MAHARAJAH OF JOHORK. 273 



Salat Tabrao, a deep strait dividing the island of Singa- 

 pore from the Malay Peninsula, I had arranged to be 

 presented to the Maharajah of Johore, whose terri- 

 tory lies on the mainland, although he generally resides 

 on the island, where I called upon him, and found him 

 an exceedingly gentlemanly and enlightened man who 

 has visited Europe and speaks English. He at once 

 offered to make the necessary arrangement to facilitate 

 my journey, and for my reception at his country resi- 

 dence. The next day being fine, I started early, 

 crossing the strait, about forty miles long and 

 a quarter to two miles wide, in a narrow part, and 

 finding a carriage waiting on the opposite shore, I had 

 a delightful drive of a couple of hours. The scenery 

 throughout resembled very much that of Penang; the 

 forests here were, perhaps, even denser, palms and teak 

 with thick underwood, which latter accounts for the 

 great abundance of tigers ; they frequently swim across 

 the strait and carry ofi" natives, even from the outskirts 

 of Singapore. 



On my arrival at the Maharajah's palace I found a 

 very recherche tiffin laid out in an open hall, to which 

 I did ample justice ; nor was there any lack of iced 

 champagne or delicious fruit. Amongst the latter a 

 mango of greater size and more delicate flavour than 

 any I had tasted elsewhere ; its consumption should, 



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