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once formed, are final. Agreements of romances and poetical compositions, once entered into are invariably observed in which love, war, and the chase, are on their part, and a Bugis is never the favourite themes. They include a known to swerve from his bargain. paraphrase of the Koran, and several That natural politeness which characteri- works, evidently translated from the zes the various nations and tribes distin- Javenese and Arabic, and many in comguished by wearing the criss or creese, is mon with the Malayu; also works on no where more forcibly exhibited than judicial astrology, and collections of inamong the inhabitants of Celebes. stitutions and customs which have all Whether the Bugis language contains the force of law; and each principal any portion of a more ancient language state adopts the practice of duly recordthan either (of which traces are said to ing every public event of importance, as exist in some old manuscripts of the it occurs. country,) or, from commercial inter

with other states, has adopted

course w

JAVA.

In Java, and in that range of islands

more foreign terms, is yet to be determin- which modern geographers have classed ed. The written character is nearly the under the denomination of the Sunda same; the Macassars, however, using Islands, I have hitherto refrained from more consonant sounds than the Bugis. noticing the extensive traces of antiquity, The same practice of softening the ab- foreign intercourse, and national greatrupt or harsh sound of a word ending in ness, which are exhibited in the numera consonant, by attaching a final a or o, ous monuments of a former worship, in 80 general in almost every tongue of the the ruins of dilapidated cities, and in Archipelago, is common to, and I be- the character, the institutions, the lanlieve, invariably observed in, both these guage, and the literature, of the people, languages. from the hope that abler pens would The Bugis trace back their history to have attempted a more correct sketch Sawira Geding, whom they represent than either my humble abilities or limitto have proceeded in immediate descent ed information enable me to contemplate from their heavenly mediator, Bitara or embrace. Guru, and to have been the first chief of any celebrity in Celebes. He reigned over Luhu, the most ancient kingdom of Celebes; and a lapse of time, equal to seven descents, is said to have taken place before the establishment of Boni. Both this chieftain, and the founder of the empire of Goa, are represented to have been great navigators and foreigners; or according to the romance of native tradition, deities sent from heaven to govern and take care of them. The inhabitants of Macassar have no idea by what means, or at what period, the present form of government, of the nine Glarang and the Bechara Buta of Goa, was established.

From the result of every investigation yet made, the geological constitution of Java appears to be exclusively volcanic, without any admixture whatever of the primitive or secondary mountains of the Asiatic continent; while, on the contrary, Sumatra, with Banca, appear to be a continuation and termination of the immense chain of mountains which pervades great part of Asia, and runs off, finally, in a direction north-west to south-east. Java deviates from the direction of Sumatra, and the peninsula of Malacca,in striking off directly west and east. In this direction it is followed by the larger of the adjacent islands of Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Endi, and Timor; and by many smalLiterary compositions, in both the ler, which contribute to constitute an exMacassar and Bugis languages, are nu- tensive series. This direction, as well merous. They consist principally in as the constitution of all the islands enuhistorical accounts of the different states, merated, indicates the existence of an exsince the introduction of Mahometanism, tensive volcanic chasm in this part of which is represented to have taken place the globe, running for many degrees, also late as the early part of the sixteenth most parallel with the equator. The century; and in guligas or collections consequences of Java's being exclusively of traditions, regarding more early times, volcanic, are, that while Sumatra 3 Y MON. MAG. No. 285.

abounds in metals, Java, generally speak- emblem of a religion no longer acknowling, is destitute of them; that, while in edged, and scarcely known among them Sumatra there are many extensive tracts, by name. sterile, and unfavourable to vegetation, Java, with few exceptions, is covered with a soil in the highest degree fertile, luxuriant, and productive of every species of vegetation.

Catalogues and collections of the vari⚫ eties in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, as they have been found to exist on Java, have been formed by Dr. Horsefield, who is at present engaged in exploring the districts lying to the east and south of Suracarta, with the view of completing materials for the natal history of Java. His Flora Javana

Never have I met with such stupendous, laborious, and finished specimens, of human labour, and of the polished refined taste of ages long since forgot, and crowded together in so small a compass, as characterize and are manifested in this little spot; and, though I doubt not there are some remains of antiquity in other parts of the globe more worthy the eye of the traveller or the pencil of the artist, yet Chandi Sewo must ever rank with the foremost in the attractions of curiosity, or of antiquarian research."

