civilized, half savage people, are limited in their knowledge of those arcana on which alone its success and prosperity generally depend; and were this not the case, they would stand but little chance in competition with the Dutch colonists, who directly or indirectly command all the resources of the island. The Javans were by nature intended for a mercantile people.; and, in obedience to her dictates, they opened, at a very early period, a commercial intercourse with merchants of the continent for the interchange of articles, to supply their mutual wants; the manufactures of India and China being received in payment for the natural productions of Java. To this intercourse, and to the fertility of the soil, which soon rendered the island an agricultural country, may be attributed the high degree of civilization and of advancement in the arts, which it is evident it once attained; for the arts and sciences ever follow in the train of commerce.

"Gay commerce waved her flag, her sails unfurled,

And dove-eyed science civilized the world."-FAY.

Japora, a seaport on the northeast of the island, with a good harbour, was the capital of a considerable kingdom when the Dutch first established themselves at Java. At that time three hundred merchant vessels, none of which were less than two hundred tons, were accustomed to sail to and from that port alone. Like every thing else, this trade also fell into the hands of the all-grasping Dutch colonists; and from that period may be dated the decline and fall of Javanese commerce. No doubt that it had been carried on principally in foreign bottoms, and under different flags. So much the better; the Javans were never intended for daring maritime adventurers, but for a quiet agricultural people; and their country has long been considered as the granary of the eastern islands.*

The native internal and coasting trade of the Javans is still considerable. The produce and manufactures of the country are conveyed from one district to another, and to the principal sea

* "They contented themselves with enjoying all the advantages of a trade in which they incurred no chance of loss; and thus, though their own country yielded neither gold nor jewels, they are said to have been plentifully supplied with these and other valuable articles on their own shores, in exchange for the produce of their tranquil industry and their fertile soil."-Raffles' History of Java.

ports, both by water and land-carriage, as good roads and navigable streams intersect each other throughout the island in many and various directions. Bazaars, or public markets, are established at convenient sites in every district, and are held several times a week. At these markets, which in Europe would be called fairs, are frequently assembled some thousands of people, chiefly of the softer sex, on whom devolves the duty-would it were not so of conveying thither the various productions of the country. Sheds, shanties, and other temporary coverings of bamboo or thatch, are generally prepared for the accommodation of the people, to protect them from the rays of the sun. Refreshments of every kind, including victuals ready cooked, and comprising most of the fruits and vegetables of the country, occupy a considerable space in the fair, and find a ready sale.

There are many articles imported into Java from other islands in the Archipelago, among which are-camphire, tortoise-shell, edible birds'-nests, biche de mer, bees'-wax, and gold-dust. These are exchanged for opium, iron, steel, tobacco, rice, salt, European and India goods, &c. Here are also collected, at the principal ports, for re-exportation, Banca tin, gold-dust, diamonds, camphire, gumbenjamin, and other drugs, birds'-nests, biche de mer, rattans, bees'wax, tortoise-shell, dying woods, sandal-wood, nutmegs, cloves, mace, and other spices.

The government of the Javans, when administered on its origi nal principles, is a pure, unmixed, and absolute despotism. The sovereign, or sultan, appoints subordinate and delegated governors to preside over the several provinces; and these, like their master, though tenacious of power, are ever willing to surrender it for ease and pleasure. Their prime minister, or vizier, is the actual ruler of the country, while the sultan is satisfied with flattery, pomp, and the seraglio. The same remark will apply to the pro vincial governors, who all have their subordinates on a small scale. The people and the soil are in fact the property of the sovereign, but his right in this respect is not generally exercised; and there are customs of the country, of which the people are very tenacious, and which the sultan seldom invades. Yet he being considered as the sole proprietor of the soil, all lands are held of him, under the tenure of military service, and a certain proportion of their

T2

produce. But since the sultan and his delegates are all more or less subordinate to the Dutch colonial government, the cultivators of the soil are made to feel the evil of a multiplicity of masters. The several chiefs not only oblige the peasantry to cultivate particular articles suitable for exportation, but take from them such portion of the produce as will not only liquidate their own tribute, but also meet the terms of their agreement with the Dutch. Formerly they exacted one half of the produce, by way of rent, but they are now said to demand at least two thirds of the crop. Pepper and coffee are the two principal articles that are required to be cultivated, as best suiting the purpose of the Dutch, to whom they are delivered by the Javanese princes at a low rate. The doctrines of the Koran are the laws of the land; while the executive and judicial powers are exercised by the same individual.

