Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-08-14
Jayanese Ladies.

The degree of emancipation enjoyed
by Javanese ladies was strikingly illus
trated during an interview most politely
granted 10 us by the Sultan of Djokjo-
karta. Attired according TO etiquette
i'm full evening costume, although it
was an early hour in the morning, we
were conducted by the Dutch officer in
command of the Sultan's horse-guards
into the inmOst court of the far-spread-
Ing "kraton, or palace inclosure, with
in which 5000 people reside. Except
few sentries, and one or two officials
stripped to the waist in Javanese court
fashion, not a man was visible in any
of the squares through which we
passed, and when we reached the au-
dience chamber there sat his Highness,
without courtiers or attendants; but, to
our extreme amaZement, six charming
young ladies were seated in row on
his left hand. We scarcely ventured to
look at them, unveiled as they were,
but our Dutch friend, after introducing
us to the Sultan, with whom We shook
hands, quietly remarked, snow you
must shake hands with the Princesses
with all of them; they expect you to do
so." Fresh from Indian durbars,
occupants of the zenana would be a
breach of decOrum, we could hardly
trust our eyes and ears; but each young
lady held out her hand with q pleasant
smile, and we were afterward seated be-
tween the Sultan and his blooming
family of daughters. Attendants, liter
ally crawling upon the floor, now ap-
preached the august presence, bringing
tea, which was dispensed to us by the
royal damsels, almost as if we had been
in an English drawing-rOom at O'Clock
n the afternoon. Unfortunately our
conversation was somewhat restricted,
as the English idea could only reach
the Javanese mind after undergoing
four translations, either oral or mental,
through the obliging Dutch Captain,
who interpreted in French and Malay.
Meanwhile, the sound of music attract
ed our attention. and the Sultan courte-
ously suggested that we might like to
see a little more of his palace. We
found that the music proceeded from a
large open pavilion, where the Queen,
or principal Sultana, was engaged in
experimenting dancing lesson. The
pupils were the daughters of court
dignitaries and mobiles, more than 20 in
number, all very young, and evidently
taking the greatest pains in the perfor-
nance of their graceful position drill.
The dancing was accompanied by sing
ing and by the pleasing notes of the
"gamelong," which may be described
as the Javanese piano-f forte, played by
women seated on the floor, and prOduc-
ing liquid melody peculiar to itself,
and very different from the harsh dis
cordance of Oriental music in general.
The youthful figures of the girls in their
bright and elegant drapery, their ear
nest faces and elaborate movements,
together with the melodious orchestra,
combined to render this by far the most
pleasing nautch which / have yet seen
anywhere in the East, although 1t was
merely private performance of begin
ners. The Queen was seated ON the
floor beside low table, playing at cards
with her maids of honor, and received
us most graciously, inviting US to in
spect everything, even to his Highness