SINGAPORE.
Position of the Island.--Its previous history.--Sir Stamford
Raffles' propositions to make it a port of the British
Government free to all sea-faring nations.--The Island becomes
part of the Crown property of England.--Extraordinary
development under the auspices of a Free Trade policy.--Our
stay shortened in consequence of the severity of the cholera.--
Description of the city.--Tigers.--Gambir.--The Betel
plantations.--Inhabitants.--Chinese and European labour.--
Climate.--Diamond merchants.--Preparation of Pearl Sago.--Opium
farms.--Opium manufacture.--Opium-smokers.--Intellectual
activity.--Journalism.--Logan's "Journal of the Indian
Archipelago."--School for Malay children.--Judicial procedure.--
Visit to the penal settlement for coloured criminals.--A Chinese
provision-merchant at business and at home.--Fatal accident on
board.--Departure from Singapore.--Difficulty in passing through
Gaspar Straits.--Sporadic outbreak of cholera on board.--Death
of one of the ship's boys.--First burial at sea.--Sea-snakes.--
Arrival in the Roads of Batavia. 137