JAVA CULTIVATION. 269 



previously incurred and to meet all current expenses 

 of the colony, but also to leave a large annual net 

 surplus, which at one time amounted to nearly four 

 millions sterling, — anyhow, has averaged from 1833 to 

 1866 at the rate of upwards of two millions per annum. 

 Within the last two years, however, partial failure of 

 crops and low prices of produce, have considerably 

 altered this financial aspect, but now there seems every 

 prospect of an early return of more prosperous times. 



The reverse side, however, of this flattering result, 

 is the demoralizino- effect which forced labour, removed 

 from absolute slavery only by name, and now happily 

 doomed to die out, must have had upon the entire 

 population, degrading to both master and peasant. 

 Moreover, it is not at all certain whether free labour 

 would not have led to the same or perhaps even 

 better results ; for experience has shown that the culti- 

 vation of three other products, indigo, tea, and tobacco, 

 which had originally been organized under the same 

 system as* coffee and sugar, and had been abandoned 

 as unprofitable to both the State and the peasant, have 

 actually been greatly developed since and become 

 singularly prosperous. The peasant being no more 

 forced to work these plantations in certain appointed 

 localities, and being to a certain extent owner of the 

 crop he raises, can now choose a suitable sj)ot and 



