THE MALAY RACE. 



131 



original Malay village at the further end of the harbour, was still 

 remaining. The inhabitants were nationally Malay ; this term, in a 

 strict sense, belonging to one only of the East Indian tribes. The 

 houses were built on posts, in the same style of architecture as at the 

 Philippines ; and even in this native village, the Chinese appeared to 

 be the principal shopkeepers and artisans. 



The original population, had however found a congenial occupa- 

 tion, in the exclusive management of the light ' sampans ;' the passen- 

 ger-boats which have been so much admired, and which, with some 

 similarity in the arrangements, form a decided improvement on the 

 Manila canoe. Malay labourers were also seen on some of the plant- 

 ations of the vicinity. Notwithstanding the unfavourable reports in 

 respect to character, and the general preference given to Manila 

 men, the proper Malays appeared to me to have an air of greater self- 

 respect, and to be in a more advanced state of society than the gene- 

 ral population of the Philippines. 



The Malays are all Muslim, and are so strict, that they would not 

 take part in the celebration by the Indian Muslims, of the 21st of Fe- 

 bruary; " regarding it as a corrupt proceeding." Malay bearers had 

 however been secured for the shrine ; as was said "to be usual on 

 occasions requiring any extra amount of labour." 



The language of this tribe, has become the general medium of 

 communication throughout the Archipelago. But if, like other East 

 Indian languages, it ever had a peculiar alphabet, this has long since 

 been replaced by the Arabic letters. An extensive and important col- 

 lection of Malay manuscripts, was procured at Singapore, through 

 Mr. North, of the American mission. 



In one respect, Singapore offered novelty ; for man was now, no 

 longer the undisputed 'lord of creation.' One of the local advan- 

 tages, urged at the time when the English selected this spot, was the 

 " absence of wild elephants and tigers :" but it appeared in the sequel, 

 that the island presented no attractions to the latter animal, until a city 

 had been built. The invasion took place about six years prior to our 

 visit, doubtless by swimming from tlie main land ; which is at no 

 great distance. The number of persons who have since " been taken 

 by tigers, amounts to some hundreds ;" there being scarcely any other 

 kind of prey ; and instances sometimes occurred within two miles of 

 the centre of the city. 



It was said that these animals " attacked in the daytime, though 

 perhaps more frequently at night; but they were not apt to come out 



