But it is just because the author has spent a quarter of a century of missionary labour among the scenes which he describes, and in contact with incidents which he relates, that I hesitate; for that surely gives him with those who wish to know anything of the recent progress of our religion in the Straits Settlements a claim to be heard which needs no enforcement. If, therefore, I yield to his desire, it is only that I would not seem to disregard my friend's request, and not because I think he needs any better introduction to the reader than that he speaks of a land and of a theme with both of which he is familiar. Although the volume borrows its title from the capital of the Straits Settlements, it will be found to deal with other states, cities, and islands comprised in that group a region with which, perhaps, few possess a close acquaint ance who have not been drawn into personal links with it.