392 
SINGAPORE. 
are sold is built over the water, and being furnished with a loose 
flooring, the filth is easily got rid of. The butcher-meats consisted for 
the most part of pork, which is raised in large quantities. Fowls and 
ducks w r ere also very numerous. A number of eggs were seen with the 
shell broken, to exhibit the dead chicken, and others that were rotten, 
in which state they were favourite food of the Chinese. Vegetables and 
dried fruits were also in great abundance; these latter were imported 
from China. Of vegetables, there were lettuces, onions, garlic, sweet- 
potatoes, and large quantities of germinating rice, which is sold for 
planting. Of the quantities of fresh fruit it is almost impossible to give 
an adequate idea, and they are all of fine kinds, many of which I had 
never before seen. 
The bazaars form the general resort of those who frequent the 
market. Every avenue, arcade, or veranda approaching it is filled with 
money-changers, and small-ware dealers, eager for selling European 
goods, Chinese toys, and many other attractive curiosities. It is neces¬ 
sary to be careful in making even the smallest offers, for although it 
may be but half or a fourth of what is asked, it is instantly accepted. 
The money-changers seem to be a peculiar class; they are much 
darker in colour than the rest of this singular throng, and are seen 
sitting cross-legged on their tables, with extensive rouleaux of copper 
coin, heaps of cowrie-shells, and some silver. 
I was much surprised at the great difference existing in these 
countries, when compared to our own, in respect to the coin, which is 
divided into pieces of extremely small value; and I could not help 
viewing this contrast as tending to show the depreciation of labour on 
the one hand, and the value both of time and money on the other. 
Indeed, the difference between the condition of these people and that 
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 belonging 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 materials 
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 
