QUIT RENTS. 197 



be well disposed to invest property in agricul- 

 tural speculations on this island. 



" The injurious effects of the present system 

 are but too apparent in the neglected and uncul- 

 tivated condition of that very great portion of 

 the island which is beyond the immediate influ- 

 ence of the town and suburbs, and where deep 

 solitude and wild nature reign paramount. The 

 island of Singapore measures about fifty miles in 

 circumference, we believe ; and yet a very small 

 portion of it is under cultivation, owing, in a 

 great degree, to the high rents required for 

 grants of land. The great depreciation of the 

 value of landed property is another palpably 

 injurious eff*ect arising from the present system. 

 We could point out instances where landed pro- 

 perty has been sacrificed, at a great loss to the 

 owners, merely for the sake of getting rid of the 

 heavy burden of the quit-rent with which the 

 land is chargeable. One case to the point will 

 exhibit the matter in a still stronger light. . We 

 know of a lot of twenty acres, mostly hill, well 

 situated, contiguous to the town, and under 

 cultivation ; there is likewise a substantial dwel- 

 ling-house, in a commanding situation, which, 

 from its original cost, could not be rented under 

 forty dollars a month, at least : this sum, in 

 twelve months, amounts to four hundred and 



