REJOICINGS. 303 



heavens, till, from their increasing height, they 

 secerned to disappear among the stars. Each 

 of these edifices was of three stories, surround- 

 ed by galleries, on which, during the day, the 

 Chinese performed various feats for the amuse- 

 ment of the people : there were conjurors, rope- 

 dancers, magic lanterns, and even dramatic repre- 

 sentations, the multitude eagerly flocking to the 

 sight, and expressing their satisfaction in loud 

 huzzas! I saw a tragedy performed on one of 

 these galleries, in which a fat Mandarin, exhibit- 

 ing a comic variety of grimaces and strange 

 capers which would have done credit to Punch- 

 inello, submitted to strangulation at the com- 

 mand of his sovereign. At night, the people 

 went about the streets masked, and letting oflp 

 sky-rockets and Chinese fireworks. In several 

 parts of the town, various kinds of spectacles 

 were exhibited for the popular amusement : the 

 air resounded with music, and public balls were 

 gratuitously given. 



This unexampled rejoicing for the recep- 

 tion of a testimonial of royal approbation, 

 seems sufficiently to prove the loyalty of the 

 Philippines, and the little probability of their 



