1846.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 551 



tive formation, and nearly destitute of large trees, but very thickly covered with 

 brush wood, which is cut by the inhabitants, and disposed of in the city, or sold to 

 ships, which only touch here for refreshments, wood, or water, in consequence of 

 the king reserving the exclusive right of trade to himself, and it is only by permis- 

 sion of the mandarins, that their subjects can dispose or purchase the smallest 

 article from foreigners. 



Several streams of water flow from the mountains into the bay, of an excellent 

 quality, and fruits, such as are found in tropical countries, can be had in abundance 

 and at a reasonable price, togetiier with pigs, poultry, and bullocks. Thoy prepare 

 a largo quantity of dried fish, on which principally the poorer inhabitants appear to 

 subsist, and may perhaps be tho cause of the prevalence of cutaneous diseases. 



The condition of tiie lower classes indeed appears to be more abject and servile 

 than I had yet observed. Their clothing was of the coarsest material of grass cloth, 

 and not removed until lost in rags ; and frequently tht'r only mantle consisted of 

 dried leaves stitched together, which was tiirown over the shoulders descending to 

 tho knees, with a small strip of grass cloth about their hips, serving as a fig-leaf. 

 The children of this class were entirely naked. 



Their food consisted of salt fish and rice, with a eauce marie of shrimp and small 

 fish of a reddish color, and used in a putrescent state. Banana leaves serve them 

 for plates, while tlieir rice is eaten from small bowls with cuop-sticks. 



Although the plebeians appeared to be in such an ajject state of wretchedness, 

 the more favored classes appear to have comprehended the advantages lo be de- 

 rived from the improvements of civilized nations, more than thoir neighbors the 

 Chinese, for they no longer use the matchlock in thotr army, but have purchased 

 muskets from the French and English, and their cannon are mounted on carriages 

 after the European mode, and their forts are also built after the European method, 

 which knowledge they have obtained from French missionaries, who have resided 

 among them for many years, and have converted thou'sands of the natives to the 

 Christian faith, but appear of late years to I ive bocomo ubnoxious to some of the 

 mandarins, and have been persecuted and imprisoned, and some have been under 

 sentence of death for some time, but the ki'ng's signature could never be obtained 

 for their execution, from his pusillani-nity and fear of bringing the vengeance of 

 the French government upon his nation. 



Mr. Ballister, the American consul at Singapore ia nis acting agent, and has ed- 

 ucated two Cochin Chinese subjects. Having hear J from one of these subjects, when 

 on a visit to Singapore, that three French missionaries were confined in prison and 

 under sentence of death, he sent the king word, by this means, that if they were 

 executed they would certainly bring the vengeance of the French power upon them. 

 The execution was delayed, and in the mean while he gave information to the 

 Frencli commodore in Manilla, despatched a brig to Turon, and carried them from 

 the country. After the most positive denial of having the missionaries in their 

 custody, it was only after the third day, when the brig had been placed in a posi- 

 tion to fire upon the city, that thuy were liberated. 



Their character for duplicity is well known to those who are acquainted with 

 them, and should always bo kept in view when treating with them. 



The similar circumstances which detained the Constitution in this place for 

 some days in the meritorious attempt to release bishop Lefevre, who was then un- 

 der sentence of death and asked for aid, and although it did not prove successful 

 at the time, yet no doubt may have been the means of preserving his life until the 

 arrival of the French ship; and however much I regret the circumstance which 

 prevented me from exploring the neighboring country, yet, the reflection that it 

 probably was the means of s iyi:;j a worthy man from a cruel death, is certainly a 

 more pleasing recollection than lljb partial examination of this place, during the 

 limited time which would otherwise have been afforded, had this event not occurred 

 with this jealous and peculiar people. 



From the little opportunity I had on shore at this place, I found many phnts 

 here common to Singapore and Borneo, but the vegetation was not of that luxuriant 

 character, owing perhaps to llie sterility of the soil immediately contiguous to tho 

 bay, but from tho appearance of several cultivated vallios at a distance, tho soil 

 there was very fertile. There is said to be a very fine quality of rice cultivated in 

 this country, which only grows on dry ground, and I had inado arrangements with 



