[132] At Singapore, observing one of these monkeys in a stable, I inquired if Java horses were kept there; the answer was in the affirmative; so Jacko was probably imported with the horses to keep them in health. [133] The Malay name for Weltervreden is “Pasārsānan,” which signifies Monday market, (Pasār, market; sānan, Monday.) [134] This plant emits its fragrant smell powerfully after sunset, and has been “observed in a sultry evening, after thunder, when the atmosphere was highly charged with electric fluid, to dart small sparks, or scintillations of lucid flame, in great abundance from such of its flowers as were fading.”—_Edin. Philos. Journal_, vol. iii. p. 415. [135] This officer, now a captain in the army, and by all accounts an excellent and brave soldier, I saw at the same time at this hotel, where he at present resided; he appeared attached to Santot, and they conversed much together; he had lately returned from the Sumatran coast, having been recently employed in the war in the interior of that island. [136] The following paragraph appeared in one of the Calcutta journals, and was copied into most of the India papers:—“A passenger who came round from Batavia has favoured us with the following intelligence relative to the Dutch squadron, &c. In Batavia roads there were—one line-of-battle ship, mounting sixty guns; three large frigates; four brigs and smaller vessels of war, all well armed and manned. In the canal there were—twenty gun-boats, mounting two long brass guns each. All the troops were marching in from the interior, and the _fortifications_ were placed in a complete state of defence. A large frigate was lying at Sourabaya, well manned and armed. _If the Dutch should determine on making reprisals, a few days’ sail would take them to Lintin, where they might seize British property to an immense amount._” A very kind hint! deserving the thanks of the _Dutch Government_; for the capture would have been easy, the loss of British property great, being without a vessel of war to protect them. This is the way British affairs are conducted in the east. [137] These doves when on board _cooed_, or, as the Malay said, _talked_ when the bells were struck, but as frequently _cooed_ or _spoke_ out of the regular time, so they did not answer the purpose of a clock! [138] It is recommended (I was informed by some intelligent persons at Singapore) for ships proceeding to the north-east coast of Sumatra, at this season of the year, to take the passage by the Straits of Banca and Malacca, by which the voyage would rarely be protracted beyond ten or twelve days. From the length of time we took to Pedir, by the outside passage, there was evidently an error in taking it in preference to the one recommended, by persons accustomed to trade about those places. [139] “_Pulo_,” in the Malay language, signifies island, but Europeans frequently use the word Island before it.