THE COTA BLUNDA. 51
Facing the fort are a number of European houses, and behind it is situated the Cota Blunda, or old Dutch quarter, the only part of the town in wliich, till within late years, for their safety and protection from the natives, who used to be trou- blesome and dangerous, European inhabitants were permitted to reside.
To the left, beyond the road, a portion of the old Kraton's ruined walls was just visible through the tangled network of wild plants and trees. On the right hand is the Peppay road, so called from a small river which runs past it, dividing the Chinese from the European quarter.
I do not know the exact date when the fort was built, but I am probably not far wrong in saying about the year 1672. Its construction is very similar to that of the other stronifholds I had alreadv seen in ,[;iva. The walls, which are not angulated, after the ])laii of Vauban or Descartes, are waslied with a dark slate coloured preparation, as though the
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