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 ihe East, engrafted them upon many of the ancient modes 

 of worship. The Malay who is a Sonnite, disdains to have any thing 

 to do with 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 well filled with venders, so much so, indeed, that 

 the passages through it are rendered narrow and tortuous ; the prin- 

 cipal article for sale was fish, fresh and dried, and prawns. This kind 

 offish is numerous and abundant. The part of the market where they 



