In the grow anything suited to a tropical climate. animal kingdom the most celebrated is the famous white elephant, and the edible swallow, whose nest is the delight of Chinese gourmands. The present king of Siam is an able and enlightened ruler, well stored with Western learning, and of a marked turn for scientific pursuits. His goodwill to the rulers of India has shown itself in various ways, and the help he gave our astronomers in the process of observing the recent transit of Venus, would have done honour to the most civilised of Western States. The foreign trade is in the hands of Chinese, and centres at Bankok, the capital. In 1874 the exports amounted to £1,225,864, the chief article being rice. The imports were of the value of £964,128, comprising textile fabrics, hardware and opium, all from India.* Expenditure is stated to be within receipts."* * "Statesman's Year Book," for 1878. CHAPTER XXXIX. OUR NEIGHBOURS-continued. Malay Peninsula-Singapore-Java-Sumatra-Borneo-Spice Islands -New Guinea. The Malay Peninsula.-South of Tenassarim stretches the long, narrow Malayan Peninsula, inhabited by people chiefly of the original Malay stock, from which the native populations throughout the Eastern Archipelago have sprung, but containing also Indian, Chinese and other elements. The greater part of the peninsula is divided into small States, each ruled by an independent chief or Sultan, whose power over his vassals varies with his ability and their own means of resistance. English rule, however, prevails in the district of Malacca, bordering the Straits between the Peninsula and the island of Sumatra. Malacca, its chief town, lies at the mouth of a small river, and has long been the outlet for a considerable trade. In the last two centuries this province has passed successively under Portuguese, Dutch, and English rule; the last-named transfer dating from 1824. The other English settlements in this quarter are Penang, a small island off the Malayan coast, near the northern entrance of the Straits, the province of Wellesley, a narrow strip of seaboard opposite Penang, and the island and town of Singapore. Singapore is a place of considerable importance, serving as an entrepôt for the commerce of Europe, India, China and the Eastern Archipelago. Its admirable position and the entire absence of any restrictive dues or vexatious regulations have combined to raise it within a comparatively brief period to a centre of great activity. The climate though hot is remarkably healthy.* These "Straits Settlements," as they are called, were for many years ruled from India, in the name of the East India Company; but after the transfer of India to the Crown, they were disjoined from the Viceroy's government and administered by the Colonial Office. Java. Of the three large islands that fringe the Malay Peninsula, Java, the smallest and southernmost, is the most important. It is about 575 miles long and varies in breadth from about 48 to 120 miles. The soil is for the most part extremely fertile, and it produces large crops of coffee, sugar, rice and spices. Tobacco and tea are also cultivated with success, though at present on a small scale. The climate is generally healthy. The island contains several volcanoes, and earthquakes are consequently not uncommon. It is, as is well known, under the dominion of the Dutch, whose system of administration has been very successful in securing the prosperity of the European settlers and tranquillity among the native tribes. As in Hindostan, the Government is the principal landowner; but, unlike our sovereignty, it derives large direct trade profits from * Area, 1,350 square miles; population, 308,097. CHAPTER XXXIX. OUR NEIGHBOURS-continued. Malay Peninsula-Singapore-Java-Sumatra-Borneo-Spice Islands -New Guinea. The Malay Peninsula.-South of Tenassarim stretches the long, narrow Malayan Peninsula, inhabited by people chiefly of the original Malay stock, from which the native populations throughout the Eastern Archipelago have sprung, but containing also Indian, Chinese and other elements. The greater part of the peninsula is divided into small States, each ruled by an independent chief or Sultan, whose power over his vassals varies with his ability and their own means of resistance. English rule, however, prevails in the district of Malacca, bordering the Straits between the Peninsula and the island of Sumatra. Malacca, its chief town, lies at the mouth of a small river, and has long been the outlet for a considerable trade. In the last two centuries this province has passed successively under Portuguese, Dutch, and English rule; the last-named transfer dating from 1824. The other English settlements in this quarter are Penang, a small island off the Malayan coast, near the northern entrance of the Straits, the province |