LETTERS OP A JAVANESE PRINCESS
LETTERS OF A JAVANESE PRINCESS RADEN ADJENG KARTINI
By
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL DUTCH
AGNES LOUISE SYMMERS
By
WITH A FOREWORD BY
LOUIS COUPERUS
LONDON: 3
DUCKWORTH
HENRIETTA
ST.,
& CO. COVENT GARDEN
First published in 1921
.D5 6p-4
it
=
"When you
sail
from Chambra
fifteen
between south and southeast, you come
And
.
thousand miles on a course
to a great island called Java.
experienced mariners of those Islands
say that
it
is
the greatest Island in the world
three thousand miles.
no one
who know
It is
subject to a great
The people are
else in the world.
the matter well
and has a compass of
King and tributary
idolaters.
The Island
is
to
of
surpassing wealth, producing black pepper, nutmegs, spikenard, galingale, cubebs, cloves
"This Island
is
and
merchants who buy and profit.
all
other kinds of spices.
also frequented
by a vast amount of shipping, and by
sell costly
goods from which they reap great
Indeed, the treasure of this Island
is
so great as to be past
telling."
Marco Polo. (
479190 UB SETS
NOTE The in
letters of
Raden Adjeng Kartini were first published at the Hague title, "Door Duisternis tot Licht," (from Darkness
1911 under the
into Light).
They were
former Minister
collected
and edited by Dr.
J.
H. Abendanon,
of Education and Industry for Netherland-India.
Many
of the letters were written to him and to his ivife "Moedertje." Abendanon Dr. has given me permission to publish this English version,
which
a selection comprising about two-thirds of the original book. I also wish to acknowledge my debt to Dr. Leonard Van Noppen, who, is
when Queen Wilhelmina Professor University, first called
my
of Dutch Literature at Columbia
attention to the
book and told
me
something
of Kartini's story. I
A. L. S.
FOREWORD When
Raden Adjeng Kartini were published in Holland, they aroused much interest and awakened a warm sympathy for the writer. She was the young daughter of a Javanese Regent, one of the "princesses" who grow up and blossom in sombre obscurity and the letters of
seclusion, leading their
monotonous and often melancholy
lives within
the confines of the Kaboepatin, as the high walled Regent's palaces are called.
The thought of India, or as we now say, perhaps more happily, Java, had a strange fascination for me even as a child. I was charmed by the weird mystery of its stories, which frightened even while they charmed me.
Although I was born
had been rooted a Judge, and
my
my
in Java.
My
in
Holland, our family traditions
father began his official career there as
mother was the daughter of a Governor General, while s example and were officials
older brothers had followed their father
under the Colonial Government.
At nine years of age I was taken to the inscrutable and far off land round which my early fancy had played; and I passed five of my school years in Batavia. At the end of those five years, I felt the same charm
and the same mystery. sion.
I felt that while
country, to
me
The thought of Java became almost an obsesrule and exploit the
we Netherlanders might
we should never be able
that
it
to penetrate its
would always be covered by a thick
mystery.
veil,
It
Eastern soul from the strange eyes of the Western conqueror.
—
vii
seemed
which guarded
its
There
FOREWORD was a quiet
"Een Stille Krachf ^ unperceived by our cold, It was something intangible, and almost hostile,
strength,
business-like gaze.
with a
lurked in the atmosphere, in nature
silent, secret hostility that
and above
all, in
the soul of the natives.
It
menaced from
the slumber-
ing volcanoes, and lay hidden in the mysterious shadows of the rustling
bamboos.
palm
trees
so gentle
was
It
trembled in the wind until they seemed
and so complaining
know whether tive,
this
when
in the bright, silver moonlight
that
it
moved me
to
to
play a symphony
my
was poetic imagination ever prone
the drooping
soul.
to
I
do not
be supersensi-
or in reality the ''Quiet Strength," hidden in the heart of the East
and eternally
at
war with
the spirit of the West.
that the Javanese has never
been an open book
The difference of race forms an abyss so deep
It is certainly
true
to the Netherlander.
that
stand face to face and look into each other^s eyes,
though they
it is
may
as though they
saw nothing. The Javanese woman of noble birth is even more impenetrable. The Even the life of a Raden Adjeng or a Raden Adjoe, is a thing apart. and rulers of the country know nothing of the lives of these secluded "princesses," as we like to call the wives and daughters Dutch
officials
of the Regents, though they themselves lay no claim to a
title
which
in
Europe ranks so high. Suddenly a voice was heard from the depths of this unknown land. It rose from behind the high protecting wall that had done its work of subjection and concealment through the ages. It was gentle, like the melodious song of a
little
—
bird in a cage
surrounded by the tenderest care, but prison.
It
ivas the voice of
in
a costly cage
Raden Adjeng
See Couperus' novel "Een
Stille
Kracht."
—
^viii
true,
and
was also a
Kartini, ivhich sounded
above the walls of the close-barred Kaboepatin. 1
it is
a cage that
still in
It
was
like the cry of
FOREWORD a
bird that wanted to spread
little
wards
life.
And
rich voice of a
the sound
its
wings free in the
grew fuller and
clearer,
air,
till it
and
fly to-
became
the
woman.
She was shut
in
by
aristocratic traditions
and
living virtually im-
prisoned as became a young "princess" of Java; but she sang of her longing for life and work and her voice rose clearer and stronger.
It
penetrated to the distant Netherlands, and was heard there with wonder delight. She was singing a new song, the first complaint that had ever gone forth from the mysterious hidden life of the Javanese woman. With all the energy of her body and soul she wanted to be
and with
free, to
work and
and
to live
to love.
Then the complaint became a song of rejoicing. For she not only longed to lead the new life of the modern woman, but she had the strength to accomplish
and more than
it,
that, to
her family and of her friends for her ideals. lifted the concealing veil
from her daily
An
thoughts were revealed.
Oriental
life
win the sympathy of This
"princess'*
little
and not only her
woman had
dared to
life,
her
fight for
For although her
feminism, even against her tenderly loved parents.
father and mother were enlightened for noble Javanese, they had at first strongly opposed her ideas as unheard of innovations. She wanted to study and later to become a teacher to open a school
—
for the daughters of Regents, and to bring the
She
would not give up;
battled bravely, she
new
spirit into their lives.
in the end, she
won.
Raden Adjeng Kartini freed herself from the narrow oppression of and the simple language of these letters chants a paean "From Darkness into Light." ^ The mist of obscurity is cleared away
tradition,
from her land and her people. 1
"Door Duistemis
tot
—
Licht"
title
The Javanese soul
is
shown as simple,
under which Kartini's Letters were
Holland.
—
ix
first
published in
FOREWORD gentle,
and
less hostile
For the soul of
this girl
than
we Westerners had
ever dared to hope.
was one with the soul of her people, and
it
is
through her that a new confidence has grown up between the West and
and Java.
the East, between the Netherlands
StrengtK^
is
brought into the
light,
it is
tender,
The mysterious "Quiet
humwi and
full of love,
and Holland may well be grateful to the hand that revealed it. This noble and pure soul was not destined to remain long upon
Had
she lived,
who knows what Raden Adjeng Kartini might
earth.
not have
accomplished for the well being of her country and her people; above all,
for the Javanese
woman and
the Javanese child.
She was the
first
Regent's daughter to break the fixed tradition in regard to marriage;
was customary
to give the bride to
a strange bridegroom,
never seen, perhaps never even heard tini
chose her
of, until her
own husband, a man whom
whom
she had
wedding day.
she loved, but her
it
Kar-
happy
life
with him was cut short by her early death. Jt is
work
sometimes granted
to fruition in all the
to those
whom
the gods love to bring their
splendour of youth, in the springtime or the
summer of their lives. To have worked and to have completed a great when one is young, so that the world is left richer for all time
—
task, is
not that the most beautiful of all the gifts of the gods?
Louis Couperus.
INTRODUCTION These tensity,
letters
which breathe the
were written by a
outworn
civilization.
modem
spirit, in all
of
girl of the Orient, reared in
They unfold
its
restless in-
an ancient and
the story of the writer with uncon-
scious simplicity and present a vivid picture of Javanese life and
man-
ners.
But perhaps their chief
human
docu-
once more
made
interest lies in their value as a
ment. In them the old truth of the oneness of humanity
manifest and
we
is
see that the magnificent altruism, the spirit of inquiry,
and the almost morbid desire for self-searching and analysis acterize the opening years of the Twentieth Century to
Europe or
to
America, but were universal and belonged
to the East as well as to the
Kartini, that
to the world,
West.
was her only name
—Raden Adjeng
a
is
her Dutch friends in the language of the Netherlands. circle she
that char-
were not peculiar
spoke always Javanese,
aiid she
was Javanese
title
—wrote
In her
to
home
in her intense
love for her land and people, as well as in dress and manners.
She did not
name during
live to see the
work
in all parts of Java.
The
that has
Today
the last ten years.
been accomplished
influence of her life
greater than that of any other
woman
all of the thirty-eight millions of
of
in
her
there are "Kartini Schools"
and teachings
modem times
because
is it
perhaps reaches
Javanese and extends to some extent
throughout the entire East.
She did not desire
to
make
of her people pseudo-Europeans but bet-
—
xi
INTRODUCTION Not the material freedom for which during the three hundred years of Dutch rule the Javanese of the past had sometimes waged a bloody warfare, but the greater freedom of the mind and of
ter Javanese.
the spirit.
The Dutch
had become enlightened. In local nese had self-government under their own officials. rule
bowed down by
superstition
affairs the Java-
But they were
and under the sway of
tradition.
"adat," or law which cannot be changed, was fostered by religion.
were imbued with longed
to
all the fatalism of the
"Tekdir" or Fate and
it
Mohammedan,
was vain
But Kartini rebelled against "Tekdir."
The They
the future be-
to rebel against its decrees.
She refused
to believe in the
righteousness of the ancient law that a girl must marry, or breaking
upon her family.
that law, bring everlasting disgrace
She realized that the freedom of woman could only come through economic independence.
And
personally she said that she had rather
be a kitchen maid, than be forced
For
to
marry a strange and unknown man.
in well-bred Javanese circles girls
the most rigid
Mohammedan
were brought up according
to
canons and closely guarded from the eyes
of men.
Dr. Abendanon, the compiler of Kartini's
letters,
says that although
he had lived for twenty-five years in Java, she and her first
young
girls of
sisters
were the
noble birth that he had ever seen.
Kartini wanted to go to Holland to study, to return
home when
she
had gained a broader knowledge and experience, equipped for teaching the daughters of her
own
people.
She wished
to
help them through ed-
ucation, to break with the stultifying traditions of the past.
Although
always a Mohammedan, marriage with more than one wife was abhorrent to her.
men
True progress seemed impossible in a polygamous society for
or for
women.
Furthermore polygamy was not commanded or
—
xii
INTRODUCTION even approved of by
Mohammed
himself;
it
had been merely permitted.
After years of conflict between her affection for her family and the principles in which she believed, Kartini
won
the entire confidence both
Her mother was an exponent of the Oriental womanhood, excelling in care of the home and
of her father and of her mother. best ideals of filled
with love and sympathy for her husband and children.
Kartini was an innovator
who sought to break new paths for her new and untried she gained rather Her old fashioned virtues of her kind.
people, but in reaching out for the
than lost in respect for the interests
—which cannot always
were human, and not merely feministic
be said of our own feminism. Kartini's biography
is
brief,
and her
almost uneventful so far as
life
outward happenings go.
She was
bom
on the 21st of April, 1879, the daughter of Raden Mas
Adipati Sosroningrat, Regent of Japara.
His father, the Regent of
Demak, Pangeran Ario Tjondronegoro, was an enlightened man who had given European educations to all of his sons and who is described by his grand-daughter Kartini as
latch his door to that guest
—
The Regent of Japara went tion.
at
He
"the
first
still
—
further as
sent his daughters to the free
Semarang
regent of middle Java to un-
from over the sea
^Western civilization."
became the next generaschool for Europeans
grammar
so that they might learn Dutch.
Kartini's best friend at school
daughter of the head master.
A
was a
little
Hollander, Letsy, the
question of Letsy's,
"What
are you
be when you grow up?" both puzzled and interested her.
going
to
When
she went
anxiously,
home after school was over, she repeated the question "What am I going to be when I grow up?" Her father, who
loved her very dearly, did not answer but smiled and pinched her cheek.
An
older brother overheard her and said,
—
xiii
"What should
a girl become,
>/
INTRODUCTION why
a
Raden Ajoe of course."
woman
married is
Raden Ajoe
is
the
title
of a Javanese
of high rank, while the unmarried daughter of a regent
Raden Adjeng. In Kartini a spirit of rebellion was awakened which grew with the
Even as a
years.
vowed
child she
that she
would not become merely
Raden Ajoe, she would be strong, combat all prejudice and shape her own destiny. But she was soon to feel the weight of convention pressing upon her with inexorable force. When she reached the age of twelve and a half she was considered by her parents old enough to leave school and remain at home in seclusion according to the established usage. Some day there would have to be a wedding and a Javanese bridegroom was chosen by the girl's parents and often never seen by his bride until after the ceremony, as her presence was not required at that a
solemnity.
Kartini implored her father, on her knees, to be allowed to go on with
But he
her studies. his race
felt
and she went
bound by
into the
the hitherto
unbroken conventions of
was
called, passing four long
"box" as
it
years without ever once going beyond the boundaries of the Kaboepatin.
During those years reading was her greatest pleasure, and her father
was proud of her
intelligence
and kept her supplied with Dutch books.
She did not always understand what she read, but would often be guided through the
difficult
Kartono, who
But the
felt a
places
warm sympathy
spirit of progress
and when Kartini was
Her
first
by her father or by her favourite brother for his sister.
slowly awakened even in slumbering Java,
sixteen, she
was released from her imprisonment.
accompany her parhonour of the coronation of Queen Wil-
journey into the outside world was
ents to the festivities held in
to
helmina. This caused a great scandal in conservative Javanese society.
—
xiv
But
INTRODUCTION Kartini and her sisters did not have the freedom for which they longed,
they could not go out into the world and fight
only take well chaperoned
men and women, of much as a delicately
little
its battles.
They could
excursions and meet the guests, both
They were free very nurtured Victorian young lady would Have been their father's household.
free, half a century ago.
In 1901 the Minister of Education and Industry for Netherland India was Dr. J. H. Abendanon.^ He took a deep interest in the well-being and progress of the native Javanese, and realized the need of schools for
At that time there was none
native girls.
He had
ample which he had daughters.
fellow countrymen in educating his
set to his
Accompanied by
his wife Dr.
to obtain the assistance of the
world
A
in Java.
heard of the enlightened Regent of Japara, and of the
Abendanon went
ex-
own
to
Japara
Regent in interesting the native
official
in his project.
dream of Kartini and her had become almost an obsession. Her
school for native girls had been the
sisters.
With
her, the idea
longing for education had gathered force and widened in cance.
It
its
signifi-
no longer meant the shaping of an independent career for
herself, but a
means
to
an end of work among her people.
Dr. Abendanon, in describing the
first
meeting with Kartini, said that
when she and her sisters came forward in their picturesque native costume they made a most charming impression, but the charm was heightened when they spoke to him in fluent Dutch. Kartini said that a girls' school
was the subject nearest her heart but asked
be a vocational school, sire 1
fitting the girl
it.
Dr.
it
also
for self-support should she deI
Abendanon was the head
Eeredienst
that
is
of the Department of "Onderwijs, Eeredienst and Nijverheid."
religious administration
and observance, as in Holland the church
institution.
^XV
is
a state
INTRODUCTION The fort
and friendship of the Abendanons became a great comMevrouw Abendanon was called Moedertje
influence
and support
(little
to Kartini.
mother) and
many
letters
were written
to her.
Kartini was never able to go to Holland and study.
Although her
disappointment was intense, she became convinced that her influence
among her own people would be in their eyes
from the
possibility of contamination
Acting upon the advice of at
home
them At
for
little
stronger if she remained at home, free
girls.
Mevrouw Abendanon,
With
and
in cooking.
she obtained the permission of her father to continue her
studies at Batavia.
But she did not go
the house of her parents in the
She
ideas.
the help of her sisters she instructed
in elementary branches, in sewing last
by foreign
she opened a school
fell in love like
way
to Batavia.
that she
any Western
girl,
Nor did she
own
leave
had planned.
and was married
in
1903
to
Raden Adipati Djojo Adiningrat, Regent of Rembang. He had been educated in Holland, and had many enlightened ideas for the advancement of his people.
The dreams of Kartini were as his own, she had his full sympathy and their work in the future would be carried on together. Both of them were interested in the ancient history of Java, the sagas and stories They wished to make a collection of these, they also felt of the past. a
warm
interest in the revival of
Javanese
art, in
wood
weaving, dyeing, work in gold and copper and tortoise After Kartini was married her
at
shell.
school was continued at
Rem-
who had been working under her Semarang were anxious to follow her to her new
bang, and some of the supervision
little
carving, textile
wood
carvers
home. "Although
I
am
a
modem woman
shall have," she writes to
what a strange bridal dower
Mevrouw Abendanon
—
xvi
I
in discussing the plan
INTRODUCTION for moving the
little
children she
was teaching and
the
wood
carvers to
Rembang.
A own ity,
charming picture of the married
life of
Kartini
is
given in her
There was a year of hard work and increased responsibil-
letters.
but also of great happiness.
On
the 17th of September 1904, four days after the hirth of her son
Siengghi, she died. In 1907, the tavia.
first
Raden Adjeng Kartini school was founded
Ba-
at
inception was largely due to the eiforts of Dr. Abendanon.
Its
The Governor General of Netherland-India, the Queen Mother of Holland and many other influential persons gave it their active support. A society at the Hague known as the "Kartini fonds" had been formed and under its patronage there are now schools at Malang, Cheribon, Buitenzorg, Soerabaja, Semarang and Soerakarta, as well as at Batavia. There is also a large number of native Kartini schools under the direct management of native Javanese. The long slumber of Java has ended. The principles for which Kartini suffered and struggled are now almost universally accepted by
—
A
her fellow countrymen.
may now
Women
girl,
even though of noble birth,
earn her living without bringing disgrace upon her family.
choose their
frequent
Javanese
among
The time was
own husbands, and
plural marriages are
much
less
the younger generation. ripe.
of great movements.
It
has been said that great
men
are the products
There must always be some one
to strike the
note of leadership, so firmly convinced of the righteousness of a given
cause that he (or she) goes blindly forward, forgetful of personal terest
and of
be, holding all,
its
all selfish considerations,
ridicule as of
combatting the world
no account; and what
is
if
xvii
need
perhaps hardest of
bringing sorrow and disappointment to those that love them.
—
in-
INTRODUCTION The prophet burned at the stake amid execrations and the conqueror who receives the plaudits of the multitude, alike await the judgment of posterity. Only in after years can we weigh the thing that they have wrought and gauge
its
true value.
Kartini has stood the
nese she
is
her work
test
of time.
To
the
modem
a national heroine, almost a patron saint.
live,
and are a
vital factor in the prosperity
progressive Java-
Her
influence
and
and happiness of
her country.
Agnes Louise Symmers. Rye,
New York
April, 1920.
-xviii-
LETTERS OF A JAVANESE PRINCESS
25 May, 1899.
Japara,
HAVE
I
make
longed to
who has
happy and
lightly
through
life, full
for her
own
"modem
the acquaintance of a
proud, independent girl self-reliant,
of enthusiasm and
all
and
my
alertly
warm
girl," that
She who,
sympathy! steps
on her way
feeling; working not only
well-being and happiness, but for the greater good of
humanity as a whole. I
glow with enthusiasm toward the new time which has come, and
can truly say that in
my
thoughts and sympathies
the Indian world, but to that of
ward
my
pale sisters
I
who
do not belong
to
are struggling for-
in the distant West.
If the laws of
my
land permitted
there
it,
nothing that
is
had
I
rather do than give myself w'holly to the working and striving of the
new woman
in
Europe; but age-long traditions that cannot be broken
hold us fast cloistered in their unyielding arms. will loosen
and
finitely far.
It
tions after us.
new age with by
let
will come, that I
know;
it
Oh, you do not know what
may be it is
three, four genera-
to love this
bound hand and
customs, and conventions of one's land.
stitutions are directly
opposed
the sake of our people.
to the progress for
Day and
night
ancient traditions could be overcome. 1
those arms
us go, but that time lies as yet far from us, in-
heart and soul, and yet to be
all the laws,
Some day
Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
—3—
I
which
young,
foot,
this
chained
All our I so
in-
long for
wonder by what means our
For myself,
I
could find a
way
— LETTERS OF A shake them
to
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
break them, were
off, to
it
not that another bond, stronger
me to my world; and whom I owe my life, and
than any age-old tradition could ever be, binds that
the love which
is
I
bear for those to
whom I must
thank for everything. Have I the right to break the hearts who have given me nothing but love and kindness my whole long, and who have surrounded me with the tenderest care?
of those life
But
it
was not the voices alone which reached me from
that bright, that
new-bom Europe, which made me long Even
existing conditions.
enchanted
my
ears;
it
in
my
my
around
me
my
broke
for the awakening of
Then clearer,
me, but
till
my
I
me an
a longing to stand
surroundings and in those of others
and made me long with a nameless sorrow
country.
from
distant lands
grew clearer and
who loved
deep grief of others, brought seed which entered
my
and grew strong and vigorous.
must
tell
you something of myself so
that
you can make
acquaintance.
am
the eldest of the three unmarried daughters of the Regent of
Japara, and have six brothers and
sisters.
What
grandfather, Pangeran Ario Tjondronegoro of
leader in the progressive
middle Java
Western all
—
they reached me, and to the satisfaction of some
to the
And now I
heart,
the voices which penetrated
heart, took root,
my
my own
Conditions both in
mean-
that nothing else had, a
comprehension, and awakened in
evergrowing longing for freedom and independence alone.
for a change in
childhood, the word "emancipation"
had a significance
ing that was far beyond
that distant,
movement of
to unlatch his
civilization.
door
to
his day,
that guest
a world, eh?
Demak, was a and the
first
My great
regent of
from over the sea
All of his children had European educations;
of them have, or had (several of them are
now dead),
a love of
progress inherited from their father; and these gave to their children
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the
same upbringing which they themselves had
my
cousins and all
—
BurgefSchool
my
highest institution of learning that
^the
Many
received.
of
older brothers have gone through the Hooger<£
India; and the youngest of
my
we have here
in
three older brothers has been studying
for three years in the Netherlands, and two others are in the service of
We girls,
that country.
and conventions, have profited but
traditions It
little
go
all,
that
we should be
and especially that we should leave the house every day
to school.
strongest
by our ancient
by these advantages.
was a great crime against the customs of our land
taught at to
so far as education goes, fettered
For the custom of our country forbade
girls in the
We
were never
manner ever
to
go outside of the house.
allowed to go anywhere, however, save
to the school,
and the only place
of instruction of which our city could boast, which was open to us, was
grammar
a free
When into the
I
school for Europeans.
reached the age of twelve,
"box."
I
was kept
I
was locked up, and cut
with the outside world, toward which
I
ents
would choose for me, and knowledge.
in every possible
to
whom
European friends
way
to
dissuade
my
at
from
home all
—
I
must go
communication
might never turn again save
unknown man whom my
the side of a bridegroom, a stranger, an
my own
off
I
—
should be betrothed without this I
heard later
—had
My
long years
I
parents were inexorable;
tried
parents from this cruel course
toward me, a young and life-loving child; but they were able nothing.
at
par-
I
went into
my
prison.
to
do
Four
spent between thick walls, without once seeing the outside
world.
How it
was
I
passed through that time,
terrible.
I
do not know.
But there was one great happiness
I
only
left
know
that
me: the read-
ing of Dutch books and correspondence with Dutch friends was not
forbidden.
This
—
the only
gleam of
light in that
—5—
empty, sombre time,
LETTERS OF A was
my
more
all,
without which,
My
pitiable state.
But then came
my
I
life,
friend and
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
should have fallen, perhaps, into a
my soul even, my deliverer
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
starved.
the Spirit of the Age; his
Proud, solid ancient structures tottered
footsteps echoed everywhere.
foundation at his approach.
to their
would have been
still
Strongly barricaded doors sprang
open, some as of themselves, others only painfully half way, but nevertheless they opened,
At
last in
God!
my
and
the
let in
Thank God!
guest.
saw the outside world again.
sixteenth year, I
could leave
I
unwelcome
my
prison as a free
Thank
human being
Then events followed more and more of our lost freedom. In the following year, at the time of the investiture of our young For Princess,^ our parents presented us "officially" with our freedom. and not chained
to
an unwelcome bridegroom.
quickly that gave back
the
first
and
to
to us girls
time in our lives we were allowed to leave our native town,
go to the city where the
What
occasion. girls of
festivities
in
honour of the
was!
That young
were held
a great and priceless victory
it
our position should show themselves in public was here an
The "world" stood aghast; tongues were set wagging at the unprecedented crime. Our European friends rejoiced, and as for ourselves, no queen was so rich as we. But I am far from I do not desire I would go still further, always further. satisfied.
unheard-of occurrence.
to
go out to feasts, and
been the cause of
my
little
frivolous amusements.
longing for freedom.
I
That has never
long to be free, to be
able to stand alone, to study, not to be subject to any one, and, above all,
never, never to be obliged to marry.
But we must marry, must, must. which the
Mohammedan woman
which a native 1
girl
[Queen Wilhelmina.1
Not
to
can commit;
can bring to her family.
marry it is
is
the greatest sin
the greatest disgrace
LETTERS OF A And marriage among
How
it.
the
can
man and
it
us
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
—Miserable
is
too feeble an expression for
be otherwise, when the laws have made everything for
nothing for the
When
woman?
law and convention both
man; when everything is allowed to him? Love! what do we know here of love? How can we love a man whom we have never known? And how could he love us? That in itself would not be possible. Young girls and men must be kept rigidly are for the
apart,
I
and are never allowed
am
to meet.
know of your occupations. It is all very interestwish to know about your studies, I would know something
anxious to
ing to me.
I
of your Toynbee evenings, and of the society for total abstinence of
which you are so zealous a member.
Among
our Indian people, we have not the drink demon to
thank God!
Western
—but
I
fear, I fear that
civilization shall
have that
evil to
when once
—
forgive
have obtained a foothold among
contend with too.
Civilization
is
fight,
—your
me
us,
we
a blessing, but
shall it
has
The tendency to imitate is inborn, I believe. The masses imitate the upper classes, who in turn imitate those of its
dark side as well.
higher rank, and these again follow the Europeans.
Among
us there
is
no marriage feast without drinking.
And
at
the festivals of the natives, where they are not of strong religious convictions, thers,
(and usually they are
grandfathers
Mohammedans
only because their fa-
and remote ancestors were Mohammedans
reality, they are little better
—
in
than heathen), large square bottles are
always kept standing, and they are not sparing in the use of these.
But an
evil greater
than alcohol
misery, the inexpressible horror is
the pest of Java.
it
Yes, opium
is
here and that
has brought to is
is
my
opium. country!
far worse than the pest.
Oh! the
Opium The
pest
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS goes away, but the evil of
does not remain for ever; sooner or
later,
opium, once established, grows.
It
spreads more and more, and will
never leave us, never grow less
for to speak plainly
by
the
—
The more general
Government!
it
the
—
it is
use of opium
protected
in Java, the
fuller the treasury.
The opium tax is one of the richest sources of income of the Government what matter if it go well or ill with the people? the Government prospers. This curse of the people fills the treasury of the Dutch
—
—
Indian Government with thousands that the use of
opium
no
is
—nay,
Many
with millions.
say
but those who say that have never known
evil,
India, or else they are blind.
What
are our daily murders, incendiary
direct result of the use of
it
buy
to
then one
it,
and
a confirmed user of
when one has money to buy when one has no money with it? Then one is dangerous,
Hunger will make a man a make him a murderer. There is
is lost.
opium will you eat opium, but It is
is
in the
terrible to see so
end
much
it
will
evil
and
three times.
be able
gone so
I
to
far, that a
H. V.
S.
for first
to fight against
know.
I
I
have read
What would Oh, that we
I
my own
It is
your country.
language
to
but makes an impression, for that shows that one
ing,
and Java
deep slumber.
And how
is
it
had us,
never rest
do good as well as harm
a matter of indifference whether
if it
is still in
I shall
it.
not give
in India
book could cause such violent controversy among
appears in
our Indian world.
it.
Hilda's environment.
as "Hilda van Suylenburg" has in till
a
be powerless
could never grow tired of
to live in
hunger — saying here "At
thief, but the
devour you."
That splendid book by Mevrouw Goekoop
to
not
is
— —
it
when one cannot obtain
which
robberies, but the.
True, the desire for opium
opium?
so great an evil as long as one can get the poison; but
fires,
to
good or harm,
no longer sleep-
will her people ever be
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
LETTERS OF A
awakened, when those who should serve as examples, themselves love sleep so little
The greater number of European women
much.
work of
or nothing for the
Will you not
me something of the labours, the struggles, the woman of today in the Netherlands? We take deep
tell
sentiments, of the
Woman's Movement.
interest in all that concerns the
do not know the modern languages.
