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grim interest to all the rest. The victims whose death is one of the great features of the festival look on with placidity, or even downright enjoyment. Captain Burton saw forty of these wretches, dressed in the attire of state criminals, "seated on cage stools, and bound to posts, which passed between their legs, the ankles, the shins under the knees, and the wrists, being lashed outside with connected ties." They remarked the presence of white men, chattered together, and kept time to the music. Visitors were formerly compelled to witness the executions. Commander Forbes actually saw victims hurled down from the platform about twelve feet above the ground, decapitated by the headsman, mutilated by the clubs of the mob. Commodore Wilmot, if he did not witness the bloodshed, which from his report is uncertain, at least saw the victims carried away, and they were executed within earshot. Captain Burton, who is probably a man of more resolution than either of his predecessors, in obedience to the instructions of the Foreign Office by which he was commissioned, represented to the king very positively that, if there was any attempt to perpetrate the executions in his neighborhood, he would at once return to Whydah. In consequence of this, no blood was shed during the day-time, but in the Evil Night the report of a musket and the bang of the death-drum informed the visitor from time to time that a life was taken. The following day Captain Burton intended to stay away from the palace, but a royal messenger, sent expressly by the king, came to inform him that nobody had been put to death during the previous night who was not either a criminal or a captive. The spectacle on approaching the palace was "not pleasant." Four corpses were sitting in pairs on stools on the top of the two-story scaffold. Near were two more victims, one above the other; then a gallows, thirty feet high, with a wretch hanging down by his heels; and, close to the path, "a patibulum for two dangling side by side." Further on lay a dozen heads in batches of six each, and so on until a total of twenty-three had been reached. As there are two Evil Nights, and as the Amazons within the palace kill as many as the men without, the number of the slain may be esti

mated at seventy-eight or eighty. But this is only a small part of the annual bloodshed. "I can hardly rate the slaughter," Captain Burton says, "at less than five hundred in average years of the Annual Customs, and at less than one thousand during the year of the Grand Customs."

The object of these sacrifices has hitherto been scarcely at all understood. They are offered up solely on religious grounds, and sprang originally from filial piety. One of the most prominent articles of Dahoman faith is a belief in Deadland. In what precise condition the ghosts of the departed are supposed to exist is uncertain, but they are always regarded as continuations of their earthly selves, with the same habits and sentiments. Dead-land is not a scene of reward and punishment, these being conceptions which the Dahoman mind is wholly incompetent either to originate or to grasp when expounded. The future life has probably been invented to extinguish or mitigate the horror of animal death, and those who partake of it retain all their previous interest in what is going on among their descendants. The meaning, then, of the Grand Customs, when the rites of a deceased monarch are celebrated by his successor, is simply that a king should not be permitted to enter the lower world without a kingly retinue.

"He must enter Deadland with royal state, accompanied by a ghostly court of leopard wives, head wives, birthday wives, Afa wives, eunuchs, singers and drummers, bards and soldiers." Here, as has been said, the victims " may amount to a maximum of five hundred." But, besides this awful slaughter, whatever the king does must be reported faithfully to the curious ancestor. If a white man visits the king, or if he changes his residence, the news is instantly conveyed to the paternal ghost down in Dead-land by a messenger slain for the express purpose, and this brings the number put to death in average years up to the level of those slain on the extraordinary occasion of the king's decease. The late monarch, Gezo, reduced the bloodshed, but Gelele is committed to "the reactionary party," on whose support he depends. priests or fetisheers are all-powerful in Dahomey, and they are resolute oppo

The

nents of any attempt to interfere with national religious customs. Captain Burton accounts for the stories of two thousand being killed in one day, and the canoe being paddled about in tanks of gore, by attributing them to the invention of the slave-traders, who very naturally wished to frighten Englishmen from remonstrating with the king. The latter part of the fiction no doubt is an exaggeration of the fact that the blood is collected in pits, but, as they are only two feet deep and four feet square, there is not much chance of floating canoes in them.

was

A very curious Dahoman institution is the double character of the king. He is king of the city and king of the bushGelele and Addo-kpon. The late monarch was both Gezo and Ga-kpwe. It is not quite clear from Captain Burton's account what is the secret of this duplicate sovereignty; he presumes that "it invented to enable the king to trade." The king celebrates his So-Sin Customs in the second capacity as well as in the first, and "criminals and victims are set apart" at them. It is to be regretted that Captain Burton did not go more fully and clearly into the origin of this remarkable duality of the royal person, which is, ethnologically, perhaps the most interesting feature of his book.

