They are generally so poor that they cannot pay their passage.

When this is the case, the captain brings them over on his own account, and is paid beforehand, by the person engaging them, their wages for the first year.

These young people live very economically, and when they have a little money, return generally to their native country, though many hire themselves as journeymen, and stop altogether.
The Island of Singapore has a population of 55,000 souls, 40,000 of whom are Chinese, 10,000 Malays, or natives, and 150 Europeans.

The number of women is said to be very small, in consequence of the immigrants from China and India consisting only of men and boys.
The town of Singapore and its environs contain upwards of 20,000 inhabitants.

The streets struck me as being broad and airy, but the houses are not handsome.