152 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 



But if native life is much the same in Netherlands 

 India as it is in our own Eastern possessions, the man- 

 ners and customs of the Europeans show little similarity 

 with those of the English in India. " Ccelum non ani- 

 mum mutant," is less true of the Dutch than of our- 

 selves, and there is more of England in India and the 

 Straits than of Holland in Java. The inordinate length 

 of service without furlough which the officials of the 

 Netherlands India have to endure partly explains this, 

 and it is partly due to many, both of this and the mer- 

 chant class, making the island their permanent home. 

 At Buitenzorg and in Weltevreden they are within reach 

 of a wide social circle, and in command of every comfort 

 of modern civilisation. The skies are kinder, and, the 

 exigencies of fashion less strict than at home. In most 

 parts of the East Indian Archipelago the Dutch ladies 

 adopt the native dress in the morning — a silk sarong or 

 petticoat, a loose lace-edged linen jacket (the kibaya), and 

 a pair of gold-embroidered slippers, and in this costume 

 walk about or take their customary morning drive. In 

 the morning and late afternoon the merchant or official 

 devotes himself to business, the midday hours being 

 given up to the siesta. The midday meal or rijsttofel cor- 

 responds to the French cUjeuner, and consists largely of 

 curry dishes, for which Java and the Moluccas are cele- 

 brated. Business over, the Dutchman seeks the " Har- 

 monie," or club, drinks his pijtje, and plays a game of 

 billiards or cards. Games demanding much exertion and 

 sports do not find much favour in his eyes, albeit he has 

 a taste for horse flesh, breeds most wonderful little 

 ponies, and is always riding or driving. Afternoon calls 

 are generally paid during the hour before late dinner, 

 and if of a ceremonial nature, custom ordains that the 

 gentleman must wear a black tail-coat, and at least 



