IS SINGAPORE, 
sS 
the number of Opium Shops with English inscriptions is 45, with 
Chinese inscriptions about 40, making in all between 80 and 90. In 
fact without mincing the matter, the revenue is the first point of 
consideration, the morality, the second, and the farmer is allowed to 
do all he can to increase the consumption of the drug, and well and 
ably does he do so, for not content with being allowed 45 Shops to 
retail his opium, an immense number for such a small space as the 
limit of the town includes, he has multiplied them to between 80 and 
90, so as to have one in every street, sometimes 2 or 3. He allows 
no distance to intervene between a man’s house, and an opium shop, 
so that once the inclination is excited to try the “ soul soothing 
drug” time shall not elapse to change his mind ere his purpose is ef¬ 
fected ; wherever a dense mass of beings are located, there are many 
shops, and wherever the hard working artizan is to be found there 
you have a shop ready to receive him, when, worn out and tired with 
his days work, he does not require much persuasion to step next door 
and try the meritricious temporary delight. Government, fully con¬ 
vinced of the immorality of Gambling, has not only put a stop to the 
public practice of it, but, by abolishing the Farm, has generously dimi¬ 
nished the revenue. Cock fighting, a passion as great amongst the Ma¬ 
lays as opium smoking is amongst the Chinese, has also been put a 
stop to, and, for the sake of peace and quietness, the prejudices and re¬ 
ligions feelings of different classes of natives, have been and are daily 
interfered with, by the prevention of their processions, assemblies and 
festivals. From tins it is evident that **- cseteris paribus,” whenever the 
government are convinced of the evil of a habit, or the immorality of a 
custom, then that habit is put a stop to, that custom prevented. Now 
gambling, cock fighting, in fact more serious offences are nothing to 
the evil of Opium smoking, and ought on that score to claim the 
serious attention of the legislation. How different would be the 
condition of the people of this island if instead of spending on Opium 
Jg 417,884 yearly, they knew not the vice ; that money hardly and 
honestly toiled for would be spent in clothes, in food and better 
houses, the men could afford to marry, a taste would be formed for 
finery, and something more would be required, than bare rice tha 
