This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1835 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. Sir S. Raffles at Bencoolen--Proceeds to Padang--Is anxious to go to Menangkabu--Considered impracticable--Dangers represented--Determines to make the attempt--Difficulty of the road--Beauty of the country--Course up the river--Thermometei--Height of the mountain--Description of the Tiga Bias country and people--Cattle--Horses--Clothing of the people--Houses--View of the Lake of Sincara--Description of it--Town of Simawang--Country compared to that of Java--Arrival at Suruasa--Discovery of an inscription in the Kami character--Description of Menangkabu--Hindu image similar to those of Java--Height of the city--Return to the Lake--Description of crossing it--MineralsVegetables--Agriculture--Return to Bencoolen--Death of Dr. Arnold. A Month was passed at Bencoolen in attending to the duties of the settlement. The only event which occurred was a successful attempt to cross the island from Bencoolen to Palembang. The following details are contained in the extract of a letter to Mr. Marsden: --"July, 1818. "My Dear Sir, "I thought it would not be long before we found our way across the island. Finding it necessary to send a mission with a detachment of Sepoys to Palembang, I marched them across the hills, and have the pleasure to Vol. i. 2 c inform you, that the party reached Muara Billiti on the Palembang river, where boats were in readiness to take them to Palembang in nine days from their leaving Bencoolen, without difficulty or casualty; not a sick man or a single want the whole way. They expected to reach Palembang in two days more, making eleven from their departure. "I have, with Lady Raffles and Dr. Arnold, visited the Pasumah country, which is equal to anything in Java. We had the pleasure of spending three nights in the...