1697.] CHINESE IN JAVA. 241 



Ensign. The Soldiers being for the most part Insolent, and 

 the Company desirous that all their Colonies should enjoy an 

 entire Liberty, thought fit to bridle those that carry'd Arms 

 and reduce them to a state of Humility ; so that upon this 

 occasion a Cobler, for example, may have a Slave to carry an 

 Umlrcllo over his Head, whereas an Ensign of the Garrison 

 is not allowed the same Privilege. 



The Utcrojjeans do not make the hundredth part of the 

 Inhabitants. Next to them the Chinescs^ are the Richest, 

 and make the greatest Figure : Altho^ the Pictures we have 

 from China, and the Relations are given us of that Country, 

 always represent the Inhabitants Tawny and large Visag'd, 

 with flat Noses, and little Eyes, yet I can assure you I have 

 observ'd no such thing of that People at Batavia, where 

 there are above ten thousand of them setled, and many more 

 that come from time to time occasionally from China to 

 Trade. 



Generally speaking, those People are all as white- as the 

 Europeans, and have Faces of the same form. This is what 



^ " The number of Chinese inhabitants at Batavia alone exceeds (iti 

 1811) a hundred thousand. There were also many dispersed throughout 

 the island, in the interior as well as along the coast. . . . Without 

 them, indeed, the island of Java would be an unprofitable colony, as in 

 their hands are all the manufactories, distilleries, and potteries. They 

 are also the principal traders, smiths, carpenters, stonemasons, shoe- 

 makers, shopkeepers, butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, and, in fact, 

 the whole retail trade of Java is in their hands." 



" The Chinese Company at Batavia comprizes the whole of the South- 

 western suburbs, and is very extensive. Every house is a shop, and 

 the streets being constantly crowded, exhibit a constant scene of noise 

 and bustle." (Thorn, I. c, p. 243.) 



2 " The Chinese in Java are very fair. They dress in long silk gauze 

 gowns and loose pantaloons, generally white, black, or blue, with cotton 

 stockings and high raised shoes or boots ; a small black cap is fitted to 

 their heads, which are shaven, except on the back part, where is a small 

 tuft, halving attached to it an enormous long tail, for which they pay a 

 tax ; so that by this capitation impost, the number of Chinese in the 

 island can be pretty correctly ascertained." (Thorn, /. c, p. 244.) 



It 



