14 THE KING’S PLAIN — THE HARMON IE. 
if lie survived the incessant waves of fever 
cholera, and small-pox, lie returned home in a 
few years, the rich partner of some large house 
or the possessor of a great fortune. 
All this is changed now. The open salubrious 
suburbs of the new town can be reached by train 
in a few minutes. The King’s Plain, which is a 
mile square, is flanked by fine residences stand- 
ing among groves of trees. In this district the 
Governor- General has his official palace; am 
here are built the barracks, the clubs, the hotels 
and the best shops, dotted along roads shadec 
by leafy hibiscus shrubs. 
Not far from the Hotel der Nederlanden is 
the Harmonie, a fine club-house, the grounds 
of which presented a charming scene when J 
first entered. Brilliant moonshine made fairy- 
land of the rich foliage, sweet heavy scents c+ 
tropical plants pervaded the air, a band dis 
coursed faultless music, and hundreds of gaily 
dressed people moved to and fro between the 
lamp-glare and the dimmer moonlight, or sat 
playing or talking at small tables in Continenta 
fashion. 
Everj morning we drove to the hospital, a 
large and splendidly conducted institution in a 
beautiful situation, to see an English friend of 
