Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/179

 ALBINO BABY. 163

the names of most of the officers and Residents who resided at Djokdja during the Englisli rule. This old lady presented my wife with a sarong, of the esteemed prang rusa pattern, strongly scented with a preparation called jabud, or ajubat, which is much used by the wealthier natives, and is said to be made from the fat of the moosang, or wild cat.

The Prince next took us into an inner court of the house, where he showed us an albino baby, fair as a lily, whose parents and ancestors were all pure Javanese. The native princes, whenever they hear of the birth of any singular children, immediately send for the ])arents, give them apart- ments within the precincts of their palace or house, and adopt their offspring. The birth of an albino is thus iisl(lercd to bring luck to a ])oor man. The child itself, however, is generally weak and sickly through life, and its eyes, which are pink, are scarcely ever able to bear the light of day.

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