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and other animals. The Chinese men were especially well dressed today. The temples were all resplendent with burning josh sticks & dishes of food on the altars for the gods. In front of the homes on the walls or the gates & doors were long cardinal placards bearing mottos in black letters for the new year. Fire crackers were heard in several quarters but no great din of noise however. The Chinese new year falls on various dates in late January or early February owing to the irregularity of their calander. The Chinese have 12 months six of 30 days & 6 of 29 (354 days) [[strikethrough]] & twice over [[/strikethrough]] One of the months is reckoned [[strikethrough]] over [[strikethrough]] twice over every third year to adjust the calander with the sun. The temple in which we are camped is a large one & lavishly decorated. The gates are carved & painted in a blaze of colors under the eaves of the picturesque gates. The courts are all flagged in