ilrltlgi* lit StHp;a|ic>Tc 



SINGAPORE. 



IminvMinrin an lamling. 



person who has attempted the cultivation of sugar 

 at Singapore,, mid for Ins success he w;is awarded 

 die gold medal of tin.- Calcutta Agricultural 

 Society. 



As we passed through the vessels with which 

 the roads were crowded on our way to the shore, 

 the hum of voices was plainly audible, particularly 

 from the Chinese junks, which seemed not unlike 

 | human hive. On reaching the month of the 

 river, as wns to be expected, the crowd thickened, 

 and the way became more and more obstructed, 

 until we were fairly jammed among the sampans, 

 with their crowded population. The river docs 

 not exceed two hundred and fifty feet in width. It 

 is shallow at its mouth, and passes through the 

 centre, or rather divides the old from the new 

 town ; these tire conuected by a wooden bridge. 

 As far up as the bridge, which is about one- 

 third of a milo from the entrance, the river 

 is of various widths, and its bunks have been 

 carefully built up with stone, having steps oc- 

 casionally for the convenience of lauding from 

 the boats. A large papulation is on the river, 

 d we Ming in the sampan*, which arc all crowded 

 with men, women, mid children, the latter naked, 

 and frolicking in and out of the water at plea- 

 sure. These boats are ranged in rows on each 

 side of the passage towards the bridge, and arc 

 confined by stakes stuck in the bottom. As may 

 be well imagined, there are frequent accidents 

 and misadventures, that call for the exercise of 

 the lungs of this crowded multitude, yet during 

 the many opportunities 1 had of viewing them, 

 both by day and night, ] have seldom seen a set of 

 people apparently so contented. 



We landed at the bridge, near which is the 

 office of our consul, in a lai"ge quadrangular build- 

 ing, one side or which faces the river. The terms 

 ■if old and new town promise a difference of archi- 

 tecture as well a* inhabitants, which they amply 

 fulfil. The former occupies the south* west or left- 

 hand side of the river, and exhibits along the quay 

 a fine row of stuccoed or chunamed warehouses. 

 Tho lower story of the greater part of these is 

 an arcade supported by pillars at short distances. 

 They are only two stories high, devoid of archi- 

 tectural ornament, but are convenient buildings 

 for the trade. On the right are to bo seen the 

 buildings appropriated to the government offices. 

 These are situated on an extensive parade-ground, 

 studded with a few fino trees. The houses having 

 extensive, porticoes, and being adorned with flowers 

 in large vases, have rather an elegant appearance, 

 but this is in part dissipated on a nearer approach. 

 They are usually enclosed with low walls, sur- 

 mounted by iron railings, within which are small 

 Mower-gardens, that do not, however, display 

 much taste. 



The bridge which connects the two towns is by 

 far the most attractive place in Singapore, for the 

 constant passing ami repassing across tins thorough- 

 fare makes it particularly amusing to a stranger. 

 The consul's rooms Were so situated as to command 

 a free view of this moving panorama. The number 

 .if Asiatic nations that frequent Singapore is said 

 lobe twenty-four, consisting of CUiuese, Hindoos, 

 Malays, Jews, Armenians, I'arsees, Uugists, be- 

 sides Europeans. Tho variety of costume ex- 

 I obi t.-d may therefore be easily imagined, and 

 afforded opportunities for inquiry as well as amuse- 



ment. The bridge was particularly tlirringed 

 during the first day of our visit, for it was a holi- 

 day, both with the Chinese and Mahomedaiis of 

 Jlindoostan. 



The trades, as is usual in the East, are carried 

 on in the streets, and carpenters, blacksmiths, tin- 

 ners, butchers, bakers, tailors, barbers, crockery 

 and opium sellers, and co lb u- makers, are to be met 

 r. -u.-e. --!••.,,. Money-changers are to be found 

 here and there, and Large well-supplied shops arc 

 not wanting, although their narrow and contracted 

 fronts give no reason to anticipate their existence. 

 That of Whumpoa, our comprador, was one of the 

 largest, and it gave a better idea of Noah's ork 

 than of any thing else, presenting a mixture of 

 living animals, with every thing that is required for 

 the artificial wants of the .shipping. In front were 

 all the varieties of ship stores that China and 

 Europe could furnish ; and in the rear were poul- 

 try, pigs, sheep, and pigeons, in pens and cages, 

 with various parrots, cockatoos, and monkeys, while 

 i|uautities of geese ami ducks were accommodated 

 beneath wilh pools of water. Hetween the live-stock 

 and the groceries were large quantities of vege- 

 tables and fruit, besides lots of bread, flour, and 

 dough ready for the oven. The noise occasioned 

 by the cackling, bellowing, crowing, and bleating, 

 with the accumulation of filth, surprised as well as 

 disgusted ; for all hough it was reached at evory 

 tide by the water, yet there was ample necessity 

 for the use of brooms ami shovels. The Chinese, 

 though cleanly in their persons, are far from being 

 so in their general habits, if we may judge from 

 lliov that J have met in the places we have 

 visited. 



On landing, that which impresses a stranger most 

 strongly, is the great variety both of costume mid 

 of race. Alnmsl every per-on that i^ encountered 

 appears different from his predecessor, so that it is ' 

 some time before it can be decided which nation 1 

 jiredominates; but on reaching the old town, this is ' 

 no longer doubtful, for the Chinese are soon found 

 to be the most numerous. 



The variety of religious sects also soon become 

 evident. All" have their places of worship, and 

 enjoy the free exercise of iheir religion, so that in 

 passing around, the mosque of tin.- Malmmedau, the 

 temple, of the Chinese, and the churches of various 

 Christian seels, are met with in their turn. 



The number of spoken languages is such as to 

 recall the idea of Babel, and to excite a desire to 

 lenm the cause of such a collection of nations. 

 This is partly to be found ill the favourable com- 

 mercial site of Singapore, on the great highway 

 between the eastern and western tuitions, and in 

 the protection afforded to all by its being under a 

 European power, but chiefly in tho fact of its being 

 a free port, in every sense of the word. All are 

 allowed to visit it without any question being asked; 

 pirates of any nation may refit hen-, an. I im doubt 

 frequently do. without any molestation, so long as 

 they keep the peace. 



f was much struck with the apparent absence of 

 either police or milisary force; but after some in- 

 quiry, 1 was satisfied, by the order and general 

 quiet of the multitude, that there mast be a control- 

 ling power within reach, and found the policemen 

 under the semblance of Persians, easily distinguish- 

 able by their neat and cleanly appearance. They 

 are generally tatter dressed than the body of the 



