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On great occasions this hangs down to its full length; but at other 

 times, being somewhat in the way, it is wound up on the back of the 

 head. I have heard it asserted, that the Chinese never become bald 

 or gray ; but this opinion seemed to be erroneous, from what I saw in 

 this small community. 



The Chinese is at all times to be found industriously employed, 

 except when gambling; and were it not for this latter propensity, and 

 his desire of cheating foreigners, has probably as few vices as exist in 

 any other race. Wherever he is found, peace and quietness seem to 

 dwell ; he moves, and has been moving for ages in the same path, and 

 prefers all his own ways to those of the rest of the world. We saw 

 the Chinese in some pleasing lights, and were much struck, on these 

 festival occasions, by their attention towards their children, 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 sculptured. 

 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 worshippers. 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 



