214 
AMBOINA. 
last of our knives for domestic use was stolen 
on the day of leaving by one of the crowd, 
who stuck it in his hip -cloth with such a 
well -assumed air of unconcern, that we let 
him off with it rather than affront him. 
It is a great pleasure to be again in a 
civilised dwelling, enjoying the society of 
friends, and having proper food. Amboina has 
a pleasant little social circle : besides the Eu- 
ropean offi cem and officials stationed here, not 
a few have made choice of the island to retire 
to, because of its salubrious climate, and the 
comparative cheapness of living. There is 
amusement without dissipation ; to the studi- 
ous there is ample leisure for study, only 
perhaps the tide of life is too stagnant for 
natures disposed to lapse into the indolent 
routine of tropical life. 
We number amongst our friends Mr Justice 
and Mi's Van Deventer, a young couple about 
a year out from Holland, and full of patriot- 
ism, though 
par l’^tude 
Citoyetts de loua lea lieux." 
Enthusiastic over their own literature, to that 
rich store they have added a familiar knowledge 
of ours. It was a happy surprise to find our 
