A BATAVIAN BREAKFAST. 
11 
of substantial or variety. It is called by the 
Dutch the “ rice table;* On a large soup-plate 
you help yourself to rice offered on an immense 
platter, and over this you put a few spoonfuls 
of Malay curry, which has the appearance of a 
pale yellow soup. Then in close succession are 
offered fish, cooked in various ways, fried, stewed, 
curried ; fowl, likewise in different forms ; stewed 
beef, rissoles of pork, mince patties, fritters of 
maize, omelette, fried eggs, various vegetables, 
with many Eastern delicacies and piquant side- 
dishes. To these, a small portion of each having 
been taken, are added various condiments — 
pickles, sliced cucumber, cbili, chutnee — which 
are offered prettily arranged on a large china 
tray. Then the whole is mixed with spoon and 
fork, the mixture having, I am told, a delicious 
flavour not otherwise obtainable. I have not 
yet tried it. I form a wall of rice between the 
fish and the fowl, and allow most of the dishes 
to pass, II. says I shall learn, however, to enjoy 
the rice table soon. 
Beefsteaks with fried potatoes follow this 
course, fritters of pine-apple and other sweets 
succeed, and the meal ends with coffee and 
fruits. How very rapidly it is got through 1 
But one needs to be initiated how to proceed. 
