46 
TEINIDAD. 
expended upon tliem ; the procession is formed, and 
with innch noise and rejoicing, these tazzias are carried 
to the sea-side, or to the hanks of a river, and then 
thrown into the water. 
The Hindoos have no temple, and none hnt small 
household gods. There are some of the Brahmin caste 
among them, and it is revolting to see the way in which 
a woman, for instance, will drop down, touch the foot 
of this holy Brahmin, and then kiss the hand that has 
been in contact with the priest’s foot, giving utterance 
to some correct formula. In swearing the Coolies, the 
Hindoos, they give them a glass of water to hold, but as 
they know that the water is not the sacred water of the 
Ganges, I suspect they do not feel themselves guilty of 
perjury when giving false evidence, which they are very 
much accustomed to do. The Mahomedan is sworn 
upon a copy of the Koran in Arabic, and there is reason 
to believe that the Mahomedan feels himself bound to 
speak the trutli when so sworn. But as a people tlie 
Coolies are very untruthfid ; and is it surprising when 
we reflect upon the character of their religion ? 
Tlie Chinese do not celebrate any religious festival 
that I have ever heard, and the only symbol of their 
religion is a small bracket fixed up against the side of 
the house, on which is placed a burning lamp, a few 
Chinese characters being written on red paper, and 
pasted above the lamp. Ask anytliing about this 
matter, and the general answer given is, “ This for me 
religion.” As far as can be gathered from observation, 
the only things that influence Chinamen to any extent 
are opium-eating and gambling. To these vices many 
of them are much given, and I know not that any in- 
justice would be done if it were said that opium-eating 
and gambling make up the religion of many of the 
Chinese. These vices have led several of their number 
to commit suicide ; but as they become more con- 
nected with the people of Trinidad, and understand 
