Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/125

Rh them, is the little village of Tagassan, within a few yards of which is placed a huge figure, called Godoldock, seated cross-legged, a circumstance which would lead one to suppose that it must represent some Buddhist deity, though many of the natives insist that it is the effigy of a Chinaman who suffered death for offending some former governor. A short inspection will soon prove that the latter idea is erroneous, for neither in dress nor feature has the figure the slightest resemblance to anything Chinese. That it has been brought from one of the many temples formerly devoted to the worship of Buddha, to serve as a monument to the unfortunate offender, is no unlikely story; though the removal of so ponderous an object must have been a work of no small labour.

It is well known that Mahomedans in general have a great objection to carve any large figure in stone, being fearful that on their death the weight