636 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES IN MALAYSIA AND ASIA, 



tortoise-shell and silver. The general aspect of the people is 

 prepossessing, with a more amiable manner than the Chinese, 

 combined with much modesty and decorum. 



Saigon. — The wharf at the Messageries is prettily shrouded at 

 its termination with clusters of mango, tamarind and cassia trees. 

 There is about half-a-mile of road from this through swampy 

 plains into the town, but one can enter it in a shorter way by 

 crossing the elbow of the river in a boat. The town itself is 

 thoroughly French, and, but for the motley suits of the inhabitants 

 and the luxui'iant trees which fringe the pathways, one could well 

 imagine oneself on the outskirts of Marseilles, or some French 

 town on the Mediterranean. The streets are wide and regular, 

 with unceasing groves of tamarind trees. The caf^s are numerous, 

 with a homely array of benches and tables extending into the 

 streets, round which there are always crowds of soldiers and 

 officers gathered. Whatever business is done is almost confined 

 to the Chinese, who have most of the large shops and stores in 

 their hands. Apart from the military, there cannot be much 

 European population, but there are a few shops or magasins of 

 the usual French type. However, a walk through the town of 

 Saigon does not take very long, and whatever there is to be seen 

 is soon disposed of. 



About two miles out of town are the Botanic Gardens, which, 

 though only in their beginning, are as good as anything that can 

 be seen in the East; but one cannot walk far without coming upon 

 some of the unreclaimed portions, and this for the present mars 

 the effect. The zoological collection is very good, with two of the 

 largest tigers I have seen anywhere. In a country where the 

 plumage of the birds is in perfect harmony with the luxuriant 

 foliage and the flowers, a large aviary well ke|)t and tastefully 

 arranged is a beautiful sight worthy of the famed splendour of 

 the East. 



At a short distance from the gardens, in a rather dreary-looking 

 plain and surrounded by large military barracks, is the cathedral. 

 It is a stately and imposing-looking building, even though it is 

 stuccoed and coloured with yellow limewash. One cannot help 



