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Rh CHAPTER II.

is no difficult matter for a traveller in the East to decide, amongst the various oriental nationalities that come under his notice, which is the most active and enterprising. Enter what large town he may, he finds the Chinese indefatigable in their efforts to gain money; success so far crowning their endeavours that the more indolent native of the soil is obliged to give way before them. In Java, notwithstanding all the difficulties the Dutch throw in their way, by levying considerably heavier imposts on them than on any other people, they "thrive," according to a simile of their own, "like the lotus plant." To a certain extent the severity of Dutch rule is beneficial to the Chinaman, for unless he is made subservient