MANNER OP UPF. OP THE EUROPEANS IN BANKA. 347 
to be cut down and the whole to be burned, by which means I obtained a 
ffne meadow, which attracted every night the deer which I shot from my 
doors. 
The chase, for want of better amusement, was my only pleasure. How¬ 
ever our East Indian comrades are by no means worshippers of the sport, 
and the song 
t£ Es lebe was aufErden 
u Stolzirt in gruner Pracht 
M Die Felder und die Walder 
u Die Jager und die Jagd” 
is heard only emanating from the languid throats of those companions 
stretched on an easy coach or reposing in on arm-chair with the legs across 
the table or on the railing of the verandah and a full bowl before them. 
They have an antipathy against all motion and activity, and deem an excur¬ 
sion performed in a sedan a strenuous exertion. 
I knew an excellent person who had lived during 21 years in Banka, 
and was an useful functionary, but who never could be prevailed upon to 
take more exercise than a walk in the evening at 5 o’clock round the pre¬ 
cincts of his habitation, with which, tired and exhausted, he closed his pro¬ 
menade. In this aversion against every exertion of the body, generally all 
those participate who live for a long time in the East Indies. It should 
not however be imagined that life is spent entirely in inactivity. Strict 
performance of official duties is expected from every one, whatever rank 
he holds, and an active emulation is nourished by the intriguing ri¬ 
valry of the civil, and the ambition of the military, officers. Though the 
heat during the day time renders it almost impossible to remain in the 
open air, yet it is less troublesome in the habitations provided with spaci¬ 
ous verandahs, sufficiently keeping back the beams of the sun, and freely ad- 
mitting the draught of air .; the total relaxation of the body which we often 
experience in Europe during the hot days of July is unknown in this coun¬ 
try. Officials, merchants and private persons perform in their officespro- 
portionately the same amount of business which is usually done in Europe. 
In the large towns the hours of leisure are spent either in the company of 
some friends or in the same manner as in Europe. In detached and iso¬ 
lated places life is spent in a familiar way with the few colleagues more or 
less agreeable, according to the character of the individuals who are 
thrown in our way. Although in Muntok a society has been founded yet 
little circles of frieads are frequently formed where general joy and cheer¬ 
fulness reign. Such parties were given by turns, and every host tried his 
i) 3 
