The
Next Morning, While I Was Waiting For The Men And Horses Who Were
To Take Me And My Baggage
To my destination, the two lads, who
were about fourteen years old, were brought out, clothed in a
sarong from
The waist downwards, and having the whole body
covered with yellow powder, and profusely decked with white
blossom in wreaths, necklaces, and armlets, looking at first
sight very like savage brides. They were conducted by two priests
to a bench placed in front of the house in the open air, and the
ceremony of circumcision was then performed before the assembled
crowd.
The road to Wonosalem led through a magnificent forest in the
depths of which we passed a fine ruin of what appeared to have
been a royal tomb or mausoleum. It is formed entirely of stone,
and elaborately carved. Near the base is a course of boldly
projecting blocks, sculptured in high relief, with a series of
scenes which are probably incidents in the life of the defunct.
These are all beautifully executed, some of the figures of
animals in particular, being easily recognisable and very
accurate. The general design, as far as the ruined state of the
upper part will permit of its being seen, is very good, effect
being given by an immense number and variety of projecting or
retreating courses of squared stones in place of mouldings. The
size of this structure is about thirty feet square by twenty
high, and as the traveller comes suddenly upon it on a small
elevation by the roadside, overshadowed by gigantic trees,
overrun with plants and creepers, and closely backed by the
gloomy forest, he is struck by the solemnity and picturesque
beauty of the scene, and is led to ponder on the strange law of
progress, which looks so like retrogression, and which in so many
distant parts of the world has exterminated or driven out a
highly artistic and constructive race, to make room for one
which, as far as we can judge, is very far its inferior.
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