several interesting ruins of temples, of similar construction, and of the same style of ornament.
These buildings must have been raised at a period when the highest state of the arts existed, and constructed at no very distant date from each other. Considered in this view, they serve very forcibly and decidedly to corroborate the historical details of the country, which are found to exist in the different written compositions and dramatic entertainments.
In noticing the more prominent remains of antiquity, as they are to be traced from the architecture and sculpture of former days, I should be wanting in attention, and indeed in a due respect to the popular tradition and the still received opinion of the Javans, did I not speak of Gunung Prahu, a mountain, or rather a range of mountains, (for there are no less than twenty-nine points or summits, which have distinct names,) situated on the northern side of the island, and inland between Samarang and Pacalongan, the supposed residence of Arjuno, and of the demi-gods and heroes who distinguished themselves in the B'rata Yud'ha, or Holy War. Here, the ruins of the supposed palace of the chief—the abode of Bima, his followers and attendants, are exhibited; and so rich was once this spot, in relics of antiquity, that the village of Kali Babar, situated at the foot of the mountain, is stated to have paid its rents, from time immemorial, in gold melted down from the golden images here discovered. So great, indeed, has been the desire to meet the courtly thirst for these interesting relics, that, I regret to say, many of the buildings, composed of a material less in demand, have suffered premature dilapidation on this account. Several interesting remains have recently been discovered by Major Johnson, resident at the Court of the Susunan; and, among these, the ruins at Suku deserve particular notice. But I have already trespassed on a subject which it is impossible to treat well, except in detail, and with reference to drawings of the extensive variety of erections, edifices, images, and poetical creations, which abound in Java.
As connected with these early and splendid monuments of the former high state of the arts in Java, and illustrative of the history of the country, are to be noticed the great variety of inscriptions found in different parts of the island. Fac-similies of most of these have been taken; and I am happy to add, that we have succeeded in decyphering some of the most interesting. The character on the stone found at Prambanan is no doubt one of the Dewa Nagri characters of India; and, with the exception of a few characters discovered at Singa Sari, on the backs of stone images, the only specimen yet discovered of this peculiar formation.
From the vicinity of the former kingdom of Jong'golo, not far distant from the modern Surabaia, have been brought several large
NO. XV. Pam. VOL. VIII. F
