stations. Fires are not at all uncommon, and then you
are roused out of a sound sleep by a couple of shots from
the signal battery, which shake the whole place. As you
lean from your window enjoying just the last sweet whiff
ere turning in for the night you may, perchance, hear the
silence broken by snatches of song familiar to your ears—
the songsters being a party of rowdy sailors returning to
the ship after a “ wet night ” on shore. I am sadly afraid
that the low grog-shops monopolise much of “ Jack’s ”
time and money when ashore, notwithstanding that there
is here an excellent “ Sailor’s Home,” furnished with
many conveniences, and supplying the comforts of an
hotel at a cheap rate. Towards morning the chattering
of sparrows and the shouting of rival roosters are among
the most familiar of sounds which remind one of home.
The society of Singapore will compare favourably with
that of any British Colony, and for genial hospitality its
residents cannot well be surpassed. As in India, new
comers are expected to call upon the residents first. In
my own case I brought letters of introduction to some of
the older inhabitants, and I must here acknowledge how
handsomely those cheques were honoured by them. One
scarcely knows how valuable genial hospitality really is
at home, but far away it is pleasant to find how
thoroughly English—British, one ought to say—is the
welcome extended to strangers. Government House is
the Court, of course, and it is needless to say, that all
courtesies essential are there extended to both residents
and others. Of course, in a community formed of many
nationalities, and of people whose trade and other interests
are liable to clash with those of their neighbours,
there are sure to be little murmurings and bickerings,
together with petty jealousies of various kinds. This is
so, more or less, everywhere, but in the Colonies there
are few, if any, old titled families to balance the commercial
interest. One may see some bonny English faces in
the carriages which are here driven around the Esplanade
just as along the “ Lady’s Mile ” at home; or one evening
a week are gathered around the band-stand at the
gardens. The climate, however, is not well suited to the
development of the rosy cheeks we see at home; the
peach-like bloom too soon gives place to the soft purity
of the lily, and it often becomes necessary for the wife
and children to return to a cooler climate, in order to
regain somewhat of the health and strength of which a
lovely but debilitating climate has robbed them for a
time. Here, as in India, this is a serious drawback to
many residents. Here, too, there are no hill stations
sufficiently near, or, as yet, adapted to serve as Sanato-
riums. Now that Jahore is being opened up, however, it
is to be hoped that a few bungalows may be erected on
Gunong Puloi, on the summit of which the air is comparatively
cool and bracing, much more so than on Penang
Hill, and it may be readily reached from Singapore in
two days. The cost of living here, even in proportion to
the large salaries received, is far in excess of that at
home, and the mode of life itself is different. Here, one
must have a large house, and if there is a family, five or
six servants at least are needed. The wages paid to these
appear small when compared with the cost of English
servants, but at least three times as many are required.
The master must have his “ boy,” the mistress her
“ ayah, then the cook, water-carrier, grooms, gardener,
must be provided, to say nothing of nursery attendance.
Native provisions are tolerably cheap, but many things
essential must be imported from home at an advanced
rate. Furniture is dear, and pianos, and many other
necessities, to say nothing of luxuries, must also be