SINGAPORE. 
391 
latter appeared to us to resemble a Turkish mosque; but it was not so 
in the opinion of the Brahmin, who pointed out the difference in the 
shape of the dome, which is more flattened, and has a small lantern 
apex. Into it no one was admitted but the believers in the doctrine of 
the Brahmins. 
There are several mosques for the different sects of the followers 
of Mahomet, and the mixture of other observances among the creeds 
of some of them is very great; for those who propagated the tenets of 
Mahomet in the East, engrafted them upon many of the ancient modes 
of w orship. The Malay who is a Sonnite, disdains to have any thing 
to do w ith the Hindoo or Shiite Mahomedan ceremonies; and none 
but those who are hired to carry the temple, join in the processions of 
the latter. 
I have mentioned that convicts were sent to Singapore. I was not 
able to ascertain their exact number, but I believe it amounts to some 
fifteen hundred. They are employed upon the public works; and a 
large prison in the suburbs of Singapore is provided for their safe¬ 
keeping at night, or when not at work. Much complaint is made in 
consequence of its being situated in low and marshy ground, which 
subjects the inmates to frequent sickness. Prisons in this part of the 
world do not seem to have claimed the attention they have received in 
other countries, and I heard the whole internal arrangement of their 
jail spoken of as deficient both in order and cleanliness. A sufficient 
number of turnkeys and attendant officers is not kept, and there is no 
classification of the prisoners. Many spoke of an intention of erecting 
a new jail, on account of the necessity of removing the prisoners from 
the present low swampy site. Although a surgeon is appointed for 
attendance on the prisoners, yet he is of little use; for every one seems 
to be so reckless of life in the East, and so bent upon securing a fortune 
as soon as possible without incurring death, that whatever retards the 
one and puts in jeopardy the other, is looked upon with disfavour and 
treated accordingly. No European looks upon the East as a home, 
and all those of every nation I met with invariably considered his 
sojourn temporary. The habit of constantly expressing this feeling 
gives a stranger the impression that those he meets with are devoid of 
happiness and contentment, and this with comforts and conveniences, 
nay, luxuries of life around them, which they would be very far from 
enjoying in their own country. 
The market was w 7 ell filled with venders, so much so, indeed, that 
the passages through it are rendered narrow and tortuous; the prin¬ 
cipal article for sale w T as fish, fresh and dried, and prawns. This kind 
of fish is numerous and abundant. The part of the market where they 
