The Somerset reporter., 1895-07-18

cannot do ii, he will not stay in your
service. You can submit gracefully,
and hold it down as much as you can and
bee content. Most of the servants can
understand and speak some English, but
on occasion can be as ignorant of it as if
they never had heard word.
The first view of Singapore. after
landing is disappointing Emerging
from the extensive docks of the Z. and
O. Co., one finds himself in the midst of
"A crowd of abbering, gesticulating,
ricksha men, gharry drivers. etc.
Escaping from there, he starts for the
town. some three miles distant: the way
lies through narrow crowded streets, lin
ed on either hand with native huts, with
matched roofs and dirty exteriors. while
occasional glimpses of the interiors re-
veal still more filthy surroundings.
native shops or stalls abound, with half
naked men, and children crowding about
them, the women being rarely seen.
Pigs, hens, dogs. ducks and geese mingle
with the crowd. without molestation.
Coolies with great baskets at either end
of long yoke bear their burdens and
cry their wares The soil is reddish
color, and the dust covers everything, for
though it rains nearly every day the
fierce heat of the sun dries everything
quickly.
How these people can 90 about as
they do with ba:e heads and bodies IS
past my comprehension. One would
think it would blister their skins, and
scorch their hair; so intense Is the power
Of this tropical sun. that the Europeans
frequently succumb to it, in spite of the
protection of sun hats aud umbrellas.
Generally speaking. however, with due
care there Is no danger OF sun.stroke.
But if the approaches 10 Singapore
are disapr ointing. the city is not, for
with wide, well-kept streets and magniti-
cent public buildings. spacious mercan-
tile edifices and hotels, IL Is certainly
marvel. One does not. somehow, eX
pect such things. And then when we
come to the residential parts of the city
and see the cool airy. bungalows, with
palms and ornamental shrubs and trees,
and beautiful Towering plants, and note
the wide spacious yeraniahs, with cool
rattan chairs and couehes. our wonder
increases. Costly oquipages roll along
the smooth roads. with footmen and
drivers in livery, and 10, reclining on
the cushions with an air of supreme con
tent is a Chnaman; fat, self-satisfied,
he calmly smokes fine cigar, and is at
ease, with himself and the world. 1ou
are surprised, and yet why: why
should not Chinaman, if he can afford
it, enjoy life as well as an Englshman:
And some of the Chinese residents OF
Singapore are immensely wealthy. and
own some of the finest residences.
Government house is large, elegant
mansion, situated in the midst Of the
government grounds, tastefully laid out
and kept. The houses here, are all
large and airy they must be, so AS to
give plenty of air, in this sultry climate,
otherwise life would be uncomfortable.
At times, the air is so close you can
hardly breathe and then the wide YER
andah is blessing. And then when 1t
rains for two or three days in succession.
and your clothing gets damp, your shoes
and books are covered with green mould
and everything is sticky, how you wish
the sur would come out again.
The fashionable drive of Singapore,
where in the cool of the evening may be
seen the costly turnouts of fashionable
society, is along the Esplanade, fronting
the harbor. Here you will see society
with big IS" the official life and
aristocracy are here. The governors
carriage with old gold livery and up
holstery, with prancing steeds dashes
by, followed by the japanese Ambassa-
doris and then a long string, where We
NAV see the beauty of all nations repre-
sented. Here is the Sultan of Johovc's
carriage with his favorite wives as oc-
cupants; here the family of the Regi-
mental Colonel, who is stationed in
Singapore; here a Chinese turnout with
load of well fed Cinnamon. And so on.
The drive is superb; along the splendid
quay for over mile, one may drive and
enjoy the fresh, cool breeze as it comes
in from the roads. In the ofiing lay
ships of all nations, laden with the
world merchandise.
But while we gaze, the sun sinks out
of sight, twilight comes rapidly down;
darkness soon prevails, while out over
the dancing waters the myriad lights
twinkle from mast and cabin of the craft
at anchor. The din dies away; the oc-
casional shout of sampan man or rick
sha cody comes family to our ears. as
we linger to drink in the beauty of the
scene. AS we wend our way slowly
homeward the boom of the nine o'clock
gun from Fort Gaming on the hill over
looking the city, is heard and day-and
my letter--is done.
FRED II. MORGAN.