54' EXPEDITION TO MOLUCCA. ISLANDS. 



general arc fond of, over swamps, or water, and always hear if, 

 docs not appear to be the most secure or convenient for Europeans. 

 22nd. — Finding my time likely to be snort here, I spent the last 

 five or six days in riding about the Island to see every part of it 

 that was accessible, but was unable to accomplish as much as I 

 wished, from the weak state of my health. Received notice from 

 the Admiral of his intention to proceed to Malacca on Tuesday 

 next in the Orpheus with direction to hold myself in readiness to 

 attend him. 



23rd. — This morning went to see the waterfall, which is about 

 six miles from the town, with a road for carriages for about four 

 of the way, the rest I walked, and after climbing the latter part of 

 it up a very steep and jungly path, at last arrived at the foot of 

 the waterfall, and was exceedingly struck with the grandeur and 

 magnificence it exhibited. It is above 300 feet high and falls in a 

 broken cataract from an opening in the hill about half way up 

 according to the view. The- scenery round is true nature in its 

 most sublime aspect, and with the expense of a little labour in 

 clearing away some of the trees about it, would afford one of the 

 most beautiful views possible. At present to get a sight of it you 

 are obliged to come so near that the effect is almost lost. 



I am informed by Mr. Mannington that the population of Pulo 

 Fenang exceeds 20,000 souls, consisting of Chulears, Chinese, Malays, 

 Bengallies, Portuguese, and Europeans : the first bear the greatest 

 proportion in number and are chiefly the boatmen and fishers, 

 and some of the richest traders are of this cast ; they are originally 

 all from the Malabar and Coromandel coasts. The artificers and 

 most of the shop-keepers are Chinese, whose daily hire in the 

 former capacity is very dear, being half a Spanish dollar per day. 

 The persons who are generally employed in clearing the ground 

 and cutting down trees for timber are Malays, who Avork by con- 

 tract, and with their little axes with long handles, cut down or sit 

 idle at their pleasure. Their manner of cutting differs from what 

 is generally practised ; if the lower part of the trunk of a tree be 

 much thicker, as it for the most part is, than at the height of G or 

 S feet, they erect a stage and cut it that height where it is least 

 trouble, then clearing away the underwood they take advantage 

 of the wind and cutting nearly through several trees in its dircc- 



