HUMBLED CONDITION OF THE PORTUGUESE. '/ ■~""^ gQl 



Two events occui-rcd in 1849 at Macao, during the administration of tlie Portuguese Governor 

 Amaral, an officer of distinction and universally esteemed, which, although they were published 

 at the time of their occurrence in the Hong Kong newspapers, are still so strikingly illustrative 

 of the fallen fortunes and depressed national character of the Portuguese, that it may not be 

 amiss in this place to relate them. The first event alluded to, grew out of one of those acts of 

 folly which are sometimes exhibited Tjy the ill-regulated enthusiasm of fanatics in foreign 

 coiintries, where the religion happens to differ from their own. A young Englishman, attached 

 to a missionary school at Hong Kong, made a visit to Macao, and shortlj' after landing he 

 espied one of those religious processions so common in Koman Catholic countries, in which what 

 is called the Host is conducted with great pomp through the principal streets, attended by 

 numerous priests and others in full costume, with lighted candles, the swinging of censers, and 

 all the rich display of Komish eclesiastical ceremony. 



This young man on seeing, for the first time, perhaps, this singular exhibition of what 

 to him seemed nothing but an insult to true Christianity, and making, probably, not sufficient 

 allowance for differences of opinion and religious belief, and for the sincerity, however mistaken, 

 of those of another faith than his own, conceived the idea of showing his contempt for such 

 pageantry. He accordingly placed himself conspicuously in the way of the procession, and 

 refused to take off his hat when the Host passed. This act, if unwilling, from conscientious 

 motives, to perform, he might have easily avoided by turning away and passing down another 

 street. Many Protestants in Komish countries do so. The young man, however, did not act in 

 this very obvious and simple manner, by which he might have readily saved his conscience and 

 allowed others who differed from him to act in accordance with their views. When the 

 Englishman was observed purposely standing in the way of the procession and covered, he was 

 mildly requested by the priests to take off his hat, or move away ; but so far from complying 

 with this request, the young enthusiast pressed his hat closer on his head and stood^his ground 

 like a martyr. He was now warned by the armed police to uncover or to retire, but being still 

 obstinate, notwithstanding this summons, he was arrested and taken to the guard-house. 



Here was now a catastrophe, one of her Majesty's subjects shut up in a Portuguese guard- 

 house. The indignation of Captain Keppel, commanding the British man-of-war Dido, then at 

 anchor in Macao roads, was greatly aroused, and a demand was immediately made upon Amaral 

 the Portuguese governor, for an unconditional surrender of the Englishman. The governor 

 asked a short delay, for the purpose of consulting the ecclesiastical council. In the meantime 

 a regatta of boats belonging to the United States ship Plymouth and the vessel commanded by 

 Captain Keppel, who had been appointed one of the judges, was to take place. Governor 

 Amaral and many of the garrison officers were also to be present on the occasion. The day 

 arrived, and Captain Keppel quietly withdrew himself from the place, and with a party of marines 

 and some volunteer officers left the outer roads, the scene of the regatta, pulled on shore and 

 landed opposite the house of Mr. Patrick Stewart, and thence passing through an unoccupied 

 house and garden, in order to avoid the main street, came suddenly upon the guard of the 

 garrison, and rushing upon the sentinel, rescued by force the Englishman, whose ill-timed 

 enthusiasm had brought about this military outrage. 



Tlie second incident, to which allusion has been made, was one of equally surprising character, 

 and resulted in the death of the governor. It appears that Amaral was a man of great energy, 

 and ambitious of improving the town of Macao by opening carriage roads througli and about its 



