ON the morning of the 8th of January, 1858, I arrived at Ternate,
the fourth of a row of fine conical volcanic islands which shirt
the west coast of the large and almost unknown n island of
Gilolo. The largest and most perfectly conical mountain is
Tidore, which is over four thousand Feet high - Ternate being very
nearly the same height, but with a more rounded and irregular
summit. The town of Ternate is concealed from view till we enter
between the two islands, when it is discovered stretching along
the shore at the very base of the mountain. Its situation is
fine, and there are grand views on every side. Close opposite is
the rugged promontory and beautiful volcanic cone of Tidore; to
the east is the long mountainous coast of Gilolo, terminated
towards the north by a group of three lofty volcanic peaks, while
immediately behind the town rises the huge mountain, sloping
easily at first and covered with thick groves of fruit trees, but
soon becoming steeper, and furrowed with deep gullies. Almost to
the summit, whence issue perpetually faint wreaths of smoke, it
is clothed with vegetation, and looks calm and beautiful,
although beneath are hidden fires which occasionally burst forth
in lava-streams, but more frequently make their existence known
by the earthquakes which have many times devastated the town.
I brought letters of introduction to Mr. Duivenboden, a native of
Ternate, of an ancient Dutch family, but who was educated in
England, and speaks our language perfectly. He was a very rich
man, owned half the town, possessed many ships, and above a
hundred slaves. He was moreover, well educated, and fond of
literature and science - a phenomenon in these regions. He was
generally known as the king of Ternate, from his large property
and great influence with the native Rajahs and their subjects.
Through his assistance I obtained a house; rather ruinous, but
well adapted to my purpose, being close to the town, yet with a
free outlet to the country and the mountain. A few needful
repairs were soon made, some bamboo furniture and other
necessaries obtained, and after a visit to the Resident and
Police Magistrate I found myself an inhabitant of the earthquake-
tortured island of Ternate, and able to look about me and lay
down the plan of my campaign for the ensuing year. I retained
this house for three years, as I found it very convenient to have
a place to return to after my voyages to the various islands of
the Moluccas and New Guinea, where I could pack my collections,
recruit my health, and make preparations for future journeys. To
avoid repetitions, I will in this chapter combine what notes I
have about Ternate.
A description of my house (the plan of which is here shown) will
enable the reader to understand a very common mode of building in
these islands.
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