American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-08-08
SKETCHES OF INDIA.
No. III.

signifies barley, which has only been introduced
!here aimee the Europeans settled on the island.
lava is 600 miles long, aud about IS in its average
breadth The soil is richer than the surrounding
islands, and the climate very similar the air OF the
mountains, some Of which volcanic, and where
European grain and fruit 1ourishes, is finely bra
cling. This island contains about 100000 inhab.
itants, under the Dutch East India Company
Government at Batavia. Many OF them are Malays
aud Chinese, but The great mass boast Of their de-
scent from the Wow-Wow, remarkable species
Of ape which nhabits their forests, and is held in
great reverence. These formerly protested the
doctrines OF Brahma and Budha, until Sheik Ben
Israel, an Arabian, became their sovereign, and
converted them TO Mohamcdansm, in l4o6. His
mauso'cum, which stands Cheribon, is one Of
the most curious and splendid antiquities of the
East. Other antiquities, remains OF Hindooism
are to be found at Borong Budor, and Brambanan,
aud IN the districts OF Maaram and Ballanbouang
There are five principal governments in Java
Bantam, cheribon, Che kings Of both Of these de-
scended from Ben Israe,) Jacatra, the empire Of
pesoehoenan, and that OF the Sultan. Java"
says Wallace, "swarms with life, and its inhabi-
tants may be said 10 eat and drink anmalcun, for
every thing exhibits innumera5e forms Of living
matter. The forests are impeneirablc from thick
underwood. creeping plants, SPIDERS webs Of great
strength and every description OF snake and ven
oers OF all the eastern monsters and fishes, while
the air teens with insects, and night blazes with
phosphoresceEt flights Of the fire fly tribe. From
the great cassowary to the little humming bird, the
mountains and woods abound in the feathered race
and The hoa.constrctor is found here so feet long,
AID as thick as buffalo, Of which he makes but
cne meal While all other created things seem
70 flourish and abound, alone degeneI ates here.
he most fearful ard barbarous despo,ism pre- walls
There is DO restraint whatever on the will Of the
sovereign ; when he is approached by his subjects,
shey come into his presence n the most crawling
manner, and assume the characters Of idiots and
paupsrs, TO express the iinmeasurabe distance
which separates them from majesty
This debasng servility runs through The chain
OF society: an inferior does not dare to stand in The
presence OF superior: be comes and goes il The
attitude OF beast, and sits like monkey cnytred
win rags IN order that his meaDness or sppea anlt
may denote the poverty OF hi, enjoyments. From
race SO debased no moral grandeur of character
can be expected. The Javanese are no less derra-
oed 10 their private habits than their public inter
course they are fond of intoxicating themselves
W defiance OF the Koran they take no pains Ia
preserve the purity OF their females their morals
arc IN the worst state of depraviiy and gaming and
eock-h6hung, as amongst the Malays, OCCUPY the
Wno'e attention. They use the creese, or srrDen
tine dagger OF the Malays, which is made of Japan
steel. A Nan may purchase as many wives as his
inclination and means obtain. The colour az
lhese ISLANDERS Is deep brown their eyes and hair
arc OF Jet black the is broad and hsttenrd.
a'u .he.r 'eeth are coloued with ebony, and deco.
taed with gold. fhe hair of the women i, fastened
90 The top Of the head with knot. and il q,
60 with flowers and jewels. The productions Of
ms isaho do not vary much from those around il.
Ahe mahgusteen IS the delicious of their frnts
growing on tree, which, like the orange bears |
nowers aid fruits a. the same time Thi. island |
was taken trom the Dutch ard French in 1911. nv
Or Samuel AIchmuty, and restored a; the peace Of
Paris. faSs -
ne re mating Islands Of these Seas are Borneo.
Seleoes, the Nloiuccas and the Philippines The
two hrsl OF these are separated from zach o,her bn
the straits Of Maca-ssr and eastward n ,h.sa n,
me No'ucca Islands. Along the coasts Nslavs and I
Snese are scattered but the interior IS inhabited
- Sa'ases, ana some OF them arg anthr oDohspi
ana drink out OF the skulls Of their enemies Tbev
arc known oy The general name Of H aaforas. and
arc supposed 10 be The aborgines. Divided inn
fioes' some OF them have made advances towards
-'f"Aauon' causa''ng the soil, gathering the crops
ana entering into commerce. he Bisioo. ZONE 3
hesc trlbes) live constantly in boats. uand.s;aa
over Inc sea, from island 10 island Like the Mai,
1"ans' they are fond OF shipping off all their sins
mo miseres IN small vessels which they send adrift
'eheslng mat The precious cargo will become thr
property OF The mariners who may be so unfortunate
= 70 fall In with them. The Tiroons are desp.ra,.
Mrates OF all these isand., Borneo is the largest.
1'sndlng about $50 miles in length, and $50 il
''erage breadth Very little is koown Of the int.
ior OF this island except that it has large and nay
'ape rivers and extensive forests, and that fine Gle
'han's and large species OF the Ourang Outanp
NV; 70 &c found on The island All the attempts
sH'.'i nave oeen made TO form settlements on Bor ,
eo na'e oeel uhsuccesslul owing 10 the unficnd {
ness oo'h OF the Climate and the natives. French
MP was cut OFT here in liza end the whole crew
ssassi'ateo 10 revenge this outrage, an expedition
vas sent with orders to capture number Of ,he NJ
ves' and after cutting off their noses. cars, and
ands, to put them ashore. About eoo &c ~.