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 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 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- 



