8 
NATIVE DEESS. 
You can recall the description which we read in 
Max Havelaar, and which we thought so extra- 
ordinary : “ Mrs Havelaar was dressed in a 
long white gown or robe without waist-band, 
which descended to her knees. Instead of a 
respectable skirt, she wore underneath a piece 
of dark linen, covered with Mowers, which seemed 
to he wrapped round her body and knees very 
tightly.” The sarong and kahia form the native 
dress, adopted by European ladies for comfort 
and convenience in the climate, and worn by 
them as sleeping attire, as also during the day in 
a richer form, in which the skirt is of costly stuff, 
and the jacket of fine lawn muslin or linen, 
daintily trimmed with lace or embroidery. It is 
not worn when receiving formal visitors, and 
young unmarried ladies are not expected to be 
seen in it beyond their private apartments ; but, 
with an apology for the liberty, it is worn almost 
constantly, except in the evening, when every 
one wears European costume for a few hours. 
In this country part, I see some ladies take the 
morning stroll in sarong and kahia, and I must 
confess I envy them, they look so lightly clothed 
and comfortable ; and when the eye is accustomed 
to the costume, it is really becoming. I am 
actually, despite the amazement I experienced on 
