Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/33

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JAVA COFFEE.
15

of cigars consumed in a day by one individual is really astonishing, and the rapidity with which each is smoked is remarkable. From personal experience, I should say Dutchmen in the East are much greater smokers even than Spaniards.

On reaching home after his promenade, our Dutchman partakes of orange bitters, diluted in Kirsch-wasser—Hollands—or brandy, as a stimulus to the appetite; and then, after the enjoyment of another weed, the Mandoer, head-servant, or butler, announces dinner. When the ladies retire from dessert, cigars are immediately handed round, and cups of excellent Java coffee. And here, I may beg leave to observe, we were told that a great quantity of the coffee which is sold as Mocha in reality comes direct from Java, assuming the name of the famous Arab port on its arrival in Europe. The gentlemen generally sit but a short time after the ladies leave, adjourning after them to the drawing-room,