The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-28
JAVA AND THE JAYANESE.
Life in the Tropical Islands Of Asia
A Pleasant Place to Visit.

to describe, just on the verge of the
equator, the soil and air alike seem to be
provocative OF fruits and flowers and
verdure-verdure the greenest, fruits of
mammoth proportions and of exquisite
| flavor, and flowers Of the most eaptivat-
ing and gorgeous colors; though, with
few exceptions, the latter lack the full
perfume of our Northern roses.
shall essay the pleasant task of at
tempting to give my readers some faint
idea of the most luscious and delectable
Java fruits, according to my estimate;
and first upon the list place the Man
gusteen, which, for delicacy and richness
tibf favor, cannot be surpassed. 1t is, in
color, and shape and size, like green
lemon; with thick rind, beneath which
lies the creamy substance, whose luscious
qualities have placed it among the most
delicious of all fruits. Two, and some
times three, large ebony pits compose
the center of this most palatable delica-
cy.
Next in order, my gastric SUSCEPTIBLE
ties induce me to rank the Pomolo, and
I think the most refined epicurean jury
would endorse my verdict in this matter.
Some of the Java species CT this most
delicious fruit are very large. I have
seen those that measured thirty inches
in circumference, with the cherry red
pulp almost bursting with its juicy,
cool, and nectarean load. They resemble
the West Indian Shaddeck, and are
doubtless of the same genius (citrus de-
cumara); but with their external resem-
blance all comparison must end.
Oranges, lines, and lemons are in
great abundance here; and the eyes roam
around the market place, enjoying a
feast over which the Goddess Pomona
might have we'll gloried to preside.
The consignee of my ship, Mr.. Alfred
Reed, of Boston, sent me pressing invi-
tation to spend week with his delight
full family at Weltevreden, the Javan
Saratoga, and the "invite" was most
joyfully accepted, for, as the rice crop
had not been harvested, had an abund-
/ ance of leisure tIme-time that hangs
heavily upon the mind of home low
ing voyager in these distant climes
where no Booth or Clara Morris can vile
away the tedium of the long, hot days,
, and the equally long and hot equatorial
5 nights; where no Beecher and Tiiton
r scandal has yet aroused the quiet loving
=. natives or adopted citizens from their
, unbroken apathy. -
: Breakfasting at the Hotel of the Meth.
g erlands at IL o'clock A. NJ, spent an
;, hour in a pleasant ramble through the
!, adjacent groves of nutmeg and cocoa
S beguiling the moments in interesting
: converse with Minna Won Hogezand
: the pretty and very accomplished daugh
r ter ofthe landlord, after which all retir
n ed to enjoy the "siesta a"-one of the
|. greatest, as we'll as most necessary, lux
: uries of these Torrid climes.
}: A necessary appendage to well ap
y pointed bed in Java is the "Dutch wife
i "a stick of BAN boo, or other light ant
a highly polished wood, FIVE feet in length
D and about two feet in circumference
IS This is placed in every bed and the re
if lief afforded to the limbs of tiret
|. sleeper in these long, hot nights by tn
IS presence of this innocent and unsophisi
Is Gated bedfellow is almost Incredible
J. Waking in the night, you throw you
= arm over 1t, then moving it up you plac,
e it beneath your neck, lifting your heat
Il from the heated pillows and at ever
change you feel inclined to bless the pc
d culiar institution, while in the mornin
you arise with hearty benedictien O
the eonsoling "Dutch wife"
The siests, the delicious Interlu de to
j. days performance on the busy stage G
a life in Java, has reached its ultimatur
|e of human enjoyment, and nowhere els
D. have I experienced such perfect enjoy
a ment Of this midday rest as here. TIL
n slCoto OCCUPIES LuS LlulS ilolu Y
in lunch hour (about noon), till P. NJ
II when you seek the marble bath room
ID and take out fresh lease of life and il
a enjoyments.
IT Dressing myself soon after my bat
ut Zone days routine will suffice for alD,
or called q carriage and rode throughou
IN the shady groves-the fragrant pail
" trees waving over me, and the shar
is leaves of the cocoa-nut trees whisperin
of their secrets to the evening breeze.
,ts After an hour devoted to this exqui
d. lite enjoyment, drew up on the gree
u plaza, close by the palace of Weltevree
tn en-, to listen to the Dutch military ban
lie. which there performed each evening fc
lie an hour or two.
er Many equipages were gathered on tt
of square, containing beautiful and elegan
is ly dressed women; numbers of equestr
,e, ans swelled the throng; while the richl
,es uniformed officers added animation to
its scene that was in itself delightful.
In the centre of the square is grani
column, thirty feet in height, surmoun
ed by hon, exquisitely sculpture,
b. from whose knotty head green bus
be was growing, for, in this prolific cline,
If thin layer of dust soon teens with veg
~. table life.
of The music, which was of the highe
=" order, having ceased, drove to the pa
ed atial structure of my friends, the brotl
re- ers Reed, and there l stood before
he completely entranced with its exquisi
ci. construction, and the magnifcence an
hit taste of its adornments.
he The lofty halls and spacious veran,
ly abs; the furniture so peculiarly Orienti
Ter in its elegance and convenience, II
X beautifully frescoed walls and ceiling
a the delightful arrangements of II
he grounds - the garden plot teemir
of with delicate fowers-the front yaI
he filled with trees whose lofty structul
ar and peculiar fresness of foliage made II