BAT A VI A. 217 
and is supported by legacies, by profits arising from tlieatri- 
cal exhibitions and fire-works, and by a small tax on mar- 
riages, funerals, and celebrations of public festivals, is equally 
open for the benefit and reception of those who have not 
contributed towards the establishment, and who do not be- 
long to their societ}^ Into this admirable institution are in- 
discriminately admitted the infirm and the aged, the friend- 
less and the indigent, of all nations. Towards the support of 
those institutions, the temple and the infirmary, their contri- 
butions are voluntary ; but, exclusive of these, their industry 
is severely taxed by the Dutch government. Every rehgious- 
festival and public ceremony, every popular amusement, as 
well as every branch of individual industry, are subject to 
taxation. They are even obliged to pay for a licence to 
wear their hair in a long plaited tail, according to the custom 
of their country ; for permission to bring their greens to 
market, and to sell their produce and manufactures in 
the streets. Yet to the industry and the exertions of these 
people are the Dutch wholly indebted for the means of 
existing with any tolerable degree of comfort in Ba- 
tavia. Every species of vegetable for the table is raised 
by them in all seasons of the year, and at times when 
the most indefatigable attention and labour are required. 
They are masons, carpenters, blacksmiths, painters, up- 
holsterers, tailors, and shoemakers ; they are employed 
in the arts' of distilling, sugar-refining, potter}^ lime -burn- 
ing, and every other trade and profession that are indis- 
pensably necessary for making the state of civilized so- 
ciety tolerably comfortable. They are, moreover, the con- 
tractors for supplying the various demands of the civil, 
F F 
