The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-11-06
BATAVIA, ISLAND OF JAVA, |

We are now in the midst Of the most
profuse tropical vegetation, and have
been gradually approaching this condi-
ton of things since we left the shores of
America halt since then pre-
senting more and more of the low-lati-
tude foliage and flora, until our landing
here yesterday, when we seemed 10
plunge right into the heart and center of
luxuriant tropical growth.
wrote from Singapore, where we
were eighty miles north of the equator,
enjoying summer weather as mild and
pleasant as that at Chicago at this sea-
son. Cool breezes from the sea were
blowing continually, the solar heat being
only moderate. Unjust say right here
that have been SURPRISED at the COM
parative comforts we have experienced
where | had most feared to venture.
But Hong Kong is the most depressing,
unenervating locality we have thus far
encountered, being sheltered so COM
pletely from any cool breaths that may
chance to be moving in that latitude.
The regular monsoons In this region of
Java relieve the otherwise intense heat
and are very refreshing-the thermom-
eter indicating S. degrees at noon and
very comfortable while / write. My
clothing is about as heavy as it would
be at home, and is peculiar to this coun-
try, consisting of knit undergarments,
but no shirt, collar OF vest only serge
coat cut high in the neck and buttoned
close, with white pants and shoes, COM
pletes the costume. This is a sensible
suit for comfort, and with but slight vari-
alton and the addition of a MANILA
straw hat and umbrella, makes up the
usual costume of the East
We left Singapore on the morning Of
the 21st, called at Rio and Montok, two
Dutch settlements on the island of Ban
ka, thence across the Java sea, in view
of the straits of Sunda, to this port, in
latitude 60 degrees 80 minutes south
We crossed the equator at 6 o'clock P
M. on the 21st. Land was in sight near
ly all the way from Singapore and we
met several American ships en- route to
China and Japan. A ship is always a
pretty sight at sea with its enormous
spread of canvass filled by the breeze
and bowling along before the strong,
steady monsoon. The Dutch control
everything in the East Indies, and are
not to be opposed in the exercise of this
authority. They have sixty ships OF
war, and about $4,000 troops scattered
about among their numerous and val
liable possessions. The north coast of
Java is low and fiat and unhealthy in
consequence, but covered with palms of
all kinds, as well as other trees and
shrubbery unknown even to the botanist
of our party. This harbor is entirely
artificial, the masonry in its construction
well and permanently done. The town
proper or business part of Batavia is
three miles from the harbor, while three
miles further inland is the town of
Welterveiden, where are the hotels,
residences, &c. The buildings are usual
ly but one story on account of frequent
earthquakes, plastered outside and hav-
ing tile roofs. Canals intersect the city,
Dutch fashi on, and dummy car track
runs the length of the town. The hotel
where | am stopping is one story in
hight, with pleasant airy rooms. They
set a goot table. The hotel covers seven
acres, and at present is full to the last
room.
On the 26th we go by rail 100 miles
into the interior and will visit Buiten-
zorg, a town among the mountains of
Java, where we will remain until our
ship is ready to sail for Australia, Sept.
Sd. 1t will be we'll to state that Buiten-
zorg is the summer residence of the
governor and wealthy citizens of Batavia
and is said to possess the finest botanical
gardens in the world. If more interest
ing and beautiful than the one at Hong
Kong, it is worth investigation.
The Queensland Royal Mail Line of
steamers, due here on the Sd ofSeptem-
Der, carries this letter to London, and
go by same line to Brisbane, Australia
We are due at the latter place on the 23d
and at Sidney on the 26th. We expect to
leave for Calcutta about the first of
December. w. G. GoFFE.