Page 396
An.1684
An Idol Temple. Chinese Idols.
the Country people are ingaged to a greater friend- ship: And if there should arise any difference about Trade, or any thing else, which might provoke the Natives to seek some treacherous revenge, (to which all these Heathen Nations are very prone) then these Dalilabs would certainly declare it to their white friends, and so hinder their Country- mens designs.
Thesse People are Idolaters : but their manner of Worship I know not. There are a few scattering Houses and Plantations on the great Island, and a small Village on the South side of it ; where there is a little Idol Temple, and an Image of an Ele- phant, about 5 foot high, and in bigness propor- tionable, placed on one side of the Temple ; and a Horse, not so big, placed on the other side of it ; both standing with their Heads towards the South. The Temple it self was low and ordinary, built of Wood, and thatched, like one of their Houses ; which are but very meanly.
The Images of the Horse and the Elephant were the most general Idols that I observ'd in the Tem- ples of Tunquin, when I travell'd there. There were other Images also, of Beasts, Birds, and Fish: I do not remember I saw any humane shape there ; nor any such monstrous Representations as I have seen among the Chinese. Where-ever the Chinese Seamen or Merchants come(and they are very numerous all over these Seas) they have always hideous Idols on board their Jonks or Ships, with Altars, and Images burning before them. These Idols they bring a- shore with them : and beside those they have in common ; every Man hath one in his own House. Upon some particular solemn days I have seen their Bonzies, or Priests, bring whole armfuls of painted Papers, and burn them with a great deal of Ceremony, being very careful to let no piece escape them. The same day they kill'd a Goat, which