4 GO AMBOYNA. [chap. xx. 



sumption, though still able to perform the duties of his 

 office. In the evening my host took me to the residence 

 of the Governor, Mr. Goldmann, who received me in a 

 most kind and cordial manner, and offered me every 

 assistance. The town of Amboyna consists of a few 

 business streets, and a number of roads set out at right 

 angles to each other, bordered by hedges of flowering 

 shrubs, and enclosing country houses and huts embosomed 

 in palms and fruit trees. Hills and mountains form the 

 background in almost every direction, and there are few 

 places more enjoyable for a morning or evening stroll, than 

 these sandy roads and shady lanes in the suburbs of the 

 ancient city of Amboyna. 



There are no active volcanoes in the island, nor is it 

 now subject to frequent earthquakes, although very 

 severe ones have occurred and may be expected again. 

 Mr. William Funnell, in his voyage with Dampier to the 

 South Seas in 1705, says: "Whilst we were here, (at 

 Amboyna) we had a great earthquake, which continued 

 two days, in which time it did a great deal of mischief; 

 for the ground burst open in many places, and swallowed 

 up several houses and whole families. Several of the people 

 were dug out again, but most of them dead, and many had 

 their legs or arms broken by the fall of the houses. The 

 castle walls were rent asunder in several places, and we 

 thought that it and all the houses would have fallen down. 



