CHINESE NEW YEAR 19 
course of construction, he suffered a severe loss in the 
almost total destruction by fire of an immense mass of 
timber which was to be used for it. On the alarm being 
given all the Europeans turned out to his assistance, 
but, owing to the want of any efficient fire-engine, were 
unable to be of much use. After a considerable time 
a mandarin appeared with several European portable 
hand fire-engines, but the small jets of water thrown by 
them were of no avail to extinguish the now fiercely 
burning pile. 
On proceeding to the scene of the conflagration, I was 
somewhat surprised to find a Chinaman at a consider- 
able distance from it diligently throwing water upon 
the reflection of the flames on the eaves of his house. 
Finding it impossible to satisfy him that his house 
was not on fire, I left him to his unprofitable labour. 
In 1888 the Chinese new year occurred about the 
middle of February, and this is the most important 
festival in the year. During the ceremonies all work 
is suspended, and the whole population give themselves 
up to festivity and the payment of new year calls. All 
monetary settlements are concluded, and should a Chinese 
find himself unable to meet his liabilities, he frequently 
prefers death by his own hand to the dishonour. At this 
season it is the custom to send a servant to paste the 
card of the intending visitor upon the doors of all his 
c3 
