372 
SINGAPORE. 
It is difficult to estimate the average number of vessels that are to 
be seen in the roads of Singapore; for on some days they appear 
crowded, while on others they are comparatively empty. While 
many vessels are continually arriving and departing, the Chinese 
junks alone appear as fixtures; more than fifty of them were counted, 
with sails unbent, yards housed, and rudders unhung, in which state 
they resemble floating shops, wherein are offered for sale assortments 
of every article produced or manufactured in the Celestial Empire; 
samples of which, by way of sign, are to be seen hanging about them 
in all directions. These junks make no more than one voyage a 
year, performing their passage in either direction during the favouring 
monsoon. 
Unlike other ports, the water presents at first so many objects to 
attract the attention, that the land and town remain unnoticed until 
the curiosity in relation to those which are afloat is satisfied. On turn¬ 
ing to view the town, its situation appears to be low, as well as that 
of the island on which it is built. The highest point of the latter is not 
more than five hundred feet above the level of the sea, and even this 
elevation is distant, so that there is nothing to render the scenery pic¬ 
turesque, nor has it much of the character that is styled Oriental. The 
distant jungle, however, relieved by the white portions of buildings in 
the European style, furnishes a landscape pleasing to the eye. These 
buildings seem to be upon the very beach, while a hill in the rear is 
crowned by the dwelling of the governor, near which is the flag-staff. 
The intervening space is filled with buildings, whose style holds an 
intermediate place between that of Europe, and that of the Chinese and 
Malays, neither of which predominates so much as to give its distinc¬ 
tive character to the scene. 
The stranger, after anchoring in the roads, is not long before he. 
discovers the point at which the river discharges itself; for one con¬ 
tinued stream of boats, sampans, and prahus, is seen tending to a point 
in the beach, where the entrance is partly concealed from view; neither 
can he be long ignorant how large a concourse of various races is here 
assembled. Our ship was crowded from an early hour, with tailors, 
shoemakers, washerwomen, and venders of curiosities. The latter 
brought shells, birds of paradise, monkeys, parrots, corals, and mats. 
Without-board there were innumerable bumboats, bringing for sale 
fresh bread, eggs, milk, chickens and ducks, both alive and cooked, 
fish, fruit, and vegetables. All sued piteously for permission to come 
alongside, and made a prodigious clatter. The features, dress, and 
language of the venders were as various as the articles they had to 
sell; and they agreed only in the common character of a dark skin. 