I
allowed by our law to learn languages; us to learn Dutch. to
long
I
know
to
We
Alas!
speak them, as for the far greater joy of being able
mind how good a That
the original?
We ure
is
translation
own
that
is,
the
may
to
be,
is
it
younger
and
sisters
Is
I
find
them
so
I
:
the greatest of all lies
I
who say
that
three have
We
when
I
how
was
feel
young and
Call
me
old
sixteen
many melancholy moods! I
the
differ in age, is
the greatest
differences of opinion,
little
Our
little
love the reconciliations which
not think so too?
in everything.
Now
I
am.
I felt
—
that
That cannot be;
Kartini
is
my
I
was
is
my
given
just
twenty
so frightfully old,
that I can put
full of the joy of life,
simply Kartini; that
family names.
had
must be hypocrites.
have not yet told you
Strange, that
not true
never so fine as
three there
—do you
any two human beings can think alike people
it
our greatest pleas-
is
We
I.
Among us
Naturally we sometimes have
It is
many
read the
but that does not weaken the tie that binds us together.
follow.
be able
—more charming.
each from the other, but one year.
quarrels are splendid,
to
always stronger
same bringing up, and are much with one another. harmony.
much
tongue.
have much time for reading, and reading
—we,
girls are not
was a great innovation for
it
languages, not so
beautiful works of foreign authors in their that never
in India care
their sisters in the Fatherland.
month.
two crosses behind me,
and the struggle of name.
last
and had so
We
life, too.
Javanese have no
name and my family name, both
—9—
LETTERS OF A same
at the
her
my
As far
time.
words are the
I
"Raden Adjeng"
as
told
to it; I
the present,
If there is
any
countr}'
that
I
gave
would hardly reach me
tell
am
you of our Indian
light that
and
only a Javanese.
you know enough about me you would
Indian affairs, please ask me.
my
concerned, those tvvo
as for writing mejuffruow, or something of that
have no right
other time I shall
is
Mevrouw van Wermeskerken, when
—
Now, for
about
VANESE PRINCESS
address, not to put Kartini alone
from Holland, and kind,
I
title.
JA
my
I
am
—10—
is it
not so?
An-
life.
like th^o^^^l
ready
people.
—
to tell
upon any of our
you
all that I
know
IP 18 of August, 1899.
SINCERE my know
You tioned
Shall
heart.
ance? I
thanks for your long
I
I
letter,
your cordial words warmed
not disappoint you upon a closer acquaint-
have already told you that
nothing.
Compared
to
you
feel
I
am
very ignorant, that
myself sink into nothingness.
are well informed about the Javanese it, I
I
titles.
Before you men-
had never given the matter a thought, that I am, as you say, Am I a princess? No more than you yourself are
"highly bom." one. in the
The last prince of our house, from whom I am directly descended male line, was, I believe, twenty-five generations back; but
Mamma
is
closely related to the princely house of Medeira; her great-
grandfather was a reigning prince, and her grandmother a princess.
But we do not give a two-pence for
To my mind
all that.
there are only
two kinds of aristocracy, the aristocracy of the mind, and the aristocracy of the soul
—
of those
who
are noble in spirit.
I
think there
is
nothing
who allow themselves to depend What worth is there in simply being
more commonplace than those people upon
their so called "high birth."
a count or baron?
I
cannot see
it
with
my
little
understanding.
Adel and Edel,^ twin words with almost the same sound and which Poor twins! How cruel life has been should have the same meaning.
you
to
—
it
has ruthlessly torn you asunder and holds you
Once noble, meant would have been an honour
apart. it
what the
1 2
to
word
signifies.
be "highly bom."
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar. As a noble deed.
—11—
now
so far
Yes, then indeed
But
now?—
— LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
remember how embarrassed we were last year, when the ladies of the Exposition for Woman's Work called us the "Princesses of Java." In Holland they seem to think that everything which comes out of I
India which
is
not a "baboe" or a "spada" must be a prince or a prin-
Europeans here
cess.
seldom
in India
address us usually as "Freule."
^
do not know how many times
I
I
and
still less
and
still
I
call us
despair of
"Raden Adjeng," they its
ever being different.
have said that we were not "Freules"
princesses, but they have
grown accustomed
to the
glamour
obstinately call us "Freule."
Not long ago a European who had heard much of
us,
came here and
asked our parents to be allowed the privilege of making the acquaintance
we were brought out and shown how stupid we felt!
of the "princesses";
we had been
dolls;
"Regent," said he there I
to
him
as though
our father, but quite distinctly before us
to
was much disappointment
in his voice
—"at
the
word
—
princess,
thought of glittering garments, fantastic Oriental splendour, and your
daughters look so simple."
We
could hardly suppress a smile when
Heavens!
know what
pliment; you do not clothes
Dear friends,
I
a pleasure
was
it
were simple we had so often taken pains ;
would look conspicuous or
I
we heard him.
Good
In his innocence he had paid us the greatest possible com-
Stella, I
am
and
you
that
me
seem
can throw the burden of Javanese etiquette
abomination
to
little rules,
me.
^In Holland honourary
You title
to
you
like
your Dutch
congenial.
am happy only when from my shoulders. The
have always been an enemy of formality.
ceremonies, the
on nothing that
bizarre.
heartily glad that I find
us to find that our
to
to put
I
that are instilled into
could hardly imagine
our people are an
how
given to the daughter of a nobleman.
—12—
heavily the burden
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
of etiquette presses upon a Javanese aristocratic household.
our household, we do not take
We
Javanese etiquette
freely.
taries,
of
all the formalities so literally.
own
often dispense with ceremony and speak our
cannot at
is
both
and who come
live years in India,
understand
all
But in
it
silly
and
Europeans who
terrible.
in close contact with
unless they have
sentiments
our native digni-
made
a special study
it.
In order to give you a faint idea of the oppressiveness of our etiquette, I shall
may
me
not pass
without bowing
hands and knees. stantly slip to the
me,
down
to the
sister of
on a chair, she must
ground and remain with head bowed until
must only be
it
comes from
mine ground and creeping upon
younger brother or
If a little sister is sitting
passed from her sight. to
A
mention a few examples.
If a
younger brother or
in high Javanese;'
their lips, they
sister
I
in-
have
wishes to speak
and after each sentence that
must make a sembah;
that
to
is,
put both
hands together, and bring the thumbs under the nose. If
my
brothers and sisters speak to other people about me, they must
always use high Javanese in every sentence concerning me,
my
seat at the table,
my
hands and
my
feet,
and everything
my
clothes,
that is mine.
They are forbidden to touch my honourable head without my high permission, and they may not do it even then without first making a sembah. If
food stands on the table, they must not touch the
has pleased
it
me
to
partake of that which
I
would
tiniest
(as
morsel
much
as
I
till
de-
is one language for the aristocracy and nobleman addresses an inferior in the language of the common people Ngoko, but he is answered in high Javanese known as Krama. Between the two there is a middle speech, Madja, used in familiar intercourse between friends and equals besides Krama-inggil or court speech. There is also the classical language Kawi nearly allied to Sanskrit, in which the ancient literature of Java is written. 1
Javanese
is
not one language but several, there
another for the vulgar.
A
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;13â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Should you speak against your superiors, do
sire).
who
only those
are near
may
softly, so that
Oh, yes; one even trembles by
hear.
When
rule in a noble Javanese household.
must not open her mouth.
it
a young lady laughs, she
(For Heaven's sake!
hear you exclaim).
I
Yes, dear Stella, you shall hear stranger things than these,
know
to
you wish
if
everything about us Javanese.
If a girl runs, she
and oh, so slowly,
must do
decorously, with
it
To run
like a snail.
mincing steps
little
just a little fast is to
be a
hoyden.
my
Toward
older brothers and sisters
serve all forms scrupulously.
I
I
show every
respect,
and ob-
do not wish to deny the good right of
any one, but the younger ones, beginning with me, are doing away with Freedom, equality, and fraternity!
ceremony.
all
For
my
little
brothers and sisters, toward me, and toward each other, are like free,
Between
equal comrades.
there
us,
The
friendship and hearty affection.
is
no
sisters
me, and we speak the same language.
to
amazement and
at the free,
sisters of
I
We
now us,
I
At
And
^
how
is
only
people smiled in
first
because
affectionate
and that only the burdensome
I
seldom walked
they were further horrified
often laughed aloud! and allowed
that they see
^there
say "thee" and "thou"
were called children without any
was a "koeda koree"
sedately but went skipping along.
because
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
untrammeled relationship between us brothers
unequal ages.
bringing up, and
stiffness
my
But
teeth to show.
and sweet the relationship
is
between
etiquette has taken flight before
our
freedom, they admire the harmonious union which binds us so closely together.
Thank you, dear pleased as a child. 1
Wild
colt.
Stella, for
There
is
your charming compliment:
no danger of spoiling
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 1^^-
me by
I
am
as
praise, or I
LETTERS OF A JAPANESE PRINCESS should long ago have been spoiled to death, both at
home and by my
friends and acquaintances.
much for the friendly thoughts which you have for us Javanese. From you I did not expect anything else, but knew that you would have the same feeling for all people, white or brown. From those who are truly civilized and enlightened we have never experiI
thank you so
enced anything but kindness.
If a
Javanese
is
ever so stupid, unlet-
power which governs him should see fellow man, whom God has created too one who has a heart in tered, uncivilized, the
;
and a soul
full of sensitive feeling, although his
in
him a
his body,
countenance
may
re-
main immovable, and not a glance betray his inward emotion. At home, we speak Javanese with one another; Dutch only with Hollanders, although
now and
then
we use
a
little
Dutch expression
which has a shade of meaning that cannot be translated, often express some
little
humorous
point.
-15â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
it
is to
IIP November
CERTAINLY,
Stella,
I
cannot thank
my
6,
1899.
parents enough for
up which they have given me. I had rather have my whole life one of strife and sorrow than be without knowledge which I owe to my European education. I know that the free bringing
the
many, many difficulties await me, but I am not afraid of the future. I cannot remain content in my old condition; yet to further the new progress
world.
I
can do nothing: a dozen strong chains bind
What
will be the
themselves this question. tell
and then they say that education which
ther lies the blame.
Did
I
All
know
I
it
fast to
my
myself, dear people,
I
should
is critical
for us;
was a mistake for my father to give me the No! No! Not on my dearest fa-
No, and again no!
same bringing up which he gave had such an effect upon one of them.
Father could not foresee that
to all of his children
Many
would have
other regents had given to
same advantages that we have had, and it has never anything but in native young ladies with European manners,
their families the
who speak Dutch. 1
me
European friends ask
have had.
the
resulted in
my
All can see that the situation
you with pleasure.
little
outcome?
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandetaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;16â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
— LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Some day
come to pass, must come to pass, that I shall have to follow an unknown bridegroom. Love is a will o' the wisp in our Javanese world! How can a man and There
woman
no help for
is
love each other
it.
when they
I shall
it
will
see each other for the
their lives after they are already fast
bound
To
never, never fall in love.
according to
or other
love, there
must
time in
first
wedlock?
in the chains of
be respect,
first
my thinking; and I can have no respect for the Javanese How can I respect one who is married and a father, and
young man. who, when he has had enough of the mother of his children, brings another woman into his house, and is, according to the Mohammedan
And why It is no sin, and still less a scandal. The Mohammedan law not? allows a man to have four wives at the same time. And though it be a thousand times over no sin according to the Mohammedan law and And who
law, legally married to her?
doctrine, I shall for ever call
it
a sin.
bring misery to a fellow creature.
whether
man
And
or beast.
does not do this?
I
Sin
call all things sin
is to
cause pain to another,
can you imagine what hell-pain a
—
must suffer when her husband comes home with another
whom
He
she must recognize as his legal wife?
which
woman
a rival
can torture her to
death, mistreat her as he will; if he does not choose to give her back her
freedom, then she can whistle
to the
for the man, and nothing for the
Do you
understand
now
moon
woman,
is
for her rights.
Everything
our law and custom.
the deep aversion
I
have for marriage?
would do the humblest work, thankfully and joyfully,
if
by
it
I
I
could be
independent.
But tion
I
can do nothing, less than nothing, on account of Father's posi-
among our
something
people.
fitting!
disgrace to
my
It is
If I choose to work,
it
would have
to
be at
only work for pleasure which would not be a
noble and highly placed family
—17—
—a
chain of regents
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
from Java's eastern coast to the middle. Why did God give us talents and not the opportunity to make use of them? My two sisters have studied drawing and painting, and without any instruction, have made They would gladly go fair progress, according to those who know. on with their studies. But here in Java, there is no opportunity, and we cannot go to Europe. To go there we should have to have the consent
have
of
his
We
not.
Excellency,
and that we
Minister of Finance,
the
must depend entirely upon ourselves,
we wish
if
go
to
forward.
do you know what
Stella,
it is
to
long for something intensely and
Could Father have done
yet to feel powerless to obtain it?
so, I
do
not doubt he would have sent us without hesitation to your cold and distant land.
draw and paint too, but take much more pleasure in the pen than Do you understand now why I am so anxious to obtain in the pencil. Nay, do not contradict me. the mastery of your beautiful language? 1
I
construct
it
after a fashion, but
If I could learn the
A
assured.
I
rich field of labour
would then
should be a true child of humanity. anese,
know
long he
all
lived in Java
I
feel
my
laughing of paper.
if
powerlessness
A
I,
Much
life.
make
that
clear with a
my
is
Still
me, and
bom
is
it
You would
not?
That
I
burst out
little
I
sheet
who know
upon a
though every one else should laugh at me,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;18â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
still
few words.
shoulder and read this
a crazy idea of mine,
I
Jav-
now and a
obscure
nothing, have learned nothing, should wish to venture
career?
to
as a
European, no matter how
all too well, Stella.
you could look over
What
open
and studied existing conditions, can
of the inner native
riddle to Europeans, I could
lie
you see
For,
about the Indian world.
may have
know nothing
my limitations all too well. my future would be
understand
Dutch language thoroughly,
literary
know
that
LETTERS OF A
—
you
will not
JA
will not think that for a
I
desperate undertaking, but "he
my
Forward!
motto.
VANESE PRINCESS
who does
moment.
It
is
indeed a
not dare, does not win,"
Dare mightily and with
is
Three-
strength.
fourths of the world belongs to the strong.
You
ask
me how
I
came
to
You
be placed between four thick walls.
certainly thought of a cell or something of that kind.
prison was a large house, with grounds around
No,
my
Stella,
But around those
it.
grounds there was a high wall and that held me a prisoner. Never mind how splendid a house and garden may be if one may never go beyond them, it is stifling. I remember how often in dumb dispair, I would press my body against the fast closed gate and the cold stones. Whatever direction I took, at the end of every walk there was always a stone wall, or a locked door.
Mevrouw Ovink often says to me, "Child, Child, have we you come forth from the high walls of the kaboepatin? Would it not have been better if we had let you remain there? What will come of it now? What of the future?" And when she sees us drawing and painting she cries full of distress: Of
late
done well
"Dear
-^
to let
children,
is
there nothing else for
you but this?"
No, the only
fortunate thing, the best thing that could have happened to us,
we
three were thrust out into the light.
nature, and do not quickly let I
so
much
My
hang.
If I
is
that
optimistic
I
family and friends need not worry about
agree with
am
by cannot become what I
would rather be something, if only a You will think now, that I am a "genius" in cooking.
desire to be, then
kitchen-maid.
my head
Luckily,
me?
For a good kitchen-maid
is
my
future, do
you not
always in demand, and can
always get along.
The 1
A
official salaries in
Holland seem small compared with those in
regent's palace.
—19—
LETTERS OF A India.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Yet they are always complaining here, about the small
In India too one
is entitled to
the clergy after only ten years.
India
and yet many Hollanders speak of so infernally
mad when
I
salaries.
a pension after twenty years' service, and is
an El Dorado for the
officials,
as a "horrible Ape-land."
it
I
They
hear them speak of "Horrible India."
forget all too often that this "horrible Ape-land"
fills
get
many empty
pockets with gold. •
A
change will come in our whole native world
fore-ordained;
we who have ,
it
We
question.
is
But when will
coming.
the turning point
That
be?
it
cannot hasten the hour of revolution.
is
For
is
the great it
only
is
rebellious thoughts in this wilderness, this dark distant
land, beyond which there
is
My friends here say that we shall
no land.
we do nothing
act wisely if
—
but sleep for a hundred years.
When we
awakened, Java would be more as we would have her.
"Work among the sent Father the book,
people of India"
hoping
interest himself in a
that myself.
I
to
I
to tell
too young, and have life.
too sacred to be approached lightly.
know
a few years that I
I
had thought of
about Javanese women, but
I
am
had so little, so pitifully little, experience The cause for which I would speak is to me too earnest and
still
I
But he would rather
book about the native woman;
have much
with
but
Mevrouw Zuylen-Tromp
know.
arouse his interest.
that I
when
I
I
cannot write
have suffered more
shall have
it
now
as I wish,
will be different.
After
insight into much now run darkly through my
had a more comprehending
would know and many thoughts
that
brain will have grown clear. I
cannot
tell
you anything of the Mohammedan law,
followers are forbidden to speak of in truth, I
can
I
am
a
Mohammedan
it
Stella,
with those of another faith.
only because
love a doctrine which I do not
ancestors were.
—may never know?
know
—20—
my
Its
And,
How The
LETTERS OF A Koran
is
is
to read I
VANESE PRINCESS
too holy to be translated into
no one speaks Arabic. what
JA
any language whatever.
customary
It is
read no one understands
to
To me
!
read from the Koran; but
it is
a silly thing to be obliged
something without being able to understand
were compelled
go through
my
It is
it.
as though
read an English book, and the whole thing should
to
head without
of a single word.
Here
If I
my
wished
being able to comprehend the meaning
to
know and understand our
should have to go to Arabia to learn the language.
can be good without being pious.
religion, I
Nevertheless, one
Is not that true, Stella?
intended as a blessing to mankind
—
a bond between all brothers and sisters, not beThey should be as the creatures of God. cause they have the same human parents, but because they are all children of one Father, of Him who is enthroned in the heavens above.
Religion
is
Brothers and sisters must love one another, help, strengthen and sup-
God! sometimes
port one another.
I
wish that there had never been
a religion, because that which should unite
brotherhood has been through
all the
Members
of the
and of bloodshed.
mankind
ages a cause of
into
one
strife,
common
of discord,
same family have persecuted one another because of the different manner in which they worshipped one and the same God. Those who ought to have been bound together by Differthe tenderest love have turned with hatred from one another. ences of Church, albeit in each the same word, God, is spoken, have built a dividing wall between two throbbing hearts. self uneasily:
meant
which
is
in thy
name?
I 1
have read
Max
is
to
religion indeed a blessing to
save us from our sins,
"Max
Havelaar,"
^
how many
though
I
I
often ask
mankind? sins are
my-
Religion,
committed
do not know "Wijs mij de
Havelaar of de Koffieveilingen der Nederland che Handels maatschnappii, by E. D.
Dekker (Multatuli), published
first in
Amsterdam
in 1860.
—21—
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
waar ik gezaaid heb!" ^ very much, of Multatuli. I will tell you another time of plaats
shall look for
I
it
for
I
think much,
and of the
the position of the people,
among us. I have written too much already, and subject which demands no small space. \\liat a question, Stella, dear. T^Tiat do we speak at home?
ruling classes a
urally, our language
people
who
We
Javanese.
is
are Easterners,
that is
Nat-
speak Malayish with strange
Malays, Moors, Arabs, or Chinese,
eitlier
and Dutch with Europeans. Stella,
how
parents disapprove
have yet Kissing
one
to give
if
my
parents, or
mv
among
not customary
is
read your question:
I
brothers and sisters, the
But
are astonished at that!
friends kiss us, and
At
first
we loved
we
We
to
have tliem kiss
have only learned
When
Mevrouw Ovink. At
Does
seem strange
this
one of
my
without being asked. she
would
our
lips,
like
it
You
It is
it.
it
never kissed them in return.
we have been such
friends with
queer, and acquitted ourselves awkwardly.
you?
to
Dutch friends,
been recently.
she would embrace us, she would ask us to
we found
kiss her.
first
us, but
to kiss since
never kiss one another.
that has only
;
No
matter
how much
would never come ask
why?
into
Because
I
my
I
should love
head
to kiss
her
do not know whether
pleasant for us to press a soft white cheek with
but whether the possessor of that pretty cheek also finds
1
"Show me
-
Havelock
the place
where
^
Only our young Holland
true.
it is
them back
kiss
first kiss!
Only children of from
the Javanese.
to three, four, five, or six are kissed.
You
We
"Would your you should embrace them heartily?" Why, I
laughed when
I
I
Ellis says that the
it
have sown." kiss
is
unkno^^^l throughout Eastern Asia.
In Japan, as
in Java, mothers kiss their babies; but Chinese mothers sometimes frighten their children
by threatening p.
to give
them the white man's
kiss.
99.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;22â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
See also Coltman, the Chinese,
p.
90,
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
pleasant to feel a dark face against hers,
is
another question.
rather let people think us heartless, for of our
We
had
own accord we would
never embrace. If as
you say
cipally the
I
am
in
no way behind many Dutch
work of Mevrouw Ovink, who used
we were her own
sisters.
girls, it is prin-
to talk to us as
though
Intercourse with this cultured, well-bred
Dutch lady had a great influence upon the
little
brown
And now
girls.
Moesje knows very well that though time and distance separate them, the hearts of her daughters will always belong to her.
promised us
honour
—
—
in reality,
to let
by and by.
Mevrouw Ovink made him
us go to Djombang.
We
We
that they are actually
gone from us.
tween us.
We
give his
word of
Mijnheer Ovink will take us there
love them so much, have so
ther" and "Mother."
Father had
miss them sadly.
I
much
love for our "Fa-
cannot even
There was so
realize
little restraint
lived all the time so cordially together.
—23-
now
be-
—
O
DEAREST,
November 1899. delightful Sunday we
dearest Mevrouwtje, what a
had yesterday!
my
Father went out with
they came back home.
me and
Brother, with great excitement, ran to
said,
"0
filled
with sailors, and two of them have come
sister, there is
and after awhile
brother,
little
a man-of-war in the harbour; all the streets are
home
with us, they are
with Father now."
At the word "warship," we sprang up as though we had been
and before brother had finished speaking, we flew ready.
We
saw two gentlemen dressed
through the grounds.
Pa
in the
go
to Father,
After a
middle gallery.
little
Later, a
and we had slipped on our best
to the
it
came
about, but
sitting
with
we must
One, two,
and a second
later
we
from the Edie.
we were immediately
Papa went,
as
I
to
come
have
our ease
at
to
kaboepatin?
I
said, for a little drive;
will ex-
he met
C. E. Ovink-Soer.
is draped to fonn Dutch origin and its use to European ideas of modesty, as formerly the upper part of the body was 2
shot,
make
gentlemen as though we had known them for years.
But how did these people happen plain that to you. To Mevrouw M.
kabaais,'^
to
hesitating
to us, saying that
rocking-chairs talking to two officers
do not know how
A
come
we saw them
boy came
sitting in
1
our room
which we did with the greatest willingness.
were
and spoke
in white,
while,
three,
I
to
Javanese woman's dress consists of a sarong which
kabaja, or jacket shaped garment.
The kabaja
is
of
—24—
a skirt, is
and a
a concession
left bare.
LETTERS OF A five
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
gentlemen walking, three of them turned another way, but these two
had followed Papa's carriage were new
(the gentlemen
to
They thought carriage took was a
in to the kaboepatin.
way
Java) that the
the
public road, and our house a fortress or something of the kind.
Papa sent a servant to ask the gentlemen if they wished to see him. They were embarrassed, naturally, because they had made such a mistake and followed some one to his own house. What would they do now? They did not find it pleasant by any means, because they did not understand our language, and spoke only very bad, broken Malayish. Papa put an end to this awkward situation by going to meet them himself, and addressing them in Dutch. Embarrassment was at an end. They would come with pleasure into the house. It turned out that one of them was a relative of some one whom Papa knew well. I do not remember to have ever felt so much at my ease with an utter stranger.
I
did not think once of the fact that
seen these people before, and had not
minutes ago.
strange
It is
how
known of
I
had never
their existence five
with sailors one feels at
home
right
away.
Our cerns
hearts have always been set
it
taken out even in a the time I
found
You know
interests us.
when it
I
little
row
upon
the sea; everything that con-
well what a delight
boat.
lay half -dead in the
We bow
of the
pleasant to be upon such a bed?
opium
If I
to us to be you remember
it is
love the sea;
even then
skiff,
were a boy,
I
should
not think twice, but would become a sailor at once.
Imagine
would be
to yourself
Father saying to the gentlemen,
so pleased if they could be permitted to go
us
so, yet I
am
certain of
other of us precisely what
it.
Now
we have been
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;25â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
daughters
on board."
Father knows everything that goes on in our hearts. tell
"My
and then Papa
Father does not tells
one or the
thinking ; something that
we had
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
kept to ourselves and never told to any one.
cause Father loves us so much, and
we
then he discovers something, and lays
my
tom of
and of which
heart,
Does
the slightest idea. If I
without doubt, be-
Every now and
so love him. bare, that
had been
in the bot-
had thought no one except myself had
I
not that
were more superstitious,
it
It is
I
show true kinship of soul? should certainly think that Papa could
read thoughts.
But
I
am
the secret
you now of the pleasant Sunday morning, and not of telephone-cable that runs from our hearts to that of our telling
dearest Father.
The
officers regretted so
our harbour.
in
though
that the
Edie would not remain longer
would have been such a pleasure
It
The Edie must commander thought Japara
had us on board. Djawa,
much
to
go to look for reefs
the
Commandant
to
come back; for
if
the Edie set out
to
If fortune should bring the
Both
persuade
at
Japara.
Edie here on Saturday, then they will
let
of their presence by letting loose their fire-mouths (cannon).
have no idea that they
will,
ant if the boat should
come
I
have
from Soerabaja
on Monday, either Saturday or Sunday she could be back
know
to
interesting.
gentlemen were going to do everything in their power the
them
on Karimoen
but
still it
would be above
us I
all things pleas-
again.
told the gentlemen that if they passed Japara again, they
must
break a screw or something, near our coast, so that the ship would be obliged to lay up in our harbour for repairs.
it
When the officers had
gone, and
had been a dream.
And
we were back
truly
it
in our room,
we thought
was as though we had dreamed. to us, and again as
So suddenly, so unexpectedly, had they appeared suddenly had they vanished.
A
very pleasant happening
—26—
—do you not
LETTERS OF A think so too?
I still
have
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
laugh whenever
to
I
think of that funny ad-
venture. little
Mother, dearest Mevrouwtje,
I
wish that you were back with
Your daughters miss you so much. days that we spent with you to come again:
us.
used
to
have
in
your dear
little
We
sitting-room,
us from great books, and where
we spoke
which shall always remain with
us.
I
long for the pleasant
the splendid times that
we
where you would read
to
memory
of
of so much, the
miss the intimate talks with
when I used to tell my dear little mother all the rebellious thoughts that came into my head, and laid bare the feelings of my restless heart. When I was in a rebellious mood, I had but to see the love light in your you,
face,
and
good
spirits,
my
was again the happy, careless
I
child, that, in overflowing
could sing: "Whatever Heaven to
me
shall send, I'll set
shoulders bravely under."
Mevrouwtje, you gave us too much care; spoiled us too much.
Now
we do nothing but wish for those happy days to come back. And although we long for you, yet we hope that the journey to Djombang
Why?
will be put off as long as possible. at
Djombang, we
again will
mean
farewell for good.
and we shall never be able
You
look forward to; so
Once more
ticipation.
feel, that
prettiness will be over.
we should
Seeing you come to Japara again, For that reason, let the
will not
to go to you.
journey be put off as long as possible. to
We know—we
shall see each other for the last time.
It is
like to
splendid to have a pleasure
prolong the feeling of an-
the joy of meeting again,
No
it
and then
—
will not be over even then, the
all the
memory
will be with us.
We
shall
know very
still
be happy as long as you think of us and love us.
You
well, dear little Mother, that love is nothing but egoism.
—27—
I
LETTERS OF A think there
is
is
to see the
more splendid than
to
love and happiness; then
How
VANESE PRINCESS
nothing finer than to be able to call a happy smile to a
—
loved mouth
JA
sunshine break over another's face.
have a pair of dear eyes look it
is
at
Nothing
one full of
that one feels guilty for ver>' joy.
pleasant that Kokki also remembers us.
—28—
12th January, 1900.
TO
go to Europe!
my
Till
breath that shall always be
make myself small enough
If I could only
ideal.
last
my
to slip into
would go with this letter to you, Stella, and to my dearest best brother, and near Hush, not another word! It is The gamelan ^ not my fault, Stella, if now and then I write nonsense. an envelope then
I
—
pendopo
in the
a lovely air.
^
could speak to you better than
It is like
so tender, so vaguely thrilling, so
note
playing
is
so soft,
ah!
it is
the voices of men's souls that speak to
ing,
now
2
it is
—no melody, each how compelling, changing— but
bitterly beautiful: that is
1
Now
no other song
how
sighing,
I.
no tinkling of
glass, of copper, of
wood;
me; now they are complain-
And my
and now merrily laughing.
soul soars with
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar. The native Javanese orchestra.
