416 SINGAPORE. 



of our own countrymen might be likened to the difference in the 

 value of the smallest of the coins that is circulating in the two 

 regions. One cannot but look upon these Eastern nations rather as 

 allied to the animals subservient to the wants of man, than as belong- 

 ing to the human race. The majority of them are as industrious as 

 bees, and seem to employ their time very much after the same manner, 

 in collecting food, without any farther end in view but storing up ma- 

 terials wherewith to live. 



The trades are chiefly engrossed by the Chinese, particularly those 

 that are sedentary, and performed within doors. The calkers, and 

 those vocations connected with vessels, are generally Hindoos of a 

 peculiar class. Some of these were employed in the squadron, and 

 they also work as cooleys and labourers. They are very spare and 

 thin, and have little flesh to trouble them ; indeed, their thighs, and 

 arms, and the calves of their legs, seemed to be dried up ; their 

 shoulder-blades are prominent, and their ribs conspicuous. This 

 habit of body is, undoubtedly, owing to their diet, which consists 

 almost entirely of rice ; they abstain altogether from the use of 

 meat, and indulge but sparingly in that of fish. They are very 

 scrupulous about the preparation of their food, bringing with them 

 their own vessel to cook their rice, and refusing to use those which 

 our people had cooked in. They are easily to be known by a small 

 blue line of tattooing down the forehead, or a spot made with earth. 

 What idea is connected with this custom I did not exactly learn, 

 but I understood that it was always their custom thus to protect 

 themselves when working for persons of an opposite faith. They 

 were found to be steady and good workmen, and received fifty cents 

 a day for their labour. 



The Malays seem to bear the palm for idleness among the common 

 people, and are rarely found engaged in any steady employment, 

 preferring those that are either light or of a roving character. They 

 engross the occupation of the drivers of palanquins, are strong and 

 active, and will run a great length of time and distance, in a hot and 

 oppressive day, seemingly without inconvenience. Those of the 

 latter sort who are more wealthy, indulge in many luxuries, particu- 

 larly in dress. They usually wear mustaches, which are always 

 neatly kept, and occupy no small portion of their attention and time ; 

 and, contrasted with the white turban, with its band of scarlet and 

 gold, has a particularly pleasing effect, with their swarthy skins. 