The author is not at all sanguine about the success of modern missionary enterprise in Dahomey. Admitting that the missionaries have scarcely as yet had a fair trial, he maintains that "all who know how deeply-rooted is fetishism in the negro brain will despair of the nineteenth succeeding better than the sixteenth century." For one of the most formidable evils against which they will

have to contend the missionaries have to

homans slaying seventy-eight or eighty victims, because "Dr. Lankester calculates six deaths per mensem as the loss caused by crinoline in London." And "we can hardly find fault with putting criminals to death when, in the year of grace 1864, we hung four murderers upon the same gibbet before one hundred thousand gaping souls at Liverpool," etc. Captain Burton is so bold, enterprising, and judicious an explorer, and so entertaining a narrator, that we cannot reasonably complain if he is but a sorry philosopher.

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THE information furnished by these two volumes will probably be new to most of their readers. Java, though one of the loveliest and most fertile islands of the Eastern hemisphere, and abounding in features of interest for the politician and the naturalist, has never been ed ruins which tell of a civilization vasta favorite resort of travellers. Sculpturly antecedent to that of Europe, scenery less charming than that of Italy, native as grand as that of Switzerland, and not industry as versatile and prolific as that of the Chinese, customs as curious as those of out-of-the-way lands scarcely hitherto to attract to Java the attention accessible to the white man-have failed of those restless thousands, who, wearied of the monotony of home, are ever panting for new sensations, and venturing upon untried fields of travel. We dare almost predict that this will no longer be the case.

Mr. D'Almeida has written such a story of his three months'

holiday as will induce many to follow in his wake. And if they do not meet with stirring incidents and hairbreadth escapes, they will at least find plenty to amuse and instruct.

thank themselves. The spectacle of Catholics and Protestants working one against the other is not likely to assist the conversion of the Dahoman" man and brother." But the "missioner" is one of the many subjects on which Captain Burton's views are distorted by powerful prejudices, which are expressed with a violence that drives even those who may be disposed to think that there is some foundation for them over to the other side. Throughout his book he is very fond of sneering at the civilized world. We need not talk about the Da-umes.

nitude of the islands of the Indian ArchiThe island of Java is the third in magpelago. Its length from east to west is one hundred and sixty-six miles, and its breadth varies from fifty-six to one hundred and thirty-six. It has an area

*

Life in Java with Sketches of the Javanese. By WILLIAM BARRINGTON D'ALMEIDA. Two vol

London: Hurst & Blackett.

1864.

"was quite terrific. The smoke, forcing its
way through large apertures in the sides,
of an impatient steam-engine; and sulphure-
made a hoarse, grumbling sound, like that
ous odors impregnated the air, almost chok-
us.
The crater, when we looked
down into its dreadful abyss, seemed a per-
fect pandemonium; and one could well fancy,
on beholding a spectacle so grand and appall-
ing, what must have been the conjectures sug-
gested to the minds of ignorant, supersti-
that they should regard the sounds issuing
What more probable than
from its profound depths as the shrieks, yells,
and groans of a multitude of discontented
spirits, calling in misery to be delivered from
the prison-house in which they were suffering
unutterable torments?"

tious natives.

of upwards of fifty thousand miles, with
a coast-line of fourteen hundred. The
population, according to the last census,
which was taken in 1853, is about ten
millions and a quarter. With the ex-ing
ception of the officers of the Dutch gov-
ernment, and a fair proportion of mer-
chants from all parts of the world, with a
considerable number of Chinese settlers,
the country is inhabited by the Sundas
and the Javanese, the former occupying
but a narrow slip of territory on the
coast. Within the limited area of the
country, it is possible to gather a great
deal of information in a short time; and
Mr. D'Almeida seems to have spent his
three months in Java very industrious-
ly; though, while acknowledging his
claim to having published "a faithful ac-
count of this valuable possession of the
crown of Holland," we cannot but wish
that his sketch had been somewhat fuller
and less discursive. His account of the
natural features of the country, its in-
dustrial progress, its religion, and of
some branches of its administration,
might have been more perfect and dis-
tinct. On the other hand, he has fur-
nished a very vivid picture of native
manners and traditions, and made a val-
uable contribution to the literature of
travel. He is not a book-maker, but a
conscientious narrator of facts and inci-
dents of personal experience and obser-
vation.

