406 SINGAPORE. 



and the fondness and invariable kindness with which they were 

 treated. 



Besides their seasons of festivity, it appeared that their devotion at 

 their temples, or josh-houses, claimed some of their time; and we had 

 an opportunity of visiting the interior of one of these. The opposite 

 plate, from a drawing made by Mr. Agate, will give a good idea of its 

 exterior ; but to give it full effect, it wants the accompaniment of the 

 moving throng, and the peculiar feelings that one experiences when 

 surrounded with the motley groups of the East. This temple is built 

 near the water, of granite, brought from China, and is a conspicuous 

 object in the landscape. The columns in front are curiously sculp- 

 tured. The interior combines both the ludicrous and hideous. Its 

 interior may be said to consist of a central building, in which the 

 principal idols are : this is surrounded by a neatly-paved passage, 

 which is uncovered ; in the centre are seats appropriated to the wor- 

 shippers. The inner temple was called by our cicerone, who was 

 apparently on guard, the great temple. It is occupied by three 

 colossal carved wooden idols, representations of the human form, 

 about ten feet high, and in a sitting posture. One of these, that had 

 a long black beard and mustaches, was richly clothed, and painted 

 red, with much tinsel and gilding round the head. This idol was 

 named " Rajerman." In front of him was a female figure, of smaller 

 size, richly dressed, who received from our cicerone the name of 

 " Beebee." The two other figures were equal in size to the first, and 

 as contemptible in carving. Indeed there is not a ship-carver in our 

 country, who would not execute a better piece of statuary. In front 

 of the figures was an altar-table, on which was a smaller one, and on 

 the latter there were coloured wax candles and josh-sticks burning. 

 Some of these were made of tightly-rolled gilt paper, that had been 

 lighted by the worshippers who had been there before us; some 

 flowers were also seen on the altar-tables. At the side of each of 

 these altars were placed figures of frightful and hideous-looking mon- 

 sters, with black faces, misshapen bodies and legs, and mouths from 

 ear to ear, filled with enormous teeth. One hand was armed with a 

 battle-axe, and the other pointed to the table. These our cicerone 

 called " Fellow Seegurmain." There were several of the same kind 

 of figures, though of much smaller size, hideous enough to put one 

 out of all conceit even with what was well carved-; for the Chinese 

 excel in depicting dragons and reptiles, which are occasionally, if not 



