XXVII. MAN-MO TEMPLE, AND PROCESSION.

T the western end of Hollywood Road, in Hongkong, and on the left-hand side, stands a temple called the Man-mo which was originally-at least, before the occupation of the island-a shrine where poor fishermen and travellers in that locality used to pay their respects and make their humble offerings to the God of the Fishermen and other deities there.

It had latterly fallen into an almost ruinous state, and in the middle of 1893 a subscription was made amongst the native population of the colony to effect repairs, rebuild a portion of this fane, and add an extra sanctuary to it. The money having been liberally supplied for this purpose,* the work was commenced, and was completed for the China New Year in 1894. The old temple now looked really imposing its interior resplendent with huge brass vessels, incense brasiers, giant candlesticks, all highly polished, banners, scrolls and other ecclesiastical ornaments; and the exterior magnificently and tastefully embellished with squareshaped panels of artistically-moulded scenes comprising animals, mountains, lakes, bridges, temples and palaces, all done in plaster and afterwards carefully painted over with specially prepared pigments, which resist the action of wind and weather for ages. The roof was covered with quaint and elaborate designs after the same style but on a much larger scale.

* As is customary, each subscriber received a round paper lantern which he burned for three nights outside his shop or residence to propitiate the Gods who are supposed to reward his generosity when they see his receipt-light.

In celebration of this important event in the history of the temple, and to propitiate and congratulate its deities, another large fund was raised among the Chinese for the purpose of having a grand pageant and erecting a reception-house for the mighty Sky Dragon who would come down on earth to see the improvements made in the temple.

Great preparations went forward, and a magnificent spectacle was eagerly anticipated-thousands of sight-seers crowding into the colony from Canton and all parts of the surrounding country. Outside the temple piles of long poles and bamboos of all sizes and lengths were brought-the former being fantastically painted in varions bright-hued designs. With these a lofty scaffolding was soon raised to a height of one hundred or more feet, as the Chinese are particularly dexterous and rapid in this work. When this gigantic though fragile looking framework was complete, huge chests full of light mat-work panels, ornamented with effectively painted designs, appeared on the scene. These were soon emptied and the contents taken aloft and fitted, each into its proper place, forming a complete and gorgeous covering and lining for the framework-thus transforming it into a fairy-like fane of enormous dimensions from the roof of which flower-decked crystal chandeliers and silken-tasselled lamps of all sizes and descriptions, and highly embellished clock-work models with moving figures, were suspended. Round the walls of the interior costly scrolls, some of great antiquity and value, pictures by native painters and autograph verses and proverbs by famed poets, philosophers and dignitaries, were hung in artistic profusion.

In the centre and at the corners of the enclosure were ornamental stands for the musicians, around which were placed cage with bright-plumaged birds and pots of choice flowers and plants— many containing complete miniature trees, curiously stunted, and other cultivated freaks of nature.

At the beginning of the First Moon, in our February, festivities commenced in earnest. A splendid procession, costing thousands of dollars, was formed. It was fully a mile in length and passed through every thoroughfare in the colony. First came the musicians headed by an enormous drum, beating cymbals and

gongs and playing flutes, trumpets and other instruments too numerous and noisy to mention; then came hundreds of standard and screen bearers with vari-coloured silken banners, followed by gorgeously-appareled boys bearing arms and trophies. After these came fantastic stands with artificial trees upon whose branches were fixed young and beautiful girls in silk and satin star-spangled robes to represent heroines of history and romance. Behind these littleCelestial" demoiselles came the younger sons of Han, also exquisitely dressed, carrying spears and bows and mounted on gaily-caparisoned ponies which were led by male attendants clad in red cloth and bunting. Following these were miniature temples with clockwork figures, the former being made with remarkable skill and ornamented with the highly-prized plumage of the kingfisher. Behind these came miniature "flower-boats" each with its complement of enchanting damsels; and in their rear came huge monsters-animals with moving jaws and wagging tails, pursued by a number of half-human monstrosities with animal and reptile heads of great size, accompanied by boisterous clowns and lithsome acrobats who pleased the public greatly.

Following these were more musicians, models, figures, soldiers and standard-bearers; and finally the "Sky Dragon" himself appeared in all its pomp and splendour-with jaws distended and glaring red eyeballs rolling in a fierce and truly hideous manner about their wide sockets. This monster was constructed with wonderful ingenuity-its scaly body, nearly two hundred yards in length, and about five feet in breadth, was made with silver paper; and on either side the forms of the numerous bearers were partially hidden by folds of yellow bunting, only their legs being visible as they carried it along, from time to time being relieved by relays of strong coolies.

Onward went the gigantic monster, its side-bells ringing and its myriad of legs scuffling along, to the intense delight of the spectators upon whose closely-packed heads one could have easily walked for miles, so dense was the crowd.

In front of the advancing dragon, danced two energetic harlequins carrying long ball-mounted poles with which they were supposed to direct the movements of this unearthly prodigy whose

immense horned head moved impetuously from side to side in a most diabolical manner which must have impressed the aweinspired spectators with its power and majesty; for they followed its every movement with staring eyes and gaping mouths. It was a sight they would never forget and might never see again. In D'Aguilar Street some thrifty housewife had hung her washing out of a front window to dry; and as the procession advanced towards the house a great cry of rage and indignation was raised. The vast concourse came to a standstill and every eye was angrily fixed upon those fluttering clothes aloft there. They were dastardly insult to the dignity and power of the mighty Sky Dragon and those accompanying it, and an omen of bad luck; and the procession could and would not proceed until they had been removed.

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The poor guilty woman was nearly frightened out of her senses and wept bitterly that she should have thoughtlessly offended so great a deity. It is needless to say that her washing was soon taken in, and the procession moved on its course-the dragon's legs seeming to move all the merrier for the short rest.

The poor country folk were simply wonderstruck-they had never beheld or even imagined anything so grand and beautiful before; and would remember it to the end of their days. But the greatest surprise of all had been prepared for the evening. On the newly reclaimed spare ground facing the harbour, another lofty scaffolding had been raised, and this was covered from head to foot with every conceivable kind of firework. A spacious stand had been prepared for His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson and Lady Robinson, and the Chief English and Chinese officials.

Early in the evening a steady stream of people began to pour from every quarter of the city, and by eight o'clock there were upwards of two hundred thousand people assembled there-lining the broad bund and its approaches, from east to west, and appropriating every inch of the reclamation ground. It was night, and fortunately continued so.

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At 9 p.m. the fireworks were lighted-rockets soared, hissing upward, forming arbours in the sky, while others shot up between