100 
BALI NESE, 
ing uniformity. The Balinese are, however, honourably distinguished 
from their neighbours the Javanese, by fidelity, and decorum of inter- 
course between the sexes. Marriage is not contracted till the par- 
ties arrive at muturity, and then not merely as a temporary contract 
between persons of similar ages, but in general as an indissoluble 
union for life. 
Their religion is that of Budh, and they are not divided into 
castes, though the priesthood seems hereditary. Their priests are 
called Brahmins, and live in separate societies, generally in some 
secluded spot among the mountains, and have lands assigned for the 
support of themselves and their temples ; but these they cultivate 
with their own hands. Though the Balinese do not manifest any 
hostility towards people of other religious sects, they have steadily 
resisted the doctrines of Mahomedanism, and very few converts have 
ever been made in the islands. Such as have embraced the faith of 
Islam are treated like the proscribed castes in India. Law and 
religion are blended together, as in other countries of the East; but 
here the administration of justice is not in the hands of the priests, 
but is executed by distinct magistrates, who expound the law from 
written authorities, and pay much attention to the distribution of 
justice ; which is a decided proof that civilization has had a powerful 
influence even upon the body of the people'. 
Bali is under the, government of several independent princes, each 
of whom is absolute in his owm dominions ; though their despotism 
seems of a much milder character than among the native governments 
of Java. The right of private property in the soil is said to be esta- 
blished, and the claims of the prince to be restricted to a small pro- 
portion of the rice-crop alone. Though the common people are not 
burdened with forced or feudal services, dilference of rank is suffi- 
ciently, palpable, as the language presents the degrading distinction 
of one class of words for the privileged orders, and another for the 
people in general. An obligation of feudal service in war is still 
maintained ; but slavery is unknown among them, though they some- 
times sell the prisoners of war as slaves to other nations. 
As the Balinese are habituated to the peaceful pursuits of agri- 
culture, and but little inclined to follow' war as a favourite occupation, 
they present none of that ferocious and hardy character exhibited by 
the savage w'arriors of some of the other islands. Their mode of war- 
fare is desultory ; they never engage in large bodies, but dispersed' in 
small parties of forty or fifty together. Bali is divided into seven states, 
which are frequently in either open or secret hostility to each other. 
In countries where industry has become at all conspicuous, com- 
merce and agriculture go hand in hand, each supplying a stimulus to 
the prosecution of the other, and both contributing to the comfort 
and advancement of society. Though the Balinese are perhaps 
more engaged in preparing the materials of trade than actively 
engaged in its transactions, yet it has a strong influence upon the 
state of the island. 
The chief articles of export are cotton cloths, as w'ell as raw cot- 
ton, the latter of which is often sent to Java in considerable quanti- 
ties, and which, from its superior quality, and the facility with which 
