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with the natural and artificial advantages of Macoa it could be made good against almost every thing had its garrisons stout hearts to stand it. There is a strong garrison at Macoa some of them are fine looking men. The houses in Macoa are built sort o [sic] between Portuguese and Chinese those fronting the harbour are quite neat and some are painted fancy colors such as pink yellow &c that gives them a Charming appearances a great many of the Citizens have beautiful gardens attached to their houses. this I think ads to the beauty of the place. very much. I was on shore one Sunday and was surprised at the number of bells ringing. I visited several churches and was much please with their appearance tho I rather think there was too much finery. Gold Gilt &c. for humble Christian Churches. Some of the Portuguese girls are quite pretty I followed two girls to church crossed myself with Holy water Knelt down as they did. Took my watch bill out of my pocket and said my Pater Nosters out of it all to gain a sight of their faces. For they Portuguese like had muffled their heads in shawls. After a while one [?chopie?] her shawl, of course by accident. she was a dark brunett but a beautiful girl. Then the other drew a side her shawl and spoke to her. She was I suppose her Mother however she was as ugly as her daughter was pretty. After waiting a while they arose & left the Church. I followed at a respectable distance, they entered a house with a beautiful garden attached. I thought I would venture in to look at its beauties, but I had scarcely got half tho when a lot of dogs (whether set on me or not I do not know) forced me to retire. However an old servant maid called them off. The Chinese are by far the most numerous class in Macoa and they are the artizans and business men of the place. The Tanka girls are a right pretty set of girls. They are the Boat-men of Macoa. There are some beautiful gardens and jos houses near Macoa one of these I visited was truly splendid the amount of curious carving of dragons and animals of almost all kinds was surprising in this jos house were three large statues of bronze. These appeared to be the principal gods whilst on each side of the room were images of men under almost every passion imaginable. A Chinese [?cond...?] any passion seeks the corresponding image and addresses his prayers to it. We filled up with provisions in Macoa