Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/310

 2G6 CHARACTER OF MAHOMEDANISM In most of the Mahomedan institutions of the Javanese, we discover marks of Hinduism. The institutions of the latter have in reality. been ra- ther modified and built upon than destroyed, and in viewing them, we cannot withhold the tribute of our applause to the discreet and artful conduct of the first Mahomedan teachers, whose temperate zeal is always marked by a politic and wise for- bearance. The present priests of Java are the successors in office, and almost in duty, to the priest and astrologer of the Hindu village. The latter were entitled to a small share of the crop, and the same, under the legitimate Arabic name of; ZaJcat, or alms, is now paid to the Mahomedan priests. This, which ought by law to be a tithe, is but a 26th of the staple crop, and, by the fru- gal piety of the donor, who selects for his spi- ritual guide the smallest sheaf, often still less. The contribution is, indeed, strictly eleemosynary, but usage, prescription, and superstition, ren- der the payment more imperious and punctual than any municipal law could render it. This, with fees at marriages and funerals, and small gifts at festivals, constitute the incomes of the Javanese priests, who are a peaceful, contented, and re- spectable portion of the Javanese peasantry, liv- ing in terms of perfect equality with the ordinary (cultivators. Neither the prayers nor the fastings of the In- V4