Oh. XV.] KLING PANATIC. 249' 



then into his arms, making a show of wiping off the hlood 

 after each thrust — but I was pretty sure at the time that it 

 was entirely sham, and that he did not wound himself in the 

 least. 



Then taking a sword and ostentatiously feeling its edge, 

 he presented it to the priest in like manner, and the dance 

 recommenced. Flourishing it about over his head, he 

 placed the edge (which appeared to me to be very blunt), 

 agaiast his bare shoulder, and with a smaU wooden mallet 

 which he swung roimd with the other hand he struck the 

 back of the sword. The tambourine-players kept triple 

 time, accompanying the performance with a loud, wild, and 

 monotonous song, but I do not believe the man wounded him- 

 self, although he repeated the act several times. The exhi- 

 bition then closed, during which the KHngs standing around 

 showed us great attention, making the Chinese move aside, 

 and inviting us to come forward, where we could better see 

 the proceedings. We afterwards crossed over to the mosque, 

 which we were invited to enter, and having complied with 

 their custom of removing our shoes and exchanging them 

 for slippers, we did so. Here also the Klings were offi- 

 ciously polite. The interior of the mosque was small and 

 narrow, and, like the exterior, brilliantly illuminated. The 

 whitened walls were decorated with tinsel and red and green 

 paint, in a very tawdry manner, but the effect was not dis- 

 agreeable, though somewhat theatrical. We were not allowed 

 to enter the inner chamber at the back ; and presently 

 retired — the attention of the Klings being continued to 

 the last. 



The Chinese inhabitants of Singapore have aU the cha- 

 racteristics of Chinese elsewhere. They are the busy work- 

 ing population, who hive together like bees, performing the 



