CITY OF AMBOYNA. 
219 
which is situated the town, backed up by high hills 
rising abruptly from the sea. Along the shore are 
many little bays, where coasting-vessels and prahs 
were seen at anchor. Viewed from the anchor- 
age the city has a pleasing appearance, its streets 
being broad, straight, and well-shaded, with num- 
bers of roads set out at right angles to each other, 
bordered by hedges of flowering shrubs, and inclosing 
country-houses and huts embosomed in palm and 
fruit trees; and, with the high land forming the 
background, there are few places more enjoyable for 
a morning or evening stroll than the sandy roads 
and shady lanes in the suburbs of this ancient 
city. 
Landing on the mole in front of Fort Nieuw Vic- 
toria, we passed through this old stronghold out into 
the pretty lawn beyond, which is surrounded by 
officials’ and merchants’ residences. Nor must I 
omit to mention the Societat, or Club-house, which 
occupies a prominent position just opposite the fort. 
It appears that every place of any pretension to size 
in Netherland India has one or two of these pleasant 
resorts, where newspapers and periodicals are re- 
ceived, and all the social Europeans gather in the 
cool of the evening to enjoy each other’s society, or 
smoke and drink their favourite gin -and -bitters. 
Through the courtesy of the Resident, invitations 
were extended to the “ Challengers ” during their 
stay in port, and thus opportunities were afforded 
