me before they will not know the way back!"

The next order forbade us to speak of any day as "unlucky." Now from
time immemorial, some days have been regarded as good and others as bad
for such important events as weddings and funerals; in fact, almost
every day of the year is controlled by some fortunate or untoward
influence, governed by the conjunction of the "Celestial Branches" and
"Earthly Stems," complicated with innumerable elemental antipathies and
affinities.

As an example may be mentioned _wood_, which is antagonistic to _metal_,
but has an affinity for _fluid_ from which it draws its sustenance,
whereas the metal forged into an axe serves for its destruction.

The "Earthly Stems" are represented by symbolic animals, and have
zodiacal signs and control of certain hours. Of the twenty-eight
zodiacal constellations, seven are infelicitous and no one will risk
entering upon a new venture on these days. To repair the kitchen stove
on a day when fire was in the ascendancy might cause a conflagration,
and to go to law on the day when water is the controlling element is
equally foolish, for the tendency of water is to fall, and this may be
the fate of the overdaring litigant. On a day controlled by the snake it
would obviously be foolhardy to start on a journey, for with such a slow
traveller as your controlling genius the journey might be impeded.

The calculations necessary for the correct adjustment of these various
influences provide a livelihood for astrologers and fortune-tellers, but
this proclamation, at one fell swoop, attempted to abolish their
profession. The order was issued, and I suppose in time the yellow paper
faded in the sun; some read it, many talked of it, but they still chose
the day which according to their calendar was the auspicious one, and no
man hindered them.

Other proclamations followed in due order: there was to be no music at
weddings or funerals, only good cash was to be used, women were to
unbind their feet, and brides were not to wear embroidered gowns. We
listened respectfully, as in duty bound, and waited for the pendulum to
swing.

Upon one point, however, the powers were insistent. The Western calendar
must take the place of the lunar. The actual change of date was a small
matter, but this alteration upset the whole organisation of Chinese
life. The New Year season is one which ensures to the Chinese family its
annual gathering, and all the subsequent festivals date fro