the destruction of the western government | gulations and ancient institutions, termed of Pajajaran. No less than seven different characters are represented to have been in use at different periods of Javanese history; and although those at present adopted appear at first sight to be very different from the more ancient, yet, on examination, the one may without much difficulty be traced to the other, by observing the gradual alterations made from time to time. Speci mens of these different characters with the periods in which they were respectively used, are submitted to the inspection of the Society; and I regret that the absence of an engraver precludes them from appearing in the volume of our Transactions. The Literature of Java, however much it may have declined in latter days, must be still considered as respectable. The more ancient historical compositions are mostly written in the Kawi language, to which frequently the meaning of each word, and a paraphrase of the whole in Javanese, is annexed. Of these compositions those most highly esteemed are the B'rata Yudha or Holy War, and a volume entitled Romo or Rama, the former descriptive of the exploits of Arjuno, and the principal heroes whose fame is recorded in the celebrated Indian poem of the Mahabarat, the latter of those who are distinguished in the Ramayan. These poems are held by the Javanese of the present day in about the same estimation as the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer are by Europeaus. The belief is general among the Javanese, that the scene of this celebrated ro mance is in Java. They point out the different countries which are referred to, such as Hastina, Wirata, and others in different districts of the island, which have since assumed more modern names; and the supposed mansion of Arjuno, as before noticed, is still traced upon Gunung Prahu. These works, in common with almost every composition in the language, are composed in regularly measured verses; and, as far as we can judge, from the partial translations which have been made from them, through the medium of the Jaof the power vanese, they do credit to the language and the genius of the poet. Historical compositions are divided into two general classes, termed Pakam and Babat; under the former are considered the Romo and B'rata Yúd'ba; the institutions and regulations for princes and the officers of state and law, entitled Kopo Kopo, Jogol Muda and Kontoro; works on astronomy aud judicial astrology, termed Wuku; and works on moral conduct, re Niti Sastro and Niti Projo. Under the Babat are classed chronological, and other works on modern history, since the establishment of the empire of Mataram. There are in use, for ordinary and popular compositions, five different kinds of regular measured stanzas, termed Tembang, adapted to the subject treated of, whether heroic, amorous, or otherwise; these are termed Asmoron Dono, Dandang Gula, Sinom, Durmo and Pankgur. In the higher compositions, and particularly in the Kawi, these measures are still more varied, and in number upward of twenty, twelve of which correspond in name with the stanzas used in the poetry of coutinental India. In repeating these compositions, they are chaunted, or rather drawled out, in regular metre, according to rules laid down for the long and short syllables. Dramatic representations of various kinds form the constant recreation of the higher classes of society, and the most polished amusement of the country. These consist of the Wayang Culit or scenic shadows, in which the several heroes of the drama, represented in a diminutive size, are made to perform their entrances, and exits behind a transparent curtain. The subjects of these representations are taken either from the more ancient works of the B'rata Yudha or Romo, and then denominated Wayang Purwo, or from the history of Panji, the ost renowned hero of Java story, and then termed Wayang Gedog. The Wayang Wong, in which men personify the heroes of the B'rata Yud'ha and Romo, is is also termed Wayang Purwo. They have also the Topeng, in which men wearing masks, personify those immortalized in the history of Panji; and the Wayang Klitik or Koritchil, not unlike a puppet-shew in Europe, in which diminute wooden figures personify the heroes of Majapahit. These dramatic exhibitions are accompanied by performances on the Gamelan, or musical instruments of the Javanese, of which there are several distinct sets; the Salindro, which, accompanies the performances from the B'rata Yud'ha and Romo, as well as the Topeng; the Pelog which accompanies the Wayang Gedog; the Kodok, Ngokek, Chara Bali, Senenan, and others. The Javanese music is peculiarly harmonious, but the gamut is imperfect. from China state, that the Viceroy and Mandarins are endeavouring by every possible means, to prevent the sale and use of this article, which has hitherto formed such an important article of exportation from this country. Conspiracy Detected. An alarming conspiracy has been disco vered at Java, which had for its object the destruction of the European officers, and the independence of the native authorities. The Emperor's brother, who stood deeply implicated, has been delivered over to the government, and all is again quiet. It is understood, that the cause of discoutent arises from the anticipation of the island being transferred to the Dutch, a measure viewed by all classes of the natives with great disgust; and although the spirit of insubordination is at present quelled, so long as the cause remains, we fear the the permanent peace of the island can scarcely be reckoned on. The centre of the conspiracy, it appears, was with the light infantry volunteer battalion, stationed at the native courts