40S SINGAPORE. 



They were all fantastically dressed, and some among them in Euro- 

 pean costume, which had a grotesque effect among the more appro- 

 priate dresses of the East. They were led about, preceded by music, 

 such as it was, of gongs and cymbals; and all passed by on a dog- 

 trot. Towards the close of the evening, some of the children had 

 attendants on each side, who carried the poor little fatigued creatures 

 along, many of whom were nearly, if not quite asleep. Whenever 

 this procession halted, the Chinese would load them with cakes and 

 dulces, and showed a kindness and attention truly pleasing. The 

 most extraordinary exhibition of the evening was an immense illumi- 

 nated sea-serpent, which we all thought fully equalled, in size and 

 movement, the famous New England one, and agreed in other respects 

 tolerably well with its description, for he had at intervals large bumps 

 of the shape of a small cask. These were in fact lanterns, supported 

 by poles, and connected together by white cotton or gauze, which was 

 here and there coloured. The head of the monster was of large 

 dimensions, with a wide extended mouth, showing its fiery tongue 

 and rows of sharp teeth. The movements of the serpent were well 

 managed, and its gyrations, twistings, and windings over the people's 

 heads, gave it a formidable look. It appeared as if in search of an 

 illuminated globe, representing the old year, as the serpent is supposed 

 to typify the new one. It was, from time to time, permitted almost to 

 seize the globe, which was then hurried away, upon which the pon- 

 derous jaws would come together with a crash, and then the serpent 

 would hurry onward again in hot pursuit. I was told that, it swal- 

 lowed the globe at the expiration of the year, but I did not speak to 

 any one who saw the finale. The figure of this serpent was from 

 eighty to one hundred feet in length, and two feet in diameter. 



During this closing scene of the festival, all the Chinese houses 

 were open, and the josh-houses and idols illuminated with wax 

 candles, and decked with flowers and tinsel. 



Theatrical exhibitions were at the same time going forward in 

 many places; open sheds are erected for this purpose, where the ex- 

 hibition was entirely gratuitous. The actors, I was told, are paid by 

 a general subscription, which also provides for the other expenses of 

 the spectacle. These sheds are closed on three sides, but open on 

 that which faces the street. The stage is raised about six feet 

 above the street ; the whole is richly decorated with silk hangings, 

 and banners with many inscriptions, and illuminated with coloured 

 lamps. The stage, which was by no means of large size, was occu- 



