Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/45

 DISTRIBUTION OF THE PEOPLE. S3 themselves more upon the possession of them. The refinement established on this point in the ranks of nobility which exist in Java deserves a particular description. According to the customs of that country, there are two distinct classes of no- bility, a higher and a lower, which may be explain- ed by comparing them respectively to our barons and knights, or, perhaps, more appropriately, to the nobles and noblesse of old monarchical France. The first are distinguished by the general appella- tion of Bopati, and the second, by the Hindu name of Mantri. The first class of nobility consists of two orders, the Adipati and the Tumangiing ; the second of three, the Ingabai, the Ronggo, and the Damang. The nobility of either class, and all orders, are again subdivided into three grades, by prefixing to their titles the epithets Mas, Kyayi, and Raden, words which may be considered to import, though they do not literally mean, Dis- tinguished. Honourable, and Illustrious. By cus- tom or courtesy all who are descended from the so- vereign, in the third or fourth degree, or who have the honour to receive one of the royal daughters in marriage, are entitled to the most distinguished epithet, or illustrious. From the first class of nobility are chosen the governors of provinces, the ministers of state, and other high functionaries j and from the second the VOL. III. c