Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir…

The jesuits' church and college of San José-The gardens-Sail from Macao for Singapore-Pass Pedro Blanco-Island of Singapore-The town-Treaty for the cession of the island to the British-Hills-Salubrity of the settlement-European burial-ground-Vicinity of the settlement-Government hill-Grand prospect-Commercial prosperity-New roads.

I visited also the jesuits' church and college of San José. On entering the gate a high flight of granite steps leads up to the church; and, turning off to the right, on gaining the ascent, takes the visitor to the door, which leads him into those portions of the building devoted to the college residences of the professors, &c.; in a long room were some small but well-executed paintings of Portuguese famed in days of yore. Among others the poet Camoens, and Alvares, the discoverer of the Brazils, could be recognized. The college was founded for a certain number of Chinese students, who were to study the Latin and Portuguese languages, so as to prepare them to proceed as missionaries into the interior provinces. They were sent to the provinces of Quang, ton, Quang, shee, and Fookien; this class was paid by the Macao Portuguese government; they were limited to ten, and the expense, defrayed by government, was twelve rupees a month to the padres, for which they were to provide the scholars with food, raiment, and lodging. Portuguese students are now admitted upon the foundation, the expenses being paid by the parents, which amount to eight dollars a month, the scholars having board and lodging, but providing themselves with clothing. The number of these is not limited; they are instructed in Latin, Portuguese, Chinese, writing, and other branches of education: the establishment of the church, &c. is supported by the government.