278 TRAVELS IN THE EAST INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 



could but think, if that really was the first time 

 her husband had ever seen her, he must feel not a 

 little disappointed. However, his countenance re- 

 mained unchanged, whether such a saddening reflec- 

 tion crossed his mind or one of delightfal surprise. He 

 then passed round the table to the side of his bash- 

 ful bride, and both sat down together and were 

 stupidly gazed at. In the opposite end of the room 

 was the bridal-bed. The four posts rose above the 

 bed nearly to the ceiling, and supported a mosquito- 

 curtain which was bespangled with many little pieces 

 of tinsel and paper flowers. Both the bride and 

 bridegroom were Mohammedans, and this marriage 

 was nominally according to the Mohammedan usage, 

 but it should perhaps be more properly regarded, like 

 most of the Malay customs at the present day, as 

 combining parts of the rite in China and Arabia with 

 that which existed among these nations while they 

 observed the Hindu religion, or continued to remain 

 in heathenism. The boys usually marry for the first 

 time when about sixteen, and the girls at the age of 

 thirteen or fourteen, thouarh I was once shown a 

 child of nine years that was already a wife, and 

 mothers eleven or twelve years old are occasionally 

 seen. The great obstacle to marriage in all civilized 

 lands — the difiiculty of supporting a family — is un- 

 known here. Children, instead of being a source of 

 expense, are a source of income. Until four or five 

 years old, the boys do not usually wear any clothing. 

 Their food costs very little, and all the education 

 they receive still less, or nothing at all. The average 

 number of persons in one family in Java, where it is 



