(8)
to observe with what added zest they pursued their laborious, though somewhat inharmonious, task for the purpose of expressing their sense of the honour done them by the presence of so distinguished an audience.
In connection with the native demonstrations of loyalty, the Chinese procession must not be omitted. There was, of course, the inevitable Dragon, which on this occasion pursued its sinuous path along the Praya, accompanied with the usual amount of shouting and piping and beating of gongs. But what attracted much greater attention was the number, upwards of one hundred, of cleverly manufactured fish which preceded the monster, and which being borne on men's shoulders, looked almost as though they were creatures which had forsaken their native element and had taken to swimming in mid air. These fish were of large dimensions, several being 9 feet long, and were constructed of some transparent substance which looked like gauze lighted by candles inside. The idea intended to be conveyed was, that these children of the Ocean had assembled to pay their respects to a member of a Royal Race, only persons of kingly descent being honoured by a visit from the Fishes followed by their Dragon Chief. Another explanation that has been given is to the effect that the Prince was so popular at sea that even the fish followed him to the land.
The Fireworks, though not failures, were perhaps the least successful portion of the night's performance. The scene selected for their exhibition was the Parade Ground, where a large concourse of people was gathered together. "The exhibition," says one of the Journals, "commenced with a number of Chinese Fireworks, having much the appearance of large horizontal Catherine Wheels; and this was followed by very curious and ingenious displays on the large scaffolding which for some time previous had been
(9)
erected on the ground, and elicited many surmises as to its purport. A series of very beautiful effects was produced. Fountains of light at one time played from them—then a pause, and rockets were projected in all directions; another pause, and the brilliant lights were seen rapidly ascending and descending, and suddenly there appeared a beautiful casket of sapphire and ruby, with an inscription on it, 'the Chinese Community welcome the British Prince.' A little afterwards, the next tower was seen to be a blaze, and soon there appeared a pagoda splendidly illuminated; another pause, and a final grand evolution of magnificent jets in all directions, and the display terminated. While it was going on, much attention was attracted to the plucky manner in which the Chinamen attending to it climbed up the scaffolding, apparently altogether without sense of danger."
Long before dark the Streets presented the appearance of a living sea of human heads, in which the Celestial element prevailed to a very large extent; the comparatively few Europeans, (“rari nantes in gurgite vasto,") some in chairs and others on foot, giving variety to the scene. The most perfect good feeling prevailed everywhere, and the remark was common that probably in no City in the world could the order and civility which distinguished the crowd be surpassed. During the period of the Royal visit, the only extra precaution taken was the employment of two hundred additional Chinese Lokongs, or Native Police, as it was computed that upwards of thirty thousand unknown visitors had arrived from the mainland, and as the length of the Town, which stretches upwards of four miles along the Harbour, required a great number of watchmen. The result was most satisfactory; crime of every description being below the usual average during the Prince's visit.
32
(8)
to observe with what added zest they pursued their labo- rious, though somewhat inharmonious, task for the purpose of expressing their sense of the honour done them by the presence of so distinguished an audience.
In connection with the native demonstrations of loyalty, the Chinese procession must not be omitted. There was, of course, the inevitable Dragon, which on this occa- sion pursued its sinuous path along the Praya, accompanied with the usual amount of shouting and piping and beating of gongs. But what attracted much greater attention was the number, upwards of one hundred, of cleverly manufactured fish which preceded the monster, and which being borne on men's shoulders, looked almost as though they were creatures which had forsaken their native element and had taken to swimming in mid air. These fish were of large dimensions, several being 9 feet long, and were constructed of some transparent substance which looked like gauze lighted by candles inside. The idea intended to be conveyed was, that these children of the Ocean had assembled to pay their respects to a member of a Royal Race, only persons of kingly descent being honoured by a visit from the Fishes followed by their Dragon Chief. Another explanation that has been given is to the effect that the Prince was so popular at sea that even the fish followed him to the land.
The Fireworks, though not failures, were perhaps the least successful portion of the night's performance. The scene selected for their exhibition was the Parade Ground, where a large concourse of people was gathered together. "The exhibition," says one of the Journals, "commenced with a number of Chinese Fireworks, having much the ap- pearance of large horizontal Catherine Wheels; and this was followed by very curious and ingenious displays on the large scaffolding which for some time previous had been
(9)
erected on the ground, and elicited many surmises as to its purport. A series of very beautiful effects was produced. Fountains of light at one time played from them-then a pause, and rockets were projected in all directions;→→→ another pause, and the brilliant lights were seen rapidly ascending and descending, and suddenly there appeared a beautiful casket of sapphire and ruby, with an inscription on it, 'the Chinese Community welcome the British Prince.' A little afterwards, the next tower was seen to be a blaze, and soon there appeared a pagoda splendidly illuminated; another pause, and a final grand evolution of magnificent jets in all directions, and the display terminated. While it was going on, much attention was attracted to the plucky manner in which the Chinamen attending to it climbed up the scaffolding, apparently altogether without sense of danger."
Long before dark the Streets presented the appearance of a living sea of human heads, in which the Celestial element prevailed to a very large extent; the compara- tively few Europeans, (“rari nantes in gurgite vasto,") some in chairs and others on foot, giving variety to the scene. The most perfect good feeling prevailed every- where, and the remark was common that probably in no City in the world could the order and civility which distinguished the crowd be surpassed. During the period of the Royal visit, the only extra precaution taken was the employment of two hundred additional Chinese Lokongs, or Native Police, as it was computed that upwards of thirty thousand unknown visitors had arrived from the mainland, and as the length of the Town, which stretches upwards of four miles along the Harbour, required a great number of watchmen. The result was most satisfactory; crime of every description being below the usual average during the Prince's visit.
32
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