454 NEW-IRELAND. [1830. 



to transplant this tree and cultivate it properly, they could soon sup- 

 ply any demand which might be made for its fruit. The population 

 of these islands is small, but the inhabitants appear to be intelligent ; 

 and were they to introduce the pepper and coffee plants, I have not 

 the least doubt that long before another century elapses, they would 

 become the richest islands of the eastern world. The climate and 

 soil are unequalled in excellence, and admirably adapted to each 

 other. 



But independent of the natural riches of the land, the waters around 

 these islands are also tributary to their aggregate wealth ; the richest 

 treasures of the deep abound on their shores. The biche- de-mer 

 resorts to their coral reefs in immense numbers ; the pearl-oyster, 

 equal in quality to that of the Sooloo sea, is found in moderate depths 

 of water ; and the hawk's-bill tortoise, yielding the most valuable shell 

 ever imported from India, frequents the beaches in thousands. The 

 red coral is also found here ; and ambergris, the richest production of 

 the ocean, is washed up from the bottom of the sea, and landed on 

 many parts of these islands, as well as on others of far less magni- 

 tude, which lie in their immediate vicinity. 



In the course of the day we hove-to several times, to permit the 

 canoes from New-Ireland to come alongside with their cocoanuts, 

 plantains, bananas, yams, and fowls, which we purchased for small 

 pieces of iron hoop, and a few China beads. These people are of a 

 dark copper colour, bordering a little on the negro black. They are 

 of the common stature, with round bodies closely built, and a full 

 share of muscular energy. Their heads are well formed, with high 

 smooth foreheads and black curled hair, which is longer and softer 

 than that of the natives of Madagascar. Their countenances are 

 generally intelligent, and expressive of considerable mental capacity. 

 Their eyes are black and penetrating, the nose well formed, lips 

 moderately thick, parting sufficiently to exhibit a fine set of white 

 teeth, and their limbs are well proportioned for strength and activity. 



Their canoes are formed in the same manner as those of Monte- 

 verdeson's, but are much larger ; some of them being from eighty to 

 ninety feet in length, and carrying from seventy to eighty men each. 

 These are their war-canoes, they having smaller ones for fishing and 



park keepers. These persons, who may be turned out of their farms on the most trifling pretext, 

 have about 2000 slaves, who cultivate and prepare the nutmegs. The prices paid to the cultivator 

 are all fixed by government ; and it deserves to be mentioned, as affording one of the most striking 

 illustrations of the ruinous effects of monopoly, that the fixed price which the government is now 

 obliged to pay for nutmegs is fivk times greater than the price at which they bought them when 

 the trade was free '. Such is a rough outline of that monstrous system, which has reduced what 

 used to be one of the most important branches of Eastern commerce so low, that it is unable to 

 afford employment for the capital of a single wealthy merchant. We cannot conceive how so 

 enlightened and liberal a government as that of Holland should continue to tolerate such scandalous 

 abuses ; abuses destructive alike of the rights of those subjected to its authority in the East, and 

 the commerce and wealth of its subjects at home. 



The Banda Islands, at a fair estimate, produce annually about 640,000 lbs. of nutmegs, and 

 160,000 lbs. of mace. During the period that the English had possession of the Spice Islands, 

 nutmeg plants were carried to Penang, Bencoolen, and some of the West India islands. In the 

 latter they have altogether failed, at least as far as respects any useful purpose ; but very good 

 nutmegs, and in considerable quantities, are now raised at Penang and Bencoolen The mace is a 

 thin, flat, membranous substance, enveloping the nutmeg ; of a lively reddish yellow, saffron-like 

 colour, a pleas mt aromatic smell, and a warm, bitterish, pungent taste. Mace should be chosen 

 fresh, tough, oleaginous, of an extremely fragrant smell, and a bright reddish yellow colour — the 

 brighter the better. The smaller pieces are esteemed the best. The best mode of packing is in 

 bales, pressed close and firm, which preserves its fragrance and consistence. 