Since the whole island has submitted to the Dutch supremacy, the military spirit which formerly characterized the Javans has gradually subsided. By the existing treaties between the Dutch and the native princes, the latter are restricted to the number of troops which they may maintain. Those of the sultan are limited to a body-guard of one thousand men. Such further number as may be requisite for the tranquillity of the country, the European government undertakes to furnish. Before the sultan was under this restriction, he used to raise such force as he wanted by a requisition upon the government of each province, for a specified quota; in the same manner as the President of the United States calls on the several states when the militia are required to act in the defence of the nation. Thus, in a country like Java, where every man wears a kris, or dagger, and where the spear or pike is the principal military weapon, an army was easily collected in a few days. The gatherings of the Highland clans in Scotland were never effected with much greater facility.

The naval power of the Javans was at one period quite formidable. Previous to the arrival of the Dutch, warlike expeditions, consisting of many hundred vessels, are often reported to have been fitted out against Borneo, Sumatra, and the peninsula. But the sun of her naval glory is eclipsed.

Of the literature of the Javans, our limits will not permit us

to say much. Like most of the orientals, they think in poetry, and consequently cannot fail to speak and act it. Their progress in the fine arts has been limited and retarded by obvious circumstances; but with proper culture, Heaven has endowed them with sufficient mental faculties for any thing. Our allotted course, however, compels us to leave this interesting people, and pay our respects to the citizens of civilized Batavia,

CHAPTER XVI.

Bay and City of Batavia-Former Commerce, Wealth, and Magnificence-Unexpected Reverses-Description of the City-Cause of its Unhealthiness-Improvements by Marshal Daendels-Beauty of the Environs-Villas and RoadsBlue Mountains-Village of Buitenzorg-Ruins of Pajajaran-Population of Batavia-Number and Condition of the Slaves-Chinese Industry and Festivals— Balians, Javans, and other Classes-Dutch Population-Frightful Mortality— Health of the City improved-Biographical Sketch of Daendels-European Provinces of Java-Native Provinces-Total Population-Face and Appearance of the Country-Mountains, Volcanoes, and Minerals-Rivers, Climate, Soil, and vegetable Productions-The Bohun Upas-Origin of the Fable-Poison made from the Sap of the Anchar-Animal Productions-Commerce, Revenue, and Political State of the Country.

THE city of Batavia stands at the head of the spacious bay in which the Potomac now lay at anchor; the numerous islands by which the shipping is sheltered, rendering it one of the finest harbours in the world. It is a remarkable fact, that during the long period it has been in the possession of the Dutch, not a vessel has ever been lost in the roads. The capacity of Batavia Bay is sufficient to contain almost any number of vessels; and its waters have often supported, at one time, an almost impenetrable forest of foreign masts. The principal islands that surround it are those which bear the names of Onrust, Purmerent, Kuiper, and Edam; most of which are clothed with trees. On the first are the naval arsenal, dock-yard, storehouses, saw-mills, and workshops of the artificers. This is the great marine depot, where ships, when they require repairs, are hove down by cranes erected on the wharves. It is a busy, bustling place, and abounds with inhabitants.

Batavia, as before mentioned, was founded in the year sixteen hundred and nineteen, and rose rapidly into importance on account of its excellent harbour, and its advantageous position for European and oriental commerce, Nor was it without reason that the Dutch selected this spot for the capital of their new empire in the east. In adverting to this subject, Adam Smith thus expresses himself:-"What the Cape of Good Hope is between Europe