Next to Prambanan, the ruins of Boro is already far advanced. The geography Bodo may be ranked as remarkable for of plants is a subject to which he has grandeur in design,peculiarity of style,and particularly directed his researches. exquisite workmanship. This temple is From the extensive range of the ther- in the district of Boro, under the residenmometer between the high and the low cy of the Kadu, whence, I presume, it lands, Java presents to the botanist, at the least, six distinct associations of plants or floras, indigenous to as many climates, defined by their comparative elevation above the level of the sea.

The height of the principal mountains in Java is estimated at from seven to eight thousand feet above the level of the

sea.

takes its name; Bodo being either a term of contempt cast upon it by the Mahometans, or erroneously so pronounced, instead of Bud'ho-which, in its general acceptation, in the Javanese language, is synonymous with ancient, or heathen. It is built so as to crown the upper part of a small hill, the summit terminating in a-dome. The building is square, and The most splendid of monuments are is composed of seven terraces, rising one to be found at Prambanan, Boro Bodo, above the other, each of which is enclosand Singa Sari. Of the first an interest- ed by stone walls; the ascent to the ing description is given by Col. Mack- different terraces being by four flight of enzie. Circumstances have since ad- steps, leading from four principal enmitted of a more minute investigation; trances, one on each side of the square. and our information, as far as regards On the top are several small latticed their present state, is much more com- domes, the upper part terminating in one plete. These extensive ruins lay claim of a larger circumference. In separate to the highest antiquity; and, consider- niches, or rather temples, at equal dising the vicinity of the temples to have tances, formed in the walls of the several been the seat of the earliest monarchy in terraces, are contained upward of three Java, I may be permitted, in the words hundred stone images of devotees, in a of Captain Baker, to lament the contrast sitting posture, and being each above of the present times with "times long three feet high. Similar images are since past." Nothing (he observes,) within the domes above; and in comcan exceed the air of melancholy, desola- partments in the walls, both within and tion, and ruin, which this spot presents; without, are carved in relief, and in the and the feelings of every visitor must be most correct and beautiful style, groupes forcibly in unison with the scene of sur- of figures, containing historical scenes rounding devastation, when he reflects and mythological ceremonies, supposed upon the origin of this once venerated, to be representations of a principal part, hallowed spot; the seat and proof either of the Ramayan or Mahabrat. of the perfection of arts now no longer The figures and costume are evidently in existence in Java, and the type and Indian; and we are at a loss whether

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most to admire the extent and grandeur commodated to all the purposes of the of the whole construction, or the beauty, mountainous classes who speak it, and richness, and correctness, of the sculp

ture.

Although the general design of this temple differs from those at Prambanan, a similar style of sculpture and decoration is observable; and the same may be also traced in the ruins at Singa Sari, situated in the residency of Pasaruan, where are still to be found images of Brahma, Mahadewa, Ganesa, the Bull Nandi, and others, of the most exquisite workmanship, and in a still higher degree of preservation than any remaining at Boro Bodo.

perhaps differs from the Javanese, not so much in its construction, as in the portion of original and of Malayan words which it contains. The Javanese language, properly so called, is distinguished by a division between what may be considered as the vernacular language of the country, and what may be considered as a second or court language, adopted by all inferiors when addressing a superior. The same construction, as well as the idiom of the language, is, I believe, pretty generally preserved in both the languages; the latter, however, consists of a more extensive class of foreign words which would appear to have been picked and culled for the purpose. Where different words have not been found from the common language of the country, an arbitrary variation in the sound of the word belonging to the common language is adopted, as in changing the progo into pragi, dadi into dados, Jawa into Jawi, &c. and, the more effectually to render the polite language distinct, not only are the affirmatives and negatives, as well as the pronouns and prepositions, varied, but the auxiliary verbs and particles are in general different.

