ch. ii.] Singapore. 1 7 



with their wares, for which they ask about five times as 

 uiucli as they are worth, or could be bought for in 

 London. Japanese and Chinese fans, slippers, cabinets, 

 lacquer ware, and carved ivory goods, all of second or 

 third rate value, form their stock in trade in general, 

 while some offer gold brocade worked for slippers or 

 smoking-caps, crape handkerchiefs and shawls, or Indian 

 embroidery, and even socks and white handkerchiefs of 

 cheap European make. 



Of course, to a new arrival, everything is strange, and 

 not the least perplexing is the Babel of language on all 

 hands. English, Dutch, German, Chinese, Javanese, 

 Hindustani, Spanish, Portuguese, and Malay, the latter 

 by far the most general the lingua franca which all use 

 in common. At last, bang ! bang ! ! bang ! ! ! goes the 

 gong, and breakfast is ready exactly at 9 a.m. There is 

 no ceremony. A little regiment, an awkward squad 

 rather, of Chinese " boys " hand the dishes in turn. 

 As a rule, everything is well cooked, and there is variety 

 enough for everybody. Beef-steaks and mutton-chops, 

 one or two well-made curries and rice, eggs and bacon, 

 cold ham, boiled eggs, salads, vegetables, and plenty of 

 fresh fruit. Coffee or tea is not so much in favour here 

 in the East as at home, bottled Bass, claret, or Norwe- 

 gian beer, being preferred instead. After a long morn- 

 ing's walk, however, scarcely any beverage is so grateful 

 as an accompaniment to the post-prandial cigar as is a 

 cup of freshly-roasted coffee. Breakfast over, the real 

 business of the day commences. All the large stores and 

 godowns are opened at 8.30 or 9.0 a.m., and from 10 

 until 12.30 everyone is alert and busy. Gharries are 

 whisking about in all directions. The fattest and sleekest 

 and richest of Chinese merchants arrive in their more or 

 less imposing carnages, boats and sampans are going to or 



c 



