his bills are paid, he would have a poor chance of sleeping even if he wished.  His persevering creditor would not leave his side, but would sit there threatening and pleading by turns until he got his money or effected a compromise.  Even should it be past twelve o’clock, the wretched debtor cannot call it New Year’s Day until his unwelcome dun has made it so by blowing out the candle in his lantern.  Of course there are exceptions, but as a rule all accounts in China are squared up before the old year has become a matter of history and the new year reigns in its stead.  Then, with the first streaks of dawn, begins that incessant round of visits which is such a distinguishing feature of the whole proceedings.  Dressed out in his very best, official hat and boots, button and peacock’s feather, if lucky enough to possess them,[+] every individual Chinaman in the Empire goes off to call on all his relatives and friends.  With a thick wad of cards, he presents himself first at the houses of the elder branches of the family, or visits the friends of his father; when all the seniors have been disposed of, he seeks out his own particular cronies, of his own age and standing.  If in the service of his country, he does not omit to call at the yamen and leave some trifling souvenir of his visit for the officer immediately in authority over him.  Wherever he goes he is always offered something to eat, a fresh supply of cakes, fruit, and wine, being brought in for each guest as he arrives.  While thus engaged his father, or perhaps brother, will be doing the honours at home, ready to take their turn as occasion may serve.  “New joy, new joy; get rich, get rich,” is the equivalent of our “Happy New Year,” and is bandied about from mouth to mouth at this festive season, until petty distinctions of nationality and creed vanish before the conviction that, at least in matters of sentiment, Chinamen and Europeans meet upon common ground.  Yet there is one solitary exception to the rule—­an unfortunate being whom no one wishes to see prosperous, and whom nobody greets with the pleasant phrase, “Get rich, get rich.”  It is the coffin-maker.

    [*] Chinese society is divided into two classes—­officials and
    non-officials.

    [+] No matter whether by merit or by purchase.

THE FEAST OF LANTERNS

A great Chinese festival is the Feast of Lanterns, one which is only second in importance to New Year’s Day.  Its name is not unfamiliar even to persons in England who have never visited China, and whose ideas about the country are limited to a confused jumble of pigtails, birds’-nest soup, and the kotow.  Its advent may or may not be noticed by residents in China; though if they know the date on which it falls, we imagine that is about as much as is generally known by foreigners of the Feast of Lanterns.