Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/9

 PREFACE.

STERNE says in his Sentimental Journey—"What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in everything, and who, having eyes to see what time and chance are perpetually holding out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on."

In presenting these volumes to the public, I am reminded of the above quotation, which, being in some measure apposite to the pretensions of this work, will best convey to the minds of my readers the object I had in selecting from my journal descriptions of the scenes through which I passed, and reminiscences of the adventures I encountered en route.