HOTEL DE LA MARINE. 207 



mattress. Upon making enquiry as to its use, I was 

 told that people place it between their legs to keep 

 them cool, and it certainly has that effect. I after- 

 wards found this curious habit universally adopted in 

 Java. Still, the nights being hot, and the perpetual 

 singing of the mosquitoes, in their vain attempt to 

 penetrate the net curtain, disturbing one's slumber, 

 induces people to rise early ; and between five and 

 six o'clock every door is thrown wide open, a large 

 lounging chair placed under the verandah, and the 

 occupant in a very light wrapper proceeds to the bath, 

 which offers every variety of application. Many very 

 curious costumes does one behold on this occasion, 

 especially amongst the gentler sex ; however, it would 

 not be polite to criticize what was not intended for the 

 public eye. 



Thus refreshed, each seeks comfort in his easy-chair, 

 and there discusses a cup of tea or coffee and a rusk, 

 handed by one of the numerous attendants, all dressed 

 in white with. a red sash. Soon a sort of Freemasonry 

 is established with one's neighbour, and after having 

 been at the hotel for a few days you know pretty well 

 every one residing under the same colonnade, and fre- 

 quently his whole history to boot, entrusted to you in 

 the strictest confidence. You thus learn that, excepting 

 a few ships' captains, they are nearly all merchants 