There
is
other
for
ments
The composition of this varies according to its uses. one gamelan for religious celebrations, another for feasts of rejoicing and anthe
play
distinguished:
theatre.
the
"The
predominant
in the
Javanese
native role.
A
orchestra
gamelan
former the instruments are adapted
The gamelan
the latter to an octave of seven tones.
which percussion instruand a gamelan pelog are an octave of five tones, in
in
salendes to
varies in composition but consists
which carries the melody and is played by the leader of the orchestra; the soeling, a bamboo flute; kendang and ketipoeng, large and small drums; the tjelem poeng, a zither; the bonang, a set of horizontal gongs sup-
typically of the vebab, a viol of Persian-Palie origin,
ported over a sound box; the four sorons
(instruments consisting in the gamelan salendro
they accompany the melody and (sometimes taking the melody unaccompanied) ; the gambang kajoe, or xylophone and a variety of large and small hanging gongs." H. H. of six toned metal staves, of seven in the give
it
gamelan pelog)
;
out more plainly than the bonang
—
Bartlett. 3 Audience hall and principal room of a Regent's palaec. and open to the out of doors.
—29—
Usually octagonal in shape
LETTERS OF A the
murmuring pure
tones are rising
now and
to the isles of
blue
—deep
low
and towards the shining
me
the music leads
sombre woods on
steep ravines, through
my
on high, on high,
silver tones
light, to the fleecy clouds,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
soul shivers and trembles within
stars
through dark dales, down
into dense wildernesses,
me
and
with anguish and pain and
sorrow, I
is
have heard "Ginonding" a dozen times,
memory,
the sad and lovely air
is
happy, and so deeply melancholy
and
I
rowful, yet
am
Sometimes
lost.
must hearken
I
and of the future.
the past,
now
gone that made at the
"Ginonding" without deep emotion, the lude,
still
cannot recall a single note, everything
silent I
first
me
time.
murmuring
The breath of
voices,
its
were today visions of the future
it
shivering goes through me, for
my
close
eyes, but they
a dizzy abyss.
But
I
I
see dark
so inexpressibly I
can never near
to listen,
which
is to be,
rise to
sombre
remain wide open, and
at
my
again
too sor-
tell
me
of
and clear mind.
try to
feet there
yawns
figures.
my
A
I
look up, and a blue Heaven arches above me, and
golden sun-beams play with the fleecy white clouds, and in is
is
it
thrilling silver strains
blows away the veil which covers the secrets of what as though
my
chords of the splendid pre-
do not wish
I
to the
same
gamelan
that the
driven from
is
my
heart
it
light.
Have I not convinced you what a foolish, mad creature I What silly thoughts, but we will not excuse ourselves to each Enough of that! I will now try to talk sensibly like a Stella.
There!
am? other,
rational
My
human
sunny land which you so long
but sunny.
to see,
has been of late anything
There have been terrible rainstorms every day, and Sun-
day the Japara even
being.
river rose
the city itself
from
its
banks, villages were flooded, and
was inundated by the rushing waters.
—30—
LETTERS OF A Ever since morning
it
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
has rained in torrents, and the wind has shaken
Outside several trees have blown down, the
our house frightfully.
thick branches were broken off as though they
had been match stems,
and nothing remains now of the splendid koolblanda trees, but two How terribly the kampongs around must have cold, bare trunks. suffered,
whole roofs have been torn from the houses.
Today Papa
has gone out on a tour of inspection, and to succour an outlying
where many villiages are under water. days.
First
it
Papa
is
district
sore pressed in these
was storm, then an earthquake, now again storm.
A
was blown across a public highway, striking two A whole passersby; they were taken from under it ground to pieces. day, and a whole night we listened to the raging and the roaring of the Poor Klein Scheveningen, the storm has wrought frightful wind. colossal randoe tree
havoc there.
The way
to the
bath house
is
entirely covered with seeth-
ing water, and the beach has disappeared, the insatiable sea has covered
This afternoon,
it.
if it is
mission to go and see
not raining hard,
I shall
ask Father's per-
it.
A
week ago we were on Klein Scheveningen, we stood on a great We were so intent upon the rock to watch the surging of the waves. imposing spectacle that we did not see how the onrushing waters were Not until the children on the shore called to us covering our rock. affrighted did we realize that we were surrounded by a raging surf. We waded back to the children through water up to our knees. Some time ago you asked me about the position of the "little man" ^ among us, but I had already written you so much that I put the question I wished, aside because it could not be answered in a few words. however, to come back to it another time, and so I come to it now; I shall then have 1
answered the whole of your
"De Kleine Man"
last letter.
as the Javanese peasant is called by the Hollanders.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;31â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS I
thank God that
can answer "No"
I
the condition of our people the history of Saidjah
^
is
when
The
sects,
No,
it.
There
to the past.
may be
that is not the fault of their
rulers cannot be held responsible for the long droughts
the "little
man" needs
rain so
much
for his fields, nor can they
be blamed for the floods that the clouds send
And when
whether
to
as sad as Multatuli has described
and Adinda belongs
hunger sometimes among the people, but rulers.
your question as
to
the rice harvest fails, whether
it
to destroy the harvest.
be through a plague of
in-
or through floods, or through the misfortunes which the long
Wind"
continued "East
brings, then all the people
^
these calamities have their taxes remitted
time of famine,
money and food
are doled out to them.
are over-run by a plague of mice, the Government the destruction of the pest.
If the
rising of the waters in the rivers,
who
suff"er
from
by the Government, and
in
If the fields
off^ers
rewards for
"West Wind," as now, causes
the
and the dikes break, the rulers do
all
that is possible to mitigate the distress.
Last year a fishing village lay for a whole week under water; day and night Father remained at the scene of the disaster.
Out of special
funds that were at the disposal of the Government, the breaks in the
some kilometers. But who was had taken away from them? destroyed by the floods?
dikes were restored for
to give
the people what the water the fish in the rivers
Then you have Demak
in
my
back
And what
to
of
Uncle's jurisdiction; that country could
never be brought to a condition of prosperity, whatever one might do.
From one remote Max
valley to the other the East
Wind
dries
Characters in
2
In Java the wet and dry seasons depend upon the periodical winds. is
October and
lasts
"East
through November into
Wind" begins
in
the rivers,
The exact time of Wind" attended by rain begins in December and afterwards subsides gradually. The
not determined, but usually the "West
these winds
up
Havelaar by Multatuli.
^
March
or April and brings fair weather.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;32â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS and then the West Wind drowns the land with water.
The Government
has spent tons of gold to give water to the land in the dry season, and also in building
heavy barriers against floods
far without result.
vided work for thousands, tical value.
wet season, but so
in the
Splendid canals have been dug, which have proit is
true, but they
appear
be of
to
During the East Winds the land perishes with
little
prac-
thirst,
and
during the West Winds everything floats upon the water. The Government cares much for the well-being of the people of Java, but alas it allows them to be burdened by heavy taxes, under the load of which they
can move but slowly.
No, ers.
Stella, the
And
if this
people are no longer wilfully plundered by their rulshould happen but a single time, the guilty one would
be deprived of his
office,
be degraded.
the taking of presents, that even
I
But an
think as
evil that does exist, is
wrong and shameful
as the
Max
Have-
forcible taking of goods belonging to the "little
man"
as in
would not judge this so harshly, if I considered the circumstances. At first the natives thought that the off'ering of gifts to their superiors was a mark of respect a declaration of homage. But perhaps
laar.
I
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
The taking of ment, but
presents
many
is
forbidden
native officials are so ill-paid that
they can get along at all on their meagre salaries,
who
all
day long writes his back crooked, earns
a
wonder how
it
is
A
district registrar
at the
end of the month,
of 25 florins.
On
that he
his prestige over the lesser officials.
Do
not judge them harshly, but
the incredibly large live,
up
by the govern-
to the magistrates
sum
his family must and pay house rent; he must dress himself neatly, and also keep
rather pity these grown-up children, for that
men
and
are for the most part.
may
also refuse
it,
what
my
fellow-country-
If a district writer is off'ered something,
perhaps a bunch of bananas, he time he
is
may
refuse
it
the
first
time, the second
but the third time he accepts
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;33â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
it
reluctantly,
LETTERS OF A
JA
and the fourth time the present
am
doing
is
no harm,
was given me;
I
is
he thinks, I
VANESE PRINCESS What
taken without hesitation.
have never asked for
should be an idiot to hesitate when
The giving of presents is guard against some possible misfortune, when
it
it,
is
and yet
I it
the custom.
not only a token of respect, but also a safe-
need the protection of the one in authority. account by the wedono
^
for
some
little
If
the "little
man" might
he should be called
fault or other, then
to
he can count
The magistrates upon An assistant wedono of the second class earns 85 are poorly paid. florins. Out of this he must pay a secretary (assistant wedonos are the support of his friend, the district writer.
furnished no secretaries by the Government, although they have as
need of written work as wedonos, djaksas
keep a
little
^
and others).
much
They must
carriage and a horse, and even a riding horse for journeys
into the country; they
must buy a house, furniture,
etc.
They have
the
expense of keeping up the house and, in addition, the entertainment of the Comptroller,^ the Regent, and sometimes also the Assistant-Resident
when they come on tours of inspection (for the assistant wedono lives On these occasions the gentlemen lodge in the far from the capital). passangrahan,^ and to the assistant wedono falls the high honour of setting the ^ 2
food before their noble mouths.
There must be
cigars,
Principal native magistrate of a village or town.
A
native Justice of the Peace.
Dutch Government is the Resident, each Resident Next to the Resident comes the Assistant-ResiThe Resident's powers dent, the Comptroller of the first and second class and the Aspirant. are administrative, judicial and fiscal. He is under obligations to protect the natives, mainBut in so far as circumstances permit the tain peace, further agriculture and education. natives are left under the rule of their own hereditary chiefs, natives of princely or noble rank, and these are responsible for the conduct of their subjects. The highest native official below the rank of regent is the District Head, then come the under District Heads of the first and second class. See Policy and administration of the Dutch in Java by Clive Day. 3
The
highest provincial
official
of the
has under his control one or more regencies.
*
Government building
for the use of travelling officials.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;34â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
blanda/ wines, delicacies for the
ajer
and
table,
these, I assure you, are
for an under district chief no inconsiderable expense.
meet
to set before his
It
at
hand; so
is
not a law, but the host considers
all these table luxuries
must be
sent for to the city.
his duty to set before the
it
gentlemen the best of what he has, and has not. tion this does not occur, thank
God.
When
The Comptroller
dent,
and no native
too does this,
It
grand
In Father's jurisdic-
Father goes upon a tour of
inspection and must stay several days he always takes his
with him.
would not be
honourable guests only the things which he has
own
provisions
and also the Assistant-Resi-
ruined by the single cup of tea which he
official is
offers them. If there is a murder or a robbery in the under district, the assistant wedono must naturally clear up the matter; it is his duty. And to trace
out the guilty one he must go deep, very deep into his
has happened
many
own
purse.
ments of their wives and children
to obtain the
money which was
sary before some dark deed could be brought into the light. that
money which
is
It
times that the native chiefs have pawned the ornaneces-
But will
paid out in the service of the Government be paid
back by the Government?
I
wish indeed that
it
were
so.
magistrates have been reduced to beggary in this way.
Several
What, in
Heaven's name, can the magistrates do,who cannot make their salaries suffice,
and have no parents or other
back for support?
And
if
upon whom they can fall come forward with gifts when
relatives
the people
they see their wives and children running around in ragged clothes
Judge them not harshly, I
ple,
know
Stella.
the trials of the native chiefs.
I
Government going
to
and what
is
the
organize the Inland administration. ^
The
Mineral water from Holland.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;35â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
know
the misery of the peo-
do now?
It is
going
to re-
native personnel will be re-
LETTERS OF A duced
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
advantage of the European magistrates.
to the
From
this re-
duction there will be saved annually an expenditure of 464,800 florins,
and the European magistrates will reap the benefit of that there are
become
will
some
ill-paid officials
who
this.
It is
will be bettered financially,
true
and
wedonas instead of Government clerks; but what
assistant
does that signify in comparison with the
many
important posts
(it
has
not yet been demonstrated that they are superfluous) that will be abolished.
There are
The
all
kinds of rumours about the Government regulations.
bill for this re-organization
Vertegenwordigen, and on July
Nearly
all
has passed both chambers of the VoUcs 1st.
of next year
it
will go into effect.
of the residents have protested, but his excellency the Gov-
ernor General wishes will proceed.
I
it,
hope
so in spite of all protests, the re-organization
that the
Government
will eat
no
bitter fruit as a
result.
And now
about the people, about the inhabitants of Java in general.
The Javanese are grown-up
What has the Government done to For the noble sons of the country, there
children.
further their development?
High Schools, Normal
are, so called.
schools,
School; and for the people, there are various
each into
district;
two
and the Doktor-djawa
common
though the Government has divided these
classes.
The
first class,
schools
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;one
in
latter institutions
composed of schools which are
in the provincial capitals, are conducted just as they
^
situated
were before the
division, but in the schools of the second class, the children learn only
Javanese, reading, writing and a as formerly, why, ^
Where
native
it
is
not
made
little
reckoning.
clear.
No Malay
The Government
is
taught
believes, to
Javanese are trained in medicine under the patronage of the Dutch
Government.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;36â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
my
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
thinking, that if the people were educated, they
willing to
work
would no longer be
the land.
Father sent a note to the Government on the subject of education. Stella, I
wish that you could read
You must know
it.
that
many
of the
The Javanese
native rulers rejoice at the action of the Government.
nobles are in favour with the Government here and in the Motherland,
and everything possible
is
done
and
to help them,
to
make them blossom
to perfection.
The aristocracy
sees with sad eyes
how
sons of the people are ed-
ucated, and often even elevated to their ranks by the government be-
cause of knowledge, ability and industry.
Sons of the people go to
European schools and compare favourably
in every respect, with the
The
high and honourable sons of the noble.
nobles wish to have rights
for themselves alone; they alone wish to have authority and to
And
western civilization and enlightenment their own. helps and supports them in this; for
As early of his
it is
to its
Government
own advantage
to
do
so.
1895 there was a decree, that without the special permission Excellency the Governor General no native child (from six to as
seven years old) would be admitted to the free
Europeans, that could not speak Dutch.
Dutch?
six or seven years learn
governess, and then before he the child must to
the
make
first
read and write.
know It is
is
How
grammar
He would have had able to
leam
school for
can a native child of to
have a Dutch
the Netherland language,
own language, and necessarily know how only regents who do not have to ask permission his
for their families to go to the European schools: most of the native chiefs are afraid of receiving a
therefore do nothing. the fact that African
Is
it
"No"
in
answer
to their request
and
presumptuous of Father
to call attention to
may
go directly to the
and Ambonese children
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;37â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
word of Dutch? Stella, I remember well from my own school days that many European children went to school who knew as little Dutch as I, and I hardly knew any. European
schools, without understanding a
Father says in his note, that the government cannot
upon the it
table for every Javanese,
set the rice
and see that he partakes of
can clear the board, where the food
is
to
it.
^
But
be spread, and that food
is
When the Government provides a means of education for education. the people, it is as though it placed torches in their hands which enabled them
to find the
good road
that leads to the place
where the
rice is
served. I
will not quote
you the whole
any further, Stella
note.
From
it
you
justice
I
am
on his
is justice.
We
also give to others.
we demand
is right,
and
may
we must the way of
for ourselves,
This putting of stumbling blocks in
is
the present
wish to equal the Europeans in education and
the education of the people,
who while he
can send
side.
very proud of his ancient noble race, but right
enlightenment, and the rights which
Tsar,
leam something of
I
Father wishes to do everything that he can to
condition of the people.
is
perhaps another time
will
help the people and needless to say,
Father
;
well be compared to the acts of the
preaching peace
to the
world, tramples under
Measure with two measures,
own subjects. The Europeans are troubled by many traits in the Javanese, by their Very well, Netherlander, if you indifference and lack of initiative. are troubled so much by these things why do you not do something to remedy the cause? Why is it that you do not stretch forth a single Draw back the thick veil from his finger to help your brown brother? you will see that there is in him something understanding, open his eyes, foot the good right of his
no!
1 Rice is the principle Javanese food, and do without food.
to the Javanese
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;38â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
mind
to *
do without rice
is
to
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
else besides an inclination for mischief,
stupidity
and ignorance.
I
Here before you
of this; nor would you, Stella.
thoughts of one
who belongs
to that despised
not able to judge us, and the things that
they
little
you are
Neerlandia.
do,
as
we know them.
interested in this subject, get the October It
Dutch language
him
we
innermost
lie the
brown race. They are and leave undone. Do
know us?
No, even as If
which springs principally from
should not have to seek far for examples
contains an address delivered by at the literary
there and asked
him
congress at Ghent.
my
brother in the
Professor Kern took
The sentiments
to speak.
number of
to
which he gives
utterance are also mine; they are ours.
"Has your ther has
father
much power?"
great influence,
you
What
power?
Fa-
but the Governor alone has [power.
My
^
ask.
brother pleaded for the use of the Dutch language
what he says, wish
Stella, if not for
your own
is
officially.
satisfaction, then
Read
because
I
it.
The Hollanders laugh and make fun of our stupidity, but if we strive for enlightenment, then they assume a defiant attitude toward us.
What have
I
not suffered as a child at school through the
teachers and of
many of my fellow pupils? Not Many loved us quite as much
pupils hated us.
all
ill
will of the
of the teachers and
as the other children.
it was hard for the teachers to give a native the highest mark, never mind how well it may have been deserved. I shall relate to you the history of a gifted and educated Javanese. The boy had passed his examinations, and was number one in one of
But
1
"At one time the regents were
of influence as political advisers. its
practical power."
all
powerful in the native hierarchy and they are
They
retain the dignity but have
Policy and Administrating the Dutch in Java.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;39â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
had
to cede
Clive Day.
still
much
of
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the three principle high schools of Java.
went
to school,
and
Both
at
where he stood
at Batavia,
Semarang, where he
his examinations, the
doors of the best houses were open to the amiable school-boy, with his agreeable and cultivated manners and great modesty.
Every one spoke Dutch
to
language with distinction. to the
him, and he could express himself in that
Fresh from
house of his parents.
He
this
thought
respects to the authorities of the place
presence of the Resident
my
friend
made
who had heard
He
a mistake.
dared
it
environment, he went back
would be proper
to
pay
his
and he found himself in the of him, and here to
was
it
address the great
that
man
in
Dutch.
The following morning
mountains was sent
troller in the
remain
notice of an appointment as clerk to a
to think
to
him.
There the young
over his "misdeeds" and forget
After some years a
at the schools.
sistant comptroller
all that
new comptroller
came; then the measure of
comp-
man must
he had learned or possibly as-
his misfortunes
was made
The new chief was a former school-fellow, one who had abilities. The young man who had led his
to overflow.
never shone through his classes in everything
must now creep upon the ground before the one-
time dunce, and speak always high Javanese to him, while he himself
was answered
in
of character
it
Can you understand the misery of a humbled? And how much strength
bad Malay.
proud and independent
spirit so
must have taken
to
endure that petty and annoying op-
pression?
But
at last
he could stand
it
no longer, he betook himself
to
Batavia
and asked his excellency the Governor General for an audience;
it
was
The result was that he was sent to Preanger, with a commake a study of the rice culture there. He made himself of
granted him.
mission to
service through the translation of a
pamphlet on the cultivation of
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;40â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
a
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS The government
water crops from Dutch into Javanese and Sudanese. presented
him
in
acknowledgement with several hundred guilders.
In
the comptroller's school at Batavia, a teacher's place was vacant
teacher of the Javanese language be
(among
it
power
the Javanese) did all in their
him, but without
result.
European pupils who Perish the thought! ter than a
bom
I
It
later
understood — and
to secure this position for
was an absurd idea for an Native might become ruling government
should like to ask
who
—
his friends
to
have
officials,
could teach Javanese bet-
Javanese?
The young man went back
dwelling place; in the meantime an-
to his
other resident had come, and the talented son of the
brown race might at last become an Not for nothing had he been banished for years to that distant place. He had learned wisdom there; serve European official better than by creepnamely, that one cannot a assistant
wedono.
ing in the dust before him, and by never speaking a single
Dutch
when it
in his presence.
Others have
now come
into
word of power, and lately became vacant
the position of translator of the Javanese language
was
offered to our friend (truly opportunely)
now
that he does not
stand in any one's way! Stella, I
know an
Assistant Resident,
who speaks Malay with
although he knows that the latter speaks good Dutch.
a Regent,
Every one else
converses confidentially with this native ruler but the Assistant Resident
—
never.
My them
brothers speak in high Javanese to their superiors, in
Dutch or
in
Malay.
personal friends; several of
them
in the
never does.
Those who speak Dutch
whom
have asked
Dutch language, but they prefer not
The boys and Father
know
to the general usage.
-^1—
all too
my to
who answer
them are our
brothers to speak to
do
well
to
it,
and Father also
why
they must hold
LETTERS OF A There
is
too
much
idle talk about the
imaginary dignity of the under I
am
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
word "prestige," through the I
officials.
do not bother about prestige.
only amused at the manner in which they preserve their prestige
over us Javanese.
Sometimes
I
cannot suppress a smile.
men
see the great
keep from laughing outright when
and saw
It is distinctly
try to inspire us with awe.
an Assistant Resident go
I
I
had
diverting to
my
to bite
lips to
was on a journey not long ago,
from
his office to his house
under the
shade of a gold umbrella, which a servant held spread above his noble
was such a ridiculous spectacle!
head.
It
how
humble crowds who
the
Heavens!
if
he only knew
respectfully retreated to one side before the
glittering sunshade, immediately his back was turned, burst out laughing.
There are many, yes very many Government native rulers to kiss their feet, and their knees.
officials,
who allow
Kissing the foot
we Javanese can show to our and to our own rulers. We do
highest token of respect that elderly blood relatives,
pleasant to do
this
for strangers; no, the European
ridiculous in our eyes whenever he respect to It is
the
parents, or
not find
it
makes himself
demands from us those tokens of
which our own rulers alone have the
a matter of indifference
is
the
right.
when Residents and
Assistant Residents
allow themselves to be called "Kandjeng," but when overseers, railroad engineers (and perhaps tomorrow, station-masters too) allow themselves to
be thus addressed by their servants,
people really It is
a
think that
averse to
the natives give to their hereditary rulers.
was only natural for
it
it,
absurdly funny.
Do
these
know what Kandjeng means?
title that
flim-flam, but
it is
now
that
I
he
I
used to
the stupid Javanese to love all this
see that the civilized, enlightened Westerner is
daft about
it.
-42â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
not
LETTERS OF A I
women
never allow
monies
older than
me, even though
to
so young,
am
I
measure.
in large
those above them.
older than
I
I
know
show
I to
prescribed cere-
all the
they would gladly, for though
But
to
in the past, they It is
me,
strange
it
am
I
a scion of what they consider an ancient, noble
honoured house; for which
and gold
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
and
have poured out both blood
how
attached inferiors are to
goes against the grain when people
creep in the dust before me.
With heavy
hearts,
many Europeans
here see
how the
Javanese,
whom
they regard as their inferiors, are slowly awakening, and at every turn a
brown man comes up, who shows
that he has just as
good brains
in his
head, and a just as good heart in his body, as the white man.
But we are going forward, and they cannot hold back the current of time.
I
I am grateful Many of them
love the Hollanders very, very much, and
everything that
among our
we have gained through them.
best friends, but there are also others
we
other reason than
who
for
are
dislike us, for
no
are bold enough to emulate them in education and
culture.
In
many
subtle
ways they make us
feel their dislike.
ropean, you are a Javanese," they seem to say, or "I the governed."
am
Not once, but many times, they speak
Malay; although they know very well
that
"I
am
a Eu-
the master, to us in
we understand
you
broken
the Dutch
would be a matter of indifference to me in what language they addressed us, if the tone were only polite. Not long ago, a Raden
language.
It
Ajoe was talking cuse me, but
to a
may
I
your own language. only high Malay.
make I
I
gentleman, and impulsively she said, "Sir, exa friendly request, please, speak to
me
in
understand and speak Malay very well, but alas,
do not understand
this
passer-Malay."
How
our
gentleman hung his head!
Why
do many Hollanders find
it
unpleasant to converse with us in
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;43â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A their
Oh
own language?
now
yes,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
I
understand; Dutch
is
too beautiful
be spoken by a brown mouth.
to
A
few days ago we paid a
stand Dutch very well. receive from
"No, w^hy?"
I
looked at him of
my
my
that they could speak
and under-
and what answer did
I
"No, they must not speak Dutch."
"Because natives ought not
amazement, and a
satirical smile
The gentleman grew
mouth.
Their domestics were
Totokkers.^
told the host this,
I
gentleman?
asked. in
visit to
we knew
old servants of ours, and
fiery red,
to
know Dutch."
quivered
at the
mumbled something
his beard, and discovered something interesting in his boots,
I
comers into
at least
he
was
in
devoted all of his attention to them. Still
another
it
happened
and the Regent of
the early evening
kaboepaten.
story;
little
X
in the Preanger.
was receiving
It
visitors in his
There was an intimate friend of the Resident of the de-
came in and joined home on his vacathe company. As soon as he saw that his father was not tion, ran into the pendopo. back, turn but the Resident had seen him and called alone, he started to partment; afterwards a
little
assistant-comptroller
The son of the house, a school-boy at
His Excellency greeted the youth cordially and had a long and
him.
friendly talk with him.
was
over, he went
little
witli
up
When
to the
the conversation with his Excellency
young
official
and made a polite bow.
The
gentleman saw no necessity for answering the courteous greeting more than barely noticeable nod of the head, and while his cold
eyes took in the boy disdainfully from head to foot, he said coolly the little
word "tabee"
his lips trembled
;
Malay
(a
two
fists
Afterwards he said
greeting).
The young man turned
to the intimate friend
"Sir, I like the Hollanders very much; they are 1
pale,
were clenched.
Europeans who are new-comers in Java.
who had been present, among my best friends,
LETTERS OF A but
me
I
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
shall never be able to forget the "tabee" of that Assistant;
it
cut
to the soul."
Oh,
Stella, I
have had glimpses into
all sorts
and conditions of Indian
society; involuntarily I see behind the curtain of the official world.
There are abysses so deep, that the very thought of them makes
God, why
is
the world
so full of evil deeds
still
whom Slijmering in Max Havelaar my letter into a scandal chronicle. now
amen
understand
I
When
Javanese.
say
me
dizzy.
of horror and of
There are residents and assistant residents compared
sadness?
Oh,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to
why is
a saint; but
do not wish
I
to
to turn
they are opposed to the education of the
the Javanese
everything that
is
becomes educated then he will no longer
suggested to
him by
his superiors.
In the last few days, articles written by natives have been published in the
"Locomotief," the foremost paper of India.
In these articles they
lay bare the opinions, which have secretly been held for years about, not
number of Indian officials. Not only but also the most humble are allowing their
but by far the greater
all,
the highest in the land,
The paper calls this a good sign of the times, and European officials in general think I do not know;
voices to be heard. rejoices.
What the who is one of the good will come of it,
a comptroller,
says that
the native rulers.
The proposition soon.
It is
He will
is
organizers of the Inland administration, not only to the Europeans, but also to
pleading for a trained corps of native
come before both chambers of
also urged that the
of
women
will
come up
too.
the States General
Dutch language be used
business between European and native chiefs.
brother does not stand alone.
officials.
officially in
Splendid!
then
my
In July, the question of the education
The Javanese are emancipating them-
selves. Still this is
only a beginning, and
it is
^5â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
splendid that
men
of influence
.
LETTERS OF A and I
1
JA
own countrywomen,
against the indifference of our
on the Oh,
it
into the I
be violent, the
Poor men
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
you
in
this agitation
women
will have
but also
whose behalf
among
to rise
the
men
up and
your hands
let
full.
splendid just to live in this age, the transition of the old
is
new!
who are old of days, from now old has once been new"
read the other day, "Turn not away, you
quote from I
While
be the time for the
tapis, that will
everything that (I
strife will
fight against opposition alone,
they would break their lances. is
The
our cause.
ability are supporting
combatants will not have to
themselves be heard.
VANESE PRINCESS
is
new.
Consider
memory)
have written so much,
forgive me,
all that is
if I
I
hope
that I
have been carried away by
here and there written something that
me
have not made you weary; and
may
my
enthusiasm and have
cause you pain.
Stella,
whom I was speaking. I me that you and I were kindred spirits, and even as such have I considered you. I am no Javanese, no child of the despised brown race to you and to me you do forgive
for having forgotten so entirely to
find such great
sympathy
in
you you have ;
told
;
up
not belong to that white race around us that holds the Javanese
You
scorn and ridicule. truth, white in heart
love
you with
my
would do likewise you and some of I
and
are white to soul.
me
For you
in
I
have a great admiration.
whole heart, and many of if
my
they
knew you.
to
your understanding of the
my
I
fellow countrywomen
that all Hollanders
were like
other white friends.
have ordered "Berthold Meryan," but up
to the present
most likely the book-seller had
time
I
have
from Holland. I have read lately "Modem Women" translated from the French by Jeanette van Riemsdijk; disappointed I laid the book down. I had seen so many brilliant criticisms of this problem novel, it was not received
it;
first to
order
it
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
said to be in all respects finer than "Hilda van Suylenburg," to be powerful
and without
faults.
