POSSESSIONS IN THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 131 
arrondissement , and in this case the communications take place thro’ 
the cl lief of the principal village, who then takes the title of P anna- 
toes or centurion. This mode is, however, entirely spontaneous on 
the part of the natives; it is tolerated but not authorized by govern¬ 
ment. 
A determinate number of chiefs of arrondissement (Dhcmang), are 
subject to a regent or superior chief (Adhipati) , who is the highest 
of the Javanese administrative hierarchy. The territory over which 
the authority of a regent extends is known under the official name of 
regency ( Kabupatdn), and the regents bear the titles of P angeran y 
Adhipati or Toemenggoeng , according to the importance of their func¬ 
tions, or according to the services which they have rendered; the title 
of Pangeran or Prince is given to a regent of high birth. The re¬ 
gent is excluded from all participation in the financial administration ; 
but he is the mainspring in all that has relation to the cultures, to the 
police as well administrative as judicial, and generally in all that can 
relate to the well being of the natives, whom he is charged to repre¬ 
sent with the government. 
The regencies (Kabupate'n) are formed, almost without exception, 
of the territorial divisions formerly prevailing in the country. The 
nomination to regencies, although revocable (the government reserv¬ 
ing- to itself the right of changing and suspending) is almost without 
exception nearly hereditary. This customHs followed with the dou¬ 
ble end of attaching the Javanese aristocracy to government, and to 
disturb as little as possible the order established in the hierarchy con¬ 
secrated by the adat. In this important charge, the son, if lie has 
the requisite capacity and qualities, usually succeeds to the father. 
In default of male children a lit choice is made amongst the other 
members of the family; and it is only in default of a collateral who is 
competent that an individual belonging to another family is invested 
with the vacant regency. 
Several of these regencies, usually three or four, form a province, 
a prefecture, or as it is called in Java, a Residence , placed under the 
authority of a European prefect bearing the title of Resident , in 
whose hands all the powers are united. He is assisted by a secreta¬ 
ry, and some European officers. He is represented by Assistant Re¬ 
sidents in localities at a distance from the chief place; these last are 
under the orders of European comptrollers; all act in concert with 
the Javanese chiefs without shackling the action of the native autho¬ 
rities as it is established by the government according to adat; see- 
