Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/335

Rh having been previously made between the parents by the officious old person before alluded to. The second, but the most important reason—in their eyes—is that if either party should feel dissatisfied with the other, the Imam, or high-priest, may be able to divorce them while they still stand to each other only in the relation of an eligible youth and maiden. What, however, seems somewhat unfair, is that if the objection exists solely on the part of the woman, be her reasons ever so valid and cogent, she must defray all the expenses of the betrothal festivities.

Madioen, seen from any point of view in the suburbs, appears to be situated in the centre of a circle of mountains, which look like gigantic towers, from which an aggressive host might be successfully repulsed. Of these, the Pundun mountains are seen to the north; the broken-edged Patjitan, like an enormous saw, to the south; the volcanic