Page:Java, the wonderland, by Vereeniging Toeristenverkeer, Batavia, 1900.djvu/36

Rh Coen, stands out to great advantage. Continuing our way along the officers' houses, through the Hertogsweg and the tasteful park in front of the Palace of the Commander of the Army, we pass the Willem's kerk (William's Church), and emerge on the Koningsplein. In the shade of the thick tamarind-trees, which surround this extensive square, with the golden glow of the setting sun before us, we reach the well-lighted neighbourhood of the shops of Noordwijk, affording opportunity for seeing the beau-monde of Batavia.

There are a number of first-class Restaurants along Noordwijk where in the hours before dinner will always be found a large crowd of people enjoying the cool evening hours in the open air. These Restaurants are frequented by the "upper ten" of Batavia, mostly accompanied by their ladies, thus giving the whole street the chachet of a boulevard.

In Batavia there is often an opportunity to divert oneself after dinner with some kind of public amusement, such as the opera, circus, concerts, etc.; but in the smaller places, and in the interior, such diversions, which, as a rule, are by no means brilliant, are not to be had, and by far the best thing to do, is to spend the cool hours of the evening in correspondence or reading.

In order to fill up the leisure hours of the evening pleasantly, by reading newspapers and periodicals in the four chief European languages or by playing at cards or billiards, the visitor should get an introduction to a club, not only at Batavia, but also elsewhere.

Batavia possesses two greats clubs, the "Harmony", situated close to the hotels, and the military club "Concordia" with splendid garden on the Waterlooplein.

In the first mentioned, very good music can be heard en Sundays from six to eight p.m.; and in the second, on Wednesdays at the same hour, and on Saturdays from nine till twelve p.m. By the help of the Consul or some other friend one can always get an introduction to these clubs.

Batavia of the present day, founded in 1619, as the capital of the Dutch-Indian Colonies, upon the ruins of Jakatra, has a native population of a very cosmopolitan character. The Malays, a tribe who