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Ch. 2: Matan Diamond, Borneo & The Dutch

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II.
THE MATAN.
Exploration of the Land of the Matan—Traditional Wealth of Borneo—The " Reputed largest-known Diamond in the World"—Exportation of Diamonds by the Dutch— The Ladies of Batavia—Sir Stamford Raffle's Account of the Matan—Found by a Labourer, claimed by the Rajah—Regarded as a Talisman—Appearance of the Gem—Offers of Purchase in Gold and War-ships
ORNEO is no longer a terra incognita. The Dutch a't one point and Rajah Brook at another have already dissi­pated for us some of the legendary terrors that have induced travellers and traders to give the coasts of Brunei and Sabah a wide berth. Recently two important works on Borneo have been published, the first by Carl Bock, who has explored most of the Dutch territory, the second by Joseph Hatton, who, in possession of the private letters and explorers' reports of the British North Borneo has given us some interesting revelations about Sabah, and the mysterious regions of Kina Balu. These current volumes, written upon authoritative data maintain to some extent the traditional character of Borneo as "a treasure house of gems," though it is plain that the mineral wealth of the country has been over­rated. The habit of one writer copying from another previously referred to, has been peculiarly in vogue as
Ch. 1: Braganza Diamond Page of 312 Ch. 2: Matan Diamond, Borneo & The Dutch
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