The geological formation of Java is volcanic. A chain of mountains, whose summits rise from four thousand to twelve thousand feet above the level of the sea, runs down the centre of the island. More than forty of these are volcanic, and at least twenty are active. The most important of these is the Bromok, which in form is "something like a cone, from the summit of which about a third part, or even more, has been irregularly broken off." From its side irregular masses of mud and sand, "coated with a cake of baked clay like red lava," project. "Imbedded in these mounds are large blocks of lime and iron stone, also huge black stones veined like marble, and shining like granite." These, which are scattered on all sides, were probably ejected at the last eruption of the Bromok, which took place a few years ago. "The noise of the crater," says Mr. D'Almeida,

The crater of the Bromok, which is shaped like a basin, and has a diameter of three hundred and fifty feet, with a depth of two hundred, is full of masses of a mud-like substance, which crumbles into dust when touched. One of the extinct craters of this chain of mountains is said to be the largest in the world, being nearly five miles in diameter. From the nature of its soil, as well as from its extent, it is called the Sand Sea. So vast is its extent, that heaps of stones are placed at certain distances to mark the proper track, and prevent travellers from losing themselves in the dreary waste. The volcanic eruptions are frequent, and sometimes on an almost incredible scale. A lake called the Tologo Warno, which is said to have been no less than eight hundred feet deep, and beautifully clear, is now diminished in depth to seventy-five feet, and its waters have been rendered thick and muddy in consequence of the quantity of stones and rubbish thrown into it during the eruption of a volcano which is now extinct.

The natives have some strange theories and traditions concerning volcanoes. They believe that the noise which the. mountain makes is the voice of some departed gnome, giving utterance to his desire for human flesh. In their holy book it is predicted that in consequence of its volcanic nature, the island of Java will be the first place in the world to take fire at the last day. To this belief, however, a saving clause of great importance is added. The Javanese are not to be burnt, but transferred to some safe place until the catastrophe is over. They will then return to the island as its

of human beings now made a tremendous rush for the volcano, the first who succeeded in gaining the ridge believing himself favored by fortune, and certain of future good luck. uals then handed their offerings to the priests, who again mumbled a few words over them, after which their owners hurled them down the crater, repeating, as they did so, some prayer or wish."

The various families and individ

Not satisfied with offerings of cocoanuts and produce, the people proceeded to throw live fowls into the crater. Some of these, however, though more deficient than the votaries who sought to victimin devotion, were less deficient in sense,

masters the Dutch, Chinese, and all others who have disputed their possession of it, having been disposed of in the fire. Stranger than any of their traditions is the ceremony of blessing or worshipping the Bromok, which is held regularly once a year, accompanied by great festal rejoicings. The pilgrims who flock to this festival are generally Brahmins of a not very strict type. Mr. D'Almeida gives a graphic picture of one of these occasions. At a short distance from the principal hut "were twenty mats placed on the Sand Sea, on each of which knelt a young priest, having before him a box of myrrh, aloes, frankin-ize them; and so they wisely took wing, cense, and other spices which are sold for offerings. At right angles with this row of mats was another row, with the same number of priests, all kneeling in the Arab fashion, their bodies partly resting on the calves of their legs. The sacerdotal dress consisted of a white gown, over sarongs of batek, which were tied to the waist by broad red belts. Over the shoulders hung two bands of yellow silk bound with scarlet, with tassels and coins hanging from the ends. Round the head was a large turban, ornamented with gaudy silk scarves. Before each priest were small packets of plantain leaves, containing incense, chips of sandal-wood, and

and flew to some ridge on which they were safe. Stones found near the Bromok at the previous festival were offered for sale, and eagerly bought, as remedies against every possible disease.

Hot

The

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Java, but they are generally slight. The native theory regarding them is that the earth, which is in the form of a tray, rests on the horns of a great bull. Annoyed by its weight, the bull makes occasional attempts to displace it, and in so doing gives it a terrible shake. springs, impregnated with carbon, are other preparations; wooden censers, from which arose clouds of aromatic perfumes; found in some parts of the island. In and a basket of plaited rattan, containing the centre of a lake called Chondero di water, near which was a goupillon, made of Moeko, "three or four jets like founplantain leaves, with flowers fixed at the top. tains" rise some four or five feet, and Crowds stood within about six paces of the scatter their hot spray around. priests, waiting for the consecration of their margin of the lake consists of" soft, hot various offerings, which were placed on stands mud, sulphureous deposits, and small made of bamboo. The offerings generally blocks of limestone," which have been consisted of cocoa-nuts, plantains, pineapples, The Tologo mangoes, and other fruits; baskets of chickens ejected from the water. recently fledged; pots, prios, and baskets of Leri lake, the waters of which are of a rice; trays piled up with a variety of cakes milky color, seems to be at boiling point, exhaling incongruous smells; strips of calico "the steam rising thick and bubbling, and silk; coins of silver, gold, and copper; as though over a large fire." In the besides numerous other objects. After some same district there is a small cavern minutes spent in prayer, the people going which at certain seasons emits a noxious through all the external forms prescribed by their creed, which often constitute the whole gas. The vapor happened to be escapextent of their knowledge of it, each priesting at the time of Mr. D'Almeida's dipped his goupillon into the basket of water, visit. A fowl was thrown into the cavwhich he took into his left hand, and, muttering some words, sprinkled the offerings as they were brought to him. All the holy men then bowed down, and repeated a loud prayer, which was echoed by the young ponditas and some of the bystanders. The oldest of the priests next rose up, followed by all the others, repeating words which sounded like Ayo! Ayo! Bromok!' probably meaning, 'Forward, forward, to the Bromok!' This was the signal anxiously expected. The mass

