SIR THOMAS STAMFORD RAFFLES. 
41 
pressing myself in raptures. As we descended, the 
scene improved ; we found ourselves in an immense 
amphitheatre, surrounded by mountains ten and 
twelve thousand feet high ; the soil on which we 
stood rich beyond description, and vegetation luxu- 
riant and brilliant in every direction. The people, 
too, seemed a new race, far superior to those on the 
coast, tall, stout, and ingenuous. They received us 
most hospitably, and conducted us to the village of 
Nigri-Cayu, where we slept. 
“ In the vicinity of Nigri-Cayu, were several hot 
springs, and we soon succeeded in making very com- 
fortable warm baths. 
“ On the next day we proceeded to Taujong 
Alem (the point of the world), another village in the 
Passumah country, which we reached in about six 
hours’ walk, through one of the finest countries in 
the world, having before us nearly the whole way 
the volcanic mountain called Gunung Dempu, from 
which the smoke issued in large volumes. 
“ At Tanjung Alem, we remained two nights. 
We found the villages in this part of the country 
most respectable, many of them having more than 
five hundred inhabitants ; the houses large, and on a 
different plan to those on the coast ; each village, 
which may rather be considered as a small town, has 
a fosse or ditch round it, with high palisades. We 
passed the site of two or three towns, which were 
represented to have been destroyed by the petty hos- 
tilities between the chiefs. 
