The Manners and Customs, of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements.

rare singapore imprint

One of the first detailed accounts of the secret societies of Singapore and of the customs and habits of the Chinese population of the Straits Settlements.

J.D. Vaughan was a lawyer and solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Straits Settlements, and his dealings with the breadth of Singaporean society gave him a more complete and diverse perspective on the inhabitants of the city than many of the British government officials of the time. His detail on the Singapore Chinese population is particularly engaging and ranges from recounting their working habits to how they commit crimes, how they spend their leisure time, and a good amount of information on the many secret societies that pervaded the strata of Singapore including the notorious Ghee Hin Kongsi society (whose seal is reproduced on page 102). They were known for ethnic violence and committed a mass attack on post workers in 1876.

He also gives plenty of attention to the various leisure activities that were favourites amongst the Chinese. Opium smoking and theatre are given due attention, as well as the various popular games including Chinese Chess, Lien Poh, and Chinese Cards, which are all illustrated.

Rare in commerce, with none appearing at auction in the last 35 years.

First edition; 8vo (25 x 15 cm); contemporary gift inscription to title, 19 black and red woodblock illustrations, one of which double page, of chinese cards and games and a chop or seal of a secret society; contemporary marbled boards rebacked and recornered in red morocco to style, a very good copy; 119pp.