THE FEAST OF LANTERNS.

SOME of the learned sects in China pretend to hold the popular religions of their country in contempt; they strive to make themselves atheists, and to remain such, though the approach of death often destroys the delusion they have cherished, and forces them to Budhism, or some other equally fallacious refuge. The philosophers and the literati in China profess also to despise the parade and shew of splendid and imposing processions, and would consider it beneath them to appear gratified with that which they deem only suited to afford pleasure to the vulgar. Power is what they idolize, and they make it the object of their admiration and pursuit. But however much any of them may boast superiority to the vanity of being charmed by the pomp and glitter of pageantry and ceremonies, the rulers and priests of the country, with that knowledge of human nature, and the means of influencing the popular mind, which the very existence of the Chinese nation, as one community, for so many centuries demonstrates, have judged it necessary to institute a number of ceremonial and festive observances, on which they encourage the attendance of the people.

Among these may be classed, as noticed in the Anglo-Chinese Kalendar, Leih-chun term (festival of spring.) This day, (the 15th day, 12th moon,) the period of the sun's reaching the 15th degree in Aqua