in the island who had been in intrigue with the court of Solo. Our advices are dated the 9th of January, 1816. CELEBES. common in Europe, is perhaps, without parallel in Asia, where we seldom witness any considerable departure from the des potic sway of an individual. The whole of the states, in that portion of Celebes to which I have alluded, are constituted on the peculiar principle stated:-the prince is chosen from the royal stock by a certain right of subsequently removing him. These number of counsellors, who also possess the counsellors are themselves elected from particular families of the hereditary chief of provinces; and, such is their influence, indeed, adopt any public measure, except that the prince can neither go to war, nor the army; concert with them. They have the charge of the public treasure, and also appoint the prime minister. The prince cannot himself take the personal command of mits of a temporary resignation of office but the usage of the country adfor this purpose; in which case, a regent succeeds provisionally to the rank of chief, and carries on the affairs of Government in concert with the majority of the council. Women and minors are eligible to election in every department of the state, from the Prince down to the lowest chief; and, when this takes place, an additional officer having a title which literally means "support", or "prop," is appointed to assist. The most ancient state, of which tradi-Some variation is observable in the states. tion makes mention in Celebes, is Luhu or Luwu, situated in the inner part of the Bay of Boni, and the Galigas, or historical romances, are replete with the adventures and exploits of Sawira Gading, the first chief of that country, who is said to have extended his dominions to the straits of Malacca. Next to Luhu, the empire of Goa has the greatest claims to antiquity; and a period is mentioned when this state extended its influence to Achin, Manilla, Sulu, Ternate, and the whole of the SpiceIslands. The Macassar and Bugis tribes are known to be the most bold, adventurous, and enterprizing of all the people of the Eastern Islands. They were formerly celebrated for their fidelity and their courage; and, for this reason, were employed, like the Swiss in Europe, in foreign armies. They served in those of Siam, Camboja, and other countries, and also as guards to their own princes. The most singular political feature in Celebes, is that of an elective monarchy, limited by an aristocracy generally hereditary, and exercising feudal authority over the minor chiefs and population, at all times prepared to take the field; a constitution of civil society which, however In Boni, the prince is elected by the Orang Pitu, or seven hereditary counsellors. In Goa, the prince is chosen by ten counsellors, of whom the first minister, termed Bechara Buta is one. This last officer is himself first appointed by the Council of Nine, termed the Nine Banners of the country; but in the exercise of his office he possesses very extraordinary powers. He can even remove the prince himself, and call upon the electors to make another choice. The inferior chiefs or kruins, who administer the dependent province are ap pointed by the government, and not elected by a provincial council, although in the exercise of their office their power is in like manner limited. The number of the council varies, in different provinces, from two to seven. War is decided upon in the council of state; and, so forcibly is the desperate fe rocity and barbarism of the people depicted by the conduct they observe on these oc casions, and in their subsequent proceedings towards their enemies, that however revolting the contemplation of such a state of society may be, it forms too striking a trait in their character to be omitted. War being decided upon by the prince in council, the assembled chiefs, after sprink ling their banners with blood, proceed to mance of chivalry, are the delight of the higher classes. Attached to the chase as an amusement, rather than as the means of subsistence, the harvest is no sooner reaped, than every feudal chief, with his associates and followers, devotes himself to its pursuits. The population being equally at the command of the feudal lord, whether in time of peace or war, agricultural pursuits, beyond what may procure a bare subsistence, are but little attended to. The usual share of the crop, at the disposal of the chief, is a tythe, called sima; and this, with a few imposts in the bazars, and the services of the people, constitute the revenue of the state. BORNEO. ANTIQUITIES. Some notices have been received of ruins of temples, of statues, and dilapidated cities in Borneo, and of the existence of various inscriptions, in different parts of the country, in characters unknown either to the Chinese, Malays, or Dayacs; but the This, however, is viewing them on the information yet obtained is too vague, and, worst side of their character, with imme-in some instances, too contradictory, to be diate reference to their conduct in war, and relied upon; and the question, whether to practices found to prevail among that this island, at any former period, rose to portion of the population labouring under any considerable degree of greatness, must restrictions on foreign commerce: there are yet remain undecided. Embanking, as it other points of view in which it may be were, the navigable pathway between the more favourably considered. eastern and western hemispheres, and lying contiguous to the most populous regions of the globe (China and Japan) there can be little doubt but at one period it must have risen far above its present state of degradation and neglect. That Borneo was visited, many centuries