NEW YEAR'S DAY IN CHINA. IN nearly all lands the coming in of the new year will be the occasion of mutual greeting and of universal merry-making. No festival is so general throughout the world as that of New Year's Day. To those who are spared to see it, it may well be a time for thankfulness and congratulation. It should also be a time for thoughtfulness, and no feasting or merriment should make us forget that a year older" means a year nearer to eternity. Indeed the customs of all nations in connection with the festival of New Year's Day show that in the midst of all the rejoicing there is a shade of sadness, as when a cloud passes before the sun at noon-day. It could not well be otherwise, since there are few who have not some bitter regrets when they think of the past, and few who have not to mourn the loss of loved ones. And so we find that the Chinese, who herald the approach of the new year with the wildest rejoicing, observe a perfect and solemn silence during the morning of the first day, and are careful to paste blue papers on their doorposts if any members of the family have died since the commencement of the past year. These touching memorials of the dead are always reverently respected. The Chinese have a good many national festivals, but none of them attract so much attention as those of the new year, which last three days, and for which preparations are made long before. During this holiday the streets are lined with stalls set out in the gayest fashion, and filled with tempting objects of all kinds, intended as presents for young and old. Strips of red and gilt paper, with "fuh" (that is, "happiness"), printed upon them, are sold for distribution; and as friend meets friend, you hear continually the salutation, "Kunghi! kunghi!" "I respectfully wish you joy!" On their houses and boats they paste up red paper prayers for the "five blessings." These are long life, riches, health, virtue, and a natural death. Some of their customs might well be imitated by other nations-such as their care to have at this time a thorough cleansing of their houses outside and in, and to pay all their debts. Great importance is attached to their doing the last, as it is considered a disgrace not to |