Details
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CollectionSouth & Southeast Asian Collection
InventarnummerS1970-0052-008-0
TitelManuscript, Double-sided
HerstellerCharles Dyce
Beschreibung“Arrowroot has also been tried to a small extent and the reports on its quality by the London brokers are most favorable_
The cultivation both of Gambier and pepper has fallen off considerably of late years partly owing to low prices, or rather, to the high rates of tonnage to England, (the first being the natural consequence of the last in articles of so little intrinsic value,) but chiefly to the late regulations of Government by which the holders of Land under cultivation are obliged to become purchasers at a fixed maximum price p acre or quit possession and although the latter alternative has not yet been enforced many have taken fright and settled in Johore, where they can get any quantity of Land from the Sultan free._
Gambier has been hitherto better known in Europe as Terra Japonica & is made from the leaf of a shrub by a process nearly similar to that of indigo with this exception that while in indigo the whole plant is cut down & steeped in the Vats, the Gambier plant is merely stripped of its leaves, which are soaked, beat up & boiled, and allowed to stand in the ground until the productive soil enables it in a very short period again to be ready for another crop._ The annual produce is not easilt ascertained, no distinction being made in the Export lists between that grown on the Island and import from Rhio and other places._ the export however is about 150,000 piculs p annum of which perhaps 100 10 120,00 are indigenous._
Singapore pepper bears a very low, perhaps the lowest character of any in the European markets and the cultivation does not exceed 50,000 piculs p annum; some years ago the growers bestowed a little more care in the Rearing and its appearance was much improved, but without producing a corresponding increase in value_
The nutmeg plantations can hardly be said to have attained their maturity with the exception perhaps of one or two small ones, but it is satisfactory to know that the produce is fully equal to & by many said to be superior to the very best Penang_ A mistake however seems to have been” (Sketches in the Straits, Nineteenth - century watercolours and manuscript of Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Batavia by Charles Dyce, Page 95)
“been committed by cultivators, which it is to be feared will turn out very serious viz the fact that the increase of size in the nut has made the quality inferior and spongy while the shape has become more like the wild nut_
Two sugar plantations have been at work for some years but it is to be feared the results have not been satisfactory in a pecuniary point of view altho the produce has been pronounced by London Brokers to be good_
The climate of Singapore is very healthy for European constitutions & is perhaps the coolest taking the average of 12 months of the three Settlements_ this arises from the constant succession of showers and want of periodical rains as in Penang and Malacca_ The thermometer does not vary during the day above a degree or two throughout the year although December and January are generally deemed the coolest._ the nights are seldom hot at any period of the year and from November until March are deliciously cool, and the land wind commencing to blow from Eight o’clock until daylight is fragrant in the highest degree._
The odours of spices in the land wind are much more perceptible when at sea, but should any rain have fallen during the day or immediately before Sunset, the perfume is for the first few minutes vert distinct and delightful_ Such as cholera or any of those fatal scourgesof the tropics are unknown in the Island, although it is a remarkable fact, that during the earlier period of the history of Penang and Malacca, cholera raged to a fearful extent in both these places.
The Roads through out the Island are extensive and generally good and, thanks to the Governor are being carried into every corner of it, but the general result of the Leiges, for their evening drive is the esplanade which is shown in SketchNo IX_ It faces the beach and is a pretty enough little piece of grass_ having a stone platform in front for six guns._ The Band of the Regiment generally plays here once a week, when vehicles and people of all descriptions congregate to listen to its strains, & of both there are several most antediluvian specimens to be witnessed_ On New years day all” (Sketches in the Straits, Nineteenth - century watercolours and manuscript of Singapore, Malacca, Penang and Batavia by Charles Dyce, Page 96)
EntstehungsortSingapore
Datum 1816 - 1853
SachgruppeManuscript
MaterialWatercolour & ink on paper
Format
H: 75.3 cm
L: 60.6 cm
L: 60.6 cm
