i;uiP. vil] 



NAfim MUSICIANS. 



103 



great open reception -shed were full of natives coming and 

 going and Diakin^ piieparations for a feast wliicli was to 

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

 ferred going to bed. A native band, or Gamehmg, was 

 playing almost all the evening, and 1 had a good oppor- 

 tunity of seeing the in.slrunients and iiinsieians. The 

 former are chiefly gongs of various size^, armnged in sets 

 of from eight to twelve, on low wooden frames. Jiach set 

 is played by one performer witli one or two driimsticka. 

 Them are also some very large gongs, played singly or in 

 pail's, and Liking the place of onr dmms and kettledrums. 

 Other instriiraenU are funned by broad metallic bars, sup- 

 ported on strings stretched across fmnie^ ; and othei^s again 

 of strips of bambi>o similarly placed and producing the 

 highest notes, l^sides thasc there were a flute and a 

 cnrious two-stringed \doliu, ref|uiring in all tweuty-ftmr 

 perforraera. Theit; was a conductor, who led ofl" and rc'^u- 

 lated the time, and each performer took his part, coining 

 in occasionally with a few bars so as to form a harmonious 

 combuiation. Tlie pieces played were long and complicated, 

 and some of the players were mere boys, who took their 

 parts \vith great precision. The general effect was very 

 pleasing, but, owing to the similarity of moat of the instru- 

 ments, more like a gigantic mudieal box than one of our 

 bands ; and in order to enjoy it thoroughly it is necessary 

 to watch the large number of performers who are engiiged 

 ill it. The next morning, wlide I was waiting for the men 

 and horses who were to take me and my baggage to my 

 destination, tlie two lads, who were about fourteen years 

 old, were brought out, clotlied in a sarong from the waist 

 do\vn%vards, and having the whole body covered with a 

 yellow powder, and profusely decked with white blossoms 

 in wi-eaths, necklaces, and armlets, looking at fii-st sight 

 very like savage brides. They were conductefl by two 

 priests to a bench placed in front of the house in the open 

 air, and the ceremony of circumcision was then performe<l 

 before the assembled crowd. 



The road to Wonosalom led through a magaificont forest, 

 in the depths of which we passed a fine ruin of wliat 

 appeared to have been a royal tomb or mausoleum. It is 

 formed entirely of stone, and elaborately carved. Kear 



