114 Java. 



destination, the two lads, who were about fourteen years old, 

 were brought out, clothed in a sarong from the waist down- 

 ward, and having the whole body covered with a yellow 

 powder, and profusely decked with white blossoms in wreaths, 

 necklaces, and armlets, looking at first sight very like savage 

 brides. They wei-e conducted by two pi-iests to a bench 

 placed in front of the house in the open air, and the cere- 

 mony of circumcision was then performed before the assem- 

 bled crowd. 



The road to Wonosalem led thi'ough a magnificent forest, 

 in the depths of which we passed a fine ruin of what appear- 

 ed to have been a royal tomb or mausoleum. It is formed 

 entirely of stone, and elaborately carved. Near the base is 

 a course of boldly projecting blocks, sculptured in high re- 

 lief, with a series of scenes which are probably incidents in 

 the life of the defunct. These are all beautifully executed, 

 some of the figures of animals in particular being easily re- 

 cognizable and very accurate. The general design, as far as 

 the ruined state of the upper part will permit of its being 

 seen, is very good, eifect being given by an immense number 

 and variety of projecting or retreating courses of squared 

 stones in place of mouldings. The size of this structure is 

 about thirty feet square by twenty high ; and as the traveller 

 comes suddenly upon it on a small elevation by the roadside, 

 overshadowed by gigantic trees, overrun with plants and 

 creepers, and closely backed by the gloomy foi'est, he is struck 

 by the solemnity and i^icturesque beauty of the scene, and is 

 led to ponder on the sti'ange law of progress, which looks so 

 like retrogression, and which in so many distant parts of the 

 world has exterminated or driven out a highly artistic and 

 constructive race, to make room for one which, as far as we 

 can judge, is very far its inferior. 



Few Englishmen are aware of the number and beauty of 

 the architectural remains in Java. They have never been 

 popularly illustrated or described, and it will therefore take 

 most persons by surprise to learn that they far surpass those 

 of Central America, perhaps even those of India. To give 

 some idea of these ruins, and perchance to excite wealthy 

 amateurs to explore them thoroughly and obtain by photog- 

 raphy an accurate .record of their beautiful sculptures be- 



