There are an immense number of joss-houses in Chinatown.  Each company has one of its own.  Others belong to the societies, tongs and to private parties.  The appointments of these temples are gorgeous in their way.  One has recently been opened on Waverly Place, which far surpasses all the others in the grandeur of its sacred equipments and decoration.  The idols, bronzes, carvings, bells, banners and the paraphernalia of the temple are said to have cost about $20,000, and represents the highest degree of Chinese art.  In front of the throne in each of these temples, where the principal god is seated, burns a sacred flame that is never extinguished.  In a cabinet at the right of the entrance is a small image called “the doorkeeper,” who sees that no harm befalls the temple of those who enter.

The temple doors are always open, and those who are religiously inclined can come in at any hour of the day.  Prayers are written or printed on red or blue paper.  These are lighted and deposited in a sort of furnace with an opening near the top, and as the smoke ascends the bell near by is sounded to attract the attention of the gods.  The women have a favorite method of telling their fortunes.  They kneel before the altar, holding in either hand a small wooden block, about-five inches long, which resembles a split banana.  These they raise to their closed eyes, bow the head and drop.  If they fall in a certain position, it is an indication that the wish or prayer will be granted.  If they fall in an unfavorable position, they continue the effort until the blocks fall as desired.  When business is dull and times hard with the Chinaman, they attribute it to the displeasure of their gods.  They try to propitiate the offended deity by burning incense sticks, and offering fruits and other things which have no Christian equivalent, and which are supposed to be grateful to the divine palate.

The Chinese observe a great many holidays.  The most important are those of the New Year.  This is a movable feast, and occurs between the 21st of January and the 19th of February.  The New Year must fall on the first new moon after the sun has entered Aquarius.  It is customary at this time to have all business straightened out, and all debts contracted during the year paid.  Unless this is done, they will have no credit during the year, and consequently a great effort is made to pay their creditors.  There are some, however, who have been unfortunate and have laid by nothing for this day of settlement, and knowing well that there are a number of those troublesome little bills that are liable to be presented at any time, they keep themselves out of sight until the sun has risen upon the New Year.

They then reappear in their accustomed haunts, feeling safe for a few days at least, for while the merry-making is going on there is no danger of being confronted with a dun.  All gloomy subjects are tabooed, and everybody devotes himself to getting all the enjoyment he possibly can out of this festal day.  To some this is the only holiday in the whole year, and they are obliged to return to their labors the following day.  Others will celebrate three or four days, and so on up the scale.  The rich and the independent keep it up for fully two weeks, and begin to settle down to everyday life about the sixteenth day.