1832.] 
ISLAND OF JAVA. 
291 
ports, both by water and land-carriage, as good roads and navi- 
gable streams intersect each other throughout the island in many 
and various directions. Bazaars, or public markets, are estab'- 
lished at convenient sites in every district, and are held several 
times a week. At these markets, which in Europe would be 
called fairs, are frequently assembled some thousands of people, 
chiefly of the softer sex, on whom devolves the duty — would it 
were not so— of conveying thither the various productions of the 
country. Sheds, shanties, and other temporary coverings of 
bamboo or thatch, are generally prepared for the accommodation 
of the people, to protect them from the rays of the sun. Re^ 
freshments of every kind, including victuals ready cooked, and 
comprising most of the fruits and vegetables of the country^ 
occupy a considerable space in the fair, and find a ready sale. 
There are many articles imported into Java from other islands in 
the Archipelago, among which are— camphire, tortoise-shell, edible 
birds'-nests, hiche de mer, bees'-wax, and gold-dust. These are 
exchanged for opium, iron, steel, tobacco, rice, salt, European and 
India goods, &c. Here are also collected, at the principal ports, 
for re-exportation, Banca tin, gold-dust, diamonds, camphire, gum- 
benjamin, and other drugs, birds'-nests, biche de mer, rattans, bees'- 
wax, tortoise-shell, dying woods, sandal- wood, nutmegs, cloves, 
mace, and other spices. 
The government of the Javans, when administered on its origi-^ 
nal principles, is a pure, unmixed, and absolute despotism. The 
sovereign, or sultan^ appoints subordinate and delegated governors 
to preside aver the several provinces ; and these, like their master^ 
though tenacious of power, are ever willing to surrender it for 
ease and pleasure. Their prime minister, or vizier, is the actual 
ruler of the country, while the sultan is satisfied with flattery, 
pomp, and the seraglio. The same remark will apply to the pro- 
vincial governors, who all have their subordinates on a small scale. 
The people and the soil are in fact the property of the sovereign, 
but his right in- this respect is not generally exercised ;. and there 
are customs of the country, of which the people are very tenaciousi, 
and which the sultan seldom invades. Yet he being considered as 
the sole proprietor of the soil, all lands are held of him, under 
the tenure of military service, and a certain proportion of theis' 
T 2 
