OBSERVATIONS ON SINGAPORE, EAST INDIES. 349 



have quite as much circumference as height. One of them 

 was a female figure, dressed in silks, and painted, with much 

 tinsel and gilding about the head. In front of each idol were 

 altars, on which were Josh-sticks burning, colored wax-candles, 

 flowers, dried fruits, and sugar-plums wrapped up in colored 

 paper. At the time I entered, the priesthood, five in number, 

 were assembled, worshiping, chanting, striking gongs, and 

 frequently prostrating themselves before their wooden-deities. 

 This mummery lasted nearly half an hour, and the priests ap- 

 peared to go through it with devotion. They were all young 

 men, had the crown of their heads shaved, and wore long 

 yellow robes. As soon as the mummery had ceased, they left 

 the temple, retired to their private apartments, and divested 

 themselves of their official robes ; and the gods were left to 

 themselves, with the Josh-sticks burning on the altars. 



On another day I set out to visit the Mohammedan Mosque, 

 but I found the entrance of this guarded by two or three 

 stupid-looking fellows, who would not allow me admittance, 

 although I offered to take off my shoes before entering. It is 

 a neat, handsome building externally, but only the upper por- 

 tion of it can be seen when viewed from the street, as it stands 

 at the further end of a long court, surrounded by a high stone 

 wall. Its mineret is kept white- washed, and forms a beautiful 

 and a conspicuous object in the landscape. 



The majority of the Mohammedans at Singapore are 

 Malays and their descendants, and it is universally conceded 

 by travelers that they constitute the most worthless part of 

 the population, being excessively lazy, treacherous, quarrel- 

 some, and addicted to the use of opium. 



The color of their skin is several shades darker than that 

 of the Chinese, and they usually wear moustaches and beard. 

 Their dress consists of a white turban, a shirt with very 



