SINGAPORE. 397 



that China and Europe could furnish ; and in the rear were poultry, 

 pigs, sheep, and pigeons, in pens and cages, with various parrots, 

 cockatoos, and monkeys, while quantities of geese and ducks were 

 accommodated beneath with pools of water. Between the live-stock 

 and the groceries were large quantities of vegetables and fruit, be- 

 sides lots of bread, flour, and dough ready for the oven. The noise 

 occasioned by the cackling, bellowing, crowing, and bleating, with 

 the accumulation of filth, surprised as well as disgusted; for although 

 it was reached at every tide by the water, yet there was ample neces- 

 sity for the use of brooms and shovels. The Chinese, though cleanly 

 in their persons, are far from being so in their general habits, if we 

 may judge from those that I have met in the places we have visited. 



On landing, that which impresses a stranger most strongly, is the 

 great variety both of costume and of race. Almost every person 

 that is encountered appears different from his predecessor, so that it 

 is some time before it can be decided which nation predominates ; but 

 on reaching the old town, this is no longer doubtful, for the Chinese 

 are soon found to be the most numerous. 



The variety of religious sects also soon become evident. All have 

 their places of worship, and enjoy the free exercise of their religion, 

 so that in passing around, the mosque of the Mahomedan, the temple 

 of the Chinese, and the churches of various Christian sects, are met 

 with in their turn. 



The number of spoken languages is such as to recall the idea of 

 Babel, and to excite a desire to learn the cause of such a collection of 

 nations. This is partly to be found in the favourable commercial 

 site of Singapore, on the great highway between the Eastern and 

 Western nations, and in the protection afforded to all by its being 

 under a European power, but chiefly in the fact of its being a free 

 port, in every sense of the word. All are allowed to visit it without 

 any question being asked ; pirates of any nation may refit here, and 

 no doubt frequently do, without any molestation, so long as they keep 

 the peace. 



I was much struck with the apparent absence of either police or 

 military force ; but after some inquiry, I was satisfied, by the order 

 and general quiet of the multitude, that there must be a control- 

 ling power within reach, and found the policemen under the sem- 

 blance of Persians, easily distinguishable by their neat and cleanly 

 appearance. They are generally better dressed than the body of the 

 inhabitants, and are to be known by their red and black sashes, and 



VOL. V. 100 



