238 Voyage of the J^ovara. 



out of the resources of the colony, has been thrown over the 

 Tjisokan river. The roads, although broad and kept in excel- 

 lent order, nevertheless lead occasionally over hills so steep, 

 that to descend them in a heavy carriage, especially consider- 

 ing the rapidity with which the Javanese drive, is exceedingly 

 uncomfortable, and even dangerous, although the wheels are 

 in such cases provided with a solid ^'- sabot ^ and where this 

 seems likely to prove inadequate, a number of natives hang 

 on to the wheels behind, who for a small gratuity control 

 the rate of descent by means of ropes. 



At last, about midnight, shortly before which we passed 

 the river Tjitarum by a ferry, we reached Bandong, and on 

 gaining the residence of the Javanese Regent, Raden Adipati 

 Wira Nata Kusuma (spelt by the Dutch Kocsoema^ but pro- 

 nounced as spelt in the text), were received, notwithstanding 

 the lateness of the hour, in the most hospitable and friendly 

 manner. Here we found everything, even to the minutest 

 detail, managed in the European fashion ; and no guest 

 would imagine that he was in the house of one of the Ma- 

 hometan princes of Java, were he not reminded of the fact 

 by the rich Oriental costume of his host and his family, 

 as also by the Javanese domestics, bearing elegant richly- 

 adorned Siri, or betel-boxes, of gold or silver, and invariably 

 tendering their services to their masters in a stooping posture, 

 or rather sliding after them upon their knees. For the 

 Javanese, too, greatly affect the leaf of the betel, mingled 

 with powdered areca-nut, powdered coral, or pearl chalk, and 



