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 off 

 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 



