The Chinese, like Wester nations, divide the year into four seasons, called Sau chi, Chun (Spring) commencing vob, 4 sla' (Summer) commencing, May Chri VAutumn) commencing Aug. 4 Tung (Winter) commencing {Rov 4
Spring commenced on Feb.4, In the days of th Emperors this ecomony (Li Chun) was el Served throughout China and dates back to remote times. It inculcated the useful lessons of natural equality and mutual dopendance of all lasses of the population on each other, and was at one and the same time the foundation and coping of the Chinese system of government. Every year on February 4 (when the sun passing through Aquarius), the ceremony. of inaugurating spring was performed in every one fof the 1300 Fu, Chou and Hsiens throughout the Chinese Empire. Preparations having been made on the day preceding, everything ready by a certain hour for the officials to appear' clad in their oMielat robot; they were cartied in procession in open chairs headed by bands of musicians, accompanied by many per= sony carrying banners, and well-dressed boys and iris on special stands, all gorgeously decorated. The magistrates on passing out of the city gates were saluted with three guns, After taking a turn in-the fields outside the city In or near the Temple of the God of Agriculture, they returned and reported themselves to their superiors as having conducted the arrival. of the flew season, spring. The following day, lone before daylight, the officials were out again to the Temple of the God of Agriculture or Divine Husbandman, where a young bullock yoked plough was brought along, the owner gener~ ally handing it to the magistrate, who ploughed several furrows and then sowed seed, This was all done in official haty and embroidered robes, ea and plain cakes were then served to the magistrate and his attendants as refreshment after labour; a reward was given to the peasant who conducted the bullock, and the animal itself was usually bought and slain for a sacrifes to Confucius. Many farmers made it a point of breaking ground on the same day, and. great rejoicings were manifested through the length and breadth of the Iand,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.