Java, Luzon, and Celebes are each about equal in size to Ireland.

Eighteen more islands are, on the average, as large as Jamaica, more than a hundred are as large as the Isle of Wight, and the smaller isles and islets are innumerable.

In short, our archipelago is comparable with any of the primary divisions of the globe, being full 4000 miles in length from east to west and about 1,300 in breadth from north to south, and would in extent more than cover the whole of Europe." It was evident to Nigel that he had at length succeeded in opening the floodgates.

The hermit paused for a few moments and puffed at the meerschaum, while Moses glared at his master with absorbed interest, and pulled at the cigarette with such oblivious vigour that he drew it into his mouth at last, spat it out, and prepared another.

Nigel sat quite silent and waited for more.
"As to trade," continued Van der Kemp, resuming his discourse in a lower tone, "why, of gold--the great representative of wealth--we export from Sumatra alone over 26,000 ounces annually, and among other gold regions we have a Mount Ophir in the Malay Peninsula from which there is a considerable annual export." Continuing his discourse, Van der Kemp told a great deal more about the products of these prolific islands with considerable enthusiasm--as one who somewhat resented the underrating of his native land.
"Were you born in this region, Van der Kemp ?" asked Nigel, during a brief pause.
"I was--in Java.