198 Description of a Lake of Sulphuric Acid. 
to Mount Idienne. 1 have enjoyed the most imposing 
spectacle in nature, not that beneficent nature which be- 
stows upon mankind abundance, happiness, and repose, but 
that frightful nature which exhibits the images of disorder 
and destruction, and is constantly preparing inflammable 
substances with which to cover and desolate a_ fertile 
country. However desirous I may be to communicate a 
part of the sensations which I experienced, my pen is, in- 
adequate to the task, and I must therefore confine myself 
to a dry detail of facts. 
«¢ The object of my journey was to inquire into the causes 
of the change of colour, and the nature of the waters of the 
White River*, and also to examine the volcano situated at 
the south-west flank of the upper part of Mount Idienne, 
M. Vikerman, since he became military commandant. of 
Bagnia- Vangni, bad always intended to visit this volcanos 
from which the Dutch East India Company had frequently 
procured sulphur for the manufacture of their gunpowder: 
but the Japanese spoke with horror of the difficulty and 
danger of the attempt; every journey to the summit of the 
mountain had been disastrous to men and animals. 
«© M. Vikerman and his son-in-law M. Lisnets, M. Lois 
the pilot of the harbeur, M. Hawersten and myself set out 
on horseback in. the morning of the 18th of September 
1805. We were accompanied by the Patit and the In- 
gucbeyt of Bagnia-Vangni, and a great number of Japanese 
and slaves, as well for our own personal convenience as 
for the transfer of the baggage and provisions. We halted 
and spent the night at Bantvar, a village only three leagues 
from Bagnia-Vangni, and situated on the lowermost skirts 
of Mount Idienne. Towards this village the declivity is 
gentle: we pass through a fertile well watered country 
covered with forests, in the midst of which there are some 
small villages. 
«On the 19th we set out from Bantyar, and arrived in 
the evening at Ohonponoph, a valley which connects 
Mount Idienne}| with Mount Ranté, and forming a halting- 
place for those who visit Mount idienne: it is about six 
Jeagues from Bantyar. On this route we meet, one league 
from Bantyar, a village newly established, and called Li- 
tienne: it is inhabited by some of the malefactors exiled 
* In Japanese Songi pouti. 
+ Pati isthe Japanese title of the intendant of the province. 
+ Inguebey, chief of a district. P 
4 The name of Marapi (fiery mountain) was formerly given to Mount 
Idienne. The latier appellation is takea from a district situated on its westerm 
side, and formerly inhabited. f 
“ 
