I found that he could write and read English, but could not speak it, being like myself a bad linguist; so we had to use French as a medium of communication.

He kindly offered me a room during my stay in Amboyna, and introduced me to his junior, Dr.Doleschall, a Hungarian and also an entomologist.

He was an intelligent and most amiable young man but I was shocked to find that he was dying of consumption, though still able to perform the duties of his office.

In the evening my host took me to the residence of the Governor, Mr.Goldmann, who received me in a most kind and cordial manner, and offered me every assistance.

The town of Amboyna consists of a few business streets, and a number of roads set out at right angles to each other, bordered by hedges of flowering shrubs, and enclosing country houses and huts embossed in palms and fruit trees.
Hills and mountains form the background in almost every direction, and there are few places more enjoyable for a morning or evening stroll than these sandy roads and shady lanes in the suburbs of the ancient city of Amboyna.
There are no active volcanoes in the island, nor is it now subject to frequent earthquakes, although very severe ones have occurred and may be expected again.