e saw the phantom bark sailing right up in the wind's
eye, but it was found to be only the _Blenny_ following the frigate
under easy sail with a fair wind astern. Pont de Galle, in the island
of Ceylon, celebrated for the rich spices it exported, and supposed to
be one of the most ancient emporiums of commerce, was visited, and at
last the most modern and yet the largest emporium in the Indian seas,
Singapore, was reached. This wonderful city, which was founded as late
as 1824 by Sir Stamford Raffles, on a spot where, though formerly the
site of a Malay capital, at that time but a few huts stood, is now the
most wealthy and flourishing on the shores of those eastern seas. Here
vessels bring produce and manufactures from all parts of the world,
again to be distributed among all the neighbouring countries. There are
no duties levied of any sort or description, so that people of all
nations are encouraged to come there with their goods. The Chinese
especially flock to the port, and great numbers are settled in the city
and throughout the island, largely contributing by their persevering
industry to its prosperity. Who does not know the look of a Chinese,
with his piggish eyes, thatched-like hat, yellow-brown skin, black tail,
and wide short trousers? The streets swarmed with them, ever busy, ever
toiling to collect dollars, the most industrious people under the sun--
yet the least lovable or attractive. Their houses may be known by the
red lintels of the door-posts covered with curious characters and
designs; while at night the persevering people may be seen still working
away by the light of huge paper lanterns covered with the strangest of
devices. The whole island is not larger than the Isle of Wight, but
already there are a hundred thousand people living on it, collected from
all quarters of the globe. There are numerous very handsome houses in
the town, mostly roofed with red-brick tiles, while the higher spots in
the neighbourhood are chiefly occupied by the villas of the European
merchants and other principal residents. Such was the place before
which her Majesty's ships _Dugong_ and _Blenny_ brought up, outside a
fleet of strange-looking junks, with flags of all colours, devices, and
shapes flying at their mast-heads, while in different part of the
extensive roads were ships belonging to nearly all the countries in the
world, English, American, and Dutch, however, predominating.

Although just then the Br