SINGAPORE. 411 



what resembling clarionets, and quantities of small bells, accompanied 

 with a monotonous chaunt, and long trains of followers, with banners, 

 afterwards. This procession was very differently conducted from 

 those of the Chinese, for there seemed a disposition to be rude 

 and overbearing to the crowd. Some noble-looking' men, dressed 

 in red and white, with turbans* on their heads, had a very distin- 

 guished look, particularly the Bugis from the isle of Borneo, a 

 number of whom were pointed out to me, who might be known by 

 their stature. The temple, after having been paraded both by night 

 and day, was thrown into the sea about four o'clock, and entirely 

 destroyed. For this singular termination I could find no explanation, 

 except that what had been consecrated to the Prophet was not to be 

 defiled by the hands of men. 



In various shanties near the sea-shore, theatrical performances were 

 going forward, but with little spirit, for all seemed worn out with the 

 night and day's exertions. They were very polite and attentive to us, 

 getting us seats, &c. ; but, after sitting some time, we saw this was 

 but a sorry exhibition compared with that we had seen enacted by 

 the Chinese; the music consisted of small drums and triangles, mixed 

 occasionally with a whistle, shrill enough to deafen, which was made 

 by putting the fingers in the mouth. 



I was very much struck with the order and good behaviour ex- 

 isting among such an incongruous mass of human beings as we saw 

 collected together, speaking a vast variety of tongues, and some who 

 would infallibly have been at war with each other elsewhere. Al- 

 though there was much noise, and various games going on, yet I 

 did not learn that a single quarrel had taken place. f I understood 

 that the rarity of quarrels between the different races and religions 

 is more owing to the consideration of the place being neutral ground, 

 where all ought to abstain from hostility, than to any effect produced 

 by the police. 



The Hindoos of the Gentoo faith, also, have various amusements, 

 among which are vertical revolving swings, with four boxes or seats, 



* There was one man with a green turban, which is the exclusive privilege of those 

 in the direct line of descent from the Prophet. 



f Rows, however, do sometimes occur on such occasions, and one took place in 1840, 

 in which one life was lost, and several other persons were badly wounded. It arose as 

 the Hindoo Mahomedans were passing in procession near the Chinese temples, when, 

 being interrupted in their march, they began to throw stones at the temple, and finally 

 resort was had to fire-arms ; but the affray was soon quelled by the police. 



