returning from the shipping in the roads, buffalo carts
ply between the godowns in town and those at the wharf,
the sun pours down its heat and light from the zenith,
and everybody seems intent on making their hay while it
shines.
All the principal stores and shops are either in “ the
Square ” or its vicinity, and here you can procure home
comforts of nearly every description, together with the
latest hooks and home papers. You will procure the
latest news at Little’s Store, and will see many things
there to interest you. Sale & Co.’s, and Katz’s Stores,
are also well worth a visit, and few of the Chinese
shops will compare well with that of the late Hon. C.
Whampoa, C.M.G., who was a most influential trader in
the place. The “ Square ” is an oblong plot of turf
planted with various tropical trees, and one of these,
although fast going to decay, is well worthy of notice,
being completely enshrouded with rare orchids of various
kinds. This stands immediately opposite the Singapore
Dispensary, and owes its interesting appearance to Mr.
Jamie, who first planted it with orchids some years ago.
Amongst other plants Aerides suavissimum is especially
luxuriant, completely wreathing some of the principal
branches with its glossy green leaves, and many seedlings
of this species have germinated and are now promising
little plants. Vandas, Phaleenopsis grandiflora, and P .
amabilis also grow and flower well here in close proximity
to the dusty streets. In Singaporean gardens the rarest of
moth orchids are planted in cocoanut-shells and hung
from the verandahs, or placed on the mango or orange
trees on the lawn, where they soon establish themselves.
How many English orchid amateurs would wish for such
a genial clime.
A morning in the “ Square ” gives one a tolerably clear
insight into the enterprise and trade of Singapore. You
hear a good deal about the price of sago or gutta and
rice, or about the chartering of steamers or sailing craft,
or the freight on home or export goods. You are sure to
meet two or three captains of trading steamers. Captain
Linguard, perhaps, after one of his trips to the Coti river
away on the south-east of Borneo, and then you will hear
something of the rubber-market, or of the pirates, of
whom, perhaps, few men know more than this energetic
“ Rajah Laut,” or | Sea King,” as he is called by the
natives.
Another maritime celebrity is Captain Ross, a genial
sailor, who owns the mail steamer “ Cleator, ’ which
runs between Singapore, Labuan, and Brunei, on the
north-west Bornean coast. Captain Ross is well acquainted
with the principal places in the whole Malayan
Archipelago; and few residents have an equal colloquial
knowledge of their languages. He has been attacked
by pirates more than once in the old days, and is quite
a nautical authority in every way. That tall, dark young
fellow yonder, with the heavy moustache, is Captain
Cowie, who ran the gauntlet of the Spanish gun-boats so
successfully during the Sulu war, carrying rice, powder,
and arms for the Sultan’s people; and here one also
meets “ old sea dogs ” of nearly every nationality, but
more especially English and Dutch.
One must of course look in at Emmerson’s for tiffin,
and a glance at the home papers and telegrams. Tiffin
is much like breakfast, only nearly all the dishes are
cold. The curries here are excellent; and a well-made
salad of fresh green vegetables is a treat, when the
temperature is 92° in the shade. The Raffles Institution
is well worthy of a visit—an interesting museum of native
curiosities and natural history specimens having recently
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