278 OFF FOR CHINA. 



Emperor of Solo's reception ; nay, he was not satisfied 

 until 1 promised to sliow him the graceful step of His 

 Majesty's wari-iors. I had now only one day more at 

 Singapore, which, being wet, I passed in a dolce for 

 miente state, lounging under the verandah, where my 

 meditations were now and then disturbed by Chinese 

 pedlai's, who here as elsewhere carry tlieii" wares on a 

 bamboo, and often let themselves be transported in a 

 chair by a couple of coolies. In this way I picked up 

 some fine canes, cuttings off the 



Kattan { Calamus rotang) : a slender tree that often 

 grows to a height of 150 to 200 feet, 

 although barely an inch in diameter, with 

 a small crown of feathery leaves ; also of a 

 Malacca cane [Calmntis scipionum) : likewise a 

 genus of palm, once in great request as 

 sticks carried by livery servants behind 

 the carriage ; they, when cut and dried, 

 are a beautiful chestnut colour. 



The steamer " Beliar," her hold filled with opium for 

 China, which during the first few days of our voyage 

 made everybody on board very sleepy, took me on to 

 Hong-Kong. She was not a fast boat, but there l)eing 

 some pleasant passengers we got on well enough, — a 

 Hamburg gentleman and his frau, tremendous talkers, 



