THE SHUH COUNTRY .",7 



prepared charms of red, or five-coloured cord. These 

 charms were believed to be a protection against calamity, 

 sickness or other evils, and also ensured long life to the 

 wearers. The horn shaped dumplings called Ta'ong-tse 

 ' 1§ -?) were also on sale on this date. 



Sixth Moon. 



On entering the first Fuh (ik) , or first ten dog days, the 

 minor officials went to meet the governor. On entering the 

 second ten dog days, they went to meet the intendent of 

 circuit. On entering the third ten dog days they went to 

 meet the T'ai Sheo or prefect. At this season all official 

 banquets were held in the Kiang-toh-miao (ttS!Si). The 

 idea was to make arrangements to avoid the intense heat of 

 the season; for after breakfast they entered boats for the day, 

 while the evening meal was served at the same temple. 

 Large numbers of city people dined on the banks of the 

 pond and remained as spectators for the remainder of the 

 day. 



Seventh Moon. 



7 th. — On the evening of the seventh day of this moon 

 the T'ai-sheo dined at the T'ai ts'i-si". After supper he 

 ascended to a loft from which he viewed the King-kiang- 

 ie-sh'i ($& it ^ Ifi) , when bean sprouts were sold for the girls' 

 festival known as the K'ih-k'iao-tsieh (£ # W) . 



18th. — On the evening of this day the priests launched 

 small paper boats on the river in which were placed lighted 

 candles. The lights were believed to lighten the orphan 

 spirits to a place of refuge. 



Eighth Moon. 



15th. — On this evening crowds of people went out for 

 a ramble to watch the moon in its mid-autumn beauty. 



Ninth Moon. 



gth —On this date a large medicine fair was held. At 

 this season the prefect lived in a tent for two days or more 

 and often travelled around carrying his tent with him, in 

 the hope that he might meet a celestial. 



