180 CHANGE IN AFFAIRS. [1846. 



had been completed in stone, good roads formed, and 

 several substantial and well-designed bridges spanned the 

 stream at various points. In spite, however, of these 

 improvements, due to the energetic mind of Mr. Bonham, 

 the former Governor, and who was deservedly a great 

 favourite with all classes, the place itself had lost much 

 of its interest, as well as attractions. The present excel- 

 lent Governor, Colonel Butterworth, was equally esteemed; 

 but the changes which had necessarily occurred in the 

 mercantile prosperity of the place, between the periods 

 alluded to, had now materially diminished the society, as 

 well as, by the transfer of much of the capital to Hong- 

 Kong, the means of supporting the marked hospitality 

 which we experienced at the former period. Singapore, as 

 we now found it, deprived of its worthy Governor, absent at 

 Penang, was dull indeed ; even the bustle consequent upon 

 the crowded anchorage, where European and Chinese craft 

 seemed to shut out the town from the passing voyager, 

 was now considerably changed. Very few Junks (in 

 comparison to the date alluded to) now visit Singapore. 

 The Chinese find it more convenient, as well as to their 

 advantage, to exchange their cargoes at the nearer mart 

 of Hong-Kong, and thus avoid the dangers of the China 

 Sea. Still, dull as it was, commercially, it was hailed by 

 our crew as a most acceptable change after our solitary 

 cruize since quitting the lively scenes of Manila. As 

 regarded excitement, or "Life", in the lower classes, 

 the same din prevailed ; offers of all kinds were eagerly 

 pressed. Dubashes for supplies ; others with cards for 

 the hotels ; dealers in marine stores, from a pot of jelly 

 to a pot of blacking, anchor, or guns. Chinese tailors 



