Note 5 — III.—DAYS AND SEASONS.

From the explanations affixed we learn that the 6th, 18th and 30th of the month shewn, though unlucky in other respects, are lucky for hunting and fishing, calling in a doctor, or pulling down a house. The character 破 pʻo means “to rend,” “break,” or “take by storm.” The 7th and 19th again, to which the character 危 wei, signifying “danger,” is prefixed are not quite so unlucky as the 6th, 10th, 18th, 22nd and 30th. The 11th and 23rd, unlucky for general purposes, are particularly so to white ants and other vermin, as those days are lucky for their destruction, filling up holes, &c., the character given 閉 pi meaning to “shut,” “close,” or “obstruct.” The 2nd, 3rd, 14th, 15th, 26th and 27th are good for meeting friends, and (as well as the 9th and 21st) are peculiarly suitable for taking a baby out for its first airing.5 On the 5th, 17th and 29th one can cut wood, hunt, fish, and, if you find them, catch wild animals. Not long since a party of gentlemen resident in Hongkong went over to the mainland to look for a tiger which was reported to have visited the neighbourhood of Deep Bay, but as they neglected to choose a “lucky” day their success (as the natives observed) was not remarkable. One is hardly prepared to find the 12th and 24th, noted as “neither lucky nor unlucky,” recommended as propitious days for worshipping at the temples, making proposals of marriage and moving house. “Cutting out clothes,” which is perhaps not a very interesting occupation at any time, is also recommended on these dates.