lying shores of various islands,
large and small, appeared in sight, covered with the richest vegetation,
which seemed to flourish under the fearful heat which oppressed the
spirits of us poor mortals who had come from so much cooler a region.
It had been hot when passing the tropics: it was hotter still now; for
no clouds overhead tempered the sun's rays. The pitch, as before, in
the sides and seams of the deck, melted and oozed out. The tar dropped
from the rigging, and none of us willingly touched any piece of metal
for fear of burning our fingers. Merlin wisely kept in the shade, and
the young ladies followed his example. I, however, being now stationed
in the mizzen-top, had to go aloft. I could not help often wishing, as
I looked down into the clear sea, that I might take a leap overboard,
and dive down into the depths below.

Singapore--that wonderful emporium of the commerce of the East,
established by the sagacious foresight of Sir Stamford Raffles--was now
reached. It was the first time our anchor had been dropped since we
quitted the Thames. The only land sighted till Sumatra and Java were
seen, was the small island of Tristan da Cunha.

"You see, my boy, the result of a sound knowledge of navigation,"
observed Mr Hooker to me. "But the captain has to thank the
astronomers, and the inventors and the manufacturers of his instruments,
or he could not have thus easily found his way half round the world, as
he has done. You see we depend upon each other; and that is what I want
to impress upon you. You may not have much scientific knowledge
yourself, but if you have observation, you can accurately note the
various phenomena you meet with, and give your descriptions to those who
will make good use of them. I had contemplated leaving the ship at
Singapore; but I have made up my mind to go with you to Japan, and then
to return in her to one of the ports in these Eastern islands which
Captain Davenport purposes visiting."

I was very glad to hear of Mr Hooker's determination, for I should have
been very sorry to have lost his society.

The town and island of Singapore exhibit a variety of Eastern races and
different religions and modes of life. The ruling class are of course
English, but the Chinese are the most numerous, and among them are found
many wealthy merchants, most of the mechanics and labourers, and also
agriculturalists. The sea-faring population are mostly Malays. There
are a good many