ago, by the Chinese and Japanese, is well established; but whether it was ever more extensively colonized by either of those nations, than it is at present from China, must be left to future inquiry. Porcelain, jars, plates, vases, and earthen utensils of various descriptions, the manufacture of China and Japan, are frequently discovered in different parts of the country; and, such is the veneration, in which these articles, so found, are held, that a single jar of this description has been known to be purchased by Dayacs, of the interior, for a sum little short of two hundred pounds sterling. They are prized by the Dayacs as the supposed depositaries of the ashes of their forefathers. The inhabitants of the Wadju districts in particular, are celebrated for their enterprize and intelligence-extending their commercial speculations, with a high character for honourable and fair dealing, from the western shores of Siam to the eastern coast of New Holland. Women, as before observed, take an active part in all public concerus, and are, in no instance, secluded from society, being on a perfect equality with the men. The strongest attachment that is conceivable is felt for ancient customs, and relics of antiquity are held in the highest possible veneration. They are slow and deliberate in their decisions, but these, once formed, are final. Agreements once entered into are invariably observed on their part, and a Bugis is never known to swerve from his bargain. That natural politeness which characterizes the various nations and tribes distinguished by wearing the criss or creese, is no where more forcibly exhibited than among the inhabitants of Celebes. Their minor associations are held together by all the attachment and warmth which have distinguished the clans of North Britain. The same bold spirit of independence and enterprize distinguishes the lower orders; while the pride of ancestry, and the ro ST. HELENA. PROCLAMATION. Island of St. Helena, 17th Oct. 1815. Whereas during the detention at St. Helena of General Napoleon Buonaparte and the French persons attending him, it 631] appears essentially necessary to adopt some additional precautions on the island, and particularly by night-This is therefore to give notice to all the inhabitants and other persons of every description, that after this date no body whatsoever will permitted to pass in any part of the island (excepting within the immediate precincts of the town,) between the hour of nine at night and day-light in the morning, without having the parole for the night; the sentries and patroles having orders thenceforth, to secure and hold as prisoners until morning, all persons they may find between the said periods not possessing the parole, and the officers of the different guards, &c. are to cause all persons so taken up to be sent, prior to being released next morning, to the governor, with a statement of the particular circumstances under which they were apprehended, that he may, if he judge necessary, make such further investigation into the case, or take such further steps respecting it, as to him may appear advisable. It is distinctly to be understood by the inhabitants, that this ordinance is in no respect intended to interfere with the customary intercourse of hospitality, and that every proper facility, will be given to any respectable inhabitant who may intend to return home at a later hour than nine o'clock, by application to the fieldofficer of the day on the preceding morning. Patroles from all the outposts are to be sent at uncertain hours of the night to be determined by the field-officer of the day for the purpose of enforcing this regulation. By order of the Governor and Council. (Signed) T. H. BROOKE, FINE ARTS. BRITISH INSTITUTION. We mentioned in our last number the opening of this Gallery with a series of pictures, the performances of Old Masters, which have been very liberally entrusted for a time, by their owners, for the gratification of the public, and the improvement artists. young of There is something extremely honourable in the favours shewn to the Arts by those who, being in possession of the master-pieces of former times, contribute their assistance toward the formation of a GalWhen it is consilery like the present. dered, that the number of such works must be diminishing, and cannot be augmented, that they are exposed to accidents of various kinds, and that no power on earth can replace them, the favour done to the public is seen in its true light. Time has been, and not long ago, when a journey to Italy was absolutely necessary to who ever wished to study Italian masters; for the casual opportunities of inspection afforded by auctions of pictures-the only other resource for the student, was at best, inconvenient and uncertain; not a few copies being marked as originals in the catalogues; while the means of detecting the imposition, or mistake, were not within the power of him who most wanted them. At present, by means of this Institution, a student enjoys a favourable opportunity of studying the principles of his art; or, at least, of becoming acquainted with the re sults of those methods which have obtained the applause of amateurs, from age to age. This is bringing the means of improveSecretary.ment home to our own doors; this imparts a consequence to what even the uninstructIt is understood that the Great Maned may enjoy as a shew, an opportunity whose presence gives all this trouble, is exceedingly mortified at the pains taken for his personal security, and that of his suite. If it be true, that he has addressed the Prince Regent on this subject, it should seem that he feels his situation irksome. After all, it cannot be worse, than that of those who before