384 
SINGAPORE. 
side of each of these altars were placed figures of frightful and hideous- 
looking monsters, with black faces, misshapen bodies and legs, and 
mouths from ear to ear, filled with enormous teeth. One hand was 
armed w T ith 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 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 ornamented 
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 incongruities, 
the whole had a striking and singular effect, and I may add, not an 
unpleasing one. 
Before ceasing to speak of the Chinese, 1 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 cere¬ 
monies 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 pre¬ 
ceded 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, consisting altogether of children. Each of them bore the 
fore and hind parts of a horse in such a manner that the child repre* 
