544 
mountain, to one in which art has a con- 
siderable share. 
The eye there ranges over a beautiful 
plain, laid out in pepper-plantations, gar- 
dens, groves of the cocoa-nut, betel, areca, 
and various other trees, checkered 
throughout with handsome villas and bun- 
galows, intersected by pleasant carriage- 
roads, and watered with meandering rills, 
that flow from the mountain’s side, clear 
as crystal. 
Fort Cornwallis next presents itself, si- 
tuated on the north-eastern point of the 
pee ; and stretching to the southward, 
anjong Painaique, or George-town, the 
European houses of which form a striking 
contrast with the variously constructed 
habitations of the Oriental settlers; all of 
whom dress and live according to the man- 
ners and customs of their respective 
countries. 
Here may bé seen standing in perfect 
peace and unity with each other, the 
Hindoo temple or pagoda; the Chinese 
joss-house; the Christian chapel, and va- 
rious other places of worship; every one 
enjoying the unmolested exercise of his 
religion. 
From hence, the eye stretches over 
the beautiful strait that separates the 
island from the main; and whose glassy 
surface reflects the faint images of the 
clouds above, and lofty mountains that 
tower on each of its sides. 
The long extended line of shipping in 
the roads, presents as great a variety and 
contrast, as the mansions on shore; from 
the line of battle ship, bearing “ the Bri- 
tish thunder o’er th’ obsequious wave,” 
down to the light skiff or canoe, that 
scarcely seems to brush its surface, may 
be seen in gradation—East Indiamen, 
country ships, grabs, Chinese junks, pa- 
riars, Malay proas, and an endless variety 
of small craft from Sumatra, and the ad- 
jacent isles. 
Passing over this pleasant little aquatic 
scene, the Malay coast exhibits a consi- 
derable plain covered with a close wood, 
through which winds ariver, navigable by 
the country craft up to the bases of the 
lofty, and generally cloud-capt mountains 
of Queda, which terminate tlie eastern 
view. 
Vhe northern and southern prospects 
have a great similarity to’ each other. 
The eye each way pursues a line of coast, 
studded with small islands, and extended 
till the steep mountains on one hand, and 
the watery expanse on the other, blend- 
ing with the blue ether, fade et length. 
from the view, on the utmost verge of the 
horizon. 
Journal of Voyage in the Indian Seas. 
[Jan. 1, 
Westward, an unruffled sea and cloud- 
less sky present a most magnificent 
scene, where the eye has ample scope to 
range far asthe visual powers can possibly 
extend! distinguishing on this watery 
plain various kinds of vessels pursuing 
their respective routes, wafied by the 
gentle land and sea breezes ; the latter of 
which, entitled the Doctor, setting inin the 
forenoon, pays an early and welcome vi- 
sit to the mountain Bungalows, fraught 
with such delicious and_life-inspiring 
draughts for the exhausted frame, as few 
doctors can boast of among their prescrip- 
tions, and which are far more grateful to 
the enfeebled tropical convalescent, than 
all the cordial balm of Gilead and salu- 
tiferous elixirsin the world! 
In so romantic a situation as this, and 
daily visited by such an agreeable physi- 
cian, it is no wonder that the debilitated 
European should seldom fail to experi- 
ence, at least a temporary renovation of 
strength, and exemption from the baleful 
effects of climate. 
Independent of the temperature of the 
air, which is pleasantly cool at this ele- 
vation, there is no doubt that the beau- 
tiful prospects scattered around, must 
greatly conduce to the restoration of 
health. . 
Notwithstanding these advantages, 
through want of sufficient society, the 
scene in a few days began to assume a so- 
litary appearance; during the solemn 
stillness that every evening prevailed 
around, the sun slowly sinking into the 
western horizon, seldom failed to awaken 
in the mind a variety of tender emotions, 
and fond recollections of that dear native 
lard, over which his bright orb was then 
shining in meridian splendour*! accom- 
panied too, with a kind of melancholy re- 
flection on the immense distance that 
separated us from the chalky cliffs of 
that much-loved isle, whose image he- 
comes more deeply impressed on our 
memories, the farther we recede from its 
shores. 
‘¢ Where’er we roam, whatever realms to see; 
Our hearts untravel’d, fondly turn to thee ! 
Still to our country turn with ceaseless pain, 
And drag at each remove a lengthening chain.” 
The thermometer at the Bungalows ge- 
nerally ranges from 70 to 80 degrees; 
sometimes at night, however, 1¢ stands as 
low as 62 degrees; and indeed so cool 
* Pulo Penang being one hundred degrees 
east of England, it is sun-set in the former, 
and mid-day in the latter place, at the same 
time. 
did 
