Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/244

 228 LIFE IN JAVA.

over, when they shoiild return as masters of the whole island.

In speaking of Javanese prosperity under the Dutch rule, as compared with their abject state when governed by native princes, whose ambition and tyranny frequently knew no bounds, the Wo- dono said that the conquest and occupation of Java by the Dutch was foretold in the books of the kings of Modjophait.

" We are told to look up to them," said he, " as our fathers; and as they were predestined to be our rulers, we are commanded to render them hormald, not only as a mark of respect to them, but as a ])art of our own faith. To show you, sir, that the Iving of Holland is related to our ancient line of kinofs, we find a tale which 1 Avill relate to you from one of the sacred books. A king of Modjophait had a daughter who was very beautiful, but arHicted with an incurable disease, which the father considered a stiiima on the roval blood. He

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