One of the most extraordinary monuments in this quarter, however, is an immense colossal statue of a man resting on his hams, of the same character as the porters at Prambanan, lying on its face, and adjacent to a terrace, on which it was originally placed. This statue measures in length about twelve feet, breadth between the shoulders nine feet and a half, and at the base nine feet and a half, with corresponding dimensions in girth, cut from one solid stone. The statue seems evidently to have fallen from the adjacent elevated terrace; although it is difficult to reconcile the probability of its having been elevated to The literature of Java, however much such a station, with reference to any it may have declined in latter days, must traces we now have of the knowledge of be still considered as respectable. The mechanics by the Javanese. To have more ancient historical compositions are raised it by dint of mere manual labour mostly written in the Kawi language, to would appear at the present day, an which frequently the meaning of each Herculean task. The terrace is about word, and a paraphrase of the whole, in eighteen feet high. A second figure, of Javanese, is annexed. Of these comthe same dimensions, has since been dis- positions those most highly esteemed are covered in the vicinity of the above; the B'rata Yud'ha, or Holy War, and a and, when the forest shall be cleared, volume entitled Romo, or Rama, the forsome traces of the large temple to which mer descriptive of the exploits of Arjuthey formed the approach may probably no, and the principal heroes whose fame be found. Not far from Singa Sari, is recorded in the celebrated Indian poem which was once the seat of empire, and of the Mahabarat, the latter of those who in the district of Malang, are several are distinguished in the Ramayan. These interesting ruins of temples, of similar poems are held by the Javanese of the construction, and of the same style of present day in about the same estimation as the Illiad and Odyssey of Homer are by Europeans. Until translations are made, and can be compared with the more extensive works in India, it would be premature to form any judgment on their relative excellence. The B'rata Yud'ha is contained in about two hundred

ornament.

In the island of Java, two general languages may be considered as prevalent. The Sunda language, which prevails in the western, and the Javanese, which is the language of the districts east of Cheribon. The first is a simple dialect ac

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verses; but, in rendering the Kawi into mode of calculating the seasons, the Javanese, it is found necessary, in order principles of which must have been to convey any thing like the meaning, to discovered by a people well acquainrender one line of Kawi into at least three ted with the motions of the heavenof the modern Javanese. I should not ly bodies. They also possess several omit to mention that the belief is gener- works on judicial astrology; but in this among the Javanese, that the scene of they follow only what is laid down for this celebrated romance is on Java. them in the few pages of a book almost They point out the different countries, illegible, and in the traditions of the which are referred to, such as Hastina, country.* Wirata, and others in different districts of the island, which have since assumed more modern names; and the supposed mansion of Arjuno, is still traced upon Gunung Prahu.

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If we contemplate the various nations and tribes which inhabit the Southern peninsula of India, and the innumerable islands composing that portion of the globe which is comprehended within These works, in common with almost Polynesia and Austral Asia, our attenevery compositon in the language, are tion is arrested by the striking uniformity composed in regularly measured verses; in habits and language which prevails and, as far as we can judge, from the throughout; and which induces the inpartial translations which have been made ference, either of one common origin, or from them, through the medium of the of early and very general intercourse. Javanese, they do credit to the power of The superior and extraordinary fertilithe language and the genius of the poet. ty of the soil may serve to account for Historical compositions are divided the extensive population of Java, cominto two general classes, termed Pakam pared with that of the other islands; and and Babat; under the former are con- when, to the peaceable and domestic sidered the Romo and B'rata Yud'ha; habits of an agricultural life, are added the institutions and regulations for princes the facilities for invasion along an extenand the officers of state and law, entitled sive line of coast, accessible in every diKopo Kopo, Jogol Muda and Kontoro; rection, it will not have been surprising works on astronomy and judicial astrolo- that she should have fallen an easy prey gy, termed Wuku; and works on moral to the first invader. She appears to have conduct, regulations and ancient institu- lost, by these invasions, much of that tions, termed Niti Sastro and Niti Projo. martial spirit and adventurous enterprise Under the Babat are classed chronologi- which distinguishes the population of the cal and other works on modern history, other isles; but, at the same time, to since the establishment of the empire of have retained, not only the primitive Mataram. simplicity of her own peculiar usages,

