1832.] 
ISLAND OF JAVA. 
285 
in dancing before the ark of his faith. To dance gracefully is 
an accomplishment expected in every Javan of rank ; and on days 
of festivity, all the chiefs are accustomed to join in the exercise 
alternately, commencing with the youngest. 
Their dramatic entertainments are of two kinds ; the topeng, 
wherein the characters are represented by men who generally 
wear masks like the ancient Greek performers ; and the wayang, 
in which they are represented by shadows, something like the 
spectacular entertainments exhibited by Professor Martin. The 
subject of the topeng is invariably taken from the life and adven- 
tures of the celebrated Panji, the favourite hero of Javan story. 
In the performances before the sovereign, where masks are not 
worn by the actors, the several characters themselves rehearse 
their parts ; but in general, the manager recites the speeches, 
while the players have only to suit the action to the word. These 
performances are somewhat melo-dramatic, as the music of a band 
accompanies the piece, and varies in expression, according to the 
nature of the action, or the kind of emotion to be executed. Buf- 
foonery is sometimes introduced, as it is on our own stage, for the 
sole purpose of raising a laugh ; but in Java, it is never suffered 
to interfere with the regular course of the performance. The 
actors are engaged by the night, for about ten rupees and a supper. 
Jousts, tilts, or tournaments, constitute another favourite amuse- 
ment of the Javans. They are generally exhibited before the sove- 
reign on the great square fronting the palace, on which occasions all 
the princes, nobles, and public officers are present, and the assem- 
blage of the people is generally very great. The weapons with 
which the champions perform their shamfights are blunted spears 
and they themselves are mounted on horses richly caparisoned,, 
with splendid trappings and housings, and go through their exer- 
cises and feats with no little address and dexterity. 
There are several other manly exercises to which the Javans- 
are addicted ; among which we will merely name (our limits will 
not permit a description) that of hunting the stag, which they pur- 
sue on horseback, and kill with a spear and cutlass. They have 
also a favourite national spectacle, often exhibited — which is a 
combat between the buffalo and the tiger, in a large cage expressly 
prepared for the purpose. It seldom fails that the buffalo is tri- 
umphant ; and one buffalo has been known to destroy several full- 
