412 SINGAPORE 



in which the occupants maintain a horizontal position. These are 

 seen among us; but it is in the East that the fashion has originated. 

 The machine was awkwardly made, and with its creaking added not 

 a little to the general din. 



Mr. Balestier was kind enough to have an exhibition for us on his 

 plantation, by his people, who are Klings, from the neighbourhood of 

 Madras. There are one hundred and fifty of them in his employ, 

 and for the purpose of indulging their fondness for theatrical exhibi- 

 tions, they have subscribed largely, and procured very costly and rich 

 dresses for their representations during the holidays. 



On the appointed evening we repaired to the plantation, where two 

 large fires were made on the lawn, to throw light on the perform- 

 ances. The night was dark ; and after the arrival of the company, a 

 large white cloth was hung up between two stakes, sufficiently high 

 to conceal the performers. After a long delay the curtain was raised, 

 and the performance began. The actors were brilliantly dressed, a 

 cap resembling very nearly the ibis, figured among the Egyptian 

 anticunties, was worn, and many massive ear-ornaments; these dresses 

 showed brilliantly by the light of the fire, which also brought out in 

 relief the surrounding shrubs and trees from the dark and indistinct 

 background, producing a pretty effect. The performance was a kind 

 of opera. The music consisted of a drum, cymbals, and castanets, 

 which accompanied the monotonous recitative. The plot was ex- 

 plained to me by Mrs. Balestier : the subject was " the results of 

 misplaced friendship." 



A rich, hospitable rajah, entertains a guest, who is desirous of 

 obtaining his only daughter in marriage, and thus securing to himself 

 the riches of his host. His suit is not favourably received, upon 

 which he enters into a plot to ruin and debase the rajah and his 

 family. For this purpose, after insinuating himself into the rajah's 

 confidence, he betrays him, and makes false accusations to a Brahmin 

 against him. The Brahmin at once proceeds to force the rajah to 

 confession, tortures his daughter and domestics, and obtaining in this 

 manner what he believes a confirmation of the accusation, strips him 

 of his wealth and power, to confer them upon the false-hearted 

 accuser. At this point of the plot, on account of the hour, eleven 

 o'clock, we were obliged to stop the performances, but we understood 

 that if they had been allowed to go on, the opera would have con- 

 tinued for three days and three nights. However much the story 

 may be prolonged, the plot generally closes with the triumph of the 



