Travels in India (Tavernier) 154.1

154.1

The Author returns to Batavia, and some days afterwards goes again to visit the King of Bantam, giving an account, in connection therewith, of the dangerous extravagances of some Fakirs, or pilgrims, on their return from Mecca My brother and I, after having supped this evening with the English President, went on board a barque between 11 o’clock and midnight, for the land-wind that we required generally blows at night, and on the following day between 10 and 11 o’clock in the morning we arrived at Batavia. I remained there twenty days, merely to make the King of Bantam believe that I had not misrepresented the matter, and that during that time I had been looking for what it was impossible to find. As I had nothing to do then, these twenty days appeared very long to me; for at Batavia there is scarcely any other amusement but gambling, and all the gain goes in drink; this did not suit me. During the day, on account of the great heat, one cannot even think of taking exercise, this can only be done towards the cool of the evening, and it is moreover necessary to make it very short, because as soon as the sun sets they close the gates, unless the General or Madame or some of the Councillors of India are outside the town in their gardens. During these twenty days M. Cant, one of the Councillors of India, died, and was buried with great honour.