Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-11-06

year. Ii was for the purpose of performing those vows that
the scene Witnessed took place. Tho lire was about twelve
feet in diameter and would roast 4 large OK. On another
occasion 1 went with Rev. Mr.. NJ. TO witness what is
called the Feast of the Tombs. This occurs only once a
year. Every child who survives his parents visits their
graves, aud presents various kinds of offerings TO their de-
parted spirits. They also have large boniires Of gilded
paper in front of the ,ombs. This is Tor the purpose OF de-
froying the expenses Of the departed spirits. They firm
ly believe, that this gilt paper melts, and is converted in-
TO money in the other world.
There was every kind OF taeatricals going on upon the
occasion. Ii seemed like a grand fair, unlike, however,
any thing | ever saw before. Every thing would remind
one of primiti,e times.
have some idea OF the scene for, to this day it seems more
like Il dream than a reality. l can hardly believe that |
witnessed such a scene. The whole OF it was to me pue-
re in the extreme; most Of all, the music. The Hotten-
tots would excel them. They had gongs, kettle drums,
dulcimers, aud trumpets. But there was no regular time
played. Ii was all ridiculous, barbarous jargon.
We lett Batavia on the 10th ut. and have had thus far a
tedious aud unpleasant passage. The Vincennes was on
ly hity-hve days in going from Manila to the Cape OF
Good Hope. We have been now thirty-seven days from
Batavia, and have not reached Canton yet With a fair
wind we could have run IT in fourteen days.
This Is also a very sickly climate. While at Batavia
we had upward OF sixty men on the sick list, aud during
the passage from there here the number has never been
less than thirty-fve. We buried several men at Batavia,
and sad to tell four or five on our passage thereirom. The
dysentary has been the principal complaint. Athali past
9 the eve of the first of May, Mr.. n. X. G. Oliver, the
Cemmodore's Secretary, died of the consumption. He
wasburied The next day, afew minutes past eleven in the
forenoon, with the honors OF war. A subscription was
then raised for MIR. Divers children: he has left eipht be-
hind him. The sum of f,cO thousand and eighty ttco
dollars was raised for them by the crew, Mr.. Grier, the
Chaplain succeeds Mr.. Oliver. Com. Downes gave one
hundred dollars.
The climate is extremely enerva,ing, and indisposcs one
for effort. The sick list is gradually diminishing, and we
are getting into a more wholesome climate.
May Is, 8 O'Clock, A. M Land ahead has been re-
ported from the mast head. 1t is what is termed the .asses'
Ears. Its not yet visible from the quarter deck. We
are saliHg along at the rate OF D knots the hour.
May ID am now ON the borders of the Celestial
Empire Yesterday afternoon we were boarded by some
Chinese; they were pilots; so that by the good manage
ment OF one, we were able TO drop our anchor abreast of
Macao city, this morning about 2 o'clock-about 8, the
Commodore sent a boat ashore for news; it returned about
three hours afterwards. 1t appears that our American ships
are all at Lintin. The Commodore got under way accord
ingly, and will come 10 an anchor shortly, of Lintin; he
thinks this is by far, a safer anchorage than Macao, in case
we should have a TypheoD. There isa ship coming down
from Whampoa, bound TO Philadelphia; l shall consequent
ly send this by her. We are truly in a new world, and
are surrounded by hundreds OF Chinese Junks and fishing
boats. The appearance of the country has however, as
yet, been very barren. We shall not, probably, stay here
longer than week.
NoUel Bank Notes.-The Bank of France has issued
new notes of 1000 francs. The size, the form, the ar
rangement, the vignette border, the stamp, and the
marks, are precisely the same as the old notes; but, from
some peculiar preparation OF the paper and the ink, the
impression appears through the note with the same distinct
ness as on the face, though the letters and figures are re-
versed. On holding the back of the note to a looking
glass, IT presents a perfect fac Siniie of the impression,
except that the signature OF the cashier, or registering
clerk, does not appear.