIEN-NU.-Tsih-kung-sien-nu, 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.-Seventh moon, seventh day.
TSANG-FUN 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 niche near the door; the shrine is called tsü pán táng, i.e., Hall of Collected Values.-Seventh moon, twenty-second day.
TU-CHING-HWANG-TAN.-Festival of the Municipal Deity of the City, worshipped 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 Chin-sein, a deified official of the Ming dynasty.-Seventh moon, twenty-fourth day.
TI-TSANG-WANG.-A deified Budhist, worshipped for remission of sins.-Seventh moon, thirtieth day.
AUTUMN FESTIVAL.-This festival continues from the first to the sixteenth of the moon, during which period families visit and feast with each other, and friends in- terchange 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.--Eighth moon, first day.
SHE-TUH TA-WANG.--Great Prince of the Agricultural gods.-Eighth moon, second day.
SZ-MING TSAU-KIUN.-The Lord who orders the Prince of the Furnace; worship- ped to preserve the health of households.-Eighth moon, third day.
LUI-SHING TA-TI.—God of Thunder.-Eighth moon, fifth day.
CHUNG-TSIU.-Mid-autumn. This being the middle day of autumn, 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 yueh, “congratulating the moon." On the evening of this day, every householder and boatman raises a lantern upon the top of a ship pole from the highest part of his house or vessel, on which is inscribed king ho chung tsin, "joyfully congratulate the middle of autumn." From the foreigners, the Feast of Lanterns-Eighth moon, fifteenth day. NAN-TAU-SING-KIUN.-Starry god of the south Pole, descends; this god belongs
to the sect of Rationalists.-Ninth moon, first day.
TÀU-MU-YUEN-KIUN.-Mother of the Dipper; a goddess adored to obtain hap- piness and long life. This day is also observed as a time to visit graves, and for children