SINGAPORE. 409 



that the neighbouring coasts and islands are quite the reverse. Al- 

 though the island is near the Malay shore, yet the site of the town 

 being on its southern point, is within the influence of the prevailing 

 winds, which it is generally supposed carry off the rniasma as fast as 

 it is formed ; yet every thing seems favourable about the settlement to 

 produce disease : it lies low, with large tracks of marsh and jungle in 

 its neighbourhood. The heat, however, is very much modified by 

 the sea-breezes, and varies only from 79° to 84° ; the mean annual 

 temperature has been found to be a little above 80° ; in this computa- 

 tion, however, I understand the night hours had been entirely omitted ; 

 had the observations included those also, they would undoubtedly have 

 lowered the mean considerably. It was remarked that it rains for an 

 hour or two almost every afternoon, and in consequence of these daily 

 showers, vegetation has a rapid or rather rank growth. To these 

 frequent showers is ascribed by some the healthfulness of the place, 

 preventing malaria by maintaining a constant growth in the vegeta- 

 ble kingdom, and thus tending to absorb the noxious and deleterious 

 gases. 



The diseases most common in the East, such as dysentery, diarrhoea, 

 and fevers, are seldom experienced here ; but, at the same time, it is 

 necessary to take every precaution, and avoid the heat of the vertical 

 sun. The crews of the squadron were remarkably healthy, and only 

 a few of them experienced any ill effects from the heat. One man on 

 board the Vincennes, was attacked with a brain fever, of which he 

 died a few days after leaving the place. This case was attributed to 

 _great imprudence on his part, in defiance of all warnings not to expose 

 himself. 



On my arrival at Singapore, various reports were made to me of 

 defects existing in the tender Flying-Fish. It was to be expected, 

 after the arduous service she had performed ; yet, having brought 

 her safely thus far, I felt a natural desire to carry her home with us ; 

 and in this all the officers seemed to partake. But the idea of risking 

 the lives of her officers and crew, after the disaster that had already 

 befallen her sister craft, was not to be endured ; and I saw that it was 

 necessary to have a thorough examination of her before Ir ventured 

 her in the homeward voyage. I therefore ordered a survey by the 

 most experienced persons in the squadron, who, although they could 

 not point out any conspicuous defects, were satisfied that from long 

 and hard service she had become weakened in her frame, and that 

 she would not only need much time, but a large expense, to place her 

 in a fit condition to make the voyage home. I must say that even 

 after I had received the report I still felt a strong inclination to persist 



vol. v. 2K 52 



