Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait341879roya).pdf/248

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19. A reference at some length is next made to the Moar disturbances and to the action of an honourable gentleman in respect of them. The writer points out the contrast between this gentleman's activity on behalf of Tunku Alam, and the Tunku's sluggishness in respect of his own right: rebuking him in the tone of a philosopher, and hinting that he should make himself more acquainted with the outside world and its doings.

20. Next comes the correspondence column, which contains a letter from a correspondent in Malacca narrating the running amuck (Mengâmok) of a Malay on board the Japan, and the consequent wounding of sixteen persons. The majority of letters addressed to the Editor are written with the intention of giving pieces of local news not likely to be otherwise communicated, of exposing some disreputable character, of relating some wonderful adventure or phenomenon, and of eliciting information upon various subjects often abstrusely grammatical.

21. The principal notices from the Government Gazette are then copied, as also are extracts from other papers referring to events in neighbouring countries: the first of these is taken from the Rangoon Times; it relates the discovery of sapphire mines in Siam, and discusses the probability of the Marquis of Lorne being made Viceroy of India.

22. From the Straits Times some passages are quoted respecting the arrival of the French Flagships in Singapore, and the courtesy of the Admiral in allowing the Band to play on the Esplanade.

23. Three columns are given up to a series of paragraphs giving news from Java and the adjoining Malay States, and it is worthy of notice that so large a number of places contribute news from this part of Malaya. Such names are found as Semarang, Sêrubaya, Bogor, Periâman, Menâdo, Bantan, Cherbân, Ambûn, Karâwang, and Pâlau Banda.

24. Then come extracts from the London and China Express. About England there are paragraphs with Court and Parliamentary news, and a passing reference is made to the disturbances in Ireland.