Page:The Surakarta (1913).djvu/27

Rh the Dutch resident. The Soesoehoenan of Surakarta is one of these—the richest native ruler in Java, by far the most independent and powerful; most despotic and absolute in his sultanate, and by far the most interesting. He has no less than ten thousand servants in his palace and his palace walls are four miles about. He is an Oxford graduate of some six or seven years ago, I believe—that is, he is about thirty years old. He is an excellent oarsman, tennis and cricket player; and is also a most skillful and daring automobile driver. Before I left he was going in for aëronautics with a biplane and a monoplane."

"You're his ardent biographer, Mr. Annis."

"No; for I'm going to give you the reverse of his picture too. The last time I saw him