470 AMBOYNA. [chap. xx. 



how Europeans live in the Dutch colonies, where they 

 have adopted customs far more in accordance with the 

 climate than we have done in our tropical possessions. 

 Almost all business is transacted in the morning between 

 the hours of seven and twelve, the afternoon being given 

 up to repose, and the evening to visiting. When in the 

 house during the heat of the day, and even at dinner, 

 they use a loose cotton dress, only putting on a suit of thin 

 European-made clothes, for out of doors and evening wear. 

 They often walk about after sunset bareheaded, reserving 

 the black hat for visits of ceremony. Life is thus made 

 far more agreeable, and the fatigue and discomfort in- 

 cident to the climate greatly diminished. Christmas day 

 is not made much of, but on New Year's day official and 

 complimentary visits are paid, and about sunset we went 

 to the Governor's, where a large party of ladies and gen- 

 tlemen were assembled. Tea and coffee were handed 

 round, as is almost universal during a visit, as well 

 as cigars, for on no occasion is smoking prohibited in 

 Dutch colonies, cigars being generally lighted before the 

 cloth is withdrawn at dinner, even though half the 

 company are ladies. I here saw for the first time the 

 rare black lory from New Guinea, Chalcopsitta atra. The 

 plumage is rather glossy, and slightly tinged with yellowish 

 and purple, the bill and feet being entirely black. 



The native Amboynese who reside in the city are a 



