VISIT TO BILLY. 
271 
It was Palm - Sunday when we visited the 
town, and we had the pleasure of witnessing 
the elaborate preparations for the celebration of 
this day — wonderfully complete, considering 
that means of decoration are not easily obtain- 
able in such a remote island. Infinite pains 
had been expended in the erection of resting- 
places for the procession, and the effect was 
really beautiful when the tiny altars were il- 
luminated at night. The whole arches of the 
doorways were lighted by innumerable little 
lamps, made from halves of orange skins with 
tapers stuck in them ; and various designs in 
the form of crosses, stars, &c., shone out over 
the entrance way. 
After we had viewed the procession from the 
windows of the Government offices, we bade our 
friends adieu, having resisted their entreaties to 
remain overnight, and started for a moonlight 
walk home to our hut. But after parting with 
them, we were tempted to mingle for yet half 
an hour among the crowd which hovered in the 
glare of the illuminations. 1 was so struck by 
the grace and picturesque appearance of a coterie 
of Indians, that I could scarcely be drawn away. 
The men have a striking natural dignity, and 
the women a grace all their own. Two sweet 
