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visit and feast with each other, and friends interchange presents of moon caken. These are round white cakes, with figures of men and women painted on them ; they derive their name from a legend of one of the emperors of the Táng 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 commeinoration of it.
Sep. 18th. VIIIth moon, 2d day. cultural gods.
Sept. 19th. VIIIth moon, 3d day. the prince of the furnace; worshiped household.
Shé-tuh tá.wáng, great prince of the agri-
Sz'-ming tsáu kiun, the lord who orders to preserve the peace and health of the
Sep. 21st.-VIIIth moon, 5th day. Lui-shing Tá-tí, god of thunder. Oct. 1st.-VIIIth moon, 15th day. Chung.tsiú, mid-autumn. This being the middle day of autumn, is the chief day of the autumn 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, congratulate the moon.
On the evening of this day, every household and boatman raise a lan- tern upon the end of a high pole from the highest part of his house or vessel, on which is inscribed king ho chung teiú, joyfully congratulate the middle of autunın. Oct. 16th.-IXth moon. 1st day. Nán tau sing-kiun, starry god of the south pole, descends; this god belongs to the Rationalists.
Oct. 16th to 24th.-XIth moon, 1st to 9th day. The nine gods of the Great Bear descend; worshiped by the Rationalists, and generally also by the people, trades. men, and others, for peace. This period is usually chosen for worshiping wander. ing spirits, as well as these gods; the rites are called Tá teiáu.
Oct. 24th.—IXth moon, 9th day. Tau-má yuen kiun, mother of the Dipper ; a goddess adored to obtain happiness.
October.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.
Nov. Ist.-IXth moon, 17th day. worshiped to obtain success and profit
Nov. 12th.-IXth moon, 28th day. to preserve houses and shops from fire Nov. 15th.-Xth moon, 1st day. ruler; a god of the Rationalists.
Sien-fung yé-yé, lord of the front spear; in life and business.
Wá-kwáng Tái-tí, god of Fire; worshiped by all classes and with great parade. Tung-hwang Tá-tí, Eastern august great
Nov. 29th.-Xth moon, 15th day. Tau shin Liú Sz', god of small pox; his name was Liu, and he is accommodated with a niche in other temples.
Dec. 11th.-Xth moon, 27th day. Peh-kih Tsz'-wí. Also Wú Yoh Wá Tí, 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 shán in Shán- tung, Hang shán in Húnán, Hwá shán in Shensí, Hang shán in Chihlí, and Sung shán iu Honán. The Five Rulers are the Azure, Red, Yellow, White, and Black, Rulers.
Dec. 17th.-XIth moon, 4th day. Confucius born. His festival is observed by officers of government and scholars, who repair to his temple.
Dec. 30th.-X1th moon, 17th day. Ometo Fuh the present Budha.
Jan. 1st, 1850.-XIth moon, 19th day. Festival of Kwányin. She has three during the year, all of which are observed by the people.
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