264 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC, 
[March, 
CHAPTER XV. 
Java and Sumatra once connected — Origin of the name of Java — Size and location 
of the island — Origin of the inhabitants — Pagans and Idolaters — Java successively 
yisitedbythe Siamese, Arabs, Malays, and Chinese — Arab missionaries — Conversion 
of the inhabitants to the Mahommedan faith — The Portuguese visit the island — The 
English — The Dutch at Bantam — At Batavia — The English at Bantam — Massacre 
of Amboyna — Dutch oppressions — Massacre of the Chinese at Batavia^ — Ameri- 
cans visit Batavia — Governor Daendel's Administration — Antiquities of Java — 
Description of the Javans — Their dress — Origin of the kris — Character, habits,, 
and manners — Early marriages — Frequent divorces — Cookery and food — Amuse- 
ments — Useful arts and manufactures — Houses, furniture, employments, agriculture, 
and commerce — Government, literature, &c, 
In our description of the Strait of Sunda, in the preceding 
chapter, an idea was suggested that the islands of Sumatra and 
Java had probably once been united at some very remote period, 
and formed but one island. Indeed, there is a tradition recorded 
in the annals of Java, which says-—" It is related that in former 
times the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sumbava were 
united, and afterward separated into nine different parts ; and it is 
also said, that when three thousand rainy seasons have passed 
away, they will be reunited." Admitting for a moment the fact 
of their former union, the hypothesis might very naturally be ex- 
tended still further, including in the same semicircular range the 
Malay Peninsula on the northwest, together with the islands on 
the east, including Lombok, Flores, Timor, Timorlant, Arroo, and 
New Guinea, By those are formed that great chain or barrier, 
which locks up the China Sea on the south and west, and proba- 
bly once completely separated it from the great Indian Ocean. 
The waters of the latter have in divers places either forced or in- 
sinuated themselves through this circling arm of continental 
Asia, or the mighty ridge has been severed and shivered by some 
terrible convulsion of nature, — forming those numerous straits 
which are now the avenues of communication and commercial 
intercourse between the Atlantic ports and the Celestial Empire. 
Thus, that elongated portion of the broken ridge which bears the 
