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 were 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 



