It Seemed An Event In The Dim Future; But
Yesterday My Host Sent Up A "Chit" From His Office To Say That A
Chinese Steamer Is To Sail For Malacca In A Day Or Two, And Would I
Like To Go?
I was only allowed five minutes for decision, but I have no
difficulty in making up my mind when an escape from civilization is
possible.
So I wrote back that if I could get my money and letters of
introduction in time I would go, and returned to dine at Mr. Cecil
Smith's, where a delightfully cultured and intellectual atmosphere made
civilization more than tolerable. The needed letters were written,
various hints for my guidance were thrown out, and I drove back at
half-past ten under heavens which were one blaze of stars amidst a dust
of nebulae, like the inlaid gold spots amidst a dust of gold on old
Japanese lacquer, and through a moist, warm atmosphere laden with the
heavy fragrance of innumerable night-blossoming flowers.
Singapore, as the capital of the Straits Settlements and the residence
of the Governor, has a garrison, defensive works, ships of war hanging
about, and a great deal of military as well as commercial importance,
and "the roll of the British drum" is a reassuring sound in the midst
of the unquiet Chinese population. The Governor is assisted by
lieutenant-governors at Malacca and Pinang, and his actual rule extends
to the three "protected" States of the Malay Peninsula - Sungei Ujong,
Selangor, and Perak - the affairs of which are administered by British
Residents, who are more or less responsible to him.
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