SINGAPORE. 385 



sented 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. 

 They were all fantastically dressed, and some among them in European 

 costume, which had a grotesque effect among the more appropriate 

 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 extraordi- 

 nary exhibition of the evening was an immense illuminated 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 wmite 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 move- 

 ments 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 ponderous jaws would come together 

 with a crash, and then the serpent would hurry onward again in hot 

 pursuit. I was told that it swallowed 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 exhibition 

 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 



vol. v. 2H 49 



