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-crackers. 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 



