200 AUSTRALASIA. 



even Kavi. Thousands of books circulate amongst tliem on history, theology, 

 jurisprudence, ethics, poetry, and the drama. According to Van der Tuuk, who 

 formed a rich library of this extensive literature, the Balinese poem of Tantrya is 

 at least partly the original source of the Arabian NightH. The people often gather 

 of an evening to assist at theatrical performances, the subjects of which are 

 mostly Hindu and local mythologies. The actors, all of the Brahmanic caste, use 

 the sacred language, as was formerly the case in Java, and in these " mysteries " 

 the ancestors of the Balinese are figured as rakshasas, or giants. 



But the native civilisation has, for the last two centuries, entered on a period 

 of decline. The early travellers speak of flourishing seaports, and well-kept 

 highways connecting the large towns ; now trade has fallen off, and the country 

 is mainly traversed by rough tracks. This decadence must be attributed to the use 

 of opium, now prevalent amongst all classes, to the constant civil wars, to the 

 slave-hunting expeditions which have wasted the coastlands, and lastly to the 

 degradation of woman, now reduced to a mere object of barter. 



The two western provinces of Jembrana and Buleleng, lying nearest to Java, 

 are subject to the direct administration of the Dutch. The town of Buleleng, 

 near the coast, is the chief residence of the officials, and ranks as the capital 

 although destitute of any harbour. 



The seven remaining provinces have been left under the control of protected 

 princes, who still enjoy certain sovereign rights, but whose military power was 

 broken during the sanguinary wars of 1840 and 1849. Although deprived of all 

 real power, they maintain the outward show of mighty potentates. They are 

 approached with much prostration, and at their death all their subjects have to 

 shave their heads in sign of mourning. They inherit some of the effects, of the 

 women, and slaves of those dying without direct heirs, and of all criminals 

 sentenced to banishment. But in these matters the princes themselves are the 

 judges, and whenever it suits them, the}^ have merely to mount their stately tri- 

 bunal, and award to themselves am^ coveted estates. 



The principality of Bangll, which lies to the east of Buleleng, is the " Holy 

 Land " of Bali, for here is situated the Batur volcano. But the province of 

 Kalung-Kung, on the south-east coast, ranks first in national importance. The 

 chief, although now one of the least powerful in the island, is, nevertheless, the 

 *' Great Man," to whom all the other princes pay homage. 



Gyanyar, lying west of Kalung-Kung, is the most densely peopled territory in 

 Bali ; its great fertility, generally flourishing condition, and relatively mild 

 administration attract a constant stream of immigrants to this favoured princi- 

 pality. The conterminous state of Badung, on the south coast, was formerly the 

 chief centre of trade, but is now almost destitute of inhabitants, the slave trade 

 having converted it into a wilderness. The western principalities of Tabanan and 

 Mengui are both said to be thickly inhabited. The eastern province of lianing- 

 Asseni is included within the jurisdiction of the Rajah of Lombok. Since 1882, 

 both Bali and Lombok belong to the same administrative division of the Dutch 

 possessions. 



