aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

CHAPTER XII.
MALACCA TO INDIA.
The little kingdom of Johore lies just across the straits
from the isle of Singapore. Accompanied by our American
Consul, Major Studer, a gentleman ever alive to the commercial
relations of America, we called to see his majesty,
the Maha-Rajah ; who, if he does not sit
"High on a throne of royal state, which far
Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind,"
has a fine palatial mansion, constructed in truly Oriental
style. His "royalty" was absent, which left the secretary
to do the etiquette of the palace. The drive across the
island of Singapore, with the exception of the poor, vicious
horses, was richly enjoyable. The Britains are famous in all
foreign lands for excellent thoroughfares and an effective
police. The Dutch are too rigid in their mea&ures.
This excellent road above referred to is dotted and lined
with bungalows, plantations laid out in exquisite taste, bamboo-hedges,
and fan-palms, quite as useful as ornamental,
called " the traveler's fountain." The out-jutting stems of
these broad palm-leaves, collecting the night-dews, tender
their cups of crystal water the following day to the weary,
thirsting traveler. Surely God's living providence is everywhere
manifest.
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