[p. 41 circa 1844 For Recovery of Health ]
Dr James Thomas Oxley was first posted to Singapore in 1830, and in 1844 was appointed Senior Surgeon for the Straits Settlements. Although it has been said that he showed more interest in his nutmeg plantations than in his official medical duties, his advice to invalids seeking convalescence in Singapore was no doubt read with respect.
Those who only purpose making the trip for the benefit of the voyage and a few days at Singapore can be tolerably well accommodated, at two respectable Hotels; where if they do not obtain luxuries they can at all events get good wholesome necessaries, for such sojourners Hotel accommodation is sufficient, but for individuals or families who wish to avoid some of the hottest months in Calcutta by a more continued residence here it will be preferable to rent a House. These are generally procurable of a sufficiently commodious description, in eligible situations for from 30 to 40 dollars a month, they can be readily furnished from the shops of the Chinese carpenters at trifling expense, probably realising by auction on the departure of the owners within 10 or 15 per cent of original cost. Good fish and poultry are abundant. Fowls full grown are to be had at about $3 the dozen, Turkeys $2 per pair, Ducks $3½ per dozen, Geese $1 each, Mutton is procurable two or three times a week of excellent quality, an hind quarter costs $3, Beef is tough, lean and generally unfit for use except as soup-meat... I would recommend persons leaving Calcutta to bring all their household servants with them, those they will find here are of the very worst description, and exorbitant in their demand for wages, Chinese are to be procured for out door work, but are not safe to be trusted where there is temptation, particularly by strangers, when good they are about the best class of household servants, but when bad they are clever and dangerous rogues. There are numbers of palankeen carriages for hire in the Bazaar, but they are dirty, unsightly vehicles and for the most part quite unfit for a Lady’s use. The hire per month is about 25 Dollars for one of the best, so that persons intending to make this their place of residence for some months had better bring with them a Light Pony Phaeton of they wish to be comfortable, good Ponies are generally procurable for from 50 to $100 each. If the visitor be particular about his wines they had better lay in a stock in Calcutta, those procurable here are always inferior. Europe articles such as Hams, Jams and all Oilman’s stores are generally abundant and reasonable. The visitor must not expect to find many external resources here, the Community being composed of working busy people, they have no time to throw away upon idlers, who left to themselves are apt to complain of neglect, this is not altogether fair or reasonable, a man’s business must always be paramount to the gratification of cultivating new acquaintances. The longest road from Town is about 12 miles. Pleasant little excursions may be made to neighbouring islands or round the Island of Singapore itself, a trip that must afford full gratification to the lover of the picturesque, the waving outline of the Island with its pretty little coves, and occasional sandy Beach, the varying tints of foliage from the small hills which stud the Island being placed at different planes of elevation and covered with various sorts of Trees, the jutting headlands which on the northern side project so far as to give the voyager the idea of sailing through a series of beautiful Lakes, so completely do you appear to be shut in by them, the smooth clear water, all contribute to form a scene calculated to soothe the irritability of the invalid and gratify the admirers of nature’s loveliness. So far the Invalid can enjoy the best exercises for the recovery of health, in occasional boating, or riding and driving in the open air during the cool mornings and evenings which he can remain out with perfect safety until 7 o’clock unless on some particularly hot morning. May and June are less agreeable then the rest of the year from the prevalence of the southerly winds and it is rather remarkable that the stronger these winds blow the more enervating they are, strangers are apt to sit in this wind and call it a fine breeze, old Residents cannot do so with impunity, on the contrary they carefully avoid its influence. I would strongly advise all who are desirous of keeping their health to carefully exclude it, even at the expense of temporary heat and discomfort. There are no public amusements or even Library in the place and the only lion is the Chinese temple at Teluk Ayer, which is a specimen of Chinese taste and rich carving not unworthy of a visit. Although the heat during the day is frequently oppressive the nights are always sufficiently cool to allow of refreshing sleep and this alone to an invalid is of vast importance and is perhaps upon the whole the greatest advantage to be derived by a change from continental India to the Straits.
Dr J.T. Oxley
"Advice to Invalids Resorting to Singapore"
Journal of the Indian Archipelago and Eastern Asia,
Vol. V, April 1851
ed., J R Logan