But for myself
I still
think "H. v. S." the Ratoe (princess) of all that
now has been written concerning woman's emanicipation. I am on the lookout now for a critic (!!) to whom I may speak my mind about "Modem Women," for to my thinking that book lacks the strength up
to
and inspiration of "H. I
read "H.
v.
v. S."
S." through in one sitting.
and forgot everything; It is
I
a pity that
had written
my
there.
and called "The
could not lay
It is
Aim
it
locked myself in our room,
down,
is lost.
I
it
held
me
would ask you
so.
to
read what
an outline of a translation from the English
of the
better than that having
pelijke Bladen,"
I
note-book
I
Woman's Movement."
I
know of nothing
been in the "Gids" or even in the "Wetenschap-
and then what you must read,
if
you do not already
know it is "De Wajang Orang" by Martine Tonnet; it is in the "Gids," November number. It is about the Javanese and their art, and the court of Djokjakarta, very interesting; you would enjoy
it.
for the second time "Minnebrieven" by Multatuli.
man he
is.
appear.
I
I
am
I
have
What
just read
a brilliant
glad that soon a cheap edition of all his works will
shall be very affectionate to Father.
The Father of our Assistant-Resident and through him, we hear strange
is
stories
a good friend of Multatuli's;
from
the life history of that
genius.
Couperus
is still
in India.
believe that a brilliant style singularly clear
\^Tien he
book about
my
is
back
in the Fatherland, I
country will appear.
and beautiful?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;47â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Is not his
VI
WE
^
1900.
want
to ask the
Indian Government
at the countr^^'s expense.
and
send us to Europe
to
Roekmini wishes
work for
study
to
art,
our native
art.
Kleintje wants to go to the school of Domestic Science, so that she
may
later
to
the
revival
of
learn to teach frugality, good house-keeping and the care of
our future motliers and housewives. idle,
And
practical knowledge right conduct, as
I,
—
as a teacher, to
men
much need mothers in
to instruct the future
we have learned them from it is
to
teach them to understand love and justice and
The Government wishes people frugality;
am
money
in these virtues, the careless,
luxurious and splendour loving Javanese people have
of schooling.
to
the Europeans.
bring prosperity
beginning with the
to
officials.
Java and
do, if the
in
whose hands the house-keeping
rests
to
teach the
But what good will
are compelled to lay aside money,
it
that
For
when
the
women
do not understand the worth of
money?
The Government wishes to educate and civilize the Javanese people and must needs begin by teaching the smallest and highest class, which is the aristrocracy, the Dutch language. But is an intellectual education ever}'thing? To be truly civilized, intellectual
and moral education must go hand
And who can do most iMevrouw M.
in hand.
for the elevation of the moral standard of
C. E. Ovink-Soer.
—48—
LETTERS OF A The woman,
mankind?
man
VANESE PRINCESS
the mother;
it
receives his earliest nourishment.
and
feel, to think,
The most
And
to speak.
shadows the whole after back
JA
the breast of
is at
The
woman,
child learns there
that
first,
to
the earliest education of all fore-
life.
serious fault of our people
is
idleness.
It is
a great draw-
prosperity of Java.
to the
So many
powers
latent
lie
undeveloped through indolence.
The
high born Javanese would rather suffer bitter want and misery than have plenty
he must work
if
nothing less than a gold coloured pajoeng
;
thinks the high born head. that
most desirable
article
Our people are not and
I
wish
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
light of everything except
a golden parasol!
rich in ideals, but an
example which speaks,
They would be impelled
would impress them. ters
The noble makes
^
to follow
it.
My
sis-
go before and lighten the way, for that reason we
to
want more than anything
else to go to
Holland
to study.
It
will be well
we can go. Little Mother, Help us! When we come back to Java, we shall open a school for girls of the nobility; if we cannot get the means through our Government, then we with us
will
if
work for
it
some other way, ask our friends to subscribe, start The means will be found when we are ready to
in
a lottery or something.
do the work
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;but
struggle here at
queens.
1
If
I
am
running ahead, because we have the hardest
home; with Father's consent we should be richer than
we could only have
that.
frightful to be a Javanese girl
It
is
A
pajoeng or parasol
is
and
to
the symbol of rank in Java.
have a sensitive heart; They
variations of stripes denoting the degree of the personage above
pajoeng of a sultan
is
are of
whom
many
colours
they are held.
and The
gold with an orange stripe, that of a regent gold, of a sultana and
her children white, below those are various combinations of red, blue, black and yellow the use of which
is
strictly prescribed
by the laws of heraldry.
the head of a Javanese dignitary whenever he goes abroad.
A
pajoeng
is
borne above
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
poor, poor parents, what a fate was yours to have such daughters!
We
hope and pray fervently that they may be blessed with a long life, and that later they will be proud of us even though we do not walk abroad under
glittering golden sunshades.
work hard over the Dutch language so that I can have it comand then I shall seek, pletely under my thumb and do with it as I will through means of my pen, to arouse the sympathy of those who are able to help us in our work to improve the lot of the Javanese woman. "Poor fool," I hear you say, "if you push will all your might against the gigantic structure of ignorance, will you be able to over-turn it?" I
will
—
But we will push, stone of
it
little
falls out,
Mother, with
we
shall not
all
our strength, and
have worked in vain.
if
only one
But
first
we
are going to seek the co-operation of the best and most enlightened men We wish to form an alliance in Java (even one of them could help us) .
with our enlightened progressive men, to seek their friendship, and
We are
after that their co-operation with us.
but to old moss-grown edicts and
Javanese of the future. are the forerunners.
will,
we can
worthy of the
That future, of which we, (and a few others),
Throughout
against tradition, have suffered,
what you
not giving battle to men,
conventions that are not
not help
all
ages the pioneers in the struggle
we know
it, it is
Call us mad, foolish,
that.
in our blood.
Grandfather was a pioneer half a century ago; he gave his sons and daughters a European education. We have no right to be passive, to
do nothing.
"Adeldom
verplicht"
^
Excelsior!
men
We
wish that we
of the younger genera-
make common cause now if we did we should be distrusted at once; friendship between unmarried women and men whether married or not, would not be unLater when we shall have gained our independence, it will derstood. could
tion,
1
with the
but
Nobility involves obligation,
—50—
LETTERS OF A he different.
My
JA
brother knows
VANESE PRINCESS many
sonally and through correspondence.
who
appreciate a thinking, educated
(he was a highly placed native
woman who was
We
woman.
official)
men
per-
that there are
men
progressive young
know I
heard a
that the
man
say once,
companionship of a
educated and enlightened was a great comfort and
support to a man.
-51â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
VHP *
w
August 1900.
*"^ "^ "]^HAT
I
language, however powerful, can express every
emotion of the soul.
speaking go, but there
is
it is
It is
it
is
impos-
impossible, at least as far as writing and
a silent secret language which never expresses
words, or written signs, and yet
by every one who has faith, because word "lie" is unknown. soul,
can not be done,
sible."
believe with you that
itself in
It
is
in
understood and comprehended its
whole vocabulary the
little
the pure chaste language of the eyes, the clear mirrors of the
and
if
you could have seen me
this
morning as
five delicate,
my trembling hands, and warm tears coursed you could, without hearing a single sound from my Neither the mouth nor the pen can lips, have understood what I felt. express it, but the eyes drowned in a flood of tears were raised on high
scented leaves quivered in
down my
cheeks,
as though to seek
wings came down comfort, and
fill
Every heart
among the angels of God the ones who with tender who were sad and wept bitterly upon earth, to
to us,
us with heavenly joy. beat,
every pulse beat, and each indrawing of the
breath was a prayer of thanksgiving.
We
are only ordinary
like millions of others. 1
human Can
it
beings, a mixture of evil and of good
be that
To Mevrouw Abendanon-Mandri.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;52â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
at first
glance there
is
more of
LETTERS OF A good than this;
evil in
when one
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
One doesn't have to seek far among innocent surroundings, it And,
good, one does that of oneself. evil
when one has had no opportunity.
the
warm
where no
it is
is
not hard to be
certainly no credit to do no
Later
when we have flown from
parental nest and are in the midst of ordinary faithful parent's
the storms of life rage
arm
is
us,
life,
when
and rave above our heads, and no loving hands
—then
you will see what we are.
Oh!
I
for the
pray so fervently that we
mountain of disappointment which
to the
human
thrown protectingly around
support us, and hold us fast as our feet waver
add
for the cause of
us?
lives
life
first
may
time,
never
has already brought
you; another just as fervent prayer, do not think us beautiful;
to
it
cannot be otherwise, some day you will be disappointed, and that would
cause us bitter grief.
Now
slowly by bits and pieces
that I can about ourselves, so that
true characters, attributes,
and will not
which we have
in
not.
us see what can be made of
let
"I feel so she
is still
much
I shall tell
you can have some
Still a
whole lifetime
light.
Thank you for
lies
woman,
before us;
am touched by her fate; in many lands even in this
I
would help her so earnestly, and so willingly."
these splendid sympathetic words.
In them, your great
compassion speaks, your deep pity for the suffering of
woman who
through the ages has endured wrong from her fellow creature I
thank
God
that there are
some who are noble
feel for the sad fate of our native
their poor,
White
fine
it.
for the cause of
I
all
insight into our
your great goodness endow us with
unappreciated and misunderstood
our age of
you truthfully nearly
in heart
women, and wish
to
and
—man.
spirit,
and
send light into
dark world.
sister,
with your
warm
deep-feeling heart, your pure eyes, your
—53—
LETTERS OF A your hand
rich spirit, reach
JA
VANESE PRINCESS help us out of this pool of grief and
to us ;
misery into which the selfishness of
Help us
fast.
overcome the
to
has plunged us, and holds us
egoism of
woman
which for centuries has held the accustomed as she
men
relentless
man
—
that
demon
lashed, imprisoned, so that
treatment she sees no injustice but submits
is to ill
with stoicism to what seems the "good right" of the man, and an heritance of sorrow to every
deaf nor blind and
my
so that
heart
is
woman.
still
young, but
I
am may
in-
not
and conventions which are the curse of
children!
Helpless in bitter grief, to fight against
an
I
my
wring
evil so gigantic!
hands and feel myself powerless
and which,
Mohammedan Law, and
protection of the
women
am
I have heard and seen much, too much, it be, drawn with pain and I am swept violently forward
in opposition to those customs
women and
I
is
is
called
polygamy
to stalk
is
under the
fed by the ignorance of the
themselves, the victims of the sacrifice.
wrong which
Cruelty!
Fate allows that cruel
abroad
in the land
—
"I will
mouth vehemently and the heart echoes the cry a Have we human beings a will? It thousand fold, but alas to will! is always, we must, must do everything, from our first infant cry till not have
it," cries
the
—
our
last breath.
Life
is
full of
dark riddles and of
so much, and all the time will,
tains
an iron
—then
will,
Let
me
am
tell
is
to
from eyes
move mounthat we love,
gone.
you a story
that
is
neither amusing nor interesting, but
monotonous and long drawn
patience.
nothing!
We think that we know We think that we have a
and picture ourselves strong enough
a burning tear, a sorrowful look
and our strength dull,
we know
secrets.
First I ask
out,
and which will demand much
your forgiveness, humbly, for the weary hour
going to cause you.
—54—
I
LETTERS OF A the historjr of three
It is
bom
blind, but
JA
brown
to the light,
everything that
girls,
children of the sunny East;
whose eyes have been opened so
And now,
beautiful, noble things in life.
accustomed
VANESE PRINCESS
is
now
that they can see the
that their eyes
have learned
that they
have grown
to love the
sun and
have the
in the brilliant world; they are about to
blinders pressed back against their eyes, and to be plunged into the
darkness from which they had come, and in which each and every one
grandmothers back through the ages had
of their It is
said that books full of "nonsense"
lived.
came from
the distant
West
and penetrated the heart of the "Binnenland," that quiet peaceful place on Java's ever green
coast,
where the
sisters dwelt, that these rebellious
ones were unwilling to bear the yoke which had been borne meekly and patiently
by
all
women
before them, and which
above tliem, so that any second
it
may
now hangs suspended
be dropped upon their unwilling
shoulders.
People are wrong.
It is
rebellious, conditions have
not only the books that have
done
that, conditions that
have existed from
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
time immemorial, and which are a curse, a curse
happens
to
be
Already
in
bom
a
woman
open the door of
who
writings which spoke of
the yellow blossoming in
at the
waroe
happy
sisters
was
bom
it,
the de-
life.
was recreation hour
were grouped
every one
or a girl.
were far beyond her reach, in one of the three
It
to
her earliest youth when emancipation was for her an
unknown word, and when books and other sire to
made them
European school
at
Japara.
trees in the schoolyard, big
disorder.
It
was
so
warm
that
and
Under
little girls
no one cared
to play.
"Shut your book, Letsy,
brown
girl,
I
have something
to tell
you," pleaded a
whose costume and head-dress betrayed the Javanese.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;55â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
A
JA
who leaned
great blond girl,
VANESE PRINCESS against the trunk of a tree reading
eagerly in a book, turned around and said, "No,
have
I
to
study
my
French lesson."
"You can do "Yes, but
allowed
to
that at
home, for
do not learn
if I
my
not school work."
it is
French lessons well,
go to Holland year after next; and
there to study at the teacher, perhaps
I
Normal
When
School.
shall be placed here
;
I I
and then
am
I shall
not be
so anxious to go
come back I shall sit
later as a
on the
plat-
form before the class as our teacher does now. But tell me, Ni, you have never yet said what you were going to be when you grew up."
Two
large eyes were turned toward the speaker in astonishment.
"Only tell me." The Javanese shook her head and said laconically, "I do not know." No, truly she did not know, she had never thought of it, she was still so young, still so full of joyous young life. But the question of her little white friend made a deep impression upon her; it would not let her
rest,
incessantly
—
she seemed to hear sounding in her ears the words
"What are you going to be when you grow up?" That day she did much task work in school, she was so absent-minded, gave the most foolish answers when she was asked a question, and made the sillest mistakes in her work.
It
could not have been otherwise, for her thoughts
were not on her lessons, she was thinking of what she had heard
in the
recreation hour.
The
first
thing that she did
when she
got
home was
to
run
to
her father
and lay the problem before him.
"What am
He
I
going to be when
said nothing, but smiled
not allow herself
to
be put
off,
I
grow up?"
and pinched her cheek. But she would and waited, teasing him for an answer.
—56—
LETTERS OF A At
JA
an older brother came
last
VANESE PRINCESS and answered the question.
in,
Her
greedy listening ears heard these words:
"What should married
The
woman
Why
become?
a girl
a Raden-Ajoe,
Javanese
[a
of high rank], naturally."
little girl
was
satisfied with the answer,
and went quickly and
happily away.
"A
Raden-Ajoe," she repeated several times
"What
to herself.
is
The idea was with her always; she thought con"Raden-Adjoe." She must later become such an one. She looked around her, saw and came in contact with many Raden-Adjoes, regarded them attentively, studied them, and what she a Raden-Ajoe?"
stantly of the two words,
learned (as
much
women, caused this
being a
as a child could understand) of the lives of these
the spirit of opposition to
Raden-Ajoe—
^the
marry, must belong This
little girl
to a
awaken
in her heart against
ancient iron-bound rule, that girls must
man, without being asked when, who, or how.
reached the age of twelve and a half, and
merry childish
that she should say farewell to her
life,
of the school-benches upon which she had been so glad to little
European companions among
whom
it
was time
and take leave sit;
and of the
she had studied so willingly.
to come home according to the custom of her coundemands that a young girl remain in the house, and be rigidly secluded from the outside world until that time when the man for whom God has created her shall come and take her to his dwelling.
She was old enough
try.
It
She knew
all too well that
dear teacher,
who bade her
much that was unThe parting from the
with the school door
utterably dear would be closed to her for ever.
farewell with such sympathetic, cordial
words, counseling resignation, and from
little
companions, who with
tears in their eyes pressed her hand. It
was hard, but
it
was
as nothing in
—57—
comparison with the giving up
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
She was so bent upon learnwas much more yet to be studied before lower school. She was ambitious, and she
of her lessons, the ending of her studies. ing,
and she knew
that there
one can even go through the
did not wish to stand below her
going to Europe
later,
Semarang with to
white friends, most of
who went
or her brothers
She implored her father have
little
the boys; she
complain of her.
allow her
to
would do her
to
go
to the to the
whom
were
High School. High School
at
would never
best; her parents
She crouched on her knees before him, her
pleading hands resting upon his lap, her great child's eyes were raised
up
to
him
full of longing,
and
in breathless suspense
and anguish she
waited for his answer. Caressingly he stroked the dark
little
head, his fingers pushed back
from her forehead, and softly and yet word "No" came from his lips. She sprang up, she knew what "No" from him meant. She went away and crept under the bed to hide herself; she wished to be alone
tenderly the rebellious locks firmly, the
with her grief.
Once her teacher had asked her study with Letsy, his daughter,
if
she could not go to Holland to
who was her
friend.
She
listened
eagerly and with shining eyes.
"Would you not like to go?" "Do not ask me if I would like from her trembling lips. Good man, he had meant to native customs,
to
to
go ask ;
me if I may," came hoarsely
be so kind to her.
he did not know
how
Stranger that he was
cruel his question was.
It
was
putting dainties before the eyes of one starving for bread.
Foolish
you
to
girl,
it
was never the intention of your good parents
school to raise rebellious thoughts in your heart.
learn Dutch, and Dutch manners, nothing more.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;58â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Stupid
to
send
You were little
to
thing,
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS if that
had been
all
you had learned
she couldn't help
much misery
But the stupid
have been spared you. self,
so
it
God had
if
little
would
in the future
made
thing had not
her-
given her a sensitive soul, and a
heart which readily absorbed all that the Dutch language
had helped
her to think beautiful.
Poor
little
In her heart. Western thoughts found a joyous en-
one.
saw herself fettered hand and foot by Eastern tradiAnd her muscles were still too weak, too soft to enable her to tion. break the chains which bound her. And later when she found herself did strong, so that with a single jerk they could be wrenched asunder trance, yet she
—
she do it?
But we will not run ahead with the
story,
we have
not gone
very far as yet.
The school door lay behind
comed her
to herself.
her,
and the house of her parents wel-
Great was that house, and spacious were the
grounds, but high and thick were the walls that surrounded them and
all.
was henceforth to be her world, her Never mind, how spacious and handsome, even comfortable a
cage
may be
the closed in four cornered space
it
is
still
a cage to the
little
bird that
is
imprisoned
there.
Gone, gone was her merry childhood
young
life
She
happy.
in fact too, but the
And
she to
whom
gone everything that
;
made her
herself such a child, and she was that
still felt
law placed her inexorably among the
no ditch was too broad
be climbed, who loved nothing so
much
to
full
grown.
be leapt, no tree too high to
as to run like a wild colt in the
meadows, must now be calm, composed and grave, as beseemed a JavaThe ideal Javanese girl nese young lady of a high and noble house. is silent
and expressionless as a wooden
necessary, and then with a
little
doll,
speaking only when
it is
whispering voice which can hardly be
heard by an ant; she must walk foot before foot and slowly like a
—59—
snail,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; LETTERS OF A
JA
laugh silently without opening her show, that
is to
VANESE PRINCESS lips;
it
is
unseemly for the teeth
to
be like a clown.
Ni sinned every second.
A
dull,
monotonous, slow mode of
life
Day
began for her.
after
day
passed wearily away amid the same occupations, and the same people.
Sometimes there would be a bright spot
from
Letsy.
It
as of old the
was
like a holiday
in those first
dark days, a
visit
when Letsy was with her; she became that she was a prisoner, but she
merry child and forgot
suffered doubly for the temporary forgetfulness after the
little
white
friend had gone.
The slow moving life went on, more stupid, more monotonous She watched her younger sisters with hungry longing every time they went out of the door,
armed with
that
their school-books, to go to the
temple of wisdom where knowledge was to be found.
For a time she tried useless
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to study
her lessons by herself; but
a pupil alone without a master soon
it
seemed
grows discouraged.
With
a deep sigh she hid her books away. If pillows to tell!
and cushions could but speak what would they not be able
They could
tell
of the misery of a
scalding tears cried herself to sleep on their
Young people cannot
learn to be resigned.
and hearts dwell a hundred wild, feel themselves so alone,
restless
human
little
bosom night
soul that with after night.
In their silly
little
and rebellious thoughts.
and draw back timidly from those with
heads
They
whom
they live day in and day out. It is
very easy to live for years with one's brothers and sisters and to
remain always as strangers. imprisonment.
tween them. view.
Ni had an older
sister
who shared her
She was fond of her but there was no confidence be-
They
The older
differed too
sister
was
much
both in character and point of
quiet, conventional,
calm and composed,
LETTERS OF A and the younger one was
Her ideas were wrong the old traditions
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
just the opposite; all life
in the eyes of the other,
who
sister
ished, the older sister
am
by nature.
believed firmly in all
had gone with shining eyes
thing which filled her brimful of enthusiasm;
I
fire
and customs.
Often the younger
me
and
would answer
"Go your own way;
coldly,
some-
to tell of
and when she had
fin-
as for
a Javanese."
Ni's heart
would stand
still
within her, as though touched by a rough
The younger sisters too were estranged from her; the older one was not pleased when they were with Ni Ni who had such strange ideas. And sister was very strong the little sishand, she would grow icy cold.
—
;
ters
were afraid of her.
Ni found opposed
it
hard, but not so hard as to feel that her
She too closed her heart
to her.
ideas were diametrically opposed to her own.
own mother was
because her child's
to her,
Poor
little
Ni
—her
small soul was longing for tenderness and she found only coldness;
where on her side she gave
Why
love, she received at best tolerance.
was she always so strange, so peculiar, so different?
Ah, she had tried
so often to be like others, to think like others, yet always
almost happy, something would happen, that would
make
when she was
the slumbering
thoughts burst forth tumultuously, and reproach her for her seeming forgetfulness, so that she Still
her
who held
would hold
to her,
who
them
all the
heart.
They were her
youngest of her older brothers.
them with
more
dull.
firmly.
There were two
felt their love
warm-
all the tenderness
of her
loved her just as she was; she
ing her inmost being, and clung to thirsting
to
was not so wholly colourless and
life
—
father and her third brother It is
the
true that they could not satisfy
her most intimate and dearest wish to be free; could never gratify her longing to study.
But her dear father was always so good
—61—
to his little
daughter, his
would look
VANESE PRINCESS
LETTERS OF A
JA
own
knew
at
silly girl;
she
that
he loved her, she
felt
it.
He
would stroke her cheeks,
her tenderly, his gentle hands
her hair, and his strong arms would go so protectingly around her.
And her
so,
she
knew
that brother loved her too, although
had never spoken a loving word
But a thousand
little
could think spoke constantly of his
laughed
at
to her,
delicate attentions of
warm
he had never told
had never caressed
her.
which only a loving heart
He never made her shiver And Javanese."
affection for her.
her when she told him her thoughts, never
with a cold,
"Go your own way;
as for
me
I
am
a
although he never told her that he sympathized with her ideals, she
knew
in her heart that he
silent
because he did not wish to
was as one with
her, she
make her more
which he placed in her hands showed her
that.
knew
Ni
was only
that he
The books
rebellious.
felt so rich
with the
love of her two dear ones, and with the sympathy of her brother.
But her father was not always with her; he had his work fast-closed place
home Her
to do,
and
She must never go out of the
where he worked she might not go.
And
which was her dwelling.
her brother was
at
only once in the year, for he went to school in Semarang.
in the
oldest brother
He had
came home.
obtained an appointment
neighbourhood and lived with his parents.
If
before his coming, from the coolness of nearly all those
Ni had suffered
who
lived in the
house with her, from their indifference to all that interested her, from her imprisonment, there
now began
which added a thousand times
to
a series of teasings and tormentings
her
distress.
not dance to the piping of her brother.
Ni was wild
;
she could
"Young people should be
sub-
missive and obey their elders," was constantly preached to her; and
above
all,
"Girls must be submissive to their older brothers."
But headstrong Ni could not see why help
it,
that she should have been
bom
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;62â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
this
should be.
later than
She could not
her brother; that was
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
no reason why she should be submissive
he was
At a
in to her brother except
right.
first
he was astonished, and later he grew angry, when he saw that
who was
little girl
Ni
Everything was wrong
She was severely reprimanded for each
did.
day passed
He
anger.
half a dozen years younger than he dared to defy
She must be forcibly suppressed.
his will. that
She was not answer-
him.
own eonscience and her own heart. She when she was convinced that
able to any one, only to her
would never give
to
that brother
and
sister
little fault.
No
did not stand facing each other in
with a dark countenence and stem words that
made her
heart bleed, and she with quivering lips tremblingly defending her good right to
do something which he wished
She was entirely alone in her
—her future
brother
protector,
to forbid.
despotism of her
fight against the
whenever she should have the misfortune
to lose
her parents, until she should leave his roof under the protection
of the
man
for
whom God had when her
not to torment her
allowed
it,
that she
"No"
right to
to the
was
that she in the
was within her
He
took very good care
there; father
was too proud
house were
rights.
It
would never have
to tell.
silent too,
although they
would not do
to
allow im-
was impertinent; young as she was, she dared
pertinence, and the girl to say
father
and he knew well
But the others who lived
knew
created her!
"Yes" of her
so
much
older brother.
A
girl
had no
do anything which would even partially detract from the im-
portance of a man.
It
was not
right for this girl to oppose her ideas to
those of her self-willed brother.
In later years,
very well
why
when Ni remembered
the
man was
all this, she
so egotistical.
Always, by every one in
the house, he was taught as a child to be selfish, all.
From childhood he was
by
taught to regard the
—63—
could understand
his
mother most of
girl, the
woman,
as a
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Had
creature of a lower order than himself.
mother, his aunts, and all the scornful, disdainful tones,
herself that
man
"A
women
of his acquaintance say to
only a girl"?
girl is
learns to scorn
first
she not often heard his
woman.
It is
through
are nothing
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;women
in
Ni's blood boiled when-
ever she heard deprecating words about girls spoken by a
"Women
him
woman
woman.
are created for men, for their pleas-
ure; they can do with them as they will," sounded brutally in her ears,
and
irritating as
the laugh of Satan.
Her eyes
shot
fire,
her
fists
clenched, and she pressed her lips tightly together in impotent distress.
"No, No," cried her
much
as men.
chance, and
man."
as a
I
Oh, will
fast beating little heart,
let
me
show
Loose
learn.
that I
am
a
my
human
"We
are
being, a
human
woman
herself, but she did not
Too early ripened
good
She wounded
break them.
child, at
an age when a young head should only be
with dreams of merry play, she was busy with sombre dark
thoughts about the sad things in she
just as
She writhed and twisted, but the chains were strong and
locked tightly around her tender wrists and ankles.
filled
just as
Only give me the
bonds!
was not deaf nor blind and
life.
It
could not have been otherwise;
lived in the midst of a civilization which
took no account of youth and sensitive feelings. tender eyes were opened to the realities of ugliness and cruelty.
From her
Roughly
life, in all their
the
young
coarseness,
parents themselves she never heard a
harsh word that would have shocked her pure mind or wounded her sensitive heart, but she did not live only with her parents.
Death!
from joy.
and
why
are you called terrible, you
this cruel life?
She had no one that
who
release
mankind
Ni would have followed you thankfully and with
show her what was lofty and beautiful in life, everything was not low and vile. Ni loved her father with her to
LETTERS OF A whole
soul,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
and although she lived constantly with her parents she could
never lay her inmost thoughts before them. etiquette stood
Coldly the strong Javanese
between them.
Ni avoided, as much as she could, those people who with
their cyni-
cism had withered her; and while the manners and customs of her country did not allow her stricken little soul to seek refuge in her parents'
arms and on her parents'
hearts, she
found comfort
in those quiet, silent
friends "books."
She had always been fond of reading, but now her love for reading
became a passion;
as soon as she
had time, when
were done, she would seize a book or a paper.
all
her
duties
little
She read everything
came into her hands; she greedily devoured both the green and the ripe. Once she threw a book away which was full of horrors. She did not have to look into books when she wished to know of loathsome, nauseating things; real life was full of them; it was to escape from them
that
that she buried her soul in realms
which the genius of man has fashioned
out of the spirit of fantasy.
There were so many beautiful books which gave her unspeakable pleasure,
and which she will never be able
characters nobly laying hold on
life,
to forget; stories of strong
of great souls and spirits, which
would make her heart glow with enthusiasm and
delight.
She lived in
everything that she read, while she was reading there was nothing for which she wished, she in
was
lost!
Her Father took
more
great pleasure
her love of reading and showered her with presents of books.
She
did not understand everything that she read, but she did not allow herself to first
be discouraged by
that.
What
she could not understand in the
reading became in the second less obscure, and at the third or
fourth,
it
would be quite
clear.
