have establised themselves here many years; intelligent and liberal in opinion, and polite, and even hospitable to Europeans, who honour them by partaking of their hospitality.
5. SINGAPORE.—This is the principal settlement in the Straits, and the residence of the Governor, and is rapidly rising into a place of very great importance. It is the great half-way house between India and China, and the emporium of the trade of the Eastern Archipelago. The harbour does not admit of ships entering it, but there is an excellent roadstead with a fine sandy beach and no surf to prevent a boat from landing. The town is built upon a plain raised only a few feet above the sea, and large tracts are daily flooded by the tide. The houses of the Europeans are substantially, even elegantly built, and the interior is studded with nutmeg plantations and pretty villas, with numerous roads of the very best description. There are two good hotels here, several good boarding-houses, and houses may readily be got furnished for rent. There is a large European society, principally mercantile, much convivialty and good fellowship prevads; and the visitor in general meets with a hearty welcome. A wing of a Madras regiment is stationed here, and the Recorder holds his court.
The population is exceedingly mixed, consisting of Dutch from Java, Spaniards from Manilla, Por-
