Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/40

 24 LIFE IX JAVA.

The Resident, at a certain stage of the proceed- ings, rises up, an example in which he is followed l)y all present. A few speeches are made, and the nmbrella of dignity is handed to the new Eegent, an act which is followed by loud cheers, waving of hands, tudongs (a kind of hat), and handkerchiefs, to testify the people's approbation of the new election. The son almost invariably succeeds his father in this office, as in the case of the young Regent of Madioen, who, at the demise of his parent, was too young to act.

This peaceful scene is followed by some Olympian games, and by deadly combats between wild ani- mals. The tiger and the wild buffalo, or the tiger and the wild boar, ar(thus matched against each other; and contests even between snakes and herons, or cranes, &c., afford the natives no small excitement and delight on such festive occasions.

As no circus or arena of any kind is erected for the fetes, se^'eral men, armed with long spears,

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