Every unknown word
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;65â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
that she
found
LETTERS OF A she noted down; and later,
would ask him
its
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
when her
meaning.
came home, she
dearest brother
And he helped
his little sister so willingly,
and lovingly.
had not had her loving Father, her dear brother and her books, Father and she could not have lived through the sorrowful years. brother stilled the yearning for love and affection, and the books gave to If she
her hungry
A
little
spirit food.
brother was
misfortune he ;
begun
to
Mother. little
bom, and
this helpless
brought her again into the
She was
wander.
fast
baby held Ni back from
good path from which she had
becoming a bad child toward her
She had closed her heart more and more toward her, and the
brother
made
wide open again.
the doors of that heart spring
her what a mother
Little brother taught
and what a child owes
is,
to its
mother.
Mother had dark rings under her eyes, and looked weak and worn out, and little brother had done that; little brother who would not let Never mind how her rest, but called her every night again and again. wearisome the heavy burden might
be, there
was never a
sion of impatience on Mother's face; whenever
little
single expres-
brother cried for
was by him. She would take him up and never Had Mother held lay him out of her arms till he was in a sweet sleep. The iceher, too, and never put her down, till she was sound asleep? her, in a second she
crust
the
around Ni's heart melted, and
woman who had
given her
it
beat
life.
Brother was a healthy child during his
weaned, and for three years after that the he kept wrestling with death.
warmly once more toward
And by
first
little
year, but
one was
his sick bed,
when he was
sick, as
though
Ni the young
child,
learned to understand her Mother.
She saw her own shortcomings; she was too
selfish,
she was always
JA
LETTERS OF A thinking of her
own
troubles,
VANESE PRINCESS
and never thought
that others could
troubles and that she could have a share in causing them.
been always with Mother as
little
have
She had once
brother was now, she could do nothing
Mother must have suffered and perhaps did even now;
without Mother.
well, she could not help
it
if
she thought differently from her mother, but
she could be very careful to do nothing that would cause her pain. Little brother taught
her consideration;
things; he taught her submission,
and
how
gratitude,
to see the other side of
and
to give without ask-
ing anything in return.
Four years went by, calm and quiet on the surface, but could see below
it,
to those
She learned much
full of strife for Ni.
years; self-mastery, submission, not always
who
in those
to think first of herself;
but peace and acquiescence she had not learned, could never learn; her
head was haunted by turbulent thoughts.
from the ters
distant
from Dutch
West
Voices too
in books, newspapers,
still
came
and magazines, and
to
her
in let-
friends.
For a year her
sisters
and she had every day an hour's lesson
handiwork from a Dutch lady.
in
These were pleasant hours for Ni
because then she could speak Dutch, the language which she loved so
much.
Her oldest brother, meanwhile, was given a position at a distance, and Ni was ashamed that she should be so very glad. He was still her brother, although he had not loved her. Time and separation work wonders; they took away all resentment from Ni's the great
heart,
and she grew
to love
her brother.
boy who had allowed himself men.
tery of fawning, favour-seeking
toward the
last she
had noticed a change
to It
She
felt
sorry for
be deceived by the
silly flat-
comforted her to think that
in his conduct
toward her.
He
said nothing in words, but his actions spoke of his sorrow for his former
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;67â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A injustice;
and Ni thanked God with tears
was beginning
to
be fond of her.
and hated was now
first.
in her eyes that her brother
She who had been formerly disliked
She was always with him, and he would do
more for her than for any one
A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
else.
come to share the imprisonan age when Ni had already been for a
half year before a younger sister had
Bemi was
ment.
fortunate, at
long time safely immured behind high thick walls, she could run freely
around, go on
bidden
journeys and do
little
to Ni.
many
Bemi was fourteen and
other things that were for-
a half years of age
when she
came home to stay. Ni was now sixteen.
The oldest sister married, and with the wedding celebration changes came into her own life. Ni learned to know her sisters, who up to this time had lived near her, but as strangers. There could never have been very much confidence between her older sister
and herself; she was only an older
sister.
And Ni
did not wish to
be so regarded by the younger ones: she wished to be loved, and not
Freedom and equality were what she asked for herself; ought she not to begin by giving them to others? The intercourse between feared.
the younger sisters
and herself must be free and unrestrained.
with everything that would hinder
who had meanwhile come three lives that
together and
had
became
it.
to the house,
Away
With Bimi and Wi, a little sister Ni took sister's room. And the
hitherto been strange to one another met, flowed as one.
August, 1900. 0, the inward pain of caring for nothing.
work, that will take entire possession of turing thoughts. souls,
That
is
us,
We
the only thing that can
and give us back our strength of
must have something;
and leave no time for
spirit.
tor-
awaken our slumbering Work, that is just it.
LETTERS OF A The longing for work heavily.
we
VANESE PRINCESS
power
will not believe that our
single one of all our beautiful
know
clearly what
the voices of our
own
work, and the will to work,
to
to idleness.
whole
monotonous, dull and commonplace.
not
what presses upon us so
will love is
frightful to feel the
It is
and yet be condemned
We
that
JA
we
dreams
shall do, but
lives to the
And
yet
very end will be
see no chance for a
become a
to ever
we
we
We
reality.
do
are determined to follow only
hearts.
"If we had been boys, our father could have brought us up to be fine fellows," the
we hear
till
same material
same trouble could fine
men
that
is
we
are weary.
in us out of
just as easily
When
which
make
it is
fine
certainly true that if
boys could be made, the
women And are
fine
have been of use hitherto?
of us. fine
Is
it
women
only
of no
value to civilization?
But we Javanese
women must
first
of
all
be gentle and submissive;
we must be as clay which one can mould into any form that he wishes. But why speak of this now? It is as though men on a sinking ship complained because they had not remained at home, investigated the cause of the misfortune, and punished those responsible for
it.
That would
not prevent the ship from going down; they would be drowned just the
same, and only the courage of the hand at the rudder, and pumping at the leak, could
have saved them from destruction.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;69-
23 August, 1900.
YOUR
encouragment
shall obtain
I
my
understand that?
How
not strive?
shall
I
a support
is
freedom.
But how shall
be able to find
can be no victory.
strife there
I
there
is
one thing
have often told you
Stella, I
know whether
I
love
it,
I
am
;
I
be able
to
win
and
feel strong
enough
do
Without
shall win.
I
will,
if I
it,
do not seek?
if I
I
am
to over-
afraid to face squarely.
that I love Father dearly.
is full
I
Do you
Stella, I will!
shall have the courage to carry
w^ould break his heart, which I
I
strengthens me.
it
shall strive,
not afraid of the burdens and difficulties
come them, but
—
I will,
my
I
do not
will through, if
it
of love for us.
—old and grey through
him unspeakably, my old grey Father
—
for me.
let
me be
care for us
happiness,
happy, even
if I
attaining them, I
And
if
the one.
one of us should be condemned to unHere lurks egoism, for I could never be
had freedom, even
if I
my
gained
independence,
if in
had made Father miserable.
In thinking over Javanese and European conditions and comparing
them with one another, one can
easily see that
than here in so far as the morality of the
women
men
is
hardly better there
concerned, and that
are unfortunate there as here, with this difference, however, that
the great majority there, of their
marriage bond 1
it is
;
while here the
own
free will follow the
women have no
To Meiuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
—70—
say at
man
in the
all in the matter,
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
but are simply married out of hand, according to the will of their parents, to
whomsoever those powerful ones
shall find good.
Mohammedan world the approval, yes, even the presence of woman is not necessary at a marriage. Father can come home any day at all and say to me, "You are married to so and so." I must then follow my husband. It is true I can refuse, but that gives the man the In the
the
me to him for my whole life, without ever having come am his wife although I will not follow him, and if he will not allow me to be divorced, then I am bound to him all my life, while he is free to do as he pleases. He may marry as many women as he right to chain
near me.
I
chooses without being concerned in the least about me.
should marry
me
off in this
manner then
I
should find a
If Father
way
out at the
way or another. But then Father would never do that. God has created woman as the companion of man and the calling of woman is marriage. Good! it is not to be denied, and I gladly ac-
beginning, one
knowledge
that the highest
turies after us, a
happiness for a
woman is, and shall be man of her choice.
cen-
harmonious union with the
But how can one speak of a harmonious union as our marriage laws are
now?
I
have tried
to picture
hate the idea of marriage, scorn
wronged?
it,
No, fortunately every
more, but every married
woman
them
Must
to you.
when by
it
the
Mohammedan
in
I
not for myself,
woman
is
so cruelly
has not four wives or
our world knows that she
is
not the
only one, and that any day the man's fancy can bring a companion home,
who will have just as much right to him as she. According to the Mohammedan law she is also his wife. In the Government countries, the women have not such a hard time as their sisters in those ruled by the princes, as in Soerakarta and Djokjakarta. Here the women are ^
fortunate with only one, two, three or four co-wives. 1
There, in the
Government countries under the direct administration of the Dutch-Indian Government.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;71â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
women would call that child's play. One finds a single man with but one wife. Among the nobility, the circle surrounding the emperor, the men have usually
princes' countries, the
there hardly
especially in
twenty-six
women.
Shall these conditions endure, Stella?
Our people have grown so accustomed to them, and moreover they way in which every woman would be provided for. But her heart almost every woman that I know curses this right of the
see no other in
man.
But curses never help something must be done. ;
Come, women, and
let
girls,
stand up;
let
us reach our hands to one another,
us work together to change this unbearable situation.
Yes, Stella, is tragic.
I
I
know
it;
in
Europe,
too, the state of
say with you, teach the young
men
morality
to turn their
among men backs upon
temptation and deplorable, half -acknowledged customs, and to feel
dis-
men
not
graced
at the existence
of those short-sighted girls
ignorantly into the places where life
mothers could do most there,
I
is
sordid.
who
follow
Yes certainly
the
have already maintained that
young to
my
sisters. I
should so love to have children, boys and girls to nourish and to
after my own heart. But above all things I should never follow unhappy custom of putting boys before girls. We have no right to be surprised at the egoism of men when we consider how as children they are placed above the girls, their sisters. Even as a child a man is taught to despise girls. Have I not many times heard mothers say they would fall and cry: "Fie, a boy cry just like a their when to boys
form
the
girl!" I
should teach
equal
human
my
children, boys
and
girls, to
regard one another as
beings and give them always the same education; of
course following the natural disposition of each.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;72â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A should not allow
I
my
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
although
girl,
wished
I
to
make
a
new woman
of her, to study as though she had no other desire in life; nor would cut her off in anything so that her brother could have more.
And
then
I
should
let
down
much good
will
that educated
who
come of
it,
I
am
Never!
which have been so foolishly
the bars
erected between the two sexes.
I
convinced that when this
especially to the men.
I
is
done
shall never believe
and cultivated men designedly avoid the society of women
are their equals in education and enlightenment, to throw them-
selves deliberately into the
arms of disreputable women.
While many
men
seek the society where cultivated ladies are to be found, there
vast
army who cannot
Now
ing of sex.
is
a
take the slightest interest in a girl without think-
disappear when
all this will
men and women can
mingle freely together from childhood.
You
say,
"We
girls
the good path, but
we know
change with time, but here the
new
age.
much toward
could do so
in
little
bringing young
of their lives."
men upon
Everything will
Java we stand only on the threshold of
Must we not go through
all the
corresponding stages of
development, through which you have already passed in Europe?
Among my new treasures I have "Het Jongetje" by Borel.^ A deMany here think it sickly and o'ver-drawn. But to me; is sickly not at all, and over-drawn even less. There may not be
lightful book. it
many
like Borel's little boy, but I
Assistant-Resident
inah "Tante,
is
Borel's
I like girls
so
know
at least one.
boy personified. much.
The
child of the
Once he said
Girls smile so indolently.
are quite, quite different from boys; they are so sweet, so soft."
fellow of five said 1
this.
He
bit
Henri Borel, novelist and journalist
Chinese art and literature.
The author
Kard-
to
They
A little
Kardinah's arm once, saying, "Tante
bom of "
in
Jongetje," etc.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;73â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Also noted as an authority on Yin," " Da Laatse Incarnatie," " Het
1869.
Kwan
LETTERS OF A why
women
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Then he bit his own arm and said, "Though I am so little, yet I am a man, that is the reason I am hard." He is such a lovely child, with great dreamy eyes and brown curling hair. Before he came here he made our acquaintance at Soerabaja are
so soft?"
through our portraits.
His mother told him that they were going
The
aunts lived.
to the place
child thought that he must
where his dear
marry and asked "Maatje,
marry all three or only one of them?" When he came here and saw us, his mother said to him, "Well, little brother, have you chosen which one of the aunts you will marry?"
must
I
"Maatje,
The dear you, is
I
I
cannot choose, for
little
love you,
I
love all three just the same."
angel then turned to each one of us and said, "I love Yes,
love you.
good, everything If this
I
had been
is
told
saw and heard
love the whole world for everything
I
beautiful."
me by some with
one
my own
else, I
should not have believed
eyes and ears.
it,
but
is
The subject which Mevrouw van Suylen-Tromp wishes to have treated the "The life of the Native Woman." On that I had rather not write
I
just yet.
I
it
have far too much
orderly whole of
learned more,
it
I shall
undertake
Now the thoughts blow that are driven
to say,
and could not possibly make an
In a few years perhaps,
now.
What
day
I
should like
if that were not so warm. then splendidly fresh and
where everything
is
We
have
my brain like falling leaves
a comparison, eh?
The mornings are magnificent now and the middle of the
I shall
it.
and whirl through
by the wind.
when
to
so are the evenings, but in
do nothing but
lie in
the water,
enjoy the mornings so much, nature
beautiful.
We
wander around
blooming and fragrant.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;74â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
It is
is
the garden
truly a pleasure to
LETTERS OF A
JA
be out of doors in the morning.
If
VANESE PRINCESS you could only wander around with Mother has her vegeta-
us; or do you not care for flowers and plants?
ble garden, and
we our
flower and rose garden; this last
our room, and when there sisters
is
a full
moon
it is
is
next to
The
so idylic out there.
bring their guitars and
sit
under the flowering shrubs and make
we
sit
idly,
After the concert,
music.
sometimes chattering and laugh-
ing.
I
Your indignation over
my
the treatment which
enlightened fellow countrymen had to endure, did lieve
me, they are not
all stupid
fully toward the Javanese. stupid,
who even belong
I
men who
two educated and
me
good.
But be-
conduct themselves so scorn-
have met persons who are far from
to the aristocracy
of the mind, but are so
haughty and over-bearing that they do not like
to
be in the same house
with me.
Too
often
beings at
we
are
How
all.
they treat us so?
We
tion.
made
to feel that
we Javanese
do the Netherlanders expect
Love begets
are not really
to
be loved by us when
love, but scorn never yet
have many friends among the Hollanders
dearly, even
more than we do friends of our own
shall never forget that
we have
awakening of our minds, for our but
we
will like
People
may
to
aroused
whom we
race.
taken the trouble to try and understand us, and they have
We
human aff'ec-
love
They have
won our
love.
thank the Hollanders for the
civilization.
them because we owe them
so
They may wrong
us,
much.
say of the Javanese what they will, but they can never
say with truth that they have not hearts.
and they know how
to
be grateful for
They have them manifestly
benefits,
whether they are of a
material or of an intellectual kind, although their unmovable coun-
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;75â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
But
tenances change not one jot to betray their inward emotion.
never have are
human
I
to tell
you,
am
I
much
beings, just as
am happy
because
you yourself.
as
have been able
I
I shall
sure, that all creatures of whatever colour,
to
know
you.
I
shall not let
you go, Stella. I love you so much that I do not know what would become of my life, if, as God forbid, we should ever become separated. As though the wide ocean were not already between us! But spirits among whom there is great sympathy know no distance; they bridge the widest seas
and most far-away lands Blessed be he
Letters too are splendid.
A
week ago we had a
from
visit
to commune with one another. who first invented them!
the Director of Education, Service
and Industry, and his wife from Batavia the Director
came here
—and
me,
Stella, rejoice with
especially to see Father and to ask his advice
personally about the erection of the native school for girls which the
Government
planning.
is
was sick and miserable, not only from bodily pain, but misery of soul. But Stella, I believed that my dream of freedom was on the I
when Father gave me
point of realization letter
cured
me
entirely.
It
Batavia one of the highest the Javanese, and for
Soon aftenvards daughter in tears;
I
Before he came
tlie
me
did
officials
I
That
know
that in
such infinite good to
of the Government had a heart for
Javanese woman.
Mama came was
the Director's letter.
to look
for me, and she found her
so happy, so thankful.
had the
greatest desire to see
for a moment, just to express something of what
—
And he came
but not alone
never in our lives have we
—
his wife
made such I
alone,
was with him.
a charming acquaintance!
already great sympathy for him, because
and the sympathy grew, when
him
I
Stella, I
had
knew why he was coming;
saw him ride
—76—
only
if
I felt.
into
our grounds on the
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
front seat of the carriage with his wife on the back seat, and next to her
Father who had met them at the station.
knew
I
that Father
would never have
You would have seen at me when I say that
nothing remarkable in it
this,
and you will laugh
me very much, because it spoke of and told me that he was a stranger to all
impressed
the modesty of the Director,
the self-important airs and painful respect which so
demand.
I
being pressed.
sat there without
was accustomed
to seeing
dent or Assistant Resident, never
many
Father on the
officials
here
left side of Resi-
mind how much younger
the latter
might be.
But not only
I,
Europeans even are seriously annoyed by the
regulations of rank here. the Regents take their places
The newly arrived European officials and upon chairs while the cold ground covered
(and sometimes uncovered) with a bamboo mat, native wedono,
The most
who has grown grey
petty
silly
European
sits
is
good enough for a
in the service.
upon a
chair, while native officials of
any age, who are below the rank of regent, though they are often of distinguished ancestry, must It
sit
upon
the floor in their presence.
certainly does not please the heart to see a grey wedono creep
the ground before a the school benches.
young
aspirant,^ a youth
But enough of
the courtesy of the Director, a
man
that,
it
who may have
was only
to
upon
just left
explain
why
of such high authority, struck
me
so forcibly.
We
heard the Director say
have talked with
many
to Father, "I
chiefs, Regent.
sending your girls to school. the
grammar
I
have been
You have
have asked
girls
all
over Java and
set the
An
"aspirant"
to
schools if they would like to go on with their studies, and
they have all answered enthusiastically "Yes." 1
example by
who were going
is
the lowest in rank
among
the Dutch ofBcials in Java.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;77â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A He
VANESE PRINCESS
asked Father where he thought the
erected, whether in West,
how my
Stella, to
JA
hear
At
that.
Middle or East Java.
ears and eyes tingled and
last
school ought to be
girls'
we
are to have
light in
my
heart beat with joy
our poor dark woman's
world.
While Mijnheer talked near
to
I
Mevrouw
She told
her with such pleasure.
band, and asked what
"A
to Father,
thought of
me
We
talked to us.
drew
of the plan of her hus-
it.
splendid idea, Mevrouw, which will be a blessing to the native
women, but
it
would be a
still
greater blessing,
if
the girls
were also
given an opportunity to learn a vocation, that would place them in a position to
make
their
own way
in life, if after receiving
an education,
they should feel reluctant to go back into their old environment. the
woman whose
has been awakened, whose outlook has been
spirit
broadened might not be able
to live
She will have been taught what dungeon; taught truly enlightened
to fly
again in the world of her ancestors.
f reelom
means, and then shut up in a
woman
could not possibly feel happy in our native it
open for the native
remains as girl,
and
it is.
There
Oh,
we
think
it
is
only one road
that is 'marriage.'
marriage means among our people cannot be unknown been so long in Java.
No, no, the
and then imprisoned in a cage.
environment, not as long as in life
And
is
And what
to you,
who have
splendid that your husband
wishes to give girls advantages and education, but
let that last
be also a
vocational education, and then your husband will truly have showered blessings
upon our native world."
"Do you hear that?" she said enthusiastically to her husband. "This young lady asks vocational training for native girls." Astonished, he turned to me and said, "Really, do you ask vocational
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;78â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
How
training for girls?
would
like to
I felt all
face.
my
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
would you arrange
I cast
tell
us what you
be yourself?"
eyes fastened upon me; those of
ears, but
But
it?
down my own above
eyes.
seemed
it I
to
my
parents burned into
my
There was a buzzing and roaring in hear the words "Kartini be brave, do
not waver."
"But
tell
me what
do you wish
know you wish
"I
Alas, for study
am
I
be?
become a writer; but you do not have you can become that by yourself."
to
educated especially for
to
be
to
that,
too late; but at least
I
may
"Raise
my
eyes on
high and go humbly and quietly forward."
Mevrouw spoke discussed so often
a long time about what you and me have —"Woman." When we bade each "Goodfor
to
I
other
night," and were going to bed, she took
my
hands
in both of hers,
pressed them warmly and said "Little friend, we shall discuss this again some time; meanwhile I shall write to you often; will you do the same to
me?" The following morning we went with her part of
the three hours that
other so much.
we
sat with
Although
it
the way,
her in the carriage she and
and during I
told each
was twelve o'clock when we separated
the
evening before, she had told her husband everything that she had learned
from
us.
"0
Regent," she cried again and again, "Give
ters, let
visit
Do
her come to Batavia with me.
me;
I
shall
come and
me
let this
one of your daugh-
young lady come
to
fetch her myself."
Father told her that he thought of going to Batavia this year, "But they must remain at
home
with
Mama, Mevrouw!"
appeared overcome with distress; was
it
—79—
With
earnest or a jest?
that she
— LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
They wish us to come to Batavia to plead our cause, and the cause Oh, Stella, of the native woman, in person before the high authorities. pray that if it should come to pass I shall be able to plead well. At parting she said to me, "Be brave, have faith and courage, this cannot last for ever, some way will be found, be brave!" Is there a happy future for us? Stella, am I dreaming or waking? She has told me Is it possible to hope that our dream is coming true? more but I dare not tell you now. It is still so far away, but it shines and beams before me like a star of hope. Later, Stella dear, when I have it in my arms and hold it tight, so that it cannot slip away, you I have asked my sisters if I were really alive; shall know what it is. Pray for me, dearest, that this may be I felt so unspeakably happy. no illusion, no empty mirage, that would be terrible.
When if it
the Director
saw our work, painting, embossing,
would not be possible
in a year's time for us to
etc.,
he asked
have an exhibition.
He was
sorry that we had not sent more to the French exposition. The next morning he said that he would speak to influential people at Batavia and see if an exposition of native work could not be arranged "You must send a great deal of what you have there for next year.
shown us." Stella I could not speak; I turned to
my
him and
to
her with tears in
eyes.
We
felt as
though we were in a dream, there was no yesterday
—no
to-morrow for us; only the joyous, splendid day existed. It made me What if these dreams and illusions should dizzy, made me afraid! vanish like smoke!
When
I
came home,
Mevrouw Ovink.
my
A
I
took up
my
few days ago
pen I
at
once to write to our friend
sent her a cry of despair, and
dear Moedertje must know that her daughter
—80
is
happy
again.
I
LETTERS OF A
JA
have told her nothing of what
have only told her that
But
I felt
VANESE PRINCESS
have written here for you alone,
I
happy and
I
full of the joy of life.
have told you everything, with just one exception, although
I
For you have comforted
you have a
right to that too.
in despair;
your enthusiasm has given
Stella, if I
can ever do anything for
my
me
strength,
me when
when
sisters in Java,
it
I
I
was
was weak.
will be solely
and only because of you.
you
told
I
Mevrouw Ter Horst invited me to write for her paper of the native woman; she believed that I was too re-
that
on the condition
served and suggested a form herself under which ject:
"A
do everything I
God
good cause.
to further the
grant that
I
can bring
One
lives.
Stella.
So much
lies
commonplace
Soon the
of them appeared in the "Echo."
identity of
I
found
do not
it
its
in the
tiresome;
good side
many
too,
from our
As pseudonym I we three are one.
I
Locomotief (a daily paper here
should gladly have kept
be discussed.
not deserve so
hand;
"Tiga Soedara" was discovered, and there was a
my work
like to
my
things taken
chose "Tiga Soedara" (The Three Sisters), although
notice about
under
to maturity.
it
write sketchy,
I
could treat the sub-
She on her part will
Regents' Daughters."
have Father's permission,
All too often
own
Two
Talk between
I
It
may sound
compliments.
my
writing secret;
ungracious, but truly
Still that notice in the
and a very good one
in India).
at that, for the next
I
I
did
paper had
month two
numbers of a new newspaper for natives were sent to Father, with the request that they be given to us, and also a letter came asking for the cooperation of "Tiga Soedara."
This natives,
is
the
and
language.
I
first
Netherland newspaper that has been founded for
expect
It is
like
many our
blessings for
lilies!
my
people through the Dutch
Dutch flowers which bloom
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;81â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in
added
LETTERS OF. A JAVANESE PRINCESS The
fragrance and beauty when they are transplanted to distant India!
Echo
is
now
You can
the Nederlandsche Taal.
easily imagine that I wrote an enthusiastic letter to
and founder (Director of the High School
at
its
editor
Probolingo), placing
my
services at his disposal
soon a letter came from him with a
And would
like to
have treated by me: the
"A
Girls"; after that
never say that
I
cannot
Now
I
—but
shall tell
list
of subjects which he
was "Native Education for
Native Institute" and "Javanese Art." I will.
you have not over-estimated
French out of the
first
I will, Stella, I will.
my
you something
little
strength.
We
else.
do
I shall
three have
books of Servaas de Bruijn.
Kartini
hope fervently
I
my
best.
begun
We
to study
have wrestled to
recommend
some simple, easy French books (not School books). ^^Tien we Father has also given us a German grammar.
get through
through most of the four volumes and we
now want you
to us
with our French studies, and have to
begin English,
We
try
now
to
if
we
live
German under our thumbs, we hope
long enough.
read French illustrated papers, but reading and under-
standing are two different things;
is it
not true?
we made the stupidest mistakes, but we have improved slowly and we feel in fine good humour. Roekmini declared In the beginning
once that she had dreamed in French, she was with Chateaubriand and in Louisiana, the beautiful country of which he wrote.
The French language has many resemblances to ours, and the "h" Our new friend said to her husband, '"They are is exactly like ours. anxious to learn languages, how glad I should be to teach them myself." Yesterday I received a letter from her; it was twenty pages long. She wrote so affectionately and said that she
—82—
felt that
she would see us
LETTERS OF A
know
And
Circumstances can come into
till
you know
it
life,
Do
turn a hero into a coward.
appear,
made me
was almost
Human
secrets.
which
in the twinkling of
not judge any deed, never
Then
me
that
the friends
last days,
many
my dream
because
an eye will
it.
different emotions.
of freedom seemed to
it
from Batavia came and such happiness came over
overwhelmed me;
I
was as though intoxicated! and then
frightened and awakened by a pain so heavy that not be able to breathe; that
whom
I
Why
love with
my
thought
I
my
Stella,
me and
the fate of
so
much, and
brings
life still
only look on to
me
as happiness
it
But
in life.
my
—
all.
my
I
love
sisters
my
goes to
freedom, the idea
my
heart; I
should
Father
is
dearer to
me
than all these put i
Stella, call
may
I
would
the greatest happiness that could ever
together.
Father
him
Father has no one but his children.
be ready for any sacrifice by which good could come to them.
heart
should
whole soul.
are his joy, his consolation, his
always with
come
was
was not on account of myself, but of another
Poor dear Father, he has suffered
We
I
I
must happiness and misery follow one another so quickly?
new disappointments.
if
be-
mind how base
causes which lead to
all the
in despair
and of
deeply buried in the ground.
lie
is
letter
not always from feeble character.
is
have experienced much in these
First I
will trust, so long as
Her
side.
yet, Stella, life is so full, of riddles
may
I
yours do; you and she think too well of me.
just as
ings are subject to change and
I
my
have you and her on
that I
ashamed
it
And
"Trust to the future," she wrote.
again. I
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
me
is set
a coward, call
me
weak, for
I
cannot be anything else;
against this dedication of myself, never
cry out,
I
shall hold
it still.
—83—
mind how
my
LETTERS OF A I
have not the courage
for me, and to
and
make
JA
wound
to
bleed again
it
;
VANESE PRINCESS diat true heart that beats so
for
it
has bled
much already
myself have not been altogether without guilt.
I
You say that you cannot understand why You say to oppose that "must" with "will" as
every one must marry. for
;
say
all too
warmly
in so far as others are concerned, but
it
Father; especially now, that
Whatever
I
shall
have
to
I
me
I
should certainly
never in opposition to
know what heavy grief oppresses him.
do will not be looked upon as compulsory be-
cause of a "must" but as something which
I
freely take
upon myself for
his sake. I
write, paint
I shall
and do everything because Father takes pleasure
work hard and
You may
be proud of me. it.
should be miserable
I
of freedom, but
I
But
I
best to do something
still
shall never lose that;
better than
I
love
himself against if
my
will not believe
my
plan
dearest wishes
it
possible, though I
could endure disappoint-
Because perhaps he loves
him
it.
time, I should lose Father's love.
From any one he
from me.
than the others, and
I
set
more miserable
same
in
good so that he may
foolish, morbid, but I cannot help
Father should
at the
could break his heart.
me
call
if
should be
should be fulfilled and
ment
my
try
so dearly.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;84â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
me
a
little
more
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
XP August, 1900.
