the higher class. The persons, too, who, in later
times, sustained the fortunes of the Dutch nation
in the Indies, were depraved by the circumstances
under which they were placed,-—by the contemplation
of domestic slavery,—by wantoning in irregular
gains,—by the absence of all regular industry and
competition,—by a long course of domination over
the feeble races by which they were surrounded,—
and by the want of an equal enemy or rival to afford
a wholesome exercise and emulation.
The Spanish worthies are still fewer in number,
and I think it would be difficult to produce one
name of distinction, except that of Legaspi, who
established the Spanish power in the Philippines,
and founded Manila. He was a man of courage,
discretion, and wisdom, and possessed of the enthusiasm
and the suppleness of character, which
suited him for the novel and difficult charge committed
to his care. *
* Lafitau, Histoire des découvertes et conquêtes des Portugais
dans le noveau monde.—Valentyn, History and Description
of theDutch Settlements in the East Indies,—Ziniga, His-,
tory of the Philippines.
CHAPTER I t
A N C IEN T H ISTO RY OF JAVA*
No Ancient Historical Composition Jcno’wn to the Javanese.—*
Attempts at History since the Introduction of Mahomedanistn.
——Character of these attempts.—No great permanent empire
ever established in Java, and why— The latter part of the
twelfth Century, tlie earliest authentic date ascertained.—
Lists of ancient Kings mostly fabrications Ancient Inscriptions
referred to.—Hindu States, mzfkDoho, Bram-
banan, Madang-Jcamolan, Jânggolo, Singhasari, Pajaja-
ran, Mojopahit.
N o one, aware of the weakness of the human
mind, and of the universal prevalence of superstition
and credulity, in so rude a state of society as
that which exists in Java, will reasonably expect to
find the Javanese possessed of any remote records
deserving the name of history. If the accounts
of their ancient story be less monstrously extravagant
and impudent than those of the Hindus, they
are fully more childish and incongruous. We
find the mythological legends of ancient India naturalized
in Java, and blended with the wild tales
of the country, while the whole, mixed up with
Jewish and Mahomedan story, forms a mass of ab