SINGAPORE. 
393 
arms, and the calves of their legs, seemed to be dried up; their 
shoulder-blades are prominent, and their ribs conspicuous. This habit 
of body is, undoubtedly, owing to their diet, which consists almost 
entirely of rice; they abstain altogether from the use of meat, and 
indulge but sparingly in that of fish. They are very scrupulous about 
the preparation of their food, bringing with them their own vessel to 
cook their rice, and refusing to use those which our people had cooked 
in. They are easily to be known by a small blue line of tattooing 
down the forehead, or a spot made with earth. What idea is connected 
with this custom I did not exactly learn, but I understood that it was 
always their custom thus to protect themselves when working for 
persons of an opposite faith. They were found to be steady and good 
workmen, and received fifty cents a day for their labour. 
The Malays seem to bear the palm for idleness among the common 
people, and are rarely found engaged in any steady employment, pre¬ 
ferring those that are either light or of a roving character. They 
engross the occupation of the drivers of palanquins, are strong and 
active, and will run a great length of time and distance, in a hot and 
oppressive day, seemingly without inconvenience. Those of the latter 
sort who are more wealthy, indulge in many luxuries, particularly in 
dress. They usually wear mustaches, which are always neatly kept, 
and occupy no small portion of their attention and time; and, con¬ 
trasted with the white turban, with its band of scarlet and gold, has a 
particularly pleasing effect, with their swarthy skins. On holidays 
they are to be met with in their snow-white raiment, thrown over a 
richly-embroidered coloured vest, fitting tight to the body, with loose 
trousers, tied just to meet their embroidered slippers at the ankle. 
The Malay population dwell chiefly in the suburbs, or what are 
termed the Malay villages. Their houses are built somewhat after 
the fashion heretofore described, on posts, as practised by this race in 
other places; but there are many who conform to the European mode. 
Nearly all of them are cultivators, and almost every house has a small 
shelf appended to its window, on which unhulled rice (known here as 
paddy) is exposed for sale. Besides this, many have dried fish, vege¬ 
tables, and, in these days of rejoicing, Chinese fire-crdckers. The 
villages through which we drove had a joyous look, and the population 
was apparently occupied in amusing themselves during the holidays. 
Some were engaged at foot-ball, and many of the boys and men were 
playing “ hobscob.” 
The most distinguished men as to looks are the Armenians, who are 
among the principal merchants of the place. Although few in number, 
yet they have much influence from their wealth ; they are an exceed- 
vol. v. 50 