his arrival inhabited the island in peace. of elegant gratification, while the more learned are not only gratified, but improved. We have already seen the Flemish and Dutch schools; RUBENS, Rembrandt, VANDYCK, MIERIS, GER. Dow, and others: the present exhibition comprises the Italian and Spanish masters,-men, to whom we have been taught to look up, with admiration, and whose names were reputed as guarantees for the height of merit and art. Among the most distinguishable in the Gallery, at this time, are two of the famous Cartoons, by RAPHAEL. They were painted for the purpose of being copied in tapestry work, and certainly, they would have made grand performances in that branch of art. This intention, however, has some by enchantment:-and we may say without subjecting ourselves to suspicion, that his theory of proceedure well deserves the most solicitous examination of who ever wishes to excell; and will amply repay those who can make themselves masters of it. His study was, particularly, to work all. parts into harmony, all tones into a kind of relative level, all lines into a certain softness, and then, in the last place to bring forward those parts, to invigorate those tones, and to sharpen those lines, which he intended should most effectually pronounce themselves, to the inspecting eye, His shadows are never hard, nor heavy, nor black his lights, rather solid, perhaps, partake of these properties, but, these he well knew time would abate; it would soften these, while it would deepen dark shadows, to their irreparable deterioration. what confined the genius of the painter, and he felt himself obliged to consult the convenience of the workmen, and to introduce a choice of colours, which he knew they could execute. This has induced him to repeat colours, where otherwise he would not; and it has deprived him, working in water colours-of those glazings, which he would have practised in oil. They are, however, grand performances, and considering the whole of their history, they are in good preservation. There are several other pictures, chiefly of Madonnas, by the same master; and they support the remark that has been made on this artist, that he took pains, much pains, and bestowed great labour on the offspring of his genius. Undoubtedly, Raphael, like all other masters, improved by degrees; and his style, in his younger days, is not equal to the height of excellence attached to his name. It cannot be said, that all his Virgin Mothers, or all his Infant Christs, have the dignity combined with tenderness, for which some are celebrated. Genuine and well preserved pictures ofing is good; the actions of the figures LEONARDO DA VINCI are extremely rare. That master was the Father of the most improved Age of Painting; and it is very evident, in his works here exhibited, that he had formed to himself ideas of excel lence to which it is the lot of few professors to attain. He saw, and he felt, the dignity of his art: if he failed in transfer ring his ideas to the canvass, it is an honourable failure; his attempt is noble; and, generally speaking, his success is truly honourable: there is great grandeur in his conceptions. A proceeding directly the contrary to that of Titian has operated most unfavourably on a truly capital picture of SALVATOR ROSA, in this Gallery. It is among the best of the master; the draw are vigorous; the whole is painted with black enough originally, are too black great spirit; but, the shadows having been be more scattered than the artist intended; now. The lights, in consequence, appear to but display an opposition to the more because they have no adequate supports, powerful depths of the piece. Two most beautiful pictures by MURILtune: and they shew that shadows much LIO have completely avoided this misfordarker than Titian chose to introduce, may be so managed as to preserve their proper import in reference to the lights, for ages. The shadows have sunk, somewhat; the lights have sunk, somewhat; but the balance remains perfect. The pictures are not as fresh as ever: that is impossible; but they are as beautiful as ever; because, the relative powers and values of the colours to each other, do not sensibly differ from what the Artist originally intended. Among the greatest curiosities in the collection we may safely place the original studies for Da Vinci's famous picture of the Last Supper. That performance has been injured by age and accident; it has been retouched; but however carefully a laboured performance may be retouched, there is always great danger that a portion of the original master's skill, should be A painter of a different class is ANNIBAL obscured. These studies shew much pro- CARRACHE; his works, here exhibited, found thinking; and though, but thoughts, shew much care and study: they are, in and conceptions, they bespeak a philosophi-fact, laboured with great diligence. Among cal mind, and an able hand. This picture is well known among us by a capital engraving; which has been repeatedly copied, in smaller sizes. TITIAN furnishes several pictures, which cannot but improve the eye and the process of our young artists. The facility of hand which appears in the works of this master is truly enviable. It is not to be supposed, that his pictures cost him no trouble; but they have the air of being executed almost them is one of the neatest pictures in fresco we have ever seen: and this picture retains almost every stroke of the master's pencil, without change or fading. GUIDO is, here, in his element: perhaps we may have seen productions of the mas ter, more to our fancy; but more truth and dignity there cannot be. PAUL VERONESE has several pictures; but, in our judgement, most of them are considerably gone down, |