138 Voyage of the Novara. 



It is about 29i statute miles in length from east to west, by 

 IGf in breadth from north to south. The suj^erficial area of 

 the island is estimated at 206 square geographical miles, 

 which will make it about one half larger than the Isle of 

 Wight. 



Up to the year 1819, Singapore was a howling wilderness, 

 and the only settlement upon its shores was a couple of wretched 

 Malay fishermen's huts ; a lurking-place for the pirates, who 

 at that period made it dangerous to navigate those waters. 

 After the rendition of the Dutch colonies in the Indian Archi- 

 pelago, which it will be remembered were the property of 

 England throughout the great continental war up to the year 

 1814, Sir Stamford Rafiles, the former Governor of Java, was 

 intrusted with the office of founding on it, as the most suit- 

 able spot in all the Malay seas, a free emporium where the 

 general trade in those seas of all the sea-faring nations of the 

 world might be concentrated and exchanged. England had 

 further in view to leave not a single foot to stand on to the 

 Dutch, whose interests in those seas clashed with her own, 

 to obtain an emporium in which to collect all the more im- 

 portant products of the Archipelago for exchange against the 

 teas and silks of China ; and, lastly, to procure for the reception 

 and repairs of the ships of war and merchantmen, a suitable 

 harbour, such as, being in the vicinity of the teak-growing 

 countries, would also have the advantage of supplying timber 

 for her ships at any period when there might be in England 

 a deficient supply of oak. 



