374 
SINGAPORE. 
as well as inhabitants, which they amply fulfil. The former occu¬ 
pies the southwest or left-hand side of the river, and exhibits along 
the quay a fine row of stuccoed or chunamed warehouses. The 
lower story of the greater part of these is an arcade supported by 
pillars at short distances. They are only two stories high, devoid of 
architectural ornament, but are convenient buildings for the trade. 
On the right are to be seen the buildings appropriated to the govern¬ 
ment offices. These are situated on an extensive parade-ground, 
studded with a few fine trees. The houses having extensive porticoes, 
and being adorned with flowers in large vases, have rather an elegant 
appearance, but this is in part dissipated on a nearer approach. They 
are usually enclosed with low walls, surmounted by iron railings, 
within which are small flower-gardens, that do not, however, display 
much taste. 
The bridge which connects the two towns is by far the most 
attractive place in Singapore, for the constant passing and repassing 
across this thoroughfare makes it particularly amusing to a stranger. 
The consul’s rooms were so situated as to command a free view of 
this moving panorama. The number of Asiatic nations that frequent 
Singapore is said to be twenty-four, consisting of Chinese, Hindoos, 
Malays, Jews, Armenians, Parsees, Bugists, besides Europeans. The 
variety of costume exhibited may therefore be easily imagined, and 
afforded opportunities for inquiry as well as amusement. The bridge 
was particularly thronged during the first day of our visit, for it was 
a holiday, both with the Chinese and Mahomedans of Hindoostan. 
The trades, as is usual in the East, are carried on in the streets, 
and carpenters, blacksmiths, tinners, butchers, bakers, tailors, barbers, 
crockery and opium sellers, and coffin-makers, are to be met in suc¬ 
cession. Money-changers are to be found here and there, and large 
well-supplied shops are not wanting, although their narrow and con¬ 
tracted fronts give no reason to anticipate their existence. That of 
Whampoa, our comprador, was one of the largest, and it gave a better 
idea of Noah’s ark than of any thing else, presenting a mixture of 
living animals, with every thing that is required for the artificial 
wants of the shipping. In front were all the varieties of ship stores 
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 
