SIX WEEKS IX A TOWER. 95 



bettering his circumstances. Having no acquaint- 

 ances there, he had been obliged to accept employ- 

 ment as a coolie, and my friend's attention was called 

 to him by his wearing silk shoes, and the awkward 

 way in which he carried pails of water. 



As the Chinese Xew Year approached, the indica- 

 tions of that festival became abundant. Fire-crackers 

 were let off at all hours, and almost all work ceased 

 except that connected with the occasion. Wong a 

 Shui had no less than twenty-four instruments of 

 torture preparing for the Xew Year, in the shape of 

 large jars of wine that were being roasted, to impart 

 a finer flavour, over grass-fires in one of the courtyards 

 of his house. The day before the festival he and his 

 sons busied themselves posting up "joss papers" on 

 the gateways and walls. These were all of the same 

 character, and the following specimen will serve to 

 indicate their nature : " May success attend our 

 alfairs during the spring-time ; the elegance and em- 

 bellishment of the first night be with us." To us the 

 old man rather affected to sneer at the supposition 

 that these papers could effect any good, and let us 

 know that he only affixed them on account of the 

 weaker brethren. 



The Chinese, who have no Sabbaths (neither have 

 they sermons), and very few festivals, take several 

 days of enjoyment at the period of the Xew Year. 

 They dress themselves in their best clothes, exchange 

 presents, and give feasts. The members of any family 



