396 SINGAPORE. 



during the many opportunities I had of viewing them, both by day 

 and night, I have seldom seen a set of people apparently so contented. 



We landed at the bridge, near which is the office of our consul, in 

 a large quadrangular building, one side of which faces the river. 

 The terms of old and new town promise a difference of architecture 

 as well as inhabitants, which they amply fulfil. The former occu- 

 pies the southwest or left-hand side of the river, and exhibits along 

 the quay a fine row of stuccoed or chunamed warehouses. The 

 lower story of the greater part of these is an arcade supported by 

 pillars at short distances. They are only two stories high, devoid of 

 architectural ornament, but are convenient buildings for the trade. 

 On the right are to be seen the buildings appropriated to the govern- 

 ment offices. These are situated on an extensive parade-ground, 

 studded with a few fine trees. The houses having extensive porticoes, 

 and being adorned with flowers in large vases, have rather an elegant 

 appearance, but this is in part dissipated on a nearer approach. They 

 are usually enclosed with low walls, surmounted by iron railings, 

 within which are small flower-gardens, that do not, however, display 

 much taste. 



The bridge which connects the two towns is by far the most 

 attractive place in Singapore, for the constant passing and repassing 

 across this thoroughfare makes it particularly amusing to a stranger. 

 The consul's rooms were so situated as to command a free view of 

 this moving panorama. The number of Asiatic nations that frequent 

 Singapore is said to be twenty-four, consisting of Chinese, Hindoos, 

 Malays, Jews, Armenians, Parsees, Bugists, besides Europeans. The 

 variety of costume exhibited may therefore be easily imagined, and 

 afforded opportunities for inquiry as well as amusement. The bridge 

 was particularly thronged during the first day of our visit, for it was 

 a holiday, both with the Chinese -and the Mahomedans of Hindostan. 



The trades, as is usual in the East, are carried on in the streets, 

 and carpenters, blacksmiths, tinners, butchers, bakers, tailors, barbers, 

 crockery and opium sellers, and coffin-makers, are to be met in suc- 

 cession. Money-changers are to be found here and there, and large 

 well-supplied shops are not wanting, although their narrow and con- 

 tracted fronts give no reason to anticipate their existence. That of 

 Whampoa, our comprador, was one of the largest, and it gave a better 

 idea of Noah's ark than of any thing else, presenting a mixture of 

 living animals, with every thing that is required for the artificial 

 wants of the shipping. In front were all the varieties of ship stores 



