196 PENANG. 



£2,000 per annum by the surrender of a strip on the 

 mainland of similar size, covering an area of 160 

 square miles, now called the Wellesley province, on 

 the further condition, however, of Captain Light's 

 service being retained as superintendent of the new 

 colony. 



Georgetown, on the eastern shore of Penang, is the 

 seat of the present Government of the Strait Settle- 

 ments, including Malacca and Singapore, and is 

 defended by Fort Cornwallis. A few miles from it is 

 Strawberry Hill, the sanatorium of the island, situated 

 at an elevation of 2,700 feet, and from this point there 

 is a magnificent view of the lofty hills of Quedah. 

 The island is densely wooded, and watered by numerous 

 small streams ; its principal inhabitants are Malays, but 

 there are also a large number of Chinese and Moors. 

 The latter, descended from the Arabs, are mostly small 

 shopkeepers, and both Malays and Moors are strict 

 Mahomedans. 



The Chinese were that day celebrating their new 

 year, and the town was dressed in long red paper 

 placards and coloured lanterns. Each house or shop 

 belonging to one of their fraternity had its altar decor- 

 ated with bronze figures, vials of various shapes, and 

 scented Joss-sticks, whilst in the street the junior 