ern. The moment it regained its feet, "it attempted to rush up the mountain side, as though some evil genie were at its heels. But before many seconds had elapsed, the whole neck and head seemed suddenly convulsed, and flapping its wings in agony, it rolled over and expired." The natives repair to this spot when they are afflicted with melancholy. "If their low spirits arise from the frus

tration of any desired object, they sleep near the lake a whole night; and if they live to see the light of the following day, they feel assured of gaining the object of their wish. If, on the contrary, the poor credulous individual breathes his last before the morning breaks, his death is attributed, not to the gas, but to the vengeance of a pungooroo, or evil spirit." Another lake, called Warno, which is about three hundred yards long, presents a diversity of colors truly extraordinary. "One portion was bright yellow, another a beautiful emerald green, another light blue, then rose, orange, and milky white; the various hues gradually passing into each other." This phenomenon cannot be attributed to atmospheric influence, inasmuch as the lake is always the same during the wet or dry mon

soons.

The lakes and rivers of Java, though numerous, are generally of insignificant size. In very few cases are the rivers navigable, but they are largely used for purposes of irrigation. The temperature of the island is singularly equable, ranging near the sea-level from seventy to ninety degrees. In the higher levels it is more various. There is no snow at any season. Even the loftiest mountain summits are clothed, in the coldest weather, with but a thin sheet of hoarfrost. In some districts there is a slight miasma, arising more perhaps from the want of proper sanitary precautions than from any unhealthiness of the soil; but, generally speaking, the climate is exceedingly healthy, and favorable to the growth of the produce of temperate latitudes. The flora and fauna are particularly rich and diversified. On the lower lands are found palms, bananas, amaranthaceæ, aroids, euphorbiaceae, and papilionaceous legumens. Higher up are oaks and laurels, forests of gigantic figs and bamboos, ferns and orchids of almost every variety, and nepenthes. There are more than a hundred species of mammals, including tigers, leopards, bats, monkeys, several families of deer, and a white rhinoceros. Of birds there are nearly one hundred and eighty species. Snipes, storks, and herons are found in large quantities on the marshy lands; there are eight species of eagles, and seven of owls. Besides these, there are partridges, quails, pigeons, pelicans,

and a very singular variety of the cuckoo. Fish are plentiful; there is a good supply of oysters; but fresh-water fish are generally inferior. It is to be regretted that Mr. D'Almeida furnishes but little information respecting the natural history of the island. A story or two about alligators and tigers, with here and there an account of a wild boar hunt, scarcely satisfy the scientific reader.

The early history of Java is lost in utter obscurity. No records are reliable until 1478, when the Hindu religion was overthrown, and the Mohammedan enthroned in its place. The Dutch, to whom the island now belongs, made their appearance first of all in 1595. In 1610 they had become powerful enough to build a fort, near the site on which the town of Batavia now stands. For a long time they were engaged in incessant war with the natives, who were compelled to succumb to a higher civilization. Province after province was ceded to the victors; and at the present time the native princes own scarcely one fourteenth of the island, and even they are tributary and dependent. The Dutch confine themselves mainly to the suburbs of the town of Batavia, which is a place of no mean pretensions. In the business quarter there are many stately warehouses, of red brick, liberally decorated with florid ornaments, and of immense size. In the European quarter there are "fine spacious-looking shops, occupied by European tailors, chemists, milliners," etc., and also "elegant mansions situated in the midst of carefully tented gardens, large government buildings, and a fine clubhouse, which goes by the name of the Harmonie." An extensive green, a mile square, "faced with fine large houses, and traversed by roads lined with rows of trees on each side," and a race-course, which owes its existence to the enter prise of the English residents, give a European aspect to this quarter of the town. Another quarter is occupied by Chinese colonists, who are to be found here in swarms, as, indeed, in almost every other place in which money may be made. It must be up-hill work for them in Java, for they are heavily taxed by the Dutch. When they enter as settlers, when they assume the rank of citizens, and when they leave, they

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