Report of a Journey Around the World. 149 



and noiseless, but does his work very thoroughly, quickly and 

 well, and he understands some English too. I go into the apart- 

 ment and there is nothing on the table in the porch : a few minutes 

 later I come out and the tray with my tea is there, although I have 

 heard no sound ; our bath towels are constantly renewed, a custom 

 apparently not common in this part of the world ; our shoes are 

 taken out and in a very short time are returned in order. He will 

 deserve his tip! Our dhobie came for clothes in the morning, and 

 the second night brought them back well washed and ironed for 

 ten cents (Dutch) a piece, whether coat, shirt or necktie. 



In front of the hotel is a fine Araucaria ; the borders of the 

 road are of white Zephyranthes ; begonias grow well, and so does 

 Bignonia venusta which is in blossom now. In the gardens near- 

 by we saw mangosteens both of the red and orange varieties, but 

 we saw none for sale, nor did we have them on the table. 



Men carry grass or other fodder much as the old Hawaiians 

 carried grass, but have a bearing-bambu with light legs at each 

 end which they cover with their burden, and when they need a 

 rest these legs keep the load off the ground (often wet or dirty), 

 and they hold the bearing-stick at a convenient height for the 

 bearer to slip his shoulder under. The universal use of bambu 

 is remarkable. The sides of houses as well as the frames, the 

 doorsteps, fences, aqueducts, hats, baskets, chicken-coops, lad- 

 ders, fish-traps, floors even of bridges, carpets, and many other 

 instances where with us wood or plaster would be preferred. 



The general means of personal transportation is by ''dosa dos" , 

 a sort of two-wheeler with a broad seat, on the front half of which 

 the driver sits, serving also as a balance weight, while his passen- 

 gers occupy the rear half using the tail-board as a foot rest; in 

 wet or sunny weather a top and curtains afford some protection, 

 but these vehicles are not comfortable for long travel. The little 

 ponies are brisk, strong and good-natured, generally stallions. 

 Another pony can be attached alongside the first by means of an 

 iron rod to hold the traces. Like the Italians, the Javanese deco- 

 rate their pet animal with superfluous harness. The rain held 

 up and our host sent a boy to guide us to a batik factory. This 

 looked like a fine concrete residence in front : orange trees were 

 loaded with fruit, and a bird house held a number of small doves. 

 We went to the back yard and entered the main building where 



[ 297 I 



