SIR THOMAS BTAMFORD BAFFLES. 53 
As time wore on, the occupaiions of office became 
les» ent.TOBBing. Tfie long tune spent in paasing 
from Calcutta to Bfucoolen, m matters connected 
with go^^emment, and the jjernmncnt establisliment 
and proeiperous condition of Singapore, left little more 
to be ar.TomfjIished ; a return to Europe was contem- 
plated, and the arrangement and description of his im- 
mense colleciiims looked forward to. At Bencoolen, 
Sir Stamford lived in comparative retirement at his 
resi<leiice in the couniry; iiis chief employ menla be- 
Ing Ktudyand the examination of ihe numerouH into- 
restini^ prdduL-tiona his huu!$e and grounds coiitHined, 
being in his own xt'ortls/'a perfect Noah's ai k." Farm- 
ing occupied also a portion of bit) time, and the mak- 
'in^ of roads, and improving the neighbouring country. 
In;i letter to his cousin, he pleasantly writes, " Much 
of my time in taktMi up irt agricultural pursuits. I am 
by far the most active farmer iu the country ; and as 
PresidetJt of the Agricultiirdl Society, not only take 
precedence at the board but in the fiehk I Iiave a 
ihtxen phmgiiH constantly goings and hefure I quit the 
estate, I hope to reuli/e a revenue of L. 2U0O or 
L. 3000 a-year, besides feeding its population." 
This state of rural liappiness and employment in 
henetiting the country wits now however about to ter- 
minate, A huccession of sick'"' seasons occurred, 
which ravaged the population, and we may almotit be 
surprised that Sir Stamford and hiii lady were pre< 
terved tmiong tin; many hissva ilipy auhtaiued. Their 
three eldest children fell victims in succession to the 
