Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/103

Rh road between hedgerows and trees, beyond which were open fields, but no voice of bird to charm us with its song—a circumstance to be regretted amid such a luxurious world of foliage. Further on, we passed along the Bodjong road, or " west end " of Samarang, with beautiful European -looking mansions on either side, before which were welltrimmed lawns and parks studded with trees. On the whole, we were well pleased with all we had seen, and returned to the hotel when

Next day we accepted an invitation to a reception, as much out of curiosity as courtesy; and arriving at the house about eight, we found a number of guests already assembled.

We took our seats in the verandah, which was brilliantly illuminated with numerous candles in girandoles, argand lamps and coloured globes hanging from the ceiling. This illumination