"^ F we
' '
do not go
I
Father's answer to this
must never forget for
me
now
it
Holland,
to
may
I
not go to Batavia and study
medicine?"
to take
that I
am
was easy enough
a Javanese"; that
There would be too many
Father said that he must
comprehend; "I
it
will be different
trials
first."
and
first
difficulties
Father could not
up and put an end
contain himself any longer, but sprang versation.
to
would not be possible
such a step now, after twenty years
would never do.
be overcome because, "I should be the
to
it
to the con-
think about this earnestly and
speak with others and ask their advice.
At I
least
wish
to
Father did not wholly reject
become
at
that I could never be
any
my
idea, for Father
price, free, independent
happy
in a
married
life as
knows
that
and unshackled, and
marriages are now, and
have always been.
Then
I
asked, "If the native girls' school of Dr.
materialize,
may
I
not become a teacher?" and
I
told
Abendanon should him what Mevrouw
Abendanon had proposed to me. Moedertje, it was as though the doors of Heaven had sprung open and an eternal splendour blazed before my eyes when I heard Father say: "That
is
good; that
is
a splendid idea, you could do that very
well." 1
To Mevrouw Ovink-Soer.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;85â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A "But to
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
should have to be trained for the position;
first I
should have
I
go to school for a year or so and study, to be able to pass the ex-
amination, because for
would not undertake the work unless
I
were
I
fitted
it."
And
Father thought
was
I
right
was unspeakably happy,
and agreed with me.
had never thought that it would be so word had been spoken; I felt as though a great weight had been lifted from my heart. Father had been so tender, so loving. Then I had not been mistaken in my faith in his love for me, in my belief in his sympathy for his child: I knew that Father would suffer more than I, if he should cause me misery and that he hoped even as fervently as I, that a way might be found for me. It was because of him that I felt so miserable for months that I was so vascillating, weak and cowardly; because I could not bear to hurt I
I
easy, not a single bitter sharp
;
him, and
woman's upon.
I felt that I
heart,
my
bound by
my own
submit in silence.
And now
I
I
set
I
woman,
pride and
strife
have won Father over
can go forward
now
on
to
my
hope and courage.
news
am writing
human being,
to
be trampled
my parents. I was morally self-respect, my duty to myself not to has been terrible.
to
my
side.
With
that the greatest
meet the enemy unafraid, gay and
to
It is still
to
I
myself alone.
It
shall fail to reach
will be the fault of
my
goal, but I
am
may
tell
have already asked Father
Mevrouw Abendanon, and
you and
self-
face.
Now everything depends upon my own will if by any chance I the good
as a
my
myself against
The inward
confident, with a smile
full of
could not debase myself or allow
overcome, the greatest stumbling block cleared from the
difficulty is
way.
dignity as a
would have
I
must; for
I
may;
this
if I
very evening
I
to her.
doubtful whether the native
girls'
school will
come
into
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
existence, but I never despair.
to
many,
it is
help our native world and to bring light to the
At Djokja we went
to see
where however she missed
us,
Mevrouw Ter
She was very cordial
written you.
to
She told
me
Horst, as
have already
I
us and went to the station to meet
we got off a station further on. us when we arrived. We went to
had something
about with me.
to talk
that the plans of Resident
de
B.,
we had known
of which
from those of Dr. Abendanon.
nothing, differed
true,
us, for
She had a table already spread for see her because she
way or who are striving native woman.
will be accomplished one
It
another, for there are some, though not
His idea was
to build
a domestic school for daughters of native chiefs, with the Government's help, if possible.
If not,
by some other means.
The Resident had asked her which he would
fill
in; she
to sketch out a plan, the details of
now asked
for
my
ideas,
and what
I
thought
the native girls, daughters of chiefs, high and low, should be taught. If the
should
endeavour of Dr. Abendanon
fail,
which Heaven forbid, and
after all; then
you
will try to help
May
I
will not desert
me
to obtain Father's
not have that assurance
could do so
me
found a native
to I
girls' school,
should not become a teacher
Moedertje, will you?
But you
permission to study medicine.
from you and your husband too?
much because you have
You
great influence with Father.
Since that memorable noonday talk. Father has been so affectionate to
me; he takes
arm around me
my
hand between
impending danger. and
it
his
two hands tenderly, and puts his
so lovingly, as though he
Through everything
would I
protect
feel his
me from some
immeasurable
love,
makes me very happy.
Since
we have come back from Batavia, we have a queer
though we had only come home to
day" and then
to fly
away
again.
rest until evening, to
Whither?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;87â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
I shall
feeling as
say "Good
enjoy being at
LETTERS OF A home now
to the
me
pleasant to
my own
—be
it
As
its
a child
—
I
I
I
I shall
hope also from
am
it
be as
so thankful be-
leave that house,
my
it
heart, with the
other inmates too. I
could learn with a fair amount of ease,
backward, but between then and now thing that
and
parents' house,
today or tomorrow
will be with their blessing; and
blessing of
VANESE PRINCESS
utmost for nowhere in the whole world will
as in
cause whenever
JA
lies
I
was never
a whole lifetime.
Every-
grammar school I have forgotten. I was when I left it. But one can almost
learned at the
twelve and a half years of age
always accomplish what one wishes
to
very hard.
Is
it
not true,
Moedertje? I
that
have written
this confession
with the full conviction, the firm trust
no one can take a warmer
Mijnheer, and what
know
I
that I can go to
have
you
interest in
my
just related concerns
at
any time when
comfort; in the time to come
I
I
plans than you and
my
I
need advice, support and
shall certainly go to
—88—
whole future.
you many
times.
XIP 7th October, 1900.
CALMLY I
I me
am
who can
make you
light to
my
When
time.
it
me, but
comes then men
human being
no soulless creature, but a
heart, to
bide
think and feel.
It
is
shall see that
with a head and a
frightfully egotistical of
a sharer in every thing that concerns me. to
nothing for you.
you, I
must be vexation!
it
long to
tell
brings
It
Everything for myself,
you everything simply because
I
love
Draw back from me, thrust me from your thoughts, from your heart, forget me, let me struggle alone, for God, you do not know into what a wasps' nest you stick your hand, when you reach you
it
much.
so
out to
Let
me!
me
alone,
I
shall only be thankful for
cause you have crossed the path of flowers to fall across
my
life
your sympathy and be-
and caused sunshine and
Let our meeting be as that of ships on the
it.
dark night.
A
— —no more! But —even though you
meeting
a blithe greeting
foamy track through the smooth water and then fear I know that you could never go by like that
I
wide ocean
—
that pass in the
a
—
might wish
A
little
women,
to
attracted 1
it.
Let us never speak of
it
again.
Mama, about something of had said so many times before, that
while ago in talking to I
me
told her
what
I
more, that nothing was more longed for by
To MevTouw Abendanon.
—89—
me
interest
nothing
than to be
LETTERS OF A able to
fly
VANESE PRINCESS Mama
my own wings. who does that!"
alone upon
now, not among
"Then
JA
us,
time that some one should do
it is
"But you know very well
said,
"But there
is
it."
That the
that every beginning is difficult.
That misunderstanding, disappoint
fate of every innovator is hard.
ment on top of disappointment,
no one
ridicule, all await
you; do you realize
that?" "I
come
know to
me
But
it.
it is
not today nor yesterday that these ideas have
ment, "I
it is
happy
it is
after
I
go
I
Will
it is
shall
I shall
—
my
it
bring you content-
full of thorns, thistles,
is difficult,
have reached
half reached,
have been broken, and to
to
stormy, rough, slippery and
shall not be
way before
for years."
for yourself?
it
make you happy?" know that the way I wish
pitfalls; I
me
they have lived in
;
"But what will come of
And
free!
goal, though
have helped
to clear the
great content because the parents of other girls
who does
to
I
may
give
die gladly, for the path will then
freedom and independence for the native woman.
independent would never be able "
even though
say 'There
way which I
who wished
is
leads
shall feel a to
become
no one, not among
us,
that.'
Strange, but
courage; only
I
my
am
not uneasy or disturbed;
I
stupid, foolish heart feels sick.
—90—
am
calm and
full of
'
XIII October, 1900.
WISH
I
to
prepare myself to teach the two grades, lower and
higher; and also to take courses in hygiene, bandaging and the care of the sick.
Later
I
thoroughly
should like
my own
in Holland, because
to
language course.
take a
want
mother tongue.
I
Holland seems
me
to
How
we
greet each other
what you will say
And
I
to
me
at first:
go on with
in all respects a
place of preparation for the great task which shall
to
First
my
suitable
at last?
"But child how
stout
I
know
exactly
you have grown!"
shall whisper between two hugs, "I have grown old, both out-
wardly and inwardly, but that
little
spot in
my
heart where love
written in golden letters remains the same, for ever young." 1
studies
more
would undertake.
I
when we meet
learn
to
To Mevrouw Ovink-Soer.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;91â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
XIV
^
9th January, 1901.
NEW
conditions will
us, is
it
is to
come
in the air;
has been foreordained.
it
And
Emancipation
she whose destiny
be the spiritual mother of the new age must suffer.
eternal law of nature: those
but the child has all others living,
suffering,
it is
Nothing
and yet
into the J avanese world, if not through
through others who will come after us.
to
all
who
its
very existence, above that of
Though
has harassed us.
the
must feel the pain of bearing;
bear,
our love, though
It is
it
has been received through
eternally precious to us.
more miserable than to feel the power Thank God, be condemned to idleness. is
work within
to
one,
this curse
has been
from Jena, Dr. Anton, with
his wife,
taken from me.
A
short while ago, a professor
was here with us; he was travelling
came here I
am
to
make our
in
pursuance of his studies.
They
acquaintance.
afraid that people see too
much
in
me.
I
am
certain that they
allow themselves to be misled through the charm of novelty and per-
haps also through sympathy.
We
are a novelty to
many
people, es-
from a distance, to whom everything that is new is more or less attractive. The professor expected us to be half savage, and found us quite like ordinary people. The strangeness was all in
pecially to those
1
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;92â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
our head-dress, clothes and surroundings, and these merely gave to the
common
place a stamp of individuality.
not pleasant to find one's
Is it
And when
the other is a stranger,
own
thoughts reflected in another?
some one of another
race,
from an-
other part of the world, of different blood, manners and customs,
adds
charm of kinship of
to the
am
Still I
us,
we had worn
if
kabaja; had Dutch manners, and
had flowed through our
Our
much
convinced that not a quarter so
been taken of
friends
made
it
but
soul.
if
would have
notice
petticoats instead of sarong
and
European instead of Javanese blood
veins.
among them that "De Wapens Neer Gelegd"
us a present of several books;
splendid work by Baroness von Suttner,
(Lay down your arms). I
have read several other books, among which "Moderne Maagden"
impressed
me
most, because
thought and experienced.
I
had found
in
to express his ideas, I think his
where have
I
much
that great I
seen the aim of the
truth
and power.
problem as
do not take
childish
mockery
myself had
that I
truth,
book very beautiful.
and No-
"Woman's movement" expressed with
Still I
am
just as far
from
the solution of
was before making the acquaintance of "M. M."
—and
amiss that the writer
it
—
I
much
Marcel Prevost has spoken the
knows how so
it
*
this not in
represents all opponents of the
a spirit of
woman's movement
with the exception of Fedi and Lea, as absolutely base and detestable.
What
splendid words he puts into the mouth of the lovable and deformed
apostle of feminism
—
Piruet
—
at the
—words
end of the book
express clearly the whole aim of the woman's movement. a double pleasure in this book because a Just before I read 1
man
"Moderne Maagden,"
Dutch version of " Les vierges
fortes "
I
thought of
wrote long
by Marcel Prevost.
—93—
I it
which
have taken
and wrote
letters to
it.
my two
LETTERS OF A Now
best friends here.
under
its influence.
that is in the I is
wish that
much
so
in
I
I
want
want
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
to write to
them again while
to point out the analogies
book and both the intimate
I
am
still
between much
letters.
me
I
had some one here
it
that I should like to discuss with
to talk to
about "M. M."
There
some one of experience
and understanding. I
have a great deal
native girls.
It is
to tell
now
you about
the establishment of schools for
generally discussed but
I
must be brief today.
The plan of Dr. Abendanon was looked upon with interest by every one. Many influential European oflicials gave it their warm support, and it is upon them its success depends. We have many friends among the high European officials and these are striving with Dr. Abendanon to lift our native women out of their age-long misery. There are also many unknown to us personally who are deeply interested in the cause. I shall send you a circular by Dr. Abendanon addressed to the heads of the provincial Government, concerning the establishment of these schools. of
woman
"The
"In
all
intellectual education of the Javanese people
woman is "The woman
if the
heart beat
ages the progress
has been an important factor in the civilization of a people."
to
be
left
can never progress
behind."
as the carrier of civilization."
Stella,
does not your
warmly for our friend?
For the last year there has been great progress among the natives. They are growing more earnest and are interested in the study of your beautiful language.
Many Europeans
see this with regretful eyes.
Although there are others who are noble-minded and In
many
cities
and they are
rejoice.
small Dutch schools have sprung up like mushrooms,
filled
with
little
children as well as with grown men,
have been for years in the service of the
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;94â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
state.
who
LETTERS OF A Influential
men
in the
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Government, with the Governor-General at
their head, are strongly in favour of spreading the
Dutch language
among
means of bring-
the natives, not only for enlightenment but as a
ing the Javanese nearer to the Hollanders; so that these last not as strangers, but as loved protectors.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;95â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
may
seem,
WE
21 January, 1901. went
at
bathe.
midday to the shore with Mevrouw Conggrijp to was splendidly calm, and the sea was all one
It
colour.
on a rock with
I sat
giving and peace were in
my
heart.
•
I
feet in the water,
and
I
think
if I
it
If we go to Mother Nature away uncomforted.
such a high, holy task that
myself
sin to dedicate
to
it,
and not be able
thought otherwise,
for
I
would be a
I feel that it
to
fill
in
my
account to the
should be a teacher without worth.
Education means the forming of the mind and of the soul.
mind
that with the education of the plete.
The duty of forming
the letter of the law, but
do this? I
my
have thought so long and so much about education, especially of
utmost;
to
and
Thanks-
so beautiful!
is
•••••••••
consolation she will not allow us to go
late,
my
Oh! the world
eyes on the distant horizon.
I
who am
often hear
grows of
itself;
it
it is
still
the character a
but
I
is
moral duty.
his; I
it is
I
feel
not com-
not included in
ask myself
when
the
mind
is
if I
am
able
cultivated, the spirit
have seen for a long time that that
and
is
so uneducated myself.
asserted that
case, that education
the task of the teacher
intellect are not
But one must not judge those whose
is
not always the
always a patent of morality.
spirits
remain unawakened, who
lack the higher education of the soul, too harshly; in most cases the
iTo Mevrouw Abendanon.
—96—
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS Great care has
fault lies not in themselves, but in their bringing up.
been taken in the cultivation of the understanding, but in the cultivation of the character, none! I
subscribe
warmly
Mijnheer's idea, which
paper on the "Education of Native Girls,"
in his
is
is set
forth so clearly
"Woman
as the Carrier
Not because she has always shared the fate of man,
of Civilization!"
and
to
a partner in his destiny, but because as
I
too
am
firmly convinced,
she has a great and far-reaching influence, which can be for either good
or evil; and because she, most of
all,
can help toward the spiritual
regeneration of the world.
Man
receives
from woman
his very earliest nourishment, at her
breast, the child learns to feel, to think
more
and
to
speak and ;
see
more and
clearly that the very earliest education has an influence
extends over one's whole after teach their children
There
women,
life.
But how can the native
when they themselves are
so far as
number of
which
women
so ignorant?
great interest in education in the whole world of native
is
we know
it.
Many
wish that they might be children
again, so that they might profit by this opportunity.
tricts
I
And
splendid! the
native scholars at Parti, Kodoes, Japara and the other dis-
are the
first
visible foreshadowings of success.
Already there are
girls' schools among the people and their number is increasing. Tomorrow my mother will send a little girl (half orphan and child of her Anek Mas ) to school and last month our parents sent a good
some
^
studious boy to learn to read in Dutch. 1
Foster nurse.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;97â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
—
XVI
^
31st January^ 1901.
TURN my light, as
I
face pensively to the far away, staring into the blue
though
I
expected
tuous questions of
my
to find there
My
soul.
journey through the vast heavens
till
green leaves of the cocoanut trees.
an answer
to the
tumul-
eyes follow the clouds as they
they disappear behind the waving I
see the glistening leaves painted
with the gold of the sun, and suddenly the thought comes, "Ask them
why
does the sun shine?
sun!
What
and tended and warmed by your
Do
My
not be distressed dear,
life shall
done.
I
if
it
so!
—and
my
golden
light."
is
I
would have them.
always something
Those who seek God do not
these are to be found at
else.
"
as well.
to
be
live in vain
find happiness, truth
Modjowamo
perhaps there sooner than somewhere
never be dismayed!
sun,
be worthy to be shone upon,
things do not go as
and whosoever seeketh after God will soul
may
not have been in vain: there
will have
my
sends his rays?
shall strive to live so that I
I
and peace of
Who knows?
Never be discouraged;
We are only thankful that in
any event a beginning
has been made, that the foundations of our freedom and independence are being built. 1
To MevTouw Abendanon.
2
In the Residency of Soerabaja.
station in Java.
had
It
ofifered to train
The most important
includes schools and hospitals.
Kartini as a mid-wife,
if
A
as well
her plan of going
—98—
as
the oldest mission
medical missionary at to
Modjowamo
Holland should
fail.
:
XVIP 19 March, 1901.
Honoured HIGHLY For
Dr. Adrian!
a long time
things,
have wanted
I
among them
to write to you,
but several
the indisposition of almost all of
my
family, have prevented me.
Now
that the
whole kaboepatin, great and small,
in excellent health, I shall not allow this letter to
unwritten.
expected
it
It
First of all to
has been in
I
want
to
my
sister
The
three of us were
We
matter.
my thoughts
Forgive
as well.
send
me
so long,
is
again rejoicing
remain any longer
and doubtless you have
for the delay.
my
hearty thanks for your amiable letter
Roekmini, and for your kindness in sending the books. think
made
so
happy by them, and are
still
splendid that you should think of us.
it is
for that
We
also
think and speak of you and of your Toradjas,^ of your work, and of
everything that
we
discussed that evening at the Abendanons'.
The
hours that we spent in your company are among the most delightful
memories of our
We
Batavia.
visit to
hope with our whole hearts that will not be our only meeting,
we may see you often again. What a pleasure it would be to us, if some day we might bid you welcome to Japara. We have much sympathy for the work of the Christian missionaries in Dutch India, and we admire the nobility of heart of those who have but that
established themselves in the most remote stretches of wilderness, far 1
A
race in middle Celebes
among whom
Dr. Adriani worked.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;99â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
from
their o^mi countr}'
and kindred, and from
ions,
and cut themselves
off
from
the world in
congenial compan-
all
which by virtue of
and education they would have an honourable
ability
light into the lives of fellow
men
called
birth,
position, to bring
by the cultivated world "sav-
ages."
We
read both your letters with deep interest and
for telling us so
much
tliat
was
am
I
grateful to
you
and of which we were
interesting,
ignorant.
In the
1896 we had
memory
and pleasure of witnessing
the privilege
That was the dedication of the new church
was the
first
a solemnity
of which will probably remain with us all of our lives. at
Kedoeng Pendjalin.
It
time that we had ever been in a Christian church, and at a
Christian service, and what
we saw and heard
there
made
a deep im-
it is still fresh in my memory. The spacious building was decorated with green foliage and the singing which echoed under the high roof was beautiful. With the reverent
pression upon us.
It w^as
attentive multitude
we followed
long ago, but
the
words which came forth from the
chancel in pure Javanese.
Besides the Heer Hubert, there were three missionar}- students,
preached upon the occasion; and
moment
it
was certainly not the
of the whole solemn service,
when an old
to
so impressive that the occasion has always
solemn
decrepit Javanese
stood up to speak of his faith to his fellow-countr}-men.
was
least
who
Everviiiing
been a memorable one
me. It
first
was on
that
time since
We
morning
my
that
had seen the outside world again for the
I
school-days.
read in the paper under the sailing news that
again in India, so she will be with you for your sake,
when
w"e
read
it.
very' soon.
This letter
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;100â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
as
Mevrouw was back
We
were right glad
though we made you
LETTERS OF A and Mevrouw a not the
visit
still
VANESE PRINCESS
of felicitation upon her return, to wish her,
unknown Toradjas very happy
though we are
JA
to her, a
to
hearty welcome to Mapane.
al-
Are
have their "Mother" among them again?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;101â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
a
'
XVIII 20th May, 1901.
HAVE
been through so much
my
in
nothing in comparison with what
I
dreadful days of Father's
There were hours when
I
young
pity
I
was without
will, but
me."
My
Father smiled when
I
is all
as
last
trembled with inward
"Come what may," I let
and told him how pleased you were with
—
Father see your
his portrait.
Father
him on the floor, his hand resting that I spoke to him of you. told him of your enthusiastic expression of
upon a lounging chair; upon my head; it was thus lay
it
birthday was a double feast
celebration also of Father's restoration to health. present,
but
illness.
pain and the lips that had defiantly proclaimed
now stammered "God
life,
have suffered in these
I sat
sympathy for him, and with
next to
that smile on his face,
and certainly with
a thought for the distant and loved friend of his child,
my
sick one
slept.
See how near you are that
it
to
me, Stella
—
to us.
was not lack of affection which kept
me
Do you
believe
now
silent for so long,
and
can you forgive that silence now? Let
me
which have added so
my
heart in thought.
and heart
1
If I could only see
to heart, so that I
so full of sadness.
is
you now for your friendship and your love, much to my life, and let me now press you fast to
earnestly thank
could open
Stella,
my
my
Stella, I
To Mejuffrouw Zeechandelaar.
—102—
you
in reality, face to face
soul to you
—my
should be so glad
soul which if I
could
LETTERS OF A make you happy ings that we had
An
VANESE PRINCESS
with but one rejoicing succeeded, that
stead this bears a complaint;
must be
JA
I
letter,
cheer you with the
we had reached our
do not like
to
complain but the truth
told.
unexpected turn has come in our affairs the question ;
than ever;
difficult
it is
There
times
a duty which
is
filial love, it is
extremes
and there
We
—
thought that
Father's health
Do you know what
is
such that he
that
to the fulfillment of
all
It is
Some-
means?
is
subject
We
are de-
our dearest wishes, and
"What
who wait grope round
we had from our way. The
a bitter awakening after
stumbling blocks had been cleared
poor, tortured heart cries out,
We
a detestable evil called egoism!
where the good ends, and the bad begins.
are again far away.
while those
a high holy duty
delivered over to the pleasure of blind fate.
have stood so close
now we
is
a certain distance, and then the boundary between the two
to severe heart attacks.
fenceless
is
hardly visible.
is
now more
and— OUR HANDS ARE BOUND.
called gratitude; there
is
so difficult to see
One may go
is
a matter of standing or falling, of blessed suc-
cess or of complete undoing,
called
tid-
Alas, in-
goal.
is
my
duty?" and no answer comes,
in deepest darkness.
can no longer seek for consolation in that splendid plan of the
Government
to
open a school which would educate the daughters of
Regents to become teachers; nothing will ever come of Regents whose consent had
to
it.
For many
be obtained, declared themselves against
any innovation that would interfere with the custom of secluding young girls, and releasing them from their imprisonment by allowing them to go away from It
home
to school.
has been a hard blow for us, for
Adieu
illusions
we had
—adieu golden dreams of
beautiful to be true.
—103—
built all
our hopes upon
the future!
You were
it.
too
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS and take pleasure in the thought of how your eyes heard the splendid news. And now the whole you would shine when proposal has evaporated like smoke has gone to the moon. I
used to
sit
idly
—
I
are
the matter stands; our friends at Batavia
do not know exactly how away on a journey, but it goes
Now
very, very badly.
for the domestic school for native girls should be in the
down through nothing
My
if
same
the plan case, put
the unwillingness of the parents themselves, there will be
left.
fingers
bum
to write
about the splendid plans of the Director of
Education, and about the proposed education of Regents' daughters
be teachers, but
I
remain
idle.
portant subjects, least of all
Many is
I
must not express
my
opinions on im-
through means of the press.
persons in our immediate surroundings
know nothing
of what
One
brooding and raging within us; they know nothing of our plans.
of our acquaintances
who comes
to the
house often, read in the news-
papers about the proposed school for Regents' daughters, and said to sisters, that
would be
band would urge me to
me
just the thing for to
I let
him
my
me, and that she and her hus-
think seriously about
it!
of the same thing, and with a blank face,
nothing,
to
Her husband spoke as though knowing
speak.
Both husband and wife are enthusiastic for the work of emancipating He is a government official, and for that reason can the native woman.
do much for our cause. both be able to do
We
will soon be promoted,
much more
and then they will
for our people.
have devised a plan for her, and she and her husband have
tened to to invite
come
He
to
lis-
When
he becomes Assistant Resident, she is it with interest. the little daughters of the native officials serving under him to her house on certain fixed days, and give them instruction in
handiwork and cooking; perhaps also
—104—
in reading
and writing.
That
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
would be a useful and beneficent work; the lady
is
delighted with the
idea. I
have naturally told her much about you.
member
pleasure a
two
of the Onderlinge Vrouwenbescherming.
daughters in Holland
little
She will become with
;
one wishes
to
She has
^
become an advocate, and
the other too will study a profession. I
told her that
was
it
whatever capacity,
to
my
spend
earnest wish before first at least
started out in life in
I
half a year at work in a hospital
now if sickness should fall under my hands, I should not know which way to turn. She said at once that her brother-in-law who is a doctor, would help to initiate something of the care of the sick because
to learn
me
The doctor
into the secrets of sick nursing.
no Javanese and very broken Malay.
by acting as
I
a newcomer, speaks
is
can be of service to him in turn
interpreter, for a large majority of his patients are either
natives or Chinese. I
am
thinking seriously of this plan of spending some time in a
hospital,
would add a great deal
it
dered over
it
What do you
long.
to
my
education
think of it?
;
Oh
I
have
it is
have
experience.
know how
to
Those who watch suffer even more than the patient
alleviate that pain. I
and pon-
misery on top
of misery to see some one suffer frightful pain, and not to
himself.
sat
sat
by many
sick beds, even as a child,
The idea of studying nursing came
to
me
and speak from at the bed-side
of a dear one.
Later
I
shall speak out
regard to the education of
and say frankly what girls.
I shall
I
have
in
my
knowledge of hygiene and of the structure of the human body
want
to see
school,
which
I
1
heart in
plead for the importance of a to
women.
hygiene and physiology placed on the curriculum of the is to
be erected.
Society for the Protection of Fallen
Poor bunglers, eh? who after so much Women.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;105â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS What an
hodge-podge must gulp down those subjects. Institute for Native
Young Ladies
ideal school that
Science, cooking, house-
will be!
keeping, handiwork, hygiene and vocational training; all must be there! It is
only a dream, but
What
I
let
us
dream
if it
makes us happy.
Why
not?
have written thus far for the public has been but nonsense,
suggested by some special happening or other. serious subjects, alas! selves loose
Later,
when we
I
may
never mention
shall have wholly wrested our-
from the iron grip of age-long
traditions,
it
will be dif-
ferent. It
would be
different now,
our dearest parents.
were
it
not for the love which
Father would not be pleased
if
the
daughter should be rolled under the tongues of men.
wholly free and independent,
So
till
When
I
I
write something in which
deepest convictions are expressed,
I
I
myself
I shall
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;106â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
name
When
and say what
shall speak out
that time comes, patience, Stella, for
we have
I
for
of his I
am
think.
cannot send you nonsense.
am
send
pleased, in which
it
to you.
my
XIX ^
WE
10th June, 1901.
know what Borel has
written on the gamelan (he calls
Do you know
soul music).
"Het Jongetje"
is
his
"Droom
Tosari"
uit
Many
charming.
unwholesome, but we enjoy him.
and
other things by
"De
One must be an
artist,
is still finer,
or at
think Borel morbid and
in that
he writes of the won-
How much we enjoyed
have been subjected
least,
it
as well?
laatse incarnatie" is very fine,
derful natural beauty of Java's blue mountains. it!
him
to
a lively
dose of artistic feeling to see and take pleasure in the beauties of
Mother Nature, and
to
be able to express
one must be a dear privileged
muses have pressed a I
hope some day
musical language; of
I
me happy above
an
upon whose forehead the to
shall not let the chance go
To be
everything.
study your beautiful,
by without making use
able to read and write
And
master the German language then
it
not be a good idea? into use,
in fine, clear style; such
have an opportunity
to
come
it
child,
kiss.
to
you may be assured.
it,
human
if I
it
would make
should ever be so fortunate as
I shall
go and look for you.
Will
In the meantime flying machines will have
and on some golden day you will see one of them
flutter
over Jena's blue horizon bringing a guest from afar! I
should indeed have been
able to carry out some of 1
my
To Professor and Mrs. G. K. Anton
bom
a boy; then, perhaps,
high-flying plans. of Jena.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;107â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Now,
I
should be
as a girl, in our
LETTERS OF A present native civilization,
down
How
a turnpike.
is
VANESE PRINCESS
almost impossible to take a
little
walk
can anything else be expected, when in Europe,
the centre of civilization,
been so long and so
it
JA
strife
should have
good right of the woman?
