282 
SCENERY. 
The extreme parts of the cloud then gradually approached, and 
sending before them a rushing wind, closed the mountain from my 
sight. Its upper part now suddenly increased in blackness, flashes 
of lightning played within it, and it descended in heavy rain. Such 
are the appearances which are almost daily witnessed amongst the 
mountains of Java. 
The temperature at Buitenzorg is never oppressive. At Cissarrhoa, 
fourteen miles further inland, and at a higher elevation, the ther- 
mometer, at ten o’clock on the morning of my visit there, stood at 
sixty-six degrees ; and at Japannus and at other places of still greater 
elevation, it is generally so low, that the inhabitants use fires in the 
morning the greater part of the year. A Dutch gentleman who resides 
at Japannus, and to whom I had the pleasure of being introduced, 
carried in his ruddy complexion and active form the best signs of 
breathing a pure and temperate air. Yet this is the climate which has 
been looked upon with so much horror by Europeans, and as far as 
regards Batavia with justice. It is impossible to visit this city, and 
not to be astonished at the infinite pains that have been taken to 
unite in one spot all the possible causes of disease. It is built close 
to the sea on a wet alluvial soil, is surrounded by swamps, and inter- 
sected with nearly stagnant canals, the receptacles of all the decom- 
posing animal and vegetable matter ejected from the houses and 
sewers on their banks. The carcasses of buffaloes and other animals 
brought down by the rivers, are stopped near the mouth of the 
harbour by the extreme shallowness of the bar ; and undergoing 
putrefaction, contaminate the air around them. The houses are so 
built as to admit very little ventilation, being closely packed together, 
with their ends opposed to the sea and land breeze : indeed, so 
afraid is a Dutchman of having his perspiration stopped by cool 
air, that he closes all his doors and windows during its preva- 
lence. These circumstances in almost any climate would generate 
disease, but must be dreadfully operative within six degrees of the 
equator : their effects are aided by the use of large meals, strong 
drink, and much sleep. 
