Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-20
JAVA.
A Glimpse of Malay Life.

JAVA.
A Glimpse of Malay Life.
That distinguished German traveller,
Frederick Gerstacker. IL now publishing
in the Ausburg AUgemeiae Zeitung. o sc.
ries of spirited and interesting chapters
drawn from his experience in y voyage
over almost all the out-of -the-way parts
and is now detailing at length in work
that he is preparing at his residence in
Germany. Among these is an account OF
one of the aspects of life among the Ma
lays Of Java. whose princes. at least. have
become half civilized by intercourse with
the Dutch occupants and virtual rulers Of
r.,ost if not all of that country. Interest
by the strange. barbaric picture drawn
by Mr.. Gerstacker. and by its utter un-
l'Eeness. as well as its striking resem-
b ance to the descriptions of other travel
e,s in Egypt and other semt-savage coun-
res, we have translated it. and do no,
doubt that our readers will peruse it with
curiosity as novelty among the queer
developments of human nature in the
world.
lo"dlu evening L dCCSplCu
pleasure an invitation from the house
pRSsicia to 60 over with him to the Re
gents and see his bayaderes dance.
heard that the Englishman and the Anne
rican were already there, and the tones OF
the gamelang came sounding over to US.
The distance was but few hundred pa
ces, and we entered Immediately into the
presence of the Regent. in the room.-or
hall Of audience. if you will,-which was
most brilliantly lighted by a-great mum.
Der of astral lamps, hanging or standing
about.
In order to render clear to the reader
the meaning of the title Regent, few
words of explanation are necessary. The
highest official in the Dutch East Indies
who stands second only to the King oi
Hollands the Governor General. who
has, of course, in the various islands, his
Vice The Governor General
resides upon the island of Java. The
island. from its great extent. is divided
into districts, or, as they are called. Resi-
dences, and each is ruled by Resident
under whom are the so called Control
lers.
These are the European officers. Be
sides these. however, the Dutch Govern
ment, in accordance with most excel
lent and in this case An absolutely neces
sary principle, employs native officers
who are made to interest themselves ir
their duties by the salaries which they
receive. and whose position gives them 8
two-fold character, that of mediators
among the native population, and to some
extent sponsors for their good behavior
The natives have always been strongly
attached to their princes, and hence the
greater necessities of attaching these tc
the Dutch Government. There was nc
way of doing this so effectually as by ap
pealing to their interests, and through
this means these Regents. rs they are
called, are exceedingly trustworthy. Up
on every picol of the products of theil
districts they receive a certain, regular
ta1-the Regent of Bandong having ar
income which sis said annually far to ex
ceed S5o,ooO.
The Resident has also his share, and
hence it is easy to see that the cpltlvatlor
of all those products from whicG tRs high
officials can gain anything is carried on lS
the most lively and Jealous manner.
10 true that nothing can be easier than fo'
dishonest persons in Office to grind dowr
the natives, who are forced to Carry or
their ayocations subject to unavoidable
taxes, out of all proportion with any ben
efits derived from their rulersin return
and experience has already taught tha
this is the case. But then the result Ii
to make the regular reports Of the pro
ductions ofthe Colony so much the gres
ter: and therefore the poor people may
60 to grass.
TIE present Governor has begun. il
some parts of the country, to leave th'
matter of labor entirely to themselves
and is trying to make it to their intsres
to let no falling off in the -smoaat'
of their products take place. God gran
that he may be able to carry into eject :
measure so philanthropic ! The result
of these attempts is. however, easily to ot
foreseen. The native is remarkably tenn
perate few dots worth of rice sufhce'
for his daily necessities. and noIHithstan
ding his acquaintance with Europeans has
awakened desires and necessities. whief
! he knew not before, still it Is highly I'm
probable that he will be induced TO pro
duce as much as was formerly squeezed
out of him by set of public ofleers de-
void of conscience But 1t IS none the
worse for the native he may work les
and vet live more comfortably and II nj
wishes ANYTHING further he can improve
his condition at home-but he brings les
to market, SO that not only do the public