BUITENZORG. 215 



magnificent woods and gardens, along an excellent but 

 hilly road, until we reached the plateau upon which 

 Buitenzorg is built, 883 feet above the sea-level, and 

 forty miles from Batavia. Now a railway connects the 

 two towns, with further extension in prospect. 



Nature has done much for this island, justifying the 

 appellation of " Queen of the Eastern Archipelago," 

 which many travellers have given it. It is the spot 

 above all others that fully merits the admiration of 

 lovers of natural beauty, whichever direction the eye 

 may take. French authors have compared Buitenzorg 

 with Versailles, but I cannot see the slightest resem- 

 blance, unless it be that both possess a stately palace, 

 though differing totally in their respective construction 

 and surroundings. Art did everything for the favourite 

 residence of the Grand Monarque, whilst nature has 

 imbued Buitenzorg with all her charms. The ex- 

 tensive and really handsome palace at the latter place, 

 where the Governor-General seeks repose during the 

 more unhealthy part of the year, stands in a park of 

 magnificent banyan trees (Fimis mcZi'ca), whose numerous 

 roots, descending from the branches, gradually form quite 

 a network around the parent tree, which is a favourite 

 resort of the monkeys continually met with, sitting 

 high aloft or swinging themselves from branch to 

 branch, and keeping up a perpetual chattering. 