Could one
and of enlightenment, the
bitter for the
in earnest expect that India, uncivilized, unenlightened, slumbering India, should take
should as
it
well that her daughters,
women who
through cen-
had been looked upon as beings of a lower order
turies
I
not say
human
it
—
yes,
why
as soulless creatures, should suddenly be regarded
who have
beings,
—
a right to independent ideas, to freedom of
thought, of feeling and of conduct?
Alas! nothing will
come
from which we expected
so
of that splendid plan of the Government,
much; nothing
majority of native chiefs opposed
will
Adieu
it.
come of
it
because the
Ah!
illusions!
I
have
often thought and repeated aloud, that dreams and ideals were useless ballast in our Native civilization, a superfluous
But that says the mouth alone,
and dangerous luxury!
at the instigation of the cold
understand-
makes no impression upon that stupid crazy thing, the heart. For dreams of freedom have taken such deep root in our hearts, that ing.
It
they are never more to be uprooted without making desolate the soil
from which they have sprung. I
to
think
my
it is
very good of you to give yourself such concern in regard
future.
I
am
sadness concerning
We know
going hand in hand through disappointment! with roses
;
it is
with love and a It
But oh, do you know nothing but
deeply grateful.
me?
The way
what awaits
life that for
us.
We
three are
us will be full of struggle and
we have chosen is certainly not strewn filled with thorns, but we have chosen it out of love, and joyous mind we shall follow it. that
leads to the raising of thousands and thousands of poor oppressed
and down-trodden
souls,
our
sisters;
it
leads toward freedom and happi-
—108—
LETTERS OF A ness for millions.
brought
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
For our fellow countrymen too will inevitably be
to a higher moral condition, and then they will work with us
That giant's work
on that eternal work of striving for perfection.
at
which through the centuries the noblest and best have toiled, trying to lead mankind upward toward the light, and in short, to bring our beautiful earth nearer to Heaven.
Is not that
worth striving for
all one's
life?
dream of "Tiga Soedara," the three Javanese sisters in the distant sunny land. Oh, could we but go to the land of changing seasons, the land of warmth and cold, the fatherland of learning, to prepare ourselves there for the good light that we wish to make for the Above all the mind future happiness and well-being of our people. the
It is
should be cultivated, before one can do good.
do good and
that to
think that that
to
be
takes the greatest
it
we human beings
wisdom
all feel in us, to
to
overcome the opposing forces
temper them, and
may work harmoniously
so that they
Although people assert
intellectual are two different things; but I
together.
I
to regulate
them
have seen so often
does more harm than good.
do good ignorantly, Must you then remain always unattainable for us? who long for you with heart and soul. that to try to
Europe!
But
—
to
I
do not believe in repining.
Life
is
too beautiful
—
We,
too splendid
be wasted in complaints about things which can never be changed.
Let us be thankful for the
stowed upon
us.
many
blessings that the good
God has
be-
Are we not fortunate above thousands and thousands
of others, in the possession of our dear parents, good health, and in a
number
of
little
When we ful that
blessings,
which make up the sum of our daily lives?
have enjoyed the music of singing birds then we are thank-
God has
not created us deaf!
ingen, that idyllic spot by the sea,
When we
are at Klein Scheven-
where everything breathes quiet and
—109—
LETTERS OF A and
peace,
watch
JA
sun
the
go
cannot be grateful enough that
and a
who
down,
whom
my
the days
there are
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Heaven above
a joyful thanksgiving
may, and
heart, thanksgiving that I
For there are many who cannot.
much.
in the
prayer of thanksgiving toward the invisible Great Spirit
still
from
we
that
eyes to enjoy the beau-
created everything and governs everything
rises
we know
then
we have good
which plays upon the golden water, and
tiful light it!
VANESE PRINCESS
am
able to see so
Not only the poor people
to
and nights are as one, an impenetrable blackness, but
many who
are in full possession of their faculties, yet never
see.
And we
realize
how
men, and gratitude for But
is it
privileged
we
not a sad thought that
others, in order to appreciate
many
are above so
all the blessings of the
good God
we must be reminded
of our fellow fills
our souls.
of the lack in
our own advantages?
There are many educated native women; many, many cleverer and
more
who have been hampered not at minds, who could have become anything
talented than we,
tion of their
all in the cultiva-
that they would,
and yet they have done nothing, have attempted nothing that could lead to the uplifting of their sex,
back wholly into the old
and of their
civilization, or
They have
race.
gone over
eans; in both cases being lost to their people to
been a blessing, those
who
if
they had but willed
No law commands
fortunate?
did
I
me
come
babble?
your two
whom it
Europ-
they could have
not the duty of all
are educated and on a higher plane to stand by with their
greater knowledge and seek to lighten the
Forgive
Is
it.
either fallen
to that of the
if I
to
letters
but
it is
have tired you by writing
take up
Forgive
this,
way
me,
so
but
much
for those
who
are less
a moral duty. at too great length.
How
of your valuable time with the
you yourself are not without blame;
which are lying before
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;110â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
me
are
so
sympathetic;
LETTERS OF A when
I
JA
read their cordial words,
and that
is
what
it is
have imagined
I
VANESE PRINCESS as though I
all the
time that
had you before me, I
have been writing.
That one of Java's volcanoes on the Eastern cape has broken out frightfully,
and
cost
many
lives,
you
others, so I shall not write of that.
volcanoes are
The
now
active.
will certainly have learned
According
to the papers,
from
two other
Oh, inscrutable, beautiful blue mountains!
May, for the observation of which scientists from all over the world came to Java, we could scarcely see here at all, owing to the unfortunate weather. The day was cloudy and there was, and is still rain. But what was vexation to us, was a blessing eclipse of the sun on the 18th of
to the farmers!
made very happy by the good rain which and so much depends upon that. So much
Father was
refreshed the thirsty fields,
can depend upon a single shower of rain, woe or weal to hundreds, yes to thousands.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Ill-
XX June
DEAR
me
begin by sending you both, in the
ters too, heartfelt wishes of
sweet fine
We
healthy
,
hope from our hearts
does our
eager,
that; the
De
child!
ending
in the last
may become
my
just such a
who
will
new
dignity of big brother?
grow
time into a
in
The
little
is
Genestet has written such a beautiful
sad but
two couplets
naturally you
one
U
God
know
be fulfilled for your
the lines yourself,
der lente spreide
^
der liefde leide
sachtkens, trouw en goed!
1
To Mevrouwde
2
"May
the
too
fervently hope that the prayer of the poet
I
may
rozen voor den voet
De God
U
is
poem about
I
May
child.
Although
cannot help repeating them
again here: 'De
sis-
right proud.
play with Alfred right away?
to
of
not true?
is it
A May
he
that
friend act under his
little
Does he not want
name
happiness on the birth of your
fellow as his brother,
little
man, and make you both
How
1901.
Hilda:
Let
second son.
6,
God
Bloei in
uw vader's gaarde, uw moeders zij
Bloei aan
Hiui schoonste bldem op aarde, Gij,
knaapje van den Mei!"
Booij-Boissevain. of springtime spread,
Roses before your
feet,
May the God of love lead and Keep you gentle, true and good!
Bloom in your father's garden, Bloom at your mother's side, The loveliest flower on earth to them, Thou little blossom of May!"
-112â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A I
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
hear you laugh when you have read the verses,
do not be surprised at them,
all
old aunts
mental, and to that category belongs she
—113—
how
foolish,
become more or
who now
writes.
Eh? but
less senti-
XXP
WE
1st of
Javanese cannot live without flowers and sweet odours.
The native flowers
in their
splendour awaken in
world of thought and feeling whenever
perfume.
Days afterwards
it
lives in
Javanese blood coursing through used
to
—what has become
made
It is
veins.
Oh
I
and
soul of
a
breathe in their I
feel the strong
my
people, that
of you?
What have
time and slothfulness
of you?
we
so often said that
hearts.
Sad thought!
We
ropean ideas and feelings live
my
my memory,
me
be too beautiful, that was full of kindness, poetry, gentleness and
modesty not
August, 1901.
are
more European than Javanese
know
—but
that
we
in
our
are impregnated with Eu-
the blood, the Javanese blood that flows
and warm through our veins, can never
die.
We
feel
it
in the
smell of incense and in the perfume of flowers, in the tones of the
wind through the tops of the cocoa-nut
gamelan,
in the sighing of the
trees, the
cooing of the turtle doves, the whistling of the fields of rip-
ened
rice, in the
pounding of the haddi-blokken
^
at the
time of the rice
harvest.
Not for nothing have we passed our whole
lives
amid surroundings
where everything depends upon form; we have learned the emptiness of those forms, their lack of meaning and of substance; there in the Javanese people. 1
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
2
In Java the rice
noise
made by
is
We
is
beaten from the husks by great wooden mortars.
these on the sawahs
much good
are so anxious for you to admire our peo-
(rice fields)
monotonous cadence.
—114—
The pounding
at the time of the harvest
produces a
LETTERS OF A When
pie.
I
VANESE PRINCESS
some
see something fine,
"How
liarly Javanese, then I think
were with
JA
She would be pleased
us.
who has wide open Our little Javanese
she
trait of character, that is
glad
should be
I
at this thing,
eyes for everything that
is
you
wood-carver-artist as
would appreciate
Wajang
on
all
call
There
ornamented with wajang which
is
is
a case designed to protect
The box
figures.
gathered and pleated, and
native workmanship.
designed
to
Indeed
it
Wajang
is
it is
it,
which
is
also
lined with orange satin,
is
set off
by a
silver rim, also of it
is
hold the portraits of the Regents of Java and Madeira, to her.
This
The Regent of Garoat ordered
pretty idea.
1
carved upon
^
ought to be very beautiful, for
which the queen has ordered sent free play.
made
him, has
on the cover, on the outside and inside both, and
figures
four walls.
it,
noble."
something very beautiful with the whole wajanghistory it.
pecu-
Mevrouw A.
if
I
might spend as much as
the Javanese drama,
a traditional institution in
its
it
is
I
the
mark of homage box and
I
is
a
was given
liked for both objects.
very ancient and in the 9th century was already
present form.
It
presents always the romantic legends or
sagas of the Island, though some of the stories are versions of those in
Hindu mythology
and were introduced after the Hindu occupation of Java. There are three principal forms of wajang, the most common is the wajang kelitik or little wajangs, puppets made of leather. The master of the show or delang manipulates the strings and recites the lines behind the scenes. Sometimes the performances last from 7.30 in the evening until 6 in the morning. The wajang topeng or lyric drama existed in the year 1000 and probably earlier. The performers are men and women wearing grotesque masks. Animal masks such as tigers,
elephants, wild boars, birds,
actors play
etc.,
are often worn.
In the presence of royalty the
unmasked.
The wajang beber
is
of very early origin
and
is
a shadow play, shadows of marionettes
being shown through a white cloth.
At the time
of the
Mohammedan
conversion of the Javanese to to
conform with the
conquest in the 15th century and after the forcible
Mohammedanism, an
Mohammedan law which
effort
was made
to
change the wajangs
forbade the representation of
human
beings,
hence the introduction of the grotesque contorted masks stiU in use. Wajang performances are always accompanied by gamelan music, explanatory verse and a chorus with chants.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;115â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
XXII
'
August 19, 1901.
YOU
must have thought
so long after
it
ungracious of
your charming
letter
ing the dear kiekje, which silence has not been
sisters.
It
was so warm,
we could
der and read
this.
will never hear
doing now
is
it
I
is
was not hard
any praise from me, ill
of
my
dear
I
may
to
exaggerate a
assure you.
What we
little
Just
the one
little
sick
indisposi-
now one
my
of
shoul-
The children
But what
am
I
look upon today as
be an accomplished
us.
It
is
fact.
strongly combated by the inherent love
There will be a hard
before these hoary ideas and customs shall be deeply buried in
the ground, never again to rise. 1
The
a restlessness in our native civilization, the spirit of progress
which the Javanese has for the ancient "laws." fight
in send-
little sisters?
impossible in this world.
moving among
is
of her time taken up with the
all
have seen so troubled, peeped over
an impossibility, tomorrow
There
silent for
and your goodness
Child, child, what do you gain by it?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;speaking
Nothing
remain
have enjoyed so much.
not help spoiling our invalids.
which
the pairs of eyes
to
from lack of appreciation, but because
wholly sound Kartini had
tion, so that
I
me
To Mevrouw H.
G. de Booij-Boissevain.
-116â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
'
XXIII
August, 1901.
SHOULD
I
be so glad, so happy,
form
children's hearts, to
if I
little
minds, to help to mould the
could be in a position to lead
awaken young
characters, to
women
of the future
able to carry forward enlightenment like a torch.
who
There
will be is
much
misery in our Javanese woman's world, there has always been so much suffering, so
much
bitterness.
The only road which one of noble birth,
From
is
man, but oh, so
open
we know
Javanese
girl,
and above
of the horrible misery of the
Mohammedan
bitterly
all to
men, and then
woman
institutions that are so easy for the
hard and miserable for her.
"She soon grows accustomed the wise
to a
marriage.
far and near
caused by certain
lies
"We
to
it,
she finds that
it
is
should have no more peace
nothing," say if
we put such
ideas into her head."
Let me, a child of Java, nourished at her breast, all
her
life,
assure you that the native
that can feel
women have
and suffer as well as the most
who has
lived here
honest, simple hearts
delicate, sensitive
woman's
heart in your country.
But here there
is
a suppressed suffering which consumes
itself.
For
she feels herself powerless and defenceless through her ignorance and inexperience. 1
To Mevrouw Van
Kol.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;117â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A The old and she
is
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Fatima's bridegroom takes a
traditions speak.
asked by the prophet what she feels:
new wife
"Nothing, Father,
nothing," she declared.
And
banana
formerly fresh and green, withered, and the
tree; the leaves,
while saying this she leaned against a
trunk against w^hich her body rested shrivelled into ashes.
Again
the Fadier asked her
what she
felt
and she
"Nothing, Fa-
said,
ther, nothing."
The Father gave her he asked her
to give
a
it
raw egg and bade her hold
back
him, he broke
to
it
against her heart;
it
open and the egg was
cooked.
The Eastern woman's heart has not changed. Many think it an to tolerate w^th unmoved countenances the one or more women
honour their
husbands have brought home, but do not ask what
that iron
is
hidden behind
mask, or what the walls of their dwellings could
eyes of the world are removed.
Tliere are so
when
tell
the
many burning women's
hearts, with poor, innocent, suffering, childlike souls.
And
it
awakened
was the misery in
me
and substitute
Our work
that I saw, even in
childish years, that
first
justice for old tradition.
will
have a
tvvo-fold aim, first to help to enlighten all
people, and secondly to raise
be treated as
my
the desire to fight against these time-honoured customs,
human
beings.
Java, and the Javanese,
up our
To
sisters, so that
all of
they
may
live
our
and
you who have sympathy for
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;help us
we send an urgent prayer
our ideals; thev mean so much to our people and
to
to realize
our sex.
Raise the Javanese woman, educate her heart and her understanding,
and you will have splendid workers to co-operate with you in your noble work, your giant's work, the work of civilizing and enlightening a whole nation.
Teach her a
trade, so that she will
no longer be powerless when her
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;118â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A command
guardians
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
her to contract a marriage which will inevitably
plunge her and whatever children she
may
The only escape from such conditions to
have into misery.
is
for the girl herself to learn
be independent.
There
is
no one yet
who does
it,
who
It is a disgrace for a girl not to
woman. Our idea
is
to open, as
to
it.
remain an unprotected
soon as we have the means, an institute for
the daughters of Native chiefs, life
dares do
marry,
where they will be
fitted
for practical
and will be taught as well the things which elevate the
spirit,
and
ennoble the mind.
Would such
a school succeed?
We
are bold enough to answer
"Yes."
Many
but
only for the accomplishments, and not because they expect
to
it is
of the native chiefs send their daughters to school now,
be of any practical use; or of real benefit to the
Still that
woman
it
herself.
does not minimize the importance of the fact that more and
The many government and Even the Emperor of of this.
more, they are educating their daughters. private schools can testify to the truth
Solo sends his daughters
to school.
In progressive Preanger, where the education of girls a special school for daughters of the nobles, subsidized
ment, has been opened. to a
is
no new thing,
by
the Govern-
There are even Regents' daughters who go
domestic school in a strange place!
Then there are many parents who would like to send their daughters send them where they would have to study with
to school, yet refuse to
boys.
The expense of having
a governess
is
far beyond the
an ordinary native magistrate, only a few are able
means of
to afford
it.
No
wedona who has not an independent fortune can keep a governess for his little daughter.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;119â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
There was a young mother who asked her husband on the last day of her life as a dying request, to carry out one of her dreams, which was, as soon as he should be in better circumstances, to send her
European
ter to the
We and
all
needed
this question,
and also the idea of an independ-
woman, many times with
to take the first step; to set the
think and feel as
cent before that "There
There
is
Education for his daughter
—
I
hope
who
break the bonds in which
But they remain quiesit."
first.
who sought permission from to enter the
medical school.
the Director of
Thrice blessed
of mine, Roekmini, has a great love for painting and
her wish to be able to study at the Art Academy, so that later she
may work art
be
girls
that she will be able to carry out her intentions.
A younger sister is
to
only
thrice blessed daughter! she will be of great sendee to her
country.
it
to
no one now who does
a native chief
is
There are many
it.
holds them cloistered.
There must be some one
is
example, and then the path will
we and who would be glad
Mohammedan law
Father
the wives of native chiefs,
of them have strengthened us in our belief that some one
have been opened and others will follow
the
daugh-
school.
have talked over
ent self-supporting
little
for the development of our native art.
go hand in hand with a people's civilization?
that the Art
Academy was
women
And
if
she found
not the place for her, that she had not
cient talent, then she could go to the
the future
Does not a people's
the worth of
Household School and
suffi-
later teach
money, which would be a very useful
thing for our people.
My
sister
and
I
And what we
should then be able to work together.
are most anxious to have taught in our future schools a knowledge of sanitation and nursing.
be part of one's education.
is
hygiene, and
Hygiene and nursing should
So many misfortunes could have been
—120—
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
averted or at least reduced to a minimum, if every one, men, as well as women, had been taught something of this useful study. It is not in the least our intention to try to make European-Javanese of the Javanese by giving them liberal educations; our idea is to de-
velop the fine qualities that are peculiar to their race; to help them to gain by contact with another civilization, not to the detraction of their
own, but
enoblement.
to its
much
"The Land and People of manner in which the beauty of my country was pictured and its wonder places described. Often an overpowering feeling of happiness comes over us, when we are out in God's free nature. Far from the doings of little souled I
enjoyed your introduction so
Java."
It
warmed my
to
heart to read the charming
men, alone with nature; above our heads the blue heavens and feet the
unfathomable
sea,
behind us waving cocoanut palms.
at
our
Oh! who
would not be happy amid such surroundings? Sometimes
I
am
betrayed into an egotistical thought, "Oh,
let
me
live
alone in this pure atmosphere, far from the noise of the market place,
from worldly is
cares, alone with nature,
pure egoism!
for humanity.
it is
not the voice of
But
I
we
my own
soul!"
That
are meant to live with and
have kept you too long already; you have other
and more useful things mental" Javanese
and with
life,
to
do than
to
read
girl.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;121-
all this prattle
from a
"senti-
XXIV
WE
^
September
we cannot
will not,
believe that our lives
commonplace and monotonous
4,
w^ill
1901. be only
like the lives of thousands
of others before us, and as wall be those of thousands of
those
who come
after us!
ble.
Only once
the fulfilment of our nearest
near;
now
it is
and yet any other destiny seems so improbaand dearest wishes seemed
unattainably far aw^ay.
There are hours when the tortured human heart, torn with doubt,
"My
my
duty?"
Seeing two duties which directly
oppose and antagonize one another.
Yet how can two things that are
cries,
God, what
is
diametrically opposed be called by the same
name?
"Stay," says a voice behind me, "surrender your owti wishes and longings to the will of
him who
dear to you, and
is
dear; the struggle has been good, for
noble your own
spirit.
Stay!"
it
And
to
w^hom you are
has served to strengthen and enthen again,
I
hear another voice
"Go, work for the realization of
ever loud and clear, which says:
your ideals; work for the future; work for the good of thousands w^ho
who have a false conception of Your work will be for all time!"
are bent beneath the yoke of unjust laws,
Go
and
good and
evil.
Which
the higher duty, the
is
There are not
may 1
suffer
many people
be bound together by
fight. first
or the last?
in the w^orld, never
ties
of blood,
To Me\Touw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;122â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
who
mind
how^ closely they
love and understand one
LETTERS OF A another as do
my
We
characters.
Father and
we
much resemblance
is
Oh, why that one, why?
differ.
told us, that in the
is
There
I.
our
in
sympathize in everything with each other; there
only one point where
what
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Is
is
true,
it
whole of wide, wide nature no two things are
absolutely alike?
Father has borne so patiently with
heard a harsh or
ways
gentle.
ago when it
was
I
bitter
word from
Through everything
pressed
him
my
all
I
caprices;
He
his lips.
is
"Are you
have never
me
al-
Some time
feel his great love.
for a decision, he looked at
as if his sad eyes asked,
I
always loving,
so sorrowfully,
in such haste to leave
me,
child?" I
turned away
wanted
My
to
my
head;
I
did not wish to see the dear true eyes;
heart almost broke once, when, as
other, father clasped tion said,
And we
I
be strong and not weak.
"Must
it
be
me so,
we two
stood opposed to each
arms, and in a voice trembling with emo-
in his
child?
Is there
no other way?
Must
it
be?"
stayed there, heart pressed to heart, looking into each other's
eyes.
That was a heavy time, as heavy as a time can well be on It
was shortly before Father's
ing,
Mother said
"I cannot,"
I
to
illness.
Later,
me, "Ah, child, give in
answered
in a
to
when
this earth.
father was recover-
him."
choking voice.
Since then Mother has never spoken about
it
to
ther gives his consent, she will not withhold hers.
me.
She
But when Fais all
love and
tenderness towards us, but that only makes the struggle the harder.
Pain nothing but pain,
is all
that
we have brought
hearts.
-123â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to those true loving
XXV
^
30th September, 1901.
IN
Preanger there are a great
to school,
ance we
many women and
and who speak Dutch.
made
other's language.^
we do not know each we should make an agreeable acour own country, and of kindred race by Our intercourse was cordial, free and un-
Strange! that
means of a foreign tongue. restrained. They are a cheerful people, I
have many things
down my
who have been
talked Dutch with us because
quaintance with people of
write
girls
Most of those whose acquaint-
in
my
mind.
full of jest
Sometimes
my
and merriment.
fingers itch so to
thoughts, to be able to throw them in the faces of the
multitude.
But what good would
that
People would shrug their shoulders,
do?
some of them would laugh, and most of them would take no notice One might as well be an idiot or a simpleton. Perhaps it is better so, for who knows what harm a pen might do in the hands of an inexperienced, uncomprehending hothead.
whatever.
Now
A at
after that tirade, something that
you will think pleasant.
short while ago the Quarteros, with another Comptroller, were
our house.
The gentlemen were speaking of a Regent whom the knew well. "A fine man," we heard him say, and
strange comptroller 1
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
2
In the Preanger Regencies Sundanese
is
spoken ;
that Scotch did to English in the 17th century.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;124â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
it
bears the same relation to Javanese
LETTERS OF A "No, he
then,
sent, just
is
He
VANESE PRINCESS
not married, except to a
woman
an ordinary
children.
JA
he cannot prehe has several
does not intend to marry; he will marry no Raden-Ajoe
because then he would have to send the to a
woman whom whom
of the people by
woman away,
or relegate her
second place, in either case making her miserable, and he will
not do that."
My
heart leapt
when
I
heard
Then there
that.
is
Mevrouw Quartero glanced quickly
heard
that,
at us,
how he
told us afterwards that both she
will rise in their esteem?"
that he will never be turned aside
that
would be a great pleasure
we may some
to
So
from
his
good resolution.
make
us to
too. We hope same mind, and
it is,
his acquaintance;
we hope
day.
The young guard, regardless of
We
and her husband
thinking at the same time, "Should the girls have
fervently that the Regent will always remain of the
It
indeed such an
Splendid!
one!
sex,
should band themselves together.
can each of us do something unaided, towards the uplifting and
civilizing of
multiplied
we were united our strength would be By working together we could gather a goodly
our people, but
many
times.
if
store of fruit.
In union there
is
strength,
and power.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;125â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
XXVI
^
October 11, 1901.
AND
now dear
you
am
friend, I
in strictest confidence
some idea of our
accoucheuses, writers, teachers or
tors,
our own independence and fellow countrymen.
plans.
artists,
As
doc-
we could gain
same time work for the good of our ways now stand open to us and there are
at the
All these
we could be independent.
others too in which
them, because
going to speak of myself and give
But we do not desire
we would only be working
for ourselves, and not for our
we were
apothecaries' assistants, book-
people.
What could we do
for them
if
keepers, telegraph operators, clerks in an
kind?
Those spheres of
full rich lives.
Education,
is
activity
You know
do not
office
or something of that
attract us.
We
want
to lead
the Government, through the Director of
planning to erect schools for native
girls;
and by way of
example a domestic school for the daughters of the nobles.
When we wife asked took
much
heard of
me
if I
this
year from the Director himself, his
in this last school.
I
I
answered that
I
undertaking would be too
had no training and would not be capable of
such a position.
Mevrouw to lead the 1
last
interest in the plan, but that the
great for me, because filling
plan
would teach
said that her husband wanted
young hearts and
to
form
the
To Meiuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;126â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
me
just as I
young
was;
characters, I
to
help
must go
LETTERS OF A among
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the children as an elder sister,
and be an example
to them.
I
highly honoured at the suggestion, but unfitted for the task as
felt
was;
had no
I
right to undertake
must have some preparation, then
normal school
at Batavia, there
only a question of
my
That
When
and she said
to
Batavia
I
my
lap.
I
little
difficulty
really
if I
while to the
about
that,
it
was
wishes.
saw
this
suggestion, you
who was almost
was
know
the Directress of the Girls'
Unsought and unexpected,
thrown into
said that
could go for a
would do everything
that she
This cordiality from one ing.
I
would be no
Father approved of
went
I
my own
Mevrouw
it.
I
in her
a stranger,
power
High School to
help me.
was very encourag-
this offer of assistance
in the clouds
already.
and thought
that
was simply
my
departure
for Batavia was only a question of weeks, or at most, of months. I
have already told you that we are not rich; though Father has a
large income, at the
have only enough
same
had
to give the
cost
my
my
studies
our boys (boys must be
and had made a plan
would not be too great a burden.
It
father twelve hundred florins for one year, a whole
month's income, and no small
my
to give
we
boys good educations.
also thought of the financial difficulties,
so that the expense of
would
and
to live quietly
helped before everything) I
time, his expenditures are great, so that
sum
for a household as large as ours ; so
thoughts turned towards the medical school at Batavia, tuition in
medicine
is
free, at least for
boys (there have never been any
women
One can study medicine at the expense of the The students receive free lodging, a monthly allowance to cover cost of food and clothing, and there is free medical attendance. When I was in Batavia I asked the Director of Education to which department the school of medicine belonged, and if girls would be medical students). country.
admitted to
it.
Dr. A. had nothing against that, but naturally girls
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;127â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A would be special
me upon
admit
My
students.
the
JA
among
how
ably.
the
men
For every one
students.
woman
useful a
doctor would be,
who usually would
of the people,
department of Education would support
no doubt but that the government would receive
it
peti-
favour-
For one who
not yet twenty, seven years of study does not seem so long; but for
one who has already passed that age, full
grown
girl to
have
boys of from thirteen of
my
have already thought much about the medical profession, the
I
length of time required for study alone disconcerts me. is
rather
by a strange man.
If the chief of the
tion there is
women
the
die than be touched
idea was to ask the Government to
same footing as
with any brains at all can see especially
VANESE PRINCESS
men
is
to sit
to eighteen,
and
But these are
not pleasant.
it
And
very long.
is
then as a
in the beginning day after day, between to
be the only
minor
woman
difficulties,
in a circle
which
I
could
force myself to overcome.
There though
should be the only
not
unconditionally.
among
girl
be unheard of here that I
all those
—and my
is
friends are against
it,
Father objects because
I
men and boys,
such a thing would
friends object because they are afraid
would not have the necessary nerve
Medicine
my
something else; Father and
is still
fortunately
to
go through with the studies.
certainly a splendid calling, but not a profession for
every one; a strong will and perseverance are not enough, nerves of steel are also a necessity.
they give
me no
That
is
what worries
my
friends, so that
peace.
Father thinks that teaching would be the best profession for me, as
do also fine
my
friends in Batavia.
work for me, where
I
They think
could spread
my
that
would be a
younger generation, the women and mothers of the
—128—
suitable,
among the future. As a
ideas broadcast
LETTERS OF A teacher, even of a
upon
many would You know my
that
to
little circle,
that little circle,
same
follow
my
want
mon
to
example.
all day, I
As
cceur balance!
at a
one of
it is
It is
time, but I see no reason
do only one thing
direct influence exerted
widen and spread out so
in time,
love for literature;
busy with the children I
would be a
there
which would
accomplish something there.
at the
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
my dreams
true one cannot serve two masters
why
if I
were a teacher, after being
could not work at literature at night.