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Their dramatic exhibitions are accompanied by performances on the Gamelan, or musical instruments of the Javanese, of which there are several distinct sets; the Salindro, which accompanies the performances from the B'rata Yud'ha and Romo, as well as the Topeng; the Pelog which accompanies the Wayang Gedog; the Kodok Ngohek, Ohara Bali, Senenan, and others. The Javanese music is peculiarly harmonious, but the gamut is imperfect.

Whatever portion of astronomical science may have in former times been communicated to Java, the people of the present day have no pretensions to distinction on this account. It is true they possess the signs of the zodiac, and still preserve a

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but all the virtues and advantages of the give a determination to the Japanese more enlightened institution's, which have character, which would progressively been introduced at different periods improve until it attained the same height from a foreign source. At all events, of civilization with the European. Nothing when we consider that her population cannot be less then four millions, and when we witness the character and literature of the people as it is even now exhibited, we must believe that Java had once attained a far higher degree of civilization than any other nation in the southern hemisphere.

JAPAN.

You will, however, expect from me some notice regarding JAPAN-" that celebrated and imperial island," which, to use the words of Sir William Jones, bears" a pre-eminence among eastern kingdoms, analogous to that of Britain among the nations of the west;" and, however slender may have been the information procured, such as it is, I venture to submit it to you, nearly as I received it from the verbal communications of Dr. Ainslie.

indeed is so offensive to the feelings of a Japanese as to be compared in any one respect with the Chinese, and the only occasion on which Dr. Ainslie saw the habitual politeness of a Japanese ever surprised into a burst of passion was, when, upon a similitude of the two nations being unguardedly asserted, the latter laid his hand upon his sword!

The people are said to have a strong inclination to foreign intercourse, notwithstanding the political institutions to the contrary; and perhaps the energy which characterizes the Japanese character cannot be better elucidated, than by that extraordinary decision which excluded the world from their shores, and confined within their own limits a people who had before served as mercenaries throughout all Polynesia, and traded with all nations-themselves adventurous navigators.

They are represented to be a nervous, vigorous people, whose bodily and men- There is by no means that uniformity tal powers assimilate much nearer to among them which is observed in China, those of Europe than what is attributed where the impression of the government to Asiatics in general. Their features may be said to have broken down all are masculine and perfectly European, individuality and left one Chinese the with the exception of the small length counterpart of another. Unlike the Chiened Tartar eye, which almost univer- nese, the women here are by no means sally prevails, and is the only feature of secluded-they associate among themresemblance between them and the Chi- selves, like the ladies of Europe. During nese. The complexion is perfectly fair, the residence of Dr. Ainslie, frequent and indeed blooming; the women of the invitations and entertainments were higher classes being equally fair with Eu- given; on these occasions, and at one ropeans, and having the bloom of health in particular, a lady from the court of more generally prevalent among them than usually found in Europe.

Jeddo is represented to have done the honours of the table with an ease, elegance, and address that would have graced a Parisian. The usual dress of a Japanese woman of middle rank costs perhaps as much as would supply the wardrobe of an European lady of the same rank for twenty years.

For a people who have had very few, if any, external aids, the Japanese cannot but rank high in the scale of civilization. The traits of a vigorous mind are displayed in their proficiency in the sciences, and particularly in metaphysics and judicial astrology. The arts they The mistaken idea of the illiberality practise speak for themselves, and are of the Japanese in religious matters, deservedly acknowledged to be in a seems to have been fully proved; and much higher degree of perfection than the late mission experienced the reverse among the Chinese, with whom they are in a degree hardly credible, and little exby Europeans so frequently confounded; pected by themselves from the representhe latter have been stationary at least tations previously made to them. The as long as we have known them, while story of the annual test of trampling on the slightest impulse seems sufficient to the crucifix, at Nanggasaki and the

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