280 
DUTCH COLONISTS. 
A drive before dinner, after five o’clock, into the town or the 
country is the general custom of the colonists, and was one of our 
pleasantest amusements. The number of carriages which crowded the 
road, and were filled with people of all ranks, ages, sexes, and colours, 
forms a highly animated picture. The most brilliant equipage was 
that of the first Dutch commissioner, drawn by eight beautiful grey 
ponies, driven in hand by his secretary. 
Our evenings were sometimes spent at balls given by our coun- 
trymen or by the Dutch authorities, and gave us opportunities of 
seeing all the beauty and fashion of the colony. The old Dutch 
colonists, who associated but little with the English during the 
British government of the island, appear to have altered more in 
their dress than their habits since they were described by Mr. 
Barow. The gentlemen have laid aside their velvet suits, and the 
ladies for the most part have assumed the European costume ; but 
both sexes are still addicted to heavy meals. About twelve the 
dancing usually ceased for a time, and a supper consisting of large 
joints of different kinds of meat and of fowls was served up, of 
which the Dutch part of the company seemed to partake very 
heartily. After supper the more moderate guests separated, but a 
great number resumed the dance and partook of a second supper 
about two or three in the morning ; and some choice spirits kept it 
up till day-light, and regaled themselves a third time. 
Many of the ladies were well dressed, and had personal charms, 
especially in the eyes of those who were returning from China. A 
few of them appeared in the costume of the country, which had 
much to recommend it, being well adapted to the climate. It con- 
sisted of an embroidered robe and petticoat, fitting neatly but not 
closely to the form. The robe hung down to the knee, and was 
confined round the waist by a belt fastened with a clasp glittering 
with diamonds. The gentlemen, both Dutch and English, wore Eu- 
ropean habits, to the lightness of which they paid little attention. 
Nothing is more strange than that Europeans in hot climates should 
