eighty thousand, a number which shows a very rapid increase since it fell
into the possession of the British, at which time there were scarce two
hundred on the whole island of Singapore. The inhabitants are made up
of Jews, Chinese, Arabs, Malays, and natives of the neighboring countries.
The Europeans count the least, and the Chinese the largest number ; of
these last it was stated that there are no less than sixty thousand, who
are the artisans, fishermen, laborers, and small dealers of the place; an
industrious class, to which the colony is indebted for much of its trading
activity.
These various people who inhabit Singapore retain their national habits
and customs, and their peculiar modes of worship. The Chinese lets
grow his tail, smokes his opium, and offers incense to Joss; the Arab sports
his turban, invokes the name of the prophet, and prostrates himself within
the mosque, while the European shaves his beard, drinks London porter, and
takes his seat in the church pew. Most of the different nations have their
places of worship; there are Chinese temples and Mahommedan mosques,
as well as Christian Churches. A curious confusion of religions seems to
have resulted from the intermingling of sects, as may be inferred from what
was seen by the Commodore on a visit to a Chinese temple. In one of the
recesses of the place the devil was represented in human form, but of
exceedingly hideous physiognomy, while in front of him was placed an
image of the virgin and child. This was certainly a very strange assortment
of company, and naturally set the Commodore to conjecturing as to
what could possibly have brought together such very opposite characters;
whether the intention was to represent the mother and child as at the mercy
of the devil, or the reverse, was not very clear, although, from the decidedly
uncomfortable expression of his satanic majesty’s face, it might be
inferred that he was less at his ease than any of the company, and quite out
of his element. I t was, however, concluded that the bringing of Christian
personages into a Chinese temple was in some way connected with the early
introduction of the Romish religion by the Portuguese missionaries.
The stay of the Mississippi at Singapore was so short that there was but
little opportunity to see much of the European society. Visits and salutes
were exchanged with the acting governor and with the commander of the
military forces; these, together with some official business transacted with the
United States consul, constituted the extent of the Commodore’s intercourse
with the European residents. With, however, a Chinese merchant, who
seemed to be imbued with the true spirit of hospitality, many of the officers
of the ship formed an agreeable acquaintance, and were hospitably entertained
at his house. This gentleman’s name is Whampoa, a man of courteous
bearing and great intelligence, and who had made considerable progress
in the English language, which he spoke with some fluency. His
country residence was the most beautiful on the island. The house was