218 • SOCIETY AT SINGAPORE. 



edifices in his enclosure, previous to departing, 

 we found the creature amused himself with 

 building. Besides the new residence and wall, 

 he was erecting a residence and wall for him- 

 self, neat and extensive in construction, and in 

 something of a Chinese style of architecture. 

 This building was certainly wanting, for the old 

 thatched palace near it seemed ready to fall 

 about his ears. 



Society at Singapore is extremely agreeable 

 to a visitor — for only as one can I judge of it. 

 Whether in intercourse among themselves they 

 are divided into the mechanical and aristocra- 

 tical party, I cannot sa}^, having only heard a 

 whisper to that effect. I have found, during 

 two visits to the little settlement, unbounded 

 hospitality, and every attention to my scientific 

 inquiries, of course some taking more interest in 

 my researches than others. 



At daylight one morning I set off, accompanied 

 by the Rev. Mr. Darrah, in a large sailing- 

 boat, belonging to my friend Mr. Boustead, on 

 an excursion to visit St. John's Island, or Pulo 

 Sijang of the Malays, New Harbour, &c.; we 

 had but little wind, but contrived, with a nu- 

 merous Malay crew, to pull out soon to the first 

 island, and landed on a fine sandy beach. The 

 only inhabitant was an old Malay, whose small 

 thatched habitation was surrounded by cocoa- 



