SIX WEEKS IN A TOWER. 97 



" as the lave," and to offer up its humble acknowledg- 

 ment of the Unseen Power. These things indicate 

 respect for law, order, honesty, and good fame on 

 earth, as they nourish reverence for that which is 

 above. 



At the first hour on Xew Year's morn the firing 

 of crackers and gingalls commenced in earnest, and 

 continued almost uninterruptedly throughout the day. 

 Our host accosted us with a smiling face and a loud 

 huni/M, meaning, "I wish you joy," but an equivalent 

 to our "Happy New Year," and a phrase which, I 

 remember, a gentleman on the expedition to the north, 

 who fancied he knew Chinese, used constantly to all 

 Chinamen he met, to their great amazement. Most 

 of the respectable people we knew in the neigh- 

 bourhood paid us visits, and those who did not sent 

 their cards. Presents also were exchanged ; and Wong 

 Kum Sau, of course, made his appearance, and broadly 

 stated, rather than hinted, that some of the foreign 

 wine (meaning champagne), " which made this warm " 

 (rubbing his abdominal region), would be acceptable. 

 The great family party on K"ew Year's Day was held 

 at the wai of the elder Wongs ; and a few days after 

 A Sluu gave his party, at which we were placed in 

 the seat of honour, and where my companion, having 

 so far recovered, was able to show himself for a few 

 minutes. There were no less than eighty Wongs, all 

 males and relations of A Shui, at that dinner, and we 

 were the only outsiders present. The repast was 



VOL. V. G 



