Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/120

102, and we accompanied him, more from curiosity to see what the natives thought of the novelty, than from any desire to see the instrument itself. When the ponderous hammer descended, crashing a block of wood to pieces, and scattering the fragments about, they seemed to regard such an exhibition of mechanical power with unfeigned terror; but their fear soon changed to astonishment when they saw it once more rise and descend with all the gentleness of a lady's hand. Had they been ignorant of the power of machinery, they would doubtless have attributed its operations to some unseen evil agency.

One of the greatest luxuries of Eastern life, is the evening drive, which every one who can afford it looks forward to as an indispensable pleasure after the heat of the day; and, in our opinion, it is more conducive to promoting a good appetite, than the orange bitters and kirschwasser awaiting you on the round tripod in the hall. It was during