h I had fortunately in my pocket, into his
hand, and on his distributing these among the most influential of the
assemblage, public opinion was turned completely in our favour, and we
were allowed to proceed without further molestation. A small sum
bestowed on the officer of the guard had a like beneficial effect, and
after receiving an assurance from Mynheer Van Deck that we would not run
away, and would be found at his house if wanted, he and his men, very
much to my relief, took their departure, while the Dutchman, Jack, and I
set off in an opposite direction.

The island of Java, it must be remembered, runs about due east and west.
Our course was towards the west, or in the direction of Batavia. There
was, however, not far off--about twenty miles I understood--a town and
fort, garrisoned by French troops, called Cheribon. The scenery was
very fine, heightened by the luxuriance of tropical vegetation. On our
left rose a succession of heights, beyond which appeared the summits of
the ridge of lofty mountains which runs down the centre of the island,
dividing it longitudinally into two parts, of which, however, the
northern is the largest, most fertile, and best known. My Dutch friend
was very communicative respecting the productions of the country, and
the manners and customs of the inhabitants. I noted down, therefore,
the information I received from him, which I give in as concise a form
as I can.

The climate is certainly hot, as might be expected from being so near
the equator, but it is much more endurable than I had expected to find
it, and on the sides of the mountains it is often quite cool, so that
thick clothing is necessary. As also the nights are nearly the same
length as the days, there is time for the air to cool while the sun is
below the horizon. The bad or unhealthy monsoon blows from the west,
from the end of November to the beginning of March. This is the rainy
season. After it the easterly winds blow for some time. The breaking
up of the monsoon is the most unhealthy season of all. There are no
navigable rivers, but numerous streams descend from the mountains and
irrigate the land. One of the chief productions of this country is
pepper. It is produced from a plant of the vine kind, _Piper nigrum_,
which twines its tendrils round poles or trees, like ivy or hops. The
pepper-corns grow in bunches close to each other. They are first green,
but afterwards turn black. When dried they a