an opium factory, the article is brought from Calcutta
in large balls, and is here finally prepared for use by
boiling. The Burmese, as also the Malays, are much
addicted to smoking the drug. I went to see one of
their opium haunts, crowded with men of the lowest
class, the sight of which was too disgusting to tempt
me to describe it.
A curious specimen of hairy humanity, not unlike
Darwin’s ideal “ Origin of Species ” was at the time of
my visit being conveyed to the coast for shipment to
some society at Calcutta. This is the individual as
he appeared,—-
He had been found in a wild state in the deep forest of
Johore, where he had existed upon fruit and roots, and
presumably had never seen a human soul. I have no
doubt that in Barnum’s possession this man would have
turned out a mine of gold, although not a pleasant
subject to look upon, rather like some of those hideous
Santos one meets with in the Nubian desert.
All the plantations were swarming with birds of
various colours, especially the pretty Singapore sparrow,
and in a village 1 espied some fine Manilla ducks,
with enormous red combs, also numbers of Cochin-
China fowls. On my return to the palace after a most
delightful drive, the steward of the Maharajah presented
me, in the latter’s name, with a roll of silk, of tartan
pattern, which had been woven by the ladies of his
harem from cocoons produced on his estate. After a
polite speech in return I took my departure, and
reached the hotel at Singapore as the gong was
announcing dinner. Here, on taking my seat, I was
much pleased to find the amiable captain of the
“ Emu,” which had six Aveeks before brought me from
Galle, occupying a chair next to me. We now
exchanged our experiences since we had parted.
I listened to some of his amusing accounts of the
eccentricities of various passengers, and made him laugh
in return by telling him of the quaint incidents of the