Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
crease of 73 per cent. in twenty-four years. At the last census, in 1865, it amounted to
14,168,416, an increase of very nearly 50 per cent. in fifteen years—a rate which would
double the population in about twenty-six years. As Java (with Madura) contains about
38,500 geographical square miles, this will give an average of 368 persons to the square
mile, just double that of the populous and fertile Bengal Presidency as given in Thornton's
Gazetteer of India, and fully one-third more than that of Great Britain and Ireland at the last
Census. If, as I believe, this vast population is on the whole contented and happy, the Dutch
Government should consider well, before abruptly changing a system which has led to such
great results.
Taking it as a whole, and surveying it from every point of view, Java is probably the very
finest and most interesting tropical island in the world. It is not first in size, but it is more
than 600 miles long, and from 60 to 120 miles wide, and in area is nearly equal to England;
and it is undoubtedly the most fertile, the most productive, and the most populous island
within the tropics. Its whole surface is magnificently varied with mountain and forest
scenery. It possesses thirty-eight volcanic mountains, several of which rise to ten or twelve
thousand feet high. Some of these are in constant activity, and one or other of them displays
almost every phenomenon produced by the action of subterranean fires, except regular lava
streams, which never occur in Java. The abundant moisture and tropical heat of the climate
causes these mountains to be clothed with luxuriant vegetation, often to their very summits,
while forests and plantations cover their lower slopes. The animal productions, especially
the birds and insects, are beautiful and varied, and present many peculiar forms found
nowhere else upon the globe. The soil throughout the island is exceedingly fertile, and all
the productions of the tropics, together with many of the temperate zones, can be easily cul-
tivated. Java too possesses a civilization, a history and antiquities of its own, of great in-
terest. The Brahminical religion flourished in it from an epoch of unknown antiquity till
about the year 1478, when that of Mahomet superseded it. The former religion was accom-
panied by a civilization which has not been equalled by the conquerors; for, scattered
through the country, especially in the eastern part of it, are found buried in lofty forests,
temples, tombs, and statues of great beauty and grandeur; and the remains of extensive cit-
ies, where the tiger, the rhinoceros, and the wild bull now roam undisturbed. A modern
civilization of another type is now spreading over the land. Good roads run through the
country from end to end; European and native rulers work harmoniously together; and life
and property are as well secured as in the best governed states of Europe. I believe, there-
fore, that Java may fairly claim to be the finest tropical island in the world, and equally in-
teresting to the tourist seeking after new and beautiful scenes; to the naturalist who desires
