The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-10

| VI WIG ousuinS uliitdIlan WOriu OUTSIDE.
In the centre Of the island, mountain raises its
snow crowned summit to the immense height Of
eleven thousand feet. From the appearances Of the
land 1t is probably OF volcanic origin, and an extinct
crater still remains to strengthen the probability.
This crater strange to say forms the basin Of con-
siderable sized lake, from which the inhabitantspb
tain the most peculiar fish, different in species finn
any other found in the waters in or about the sana.
The scenery is exceedingly beautiful and diversi-
| fed. The cultivated ground extends over about two
hundred and fifty acres and is situated on plateau
| or piece of table land on the side Of the mountain
\ The costume of the inhabitants tends to heghten
the picturesque effect of the scenery, and i'm
press the vister with the idea that he has at last
| found De Foes marvellous story realized. The
women, and especially the granddaughters, are
most expert in the of the rle and can rival the
men in the successful pursuit Of game. The arti-
cles which these Dianas prize most are powder and
| fans-strange associates ! The inhabitants live
principally by fishing and hunting, and exchange
In trade with whaers, cheese, potatoes, and other
products of the island for shot, powder, and other
indispensable requisites.
| Mr.. Gibson informs us that he staid three
days on this terrestrial paradise, and left it with
many regrets, but with the intention Of again
visiting it, should his good fortune ever lead him
that way. It may not be unnterestng to politi-
cal readers to state here that the government patr
archa, old Sergeant Glass deciding all disputes and
difficulties, which, however, very few. There is
nc Court of Appeal, and the laws delays are here
unknown. Blessed island, how happy must thy peo-
pie live, who know neither the annoyances of tedious
tgations, and for whom the folles of fashion DOS
sess no alurements, but who content with their
shaggy goatskn habiliments, coveting only fam
with which to while away the tedious hours, or mo-
derate the summer heat 1t is with equal regret that
our voyager felt on leaving ye that we depart with
him in imagination on his distant voyage.
After leaving Tristan fAcunha, Mr.. Gibson
went as far as 55 degrees south latitude, sailing with
the great circle-a new theory which caused consid-
cradle discussion among nautical circles, about three
years ago. In turning nerthward again, he stopped
at the solitary island of st. Pauls which possesses
almost as much romantic interest as that which we
have just described. st. Paul's was settled by q
Frenchman named La Touraine, about fifteen years
ago. and he has continued to inhabit it ever since if
except the few brief visits which he makes every
year to the. .Mauritius in small schooner. When
Mr.. Gibson landed he was absent, but our voyager
left many agreeable evidences of his visit in the hut
Of the solitary resident. The island Of st. Pauls is
generally sighted by vessels going to China, and is
particularly remarkable from its astonishing resem.
blance to whale. It is situated in south latitude
3s deg, and east longitude sS deg. At that part
which might be called the head of whale, pillar
Of rock natural needle, rises to the height of one
hundred and twenty feet. This might not inaptly
be compared to the spout which that animal throws
out when swimming on the surface of the water
There is beautiful cove in this island, large and
deep enough for vessels of the heaviest burthen but
the entrance to it is narrow that boat of large
size cannot get into it. The adjacent waters literal
ly swarm with fish. Our voyager remained here
four days, and then turned his PROV towards the
Cocos islands.
These islands obtain their name from the cocoa nu
which grows there in the greatest abundance cocos
being the Dutch name for that fruit. The Cocos
islands were settled by Captain Ross an Englishman,
his two sons, their wives and children. Some years
ago he brought one hundred and fifty Coolies from
Java, to assist him in the cultivation of the land.
About three times every year he takes load Of cocoa
nuts to Batavia.
The next island he anchored at was Eugano which
has long been rendered famous, or, should rathef
say Infamous the resort Of pirates Leaving this he
touched at the island of Nayas, in which he saw wo
men, whose nut brown hair deep blue eyes and lovely
features, exceed in beauty the farfamed daugh
ters Of Crcassa. Tie island Of Bali next oomed up
from the deep before his vessel. Here he struck
with the contrast presented by the immense popula
ton and the comparatively limited dimensions
Of the island There are no less than eight
hundred thousand human beings here, and
they appear to be brave and energetic
people. 1t is spoken Of by Gov. Rappes in his Histo
ry OF Java, and deserves particular mention on ac
count of the successful resisa ice which its inhabi-
tants offered to the Dutch. The Dutch Gen. Van
Wyck defeated before the native fort Of Jaguar
Agar, and 3,4OO Of his killed, the remainder OF
his force being compelled to seek safety in flight.
In their last attempt to obtain sovereignty in the
island the Dutch were more successful and had got
the better Of the natives
The Flirt touched various points the coast of
Sumatra, after leaving Ball. and also at Crockotoa,
celebrated for the coral gardens which lie sparkling
at the bottom Of its pellucid waters. Nothing, Mr.
Gibson tells us exceed the exquisite beauty Of the
sight presented by these gardens and the brliancy
OF the various colors which theytdisplay. He after
wards visited several small islands in the Straits Of
Sunda ard the Java sea, Of which he has preserved
most interesting ard minute details and sketches,
| besides many important maps aud charts OF the
ccast-his first officer, Mr.. Graham, being an excel
lent photographer. These details would fill large
| volume.
| Here we may state that Mr.. Gibson had another
| object in view beside the mere qualification of his
| curiosity, in visiting the East Indies. He was, he
informed US, induced to go to Singapore to obtain
information concerning certain property of a relative
who had been trading in those seas as commander
and ewner Of vessel during eighteen years, and
who dying there suddenly, left his property in the
| hands Of the English 1t was, az may be supposed
therefore bis interest to proceed direct to Singa
| pore. II was now the season of the northwest mon
soon, which blowing directly il his teeth, deter
mined him or remaining where he was until the
northeast monsoon should set in, which would
| enable him to make the run in two OF three days.
A he was preparing to pass out Of the Straits