Raffles was among the first to conclude the ‘the present state of Bali may be considered…as a kind of commentary of the ancient conditions of the native of Java’, a theme later to be much emphasized by the Dutch. Oversimplifying greatly, he observed the prevalence of private landholding on Bali, in contrast to Java. He pronounced the Balinese to be ‘active and enterprising, and free from that listlessness and indolence which are observable in the inhabitants of Java’. Raffles’ comments were often inaccurate, hardly surprising given the brevity of his visit, but they helped to flag the island as a place worthy of further attention.