SINGAPORE. 407 



well grouped, amusingly so, with both men and animals. I was 

 surprised to observe how little respect was paid to the place, which 

 was every where accessible, and with the laughing and talking of 

 those present, and the noise of workmen : it had the air of any thing 

 but a sacred enclosure. The part that was uncovered, was orna- 

 mented with flowers in pots, consisting of camelias, tuberoses, &c. 

 There were also several old stumps, of the purpose of which I could 

 get no explanation, nor learn why they should be considered so sacred 

 as to be admitted into the temple. Notwithstanding these incongrui- 

 ties, the whole had a striking and singular effect, and I may add, not 

 an unpleasing one. 



Before ceasing to speak of the Chinese, I shall give a brief descrip- 

 tion of their mode of celebrating- the New Year, although it was 

 difficult to follow it, and still more so to understand its full meaning. 

 The ceremonies consisted chiefly of processions, both by night and 

 day, in which the whole Chinese population seemed to be engaged. 

 The grand one bore a sort of silken temple, which was carried on the 

 shoulders of several men, with banners before and behind it, having 

 Chinese characters on them, and of the most gaudy colours. These 

 were preceded by music, if such it could be called, consisting of 

 cymbals and gongs, on which every performer strove to strike with 

 his utmost force, and, if possible, oftener than his neighbour. Noise 

 they at least created in perfection. This procession was occasionally 

 joined by smaller ones, and the whole seemed to afford both to the 

 crowd and actors as much amusement as it did to us, to whom it 

 was altogether new. During the night, and particularly on that 

 of the 21st of February, the last day of their year, the illuminated 

 processions were curious, as well as amusing, and were exceedingly 

 numerous. Some of them were to be seen in every street at the 

 same time, and no sooner had one passed than others were seen to 

 follow, all hurrying along as if there were some goal to be reached. 

 The illumination proceeded from lanterns of all colours, sizes, and 

 shapes. We saw also the procession of juvenile horsemen, con- 

 sisting altogether of children. Each of them bore the fore and 

 hind parts of a horse in such a manner that the child represented 

 the rider. These mimic portions of the quadruped were made of 

 paper, and illuminated. The effect was that of a miniature regiment 

 of cavalry. Others were represented as if on the backs of fish, that 

 seemed to swim along in the crowd. Some of the children were not 

 more than two years of age, and the oldest not more than five or six. 



