32 



Same OF the 

 Prince of 

 Balimbuan. 



Matara; 



MALAYAN ISLES. 



wretched ifland oi Robben, near the cape of Good Hope*, where 

 he was hving in April\-j']^^ dragging on a miferable being, in the 

 charaifter of a common flave. Whoever wiflies to have a fuller 

 account of this tragical and infamous event, may find it patheti- 

 cally told in a voyage to the Eajl Indies, 17475 1748? publidied 

 in 1762 : the perufai will be a trial of the heart of the reader. 



Balimbuafi is another little kingdom, at the eaftern extremity 

 of the ifland. It feems that the Dutch, apparently without any 

 motives of emolument, attacked alfo the prince of this country ; 

 he defended himfelf vigoroufly for two years, was overpowered, 

 himfelf confined for life in the caflle of Batavia, his family torn 

 from him, and fent to keep company with the Madurian prince 

 at Robben illand. 



Matara, the capital of the once potent empire of that name, is 

 in about Lat. 8° 1:2', on the fouth fide oi Java. Even this em- 

 pire was, after many contefls, rendered dependent on the Dutch, 

 who having depofed the ufurping fovereign, placed the rightful 

 heir on the throne ; but they chofe for him his place of refi- 

 dence, fecured his allegiance by a citadel, and fupplying him 

 with every conveniency for his pleafures, rendered this weak 

 prince entirely fubfcrvient to their w^ill. In this part of the 

 ifland is plenty of Teek, and timber for the building of 

 fliips, or for exportation to other parts of India-, here they have 

 their docks ; befides they carry on great commerce in rice, fait, 

 pepper, and many other valuable productions. 



Java wants its Marjden ; but with fuch lights as I can pro- 

 cure, I fliall attempt a brief defcription of this important ifland. 



* Forfter's Voy. ii. 556. 



Marco 



