CHIN FSB FESTIVALS. 



209 



I have not space left to enter deeply into the Chi- 

 nese superstitions, bnt will briefly describe their tem- 

 pi* s and chief festivals. 



Penan^, it may be remarked, offers to an inquirer, a 

 better opportunity than perhaps any one given spot 

 in the British Indian dominions ran afford, for ob- 

 serving the performance of the rites of m jst of the 

 religions of Asia. These rites however are not ac- 

 companied by all the Asiatic splendour which will be 

 found in the countries themselves. 



The ChangvQoft* or first day of the Pcang &hin y or 

 /lew year,-— which will correspond, for the ensuing y^aflr 

 Wfll with the 17th41ay of February 1836— is a day 

 of much rejqjcing\ At early dawn the Chinese open 

 their doors and let off large bundles of pant; p'hao 

 or crackers, some of which are so large as to sound 

 at a distance like musketry. They then go a round 

 of visits to their friends, somewhat in the French fa- 

 shion, to congratulate them on taring reached another 

 year in health, and to wish them future prosperity. 

 These visits occupy three days. The visiter does 

 not give presents. lie is entertained with sweetmeats. 

 These three days compose a sort of carnival, when 

 gaming, carousing, histriouical a?id other a mo- 

 ments are the sole occupations of the people. It has 

 been before observed that gaming is not, as far as can 

 be learned, allowed on such occasions in China, RST 

 is it permitted hem 



Th 8 fasts arc expensive. The table groam with 

 whole pigs, and poultry roasted, Ixoiled, and stewed; — 

 preserves and fruits forming the dessert. The drink 

 is samson, brandy and other European lirpjors. The 

 Chinese pledge each other in the European fashion, and 

 the conversation is very ani mated. The Chinese rarely 

 get drunk, and seem capable of carrying off as goadly 

 a quauturo of strong drink as any bon vivaot of 



