RELIGION. 109 



at the worship ; indeed the Chinese seem to have 

 but little regard for religion ; they visit the tem- 

 ples early in the morning to make their offerings 

 before the idols, and perform the usual religious 

 ceremonies at sunset, but apparently more as a 

 custom, than from any sincere religious devotion. 

 I have seen the parents visit the temples at an 

 early hour in the morning, bringing their family 

 to adore the idols with them, each carrying 

 tapers and offerings. The ceremony of prostra- 

 tion, &c. was gone through in so mechanical 

 a manner, as to leave but little or no doubt in 

 the mind of the spectator, that it was observed 

 rather as a custom descended to them from their 

 forefathers, than as arising from any sense of 

 religious feeling towards a superior and benevo- 

 lent Deity. 



During a visit I made in company with Mr. 

 Fearon to that picturesque and beautiful temple,* 

 which is a subject of so much admiration, from 

 its romantic situation, to all persons visiting 

 Macao ; f a parent came with a lad six or seven 



* It was in the rooms of the chief priest at this temple 

 that Lord Amherst's embassy was lodged. 



f The situation of this temple is near the inner harbour 

 of Macao, and of a romantic and highly beautiful character. 

 An image of a lion decorates each side of the granite steps, 



