372 SINGAPORE. 



It is difficult to estimate the average number of vessels that are to 

 be seen in the roads of Singapore ; for on some days they appear 

 crowded, while on others they are comparatively empty. While 

 many vessels are continually arriving and departing, the Chinese 

 junks alone appear as fixtures ; more than fifty of them were counted, 

 with sails unbent, yards housed, and rudders unhung, in which state 

 they resemble floating shops, wherein are offered for sale assortments 

 of every article produced or manufactured in the Celestial Empire; 

 samples of which, by way of sign, are to be seen hanging about them 

 in all directions. These junks make no more than one voyage a 

 year, performing their passage in either direction during the favouring 

 monsoon. 



Unlike other ports, the water presents at first so many objects to 

 attract the attention, that the Ian 1 and town remain unnoticed until 

 the curiosity in relation to those which are afloat is satisfied. On turn- 

 ing to view the town, its situation appears to be low, as well as that 

 of the island on which it is built. The highest point of the latter is not 

 more than five hundred feet above the level of the sea, and even this 

 elevation is distant, so that there is nothing to render the scenery pic- 

 turesque, nor has it much of the character that is styled Oriental. The 

 distant jungle, however, relieved by the white portions of buildings in 

 the European style, furnishes a landscape pleasing to the eye. These 

 buildings seem to be upon the very beach, while a hill in the rear is 

 crowned by the dwelling of the governor, near which is the flag-staff. 

 The intervening space is filled with buildings, whose style holds an 

 intermediate place between that of Europe, and that of the Chinese and 

 Malays, neither of which predominates so much as to give its distinc- 

 tive character to the scene. 



The stranger, after anchoring in the roads, is not long before he 

 discovers the point at which the river discharges itself; for one con- 

 tinued stream of boats, sampans, and prahus, is seen tending to a point 

 in the beach, where the entrance is partly concealed from view ; neither 

 can he be long ignorant how large a concourse of various races is here 

 assembled. Our ship was crowded from an early hour, with tailors, 

 shoemakers, washerwomen, and venders of curiosities. The latter 

 brought shells, birds of paradise, monkeys, parrots, corals, and mats. 

 Without-board there were innumerable bumboats, bringing for sale 

 fresh bread, eggs, milk, chickens and ducks, both alive and cooked, 

 fish, fruit, and vegetables. All sued piteously for permission to come 

 alongside, and made a prodigious clatter. The features, dress, and 

 language of the venders were as various as the articles they had to 

 sell ; and they agreed only in the common character of a dark skin. 



