388 
SINGAPORE. 
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 distinguished look, 
particularly the Bugis from the isle of Borneo, a number of whom 
were pointed out to me, w r ho 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 existing 
among such an incongruous mass of human beings as we saw col¬ 
lected 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, 
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 
* There was one man with a green turban, which is the exclusive privilege of those in 
the direct line of descent from the Prophet. 
t 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. 
