Native Musicians. 113 



The specimen I had obtained was a small one, about two 

 feet high, Aveighing perhaps a hundred-weight, and the next 

 day we had it conveyed to Modjo-kerto to await my return 

 to Sourabaya. Having decided to stay some time at Wono- 

 salem, on the lower slopes of the Arjuna Mountain, where I 

 was informed I should find forest and plenty of game, I had 

 first to obtain a recommendation from the Assistant Resident 

 to the Regent, and then an order from the Regent to the 

 waidono ; and when after a week's delay I arrived with my 

 baggage and men at Modjo-agong, I found them all in the 

 midst of a five-days' feast, to celebrate the circumcision of 

 the waidono's younger brother and cousin, and had a small 

 room in an outhouse given me to stay in. The court-yard 

 and the great open reception-shed were full of natives com- 

 ing and going and making preparations for a feast which was 

 to take place at midnight, to which I was invited, but pre- 

 ferred going to bed. A native band, or gamelang, was play- 

 ing almost all the evening, and I had a good opportunity of 

 seeing the instruments and musicians. The former are chief- 

 ly gongs of various sizes, arranged in sets of from eight to 

 tAvelve on low wooden frames. Each set is played by one 

 performer with one or two drumsticks. There are also some 

 veiy large gongs, played singly or in pairs, and taking the 

 place of our drums and kettle-drums. Other instruments are 

 formed by broad metallic bars, supported on strings stretched 

 across frames, and others, again, of strips of bamboo similarly 

 placed, and producing the highest notes. Besides these there 

 Avere a flute and a curious two-stringed violin, requiring in all 

 twenty-four performers. There was a conductor, who led 

 off and regulated the time, and each performer took his part, 

 coming in occasionally with a few bars so as to form a har- 

 monious combination. The pieces played were long and 

 complicated, and some of the players were mere boys, who 

 took their parts with great precision. The general effect 

 was very pleasing, but owing to the similarity of most of the 

 instruments, more like a gigantic musical-box than one of 

 our bands ; and, in order to enjoy it thoroughly, it is neces- 

 sary to watch the large number of performers who are en- 

 gaged in it. The next morning, while I Avas Avaiting for the 

 men and horses w^ho were to take me and 'my baggage to my 



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