A glance at rhio. 
69 
hidden from view by groves of fruit trees, and were only convinc¬ 
ed that we were in it, when, on stepping ashore, we found our¬ 
selves in front of the public offices. To a Singaporean the change is 
striking. In five hours from an English town, surrounded by every¬ 
thing as nearly English as the climate will allow, and where Eng¬ 
lish customs and manners prevail, you step into a place where every¬ 
thing appears strange and foreign. Twas midday, but nothing was 
stirring. Every thing was death-like in comparison with our own 
busy Commercial Square. The Dutch Sepoy, with his conical 
long peaked hat, lounging in front, when asked if mynheer was in 
office, responded with a yawning Trdddd , which spoke volumes. 
He and all had retired to their siesta. We took the opportunity 
of looking about us. The town, small as it is, we found to be laid 
out with a truly Dutch neatness and regularity. The houses of the 
Europeans, embowered in groves of oranges, mangosteens and other 
tropical fruit trees, imparted a cheerfulness to the otherwise dull and 
lonely settlement. The Residency House is a handsome building 
whose facade is ornamented with bold pediments supported by coup¬ 
led columns of the Roman Doric. It was only a subject of regret 
to us that a building, which would so much add to the beauty 
of the place, is hidden entirely from the principal approach to the 
settlement by closely planted trees. The fort on the hill, com¬ 
manding the town, is approached by a drawbridge thrown over a dry 
moat that surrounds the works. The plan is square, with bastions at 
each corner. It was built from the remnants of the immense fort 
which protected Malacca, the stones having been brought in ships from 
that place during its brief occupation by the Dutch prior to 1824. 
After paying our respects to the Resident and his Assistant, we 
sallied forth to view the Chinese and native part of the town. In 
proceeding, we passed the chapel, a small building, nearly a fac¬ 
simile in miniature of the Protestant church of Malacca, whose style 
is that which used to prevail in Holland and some parts of England 
200 years ago. The Chinese town is built on each side of a simi- 
circular street, and presents a considerable contrast to the European. 
The same attention does not seem to be bestowed on the cleanliness 
of the thoroughfares as in Singapore, the drains being full of filth, 
-#ith the usual accompaniments of sv® me, ducks and geese luxuri¬ 
ating to their hearts’ content. It had been generally reported 
