2-798-992 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Bruni, or Borneo Proper - from a sketch by a correspondent, 1845. '...Borneo, the capital of the kingdom of Borneo Proper, or Brunai, lying on the north-west coast of the Island of Borneo, on the banks of the river, about ten miles from the sea...the river has a considerable depth, and here the shipping lies, particularly the Chinese junks...The town, which is on low ground, contains a considerable number of houses, built on posts, four or five feet high, which, at the rise of the tide, allow the water to pass freely under them The streets are formed by canals, either natural or artificial, which facilitate communication; and they are always covered with boats, which are managed by women with great dexterity...The exports are rice, black pepper, camphor, cinnamon, bees-wax, sea-slugs, turtle-shell, pearls, and mother-of-pearl, with tea, wrought and raw silk, and nankeen...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.