1832.] 
ISLAND OP JAVA. 
287 
on in the open air, and in that dimate shade is more requisite than 
sheker. In short, the cottage of the humblest Javanese peasant 
presents a greater degree of convenience and comfort than those 
of a similar class on continental India. 
The dwellings of the petty chiefs are distinguished by having 
eight slopes, or roofs ; four superior, and four secondary ; and 
those in which the chiefs and nobles reside are of larger size, 
with supporters and beams of timber. Such light structures as 
those just described, are well adapted to the climate and the 
means of the lower orders ; but they do not necessarily imply an 
ignorance of more durable materials ; for bricks are manufactured 
in almost every part of the island ; while the ruins of temples, 
arid other antiquities of the country, afford abundant testimony 
that the arts of architecture, sculpture, and statuary in stone, at 
one period reached a very high pitch in Java. 
The palace of a Javanese prince or sultan, which is in fact a 
rectangular fort or castle, comprises an extensive square, sur- 
rounded by a high wall, lined on the top with cannon, outside of 
which there is generally a moat or ditch. Both in front and rear 
there is a large open square for promenades, and the exercise of 
feats of arms and horsemanship. Its interior is handsomely 
finished and tastefully furnished. 
The furniture of the houses or cottages of the lower orders is 
of course simple, and comprises but few pieces, and those such as 
necessity demands. Like the Sumatrans, they attach more im- 
portance to the bed than to any other article of convenience, com- 
fort, or luxury. We like their taste ; for the couch of repose ' is 
the sweet requiter of the toils and the sorrows of the day : " let 
that give peace, and we forget the rest." 
" : Impartial as the grave, 
Sleep robs the cruel tyrant of his power, 
Gives rest and freedom to the o'erwrought slave, 
And steals the wretched beggar from his want." — Lillo. 
If the spirit of ornament enter the cot of a Javan at all, it lights 
first on his bed — for the hand of fond, confiding, and devoted 
woman, can always there be traced. The bed of a Javan, what- 
ever be his pecuniary circumstances, is a fine mat (and sometimes 
several piled upon each other), with a number of pillows, taste- 
fully fringed at the ends, together with a kind of canopy and val- 