Entre ces deux
time and do that well.
a doctor or something else, perhaps
not have the opportunity to do that other work of which
my
scribbling with
am
it
evening and
in
it
I
should
so fond,
difficulties
any other way.
something so earnest if I
attempted
it,
and
To me
it
should be with the children
at night I
heavy responsibilities and
exaggerating the
upon
in the
I
because the children would be under
bring with
am
well.
it
the domestic school,
the whole day, even free,
do
is
never be at peace
in itself, that I should
and, felt myself unable to
As a teacher of
I
pen.
But teaching, the bringing up of children,
and sacred
be able
to
my
should not be wholly
Such a post would
care.
Perhaps you think
duties.
I
responsibilities; but I cannot look
would be a crime
to
devote myself
to the bringing
up of
children, future carriers of civilization to the race,
and not
fitted
for that great task, which
my
to
be
is
so high
and holy
in
eyes.
What do you gladly see
me
really think.
here
is
desire for me, Stella?
Which road would you most
me
honestly and frankly what you
started
upon?
You have
Tell
already shown yourself a good true friend;
another opportunity.
There
is still
another profession open to us.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;129â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
A
missionary doctor,
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
unknown to us, but of good name and established reputation, has heard much of us from our friends and has offered of his own
personally
accord, to train us, free of cost, to be accoucheuses.
You will certainly have heard of the great native assembly in Modjowamo ^ in the residency of Soerabaja? The name of this missionary doctor is known in connection with "Work of civilization in India," and with the exhibition of w^omen's work. You must know too that there
is
a cr^'ing need for mid-wives here in India.
Every year
in
Java
and the whole of Netherland-India, about twenty thousand women die and there are on an average
in childbirth,
children; all
from lack of
thirty
thousand still-bom
In that direction there cer-
intelligent care.
tainly stretches out before us a broad field of usefulness
be a blessing to our
We we
take a great interest in this cause, but
said that
was one of our dreams
it
where we could
sisters.
would be one thousand times
it
would be an untruth
if
But
it
to be accoucheuses.
better to be mid-wives than to be de-
pendent, held to narrow household cares tlirough a compulsory marriage.
We
have
father's permission to go to
accoucheuses when
He
closed to us.
thinks that kind of
Our
friends, at
all other
is
Modjowamo and
doors to independence shall have been
strongly opposed to a
work
work would be degrading
first,
study to be
to
of personal sendee; he
our aristocratic hands.
deplored the idea too, but they put their objections
They thought
on such a noble, such a high plane!
that
our desire in this
to lighten the
manner?
Even
way and
looked down upon, more or 1
Modjowamo
is
to
in civilized less.
be examples
would be
it
hard for us because we had other dreams and ambitions.
But would
to others
be reached
Europe, the calling of mid-wife
Would
India with all
the principal mission station in the eastern part of Java.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;130â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
its
is
ceremony
LETTERS OF A and form be able
would only see
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
beauty of the work?
to appreciate the
People here
humbleness; for everything that does not shine,
its
looked upon as of no worth by
my
You
poor countrymen.
is
understand
very well that we personally would be indifferent to the lowliness of our
which that would have, should not be a matter
calling; but the effect
of indifference to us.
we want to break the path to freedom and independence for the Javanese woman, we must set a practical example. And a calling that is looked down upon and considered degrading would not find a following, and we want others to follow in our footsteps. Our example then If
We
must be something that compels respect and inspires emulation. have not only our own wishes
we must reckon with the people whom we wish to enlighten.
to consider,
prejudices and the character of the
Lately in Holland, and especially at the Hague, there has been a
growing movement of
The Association of "The Exposition of Woman's work of
interest in Indian art.
East and West," an offspring of the
which you must know, has as one of
ment of things Indian.
There
is
its
chief purposes, the encourage-
a special division for
art,
composed
entirely of artists of reputation.
They are planning
to
send an
artist to
Indian Art in general, but especially in to protect
it
from
its
and
from
true character.
have already told you that Roekmini has a great love for painting,
and certainly some
come
a painter.
that alas,
may
practical application,
the strange influences, above all those imported
Europe, which would contaminate I
its
India to help the cause of
is
talent in that direction,
Of course
unattainable for her.
be able to help
and
it is
her desire to be-
study in Europe would be necessary and
Perhaps through our own
little sister to
get into comunication with "East
realize her
dream.
and West" and might not
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;131â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
efforts,
we
Could we not
my
sister
LETTERS OF A by
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the help of that association be enabled to study
ing at the Art
academy
at the
and dedicate herself wholly If all
Later she could return to Java
to the art of
her
own
countr)\
our plans should suffer ship-wreck, then Roekmini will
be an accoucheuse.
self to
Hague?
drawing and paint-
or a painter, but whichever she does she will do well. she should study in Europe. in obstetrics
fit
her-
She will become either an accoucheuse In either case
In Holland she could take a full course
and could be of great service
tlien to the
future mothers
of her land.
The doctors here could only
train her to be a mid-wife,
under the direction of a doctor. exalted ideas,
it
would make
To our
a great difference whether an accoucheuse
had been trained here or
in
would not be looked upon
as degraded so
still
to
in
Europe.
With a European diploma, she
much by her work and might
serve as an example, and as a light to be followed.
apply for an appropriation from the government
We
ucation in Holland.
who works
indolent people with their
to
We
are going
pay for her ed-
hope for the assistance of Prof. Hector Treub
Amsterdam, and of Dr.
Stratz in the
Hague, men who have already
broken their lances many times for the cause of obstetrics in India.
Through ignorance of sacrificed
this science,
thousands of lives are needlessly
was coming to
In the general assembly also, attention
every year.
by Van Kol.
It is said that Kamerid is him and to have an opportunity to speak with him; my brother knows him very well. The Government here in India has already taken steps toward the
called to this cause
India;
I
hope
to see
improvement of these sad conditions, of which all doctors
who wish
to
I
have spoken.
wives receive a monthly subsidy from the Government. tive
In Java
charge themselves with the training of mid-
The prospec-
mid-wives receive an allowance during their apprenticeship to cover
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;132â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A the cost of board
and other
JA
VANESE PRINCESS and after they have passed their
necessities,
examinations they are also paid by the Government. After she had completed her studies in Europe, sister Roekmini
would open a
clinic in Java.
There
is
only one fault to be found with
we have here that is obscurity, because teachers to make themselves clearly understood
the teachings of the doctors that it is
by
impossible for the
the students,
;
when they speak
exception, the doctors here have
different languages.
Almost without
command
of our language.
little
or no
Malay and usually very much broken Malay
at that, is the
which the doctors use towards the people.
Hardly a
language
single doctor
speaks Javanese, and so very few of the Javanese people understand
and speak Malay.
The
difficulties
would
fall
away
if
some one
with a thorough knowledge of the native language would undertake the task of training. this,
Roekmini's birth will be of great help
to
her in
for the natives are very loyal to their nobles.
On
the 24th of October, just two
weeks after the interruption of
this
come back to it again. My card, sent meanwhile, will have you of the sad state in which we have been; happily that is now
letter I
told past.
As you know already, Roekmini has been dangerously ill; twice her seemed to hang upon a single thread. Now thank God, she is on Today she the road to recovery and grows each day a little stronger. life
has been out of doors. I
cannot
tell
you how happy and thankful we are
has gone so well with her.
She can now take fill
We
out.
It is
now
countr}'^
—
so
little
Sister Kardinah, too,
is
that everything
on her feet again.
walks and her poor thin cheeks are beginning to
have certainly had our share of suffering.
so unhealthy everywhere
much hangs over you
on account of the drought.
besides sickness.
—133—
Many sawahs
Poor over
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the whole country have been destroyed suffering
toward
is
The
with fear and anguish; there, twenty-six thousand sawahs
have already been destroyed and cholera
come
after the East
West Winds, this
the great drought.
worse in the neighbouring town of Grobogan and we look
Demak
will soon
by
drown
that
is
The West Winds
raging.
Poor country!
the land every year.
that
Winds, dries up and perishes from drought, and after the is
drowned with
misery, but only
But
floods.
shall write
I
no more about
you what has happened during the
tell
last four-
teen days. Sister
Kardinah also wishes
become a
to
teacher,
work
together always and to
side
and has chosen as
Our plan
her specialty domestic science and cooking.
is
to
remain
by side for our common goal; the
education of our people. If fate is propitious
we
open a school,
shall
in
which instruction will
be given along broader lines than mere book education;
it
will include
lessons in handiwork, household arts and kindred subjects, will also be classes in wood-carving
But a course
in domestic science
no opportunity here.
dream was and
and painting, and
can only be taken in Holland
Kleintje's forte to
still is,
impossible for her; so
my
and there
in mid-wifery.
is
really
;
there
is
music and her dearest
become a musician, but that is absolutely little maid has resigned herself to the in-
evitable.
work for our people, and a teacher of the household arts could do a tremendous amount of good. More and more the Government realizes what a great advantage it would be to the people and She
is
so eager to
economy.
their rulers, if they could learn
We may that she
appeal
be placed
domestic economy.
to the
Government on behalf of
at a school
My
Kleintje,
and asked
where she could be qualified
little sister
to teach
wishes to undertake the great task
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;134â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A of teaching the
women and
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
economy and
future mothers of Java
frugality.
Lately the Government has shown that
upon education and enlightenment evinced by
the latest regents'
^
in
it
its
wishes to place a
magistrates; this has been
According
appointments.
regents have been appointed by the law of heredity,
and
there
if
regent
is
is
It is
civilize
to
custom,
from father
to son,
no son available, then some near relative of the
appointed.
was no connection ressive
premium
It
last
has never happened before that the new regent
at all; but the
two newly appointed
and enlightened and have been educated evident that the Government
is
in
men
are prog-
Europe.
in earnest in
its
endeavour
to
and educate the people of Java, and especially the classes from
which the Government servants are recruited.
The Heer Abandanon has said the statement that the intellectual
that there can be
no argument against
awakening of the native people cannot
progress appreciably as long as the
woman
is left
behind in the forward
The education of woman has always been an important
march.
factor
in civilization.
In the last fifteen years, the Government of Netherland-India has sent four
young Javanese
to
Holland
there as teachers so that they
of their fellow countrymen.
would have 1
"
La
at its
own
may come back
expense, to be educated
later to
The Government
work for
the good
realized that their
work
better results if they received their educations abroad.
But
societe indigene est essentiellement aristocratique.
cultive le sol et n'a de plus grande ambition
que
Au-desses du bas peuple qui
celle d'enter
an service du gouverment de
devenir fonctionnaire, s'etage une aristicratie nombreuse dotee de privileges et d'honneurs. Cette aristocratie de naissance engourdie par sa situation privilegie n'a pas su la conserver intacte, et les Hollandais qui se sont
une
aristicratie
appuyes sur
elle
pour gouvemer, out eleve a cote
de merite donnant a des simples parvenues plus capable
postes d'iniative sinon d' apparant."
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;"Java
et
ses Habitants,"
Science Politiques, Paris, 1900.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;135â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
et
d'elle
plus instruits les
by A. Fabert, Annals des
LETTERS OF A the desire to do this did not
gested by those
With us
who had
it is
the
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
come of
men;
itself to these
awakening of India
it
was
sug-
at heart.
In us the impulse, the longing to do some-
different.
thing for our people was
bom
our own hearts, from deeply rooted
in
and came through suffering, and through sympathy for the
conviction,
suffering of others.
We
are only waiting for Father's permission now.
he hesitates
Stella, that
As
future.
hostages to an uncertain
to give his children as
innovators, as pioneers,
we must
Forgive a father,
stand alone, combat and
overcome obstacles; our way will lead through much suffering and discouragement,
it
And what parents would wish to see suffering? What parents willingly see their
certain.
is
their children zealous for
children voluntarily dedicate themselves to lives of struggle and dis-
appointment? I
do not know that
should go to Holland to study now, even
I
if
the opportunity were offered me, though to go has always been one
of
my
at
home
I set
studied at
Holland or
was I
my
set
Last year
greatest desires.
when
it
was suggested
myself against the proposition with
all, I
wanted
at Batavia.
to study properly,
And
as Holland
and
I
all
my
that I study
might.
If I
could only do that in
was beyond
my reach, my head
upon Batavia.
did not think
whole time
I
to
could study well at home, because
my
books.
At
my
I
could not devote
time of life there would be too
many other claims upon me. Household and social duties would keep me too much from my work, it would be impossible to eliminate them if I
remained
strong;
at
home.
now Father
is
that
That was
last
year when Father was well and
no longer alas!
Forgive a daughter, Stella,
if
once when she might have had the
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;136â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A opportunity to
had not the heart
VANESE PRINCESS
her heart's wish, a wish upon which the future
fulfil
many
well-being of
JA
others also depended, she held back, because she
to separate
from a father who had given her love and
care her whole life long and whose feeble health
now demanded more
than ever the care and affection which she alone could give.
am
Stella, I
a child,
I
am
a daughter, not a
woman
alone,
who can
give herself wholly, and dedicate herself to a great and beautiful work. I
am
also a child
bound by
the bonds of tenderest love
and gratitude
to
an old grey father, who has grown old and grey through care for his
Of these children perhaps I am dearest. Stella, you who know my great love for him, and next to that my love for what I regard as our calling, who know the strength of my affecchildren.
my
tion for is
sisters, will
in store for
work
Father Stella, I
I
be able to understand what a hard
must be separated from
my
sisters,
conflict there
away from
would do, or separated from Father, united with
that I
and giving
me.
my
is
all to
my
the
sisters,
our calling.
weak now, needs
and
care,
my
first
should never have a moment's peace
work far away from Father, knowing
that he
duty
if I
is to
Oh
him.
carried on
my own
was suffering and needed
me.
The work which we would do present but for all time.
own conscience whatever.
One
He
if I
Still I
is
has the
first
right to I
It
will not be only for the
should never be able to answer to
should neglect
of the precepts which
noble.
my
old, grey father for
me.
wish
to inculcate is this:
living creature, respects their rights, their feelings;
honour every
and even when
seems necessary, shrink from causing the least suffering
Should
I
my
any cause
be able to teach others what
I
myself neglected in practice?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;137â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
it
to another.
LETTERS OF A must never forsake
I
owe
my
JA
duty as a child, but neither must
the duty which
I
pends upon
realization but great
is to try
its
VANESE PRINCESS
to myself, for
it is
good
my
my own
I
forsake
happiness that de-
to others.
The problem now
and harmonize as far as possible these two duties which are
The only
diametrically opposed to each other.
some way by which
find
not
I
solution
seemed
to
be to
could stay with Father, and also go on with
studies.
am
I
going to study here at home, and
of teaching, just as well as one can be
fit
myself for the profession
by
fitted
when
self-study,
it is
supported by a strong will, and perseverance. I
had already thought of
the impetus which pushed
it
this plan,
Mevrouw Abendanon gave
but
we
without waiting for further arbitraments of capricious fate,
that,
it
forward, when she suggested some time ago
three go ahead and study here at home.
We
have had a governess for two monthes; in her we have found a
charming and affectionate friend. strong character
who has
left
She
is
still
very young, a girl of
her family in the Fatherland and come
here to earn her daily bread. It is
only unfortunate that this miserable sickness has come; other-
we should be
wise
have not been able er's
getting along famously. to look at a
book.
Naturally
Annie Glazer,
all this
that is
name, has engagements which take her on some days,
family here.
But as soon as she can arrange
time to us or to
me
alone most probably, for
have anything in their hands, and above
They
feel very miserable
heads are
still
it,
I
to
another
she will give her entire
my
poor
all in their
under the enforced
time
our teach-
sisters
must not
heads, just now.
idleness, but
hands and
weak.
What do you
think about all of these high flying plans?
do not say, "Poor thing, you are trying
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;138â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
If only
you
to fly too high," I shall
be
LETTERS OF A
JA
Do you know what
satisfied.
VANESE PRINCESS have noticed among our friends?
I
That they have too high an opinion of
and
The saying
enthusiasm.
at their
They
us.
which we do not possess.
abilities
that
ascribe to us qualities
Sometimes we have
"Love
is
blind"
is
to
laugh
here applica-
You should only hear some of the things of which they think us capable. We feel our own limitations deeply, whenever our friends set us so in the sun. We feel small, but we feel grateful too for the love of which it speaks. One friend would be glad to see me work ble.
with
my
pen, for our people.
needs, and must be
must found a journal devoted
I
editor, or I
its
must become a writer on the fore-
most daily newspaper of India and write are
now
for
my
fast sleeping will be frightened
assertion that
And, now to
I
them, and
is
is
no
by which those who
wide awake!
Had
It is
less so to
me.
my
sisters, the
from
sympathy for our
no reason
idea
This brother
his soul.
ideals, for in
is
frightful
If they are successful in getting
fortunate that they have a brother there,
loves the sisters
I
blind"?
must think of parting from it
articles,
which they are asking they will be far from us
that for
land.
"Love
them he
finds
is
full of
in a strange
who even
It is
sisters,
to us
an inspiration it
lifts
as
I,
enthusiasm and
an echo of his own.
have made a compact with him, that when he has completed his he will come back
to their
We
studies,
and we will work together.
to us that
he should share in the ideals of his
us up, draws us forward, just as does the great sympathy
and understanding which you have for
us.
There
is
still
another
young man, European, who only knows us through his mother, but who sympathizes with our cause and takes a lively interest in it. The sympathy and understanding of friends even when we do not know them personally,
You
is
a great support to us.
will always give
me
yours.
We
need
Will you
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;139â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
this
support very much.
not, Stella?
'
XXVII
ONE
should never promise anything,
upon
tirely
belief
arise,
among us
by a poisonous promise,
if
which make
its
keep
to
who break
The serpent comes
serpent.
fulfill
whose
serpent,
it,
it,
to
delay longer,
If they
The serpent only
the departed souls of the righteous to remind
But why do
me, when there I
is
so
I
besides that
deserve a fine scolding for
measure,
it
was due
What makes me
to
so lazy
my
indolence.
and
definitely sick, but at the
1
it is
work
who
want
are dead
The serpent
men
to tell
upon
is
sent
of their forgotten
Forgive
you.
long delay in writing; in large
am
I
restless?
same time
I
do not understand
I I
not satisfied with myself!
am
—hypochondria— need — work my
there!
that I
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
—140—
it.
far from well.
weary and uneasy; nonsense hold of myself;
lives
you of our Javanese beliefs?
tell
much
a
they will be visited by another
are nourished by flowers, perfume and incense.
promises.
is
remind them of their
the promises of holy spirits, as the souls of the righteous
by
There
a promise will be visited
bite is deadly.
misfortune will surely overtake them.
is
unforeseen circum-
fulfillment impossible.
Javanese, that those
they do not quickly
more venomous
depends en-
it
Never mind how honestly the promise
what will happen.
may
20th, 1901.
oneself, because one can never tell beforehand
made, and how earnestly one desires stances
November even when
that
I
heart
I
I am not am dull,
must seize is in.
And
LETTERS OF A now comes my I
JA
stupidity; because
I
VANESE PRINCESS cannot work at that which
turn with distaste from all other forms of
know.
But
unbearable
I
toil.
That
is
I
would,
weakness,
I
could stand a whole avalanche of work better than these
trivialities
with which
my
time
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;141â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is filled.
'
XXVIII November
FEAR
that
it
made you both sad you now to
to
my
and
last letter,
learn that though there
will certainly please
I
read
29, 1901.
change in outward conditions, there
is
a change in us.
is
no
It is
no
And
longer night in our souls; a great calm has descended upon us.
we
through darkness and mist
see the splendid light break, which
beckons us with friendly hands.
know now grown
we
that
—
should have to be given to
new
from
new
be put into our veins before
it
striving;
it
brains,
has
not only
It is
and lived for our cause!
felt
hearts,
We
the light of our ideal!
is
of our very existence.
today or yesterday that we have
have
It
shall never be able to cease
to be part of our being
it
We
and new blood would
would be possible for us
to live
for anything else. I
have thought and experienced
all that
the sisters,
I
begged and implored them,
Long
you wrote me.
in the very beginning of our close association, I said
many
ago,
times to
to tear themselves loose
from
me, and not to allow themselves to depend so wholly upon me.
For who sisters to
am
I,
follow
presumptuous
me?
I
am
lead toward heaven, but must
much
more easily than the
lighted: but heaven
is
fool, to
calmly lead and allow
my
little
going on strange unknown ways, which will first
first.
so far off
take
Hell
and
me down is
into hell.
near, and the
difficult to find.
iTo Mevrouw Abendanon.
—142—
This
way
to
last, it
is
LETTERS OF A "Yes," say
my
sisters,
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
"But neither you nor any one
the seeds of ideas in us, so that they
would bear
else,
could sow
fruit, unless the soil
to them. We are going together whether it be to heaven or My beautiful faithful little souls; no, they have learned noth-
were suited to hell."
ing from me, for
I
have always been their pupil.
Oh, they have taught
me much.
We
are one in ideas and feelings, everything has combined to
We
us one.
away
have been together
the long years that
only these
we
all
our lives; though you can take
lived together but outwardly
and count
last intimate years.
Souls that have dwelt together for only one pathy, can never wholly forget one another.
gether in complete
bond
make
harmony for
years.
moment in great symBut we have dwelt to-
The years have added
to the
ten-fold.
We
see the
same
things,
hear the same things, day after day, and
talk over everything with one another. things, read books,
we have
read,
We
take delight in the
—
magazines and newspapers together
and exchange opinions and
ideas.
Our
intimacy with pleasure and encourage in every way.
same
discuss what
parents see our
They are
so
pleased with the three-in-one idea that they are sometimes unjust to those outside, for the triple
bond must come before everything
else.
Our protectors as you know may marry us to whomsoever they will. The only circumstances in which they may not compel our obedience, is when the candidate for our hand is of a rank inferior to our own. Parents may not compel their daughters to marry a man who is beneath That is our only weapon against their arbitrary will. in station. The prospective bride-groom has only to go with the father or other male relative to the Panghoeloe ^ or some one else of the kind, and the
them
1
Servant of religion, in charge of a mosque.
—143—
LETTERS OF A wedding
is
The
over.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
may know
girl
nothing whatever about
at
it
the time.
Mother knew a woman, who refused
to
She said she had
marry.
marry the man her parents had chosen for her. Heaven was merciful, three months before the date set for the wedding the rather die than
Had
cholera took her away.
she lived, no one would have been dis-
turbed in the least by her refusal.
She would have been married out
of hand despite her protests.
There
is
new under
nothing
were rebellious daughters it
was our duty
to
too.
the sun; long ago in old times there It
belong blindly
has always been preached to us that to
our parents.
At the same time
it
has happened that when a young woman, submissive to their decree, was married, and afterwards unhappy, they would say: "Foolish one,
why
you were
you wished
willing,
then did you marry? to
make
sport of her and
When you were
married,
follow your husband; you must not
complain now."
When
I
received your
not customary for
wedding
letter,
young
guests, but
we were about go
girls to
Mamma
to
to
go
to a
wedding.
weddings and
sit
among
graciously gave us her consent.
bride's mother, an old friend of ours,
had not pressed us
to
It is
the
If the
honour her
we would have gladly stayed away. we saw the retinue of the bridegroom
with our presence at the great feast,
Before we started from our house,
going toward the mosque; there was a downpour of rain, and the carriage in which the bridegroom sat riages which followed the aloen-aloen.^
pressed by 1
it.
It
was closed, as were the other
was a melancholy-looking
Indeed,
car-
Gold-striped banners were streaming over
it.
it
made
train;
we were
de-
us think of a funeral procession.
Grounds in front of a Regent's palace. Usually square sometimes with a group of trees in the center.
trees,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;144â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in shape
and surrounded by
LETTERS OF A When we came
home
to the
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
of the bride,
we found her
of the quade (canopy) waiting for the bridegroom.
sitting in front
Father went with
us, too.
We
sat
on the ground close by the door; the eldest between the two
sisters.
little
Incense and the perfume of flowers filled the room.
Gemelan music, and the soft buzzing of voices reached us from outside. Gemelan broke into a song of welcome; the bridegroom was coming. Two women seized the bride by the arms, lifted her up, and led her to meet the bridegroom, who was also being led toward her by two persons. After a few steps, they are opposite each other and bride and bridegroom
give, each
one
to the other, a rolled-up sirrih
few steps nearer and both sink
to the
The bride
ground.
^
leaf.
A
prostrates
herself on her knees before him, as a symbol of her subjection to the
man.
Flat before him, she
hand
in
makes
hand and
seat themselves
"Joe, Joe," whispered Kleintje twist to her
pair
"He!
mouth.
come smiling
to
younger generation
Would
and humbly
I
under the canopy. to
me
with dancing eyes and a roguish
should go wild,
if I
could only see a bridal
meet each other and hand the
Of
sparkling with joy.
hand.
a respectful sembah,
Again, a submissive sembah, and both rise and go
kisses his foot!
—
course, that
a bridal pair
not that be fine
—
sirrih leaf with eyes
would have
to
be among the
who had known each
eh,
Joe?
Will
it
other before-
ever happen?
I
should go crazy with delight, if I could ever see it." "It will I felt
at
my
as though side,
1 Sirrih,
upon
this
present
come,"
it
I
my
said mechanically, and smiled; but in that room,
heart were being pierced with a dagger; and there
with face beaming and dancing eyes, sat
the leaf of a vine.
A
my
sister.
paste composed of lime gamlier and betel nut
is
spread
and eaten by the Javanese women. It is customary for bride and bridegroom The custom is of ancient origin. to each other at weddings.
—145—
to
LETTERS OF A
A tuli,
few days ago and the
first
VANESE PRINCESS
opened a book by chance,
thing
my
words before
I
JA
it
read was "Thugater."
I
eyes: "Father said
happened I still
to her, that to
to
be Multi-
seem
to see the
know, and
to un-
derstand, and to desire, was a sin for a girl."
when he wrote that, would make some day upon one of the daugh-
Certainly the great, genial writer had
what a deep impression ters of the
so
people
idea
he loved, and for whose welfare he sacrificed
much. There was a
native
a
it
whom
little
official.
little
woman The
first
wife,
who was
of a
not quite right in her head, after
from him, leaving behind a whole troop of children.
went away
Number two became mother
who became wife number two
of the people
and was a painstaking, loving
the official wife
her step-children; she was very diligent and worked hard to
to
save something from the income of her husband, so that later they
And it was thanks to her that come to the thanks. Once when her husband had gone to the city he came back home late at night, and called his wife outside. A guest had come with him for whom she must care, and make ready a room. The guest was a young woman, and when her husband told her that the guest was his wife and that she, would be able
to
educate his children.
the sons turned out so well.
his older wife,
Now
I
must thenceforth share everything with her,
was stunned, for she did not understand. at him.
But when the frightful truth penetrated
without a single word to the ground.
at first she
She only stood and looked
When
to
her brain, she sank
she came to herself again,
she rose to her feet, and asked, standing, for a writing of divorcement
from her husband. persisted
till
at last
At
first
he did not wish
to
understand her, but she
he yielded and gave her the requested paper.
That very night she went out of the house on foot through forests, to
her parents' house in the
city.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;146â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
How
fields
and
she got there she did not
LETTERS OF A When
know.
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
she could think again, she was with her family and they
had been
told her that she
Later, after she
ill
for a long time.
had recovered, she looked
at the letter
which she had
forced from her husband on that terrible night, and saw that she was
The letter merely contained her description had run away from him.
really not divorced at all.
and the information
He had no she
that she
idea in the world of giving her back her freedom.
to live in
On
hold.
Later
The other wife left the house and went another dwelling, while she resumed her old rule of the house-
became reconciled
to
him.
that frightful night, she
had sworn a solemn oath, she swal-
lowed dust, and vowed never, never,
to raise
She had done
other of her rights.
her hand to deprive an-
herself ignorantly as a child;
it
when she was fourteen years of age, her parents had married her to her husband. She did not know what she was doing, she belonged only She knew to her parents, who used often to beat her at their pleasure. now what a hell pain it was to be pressed from the side of a husband She has remained true
by another.
to
her oath.
Not long ago her husband married a niece to some one who already had a wife; she defied the wrath of her husband and refused persistently to
have anything
was not held
We know made
to
do with the wedding preparations, and the wedding
in her house.
her very well, and have great respect for her.
herself what she
improved
herself,
is
books with
We
efforts, she
She has
has worked hard and
though she has never had an opportunity to study.
She has taught herself eral
by her own to read,
and has worked her way through
sev-
profit.
are sometimes astonished at her conversation, the result of deep
thinking,
woman
and also of a sound understanding.
(it
would be well
if
there were
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;147â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
more
She
is
truly an unusual
like her)
who has had
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
neither education nor opportunities, but
known
cause she has
Her end
history
is
thinks and feels as
we
be-
suffering.
not unique; there are
once begin
if I
who
to tell
many
like
it.
But where shall
I
you of the misery of the native women?
Every one whose eyes are not blind and whose ears are not deaf, knows what goes on
in
Pluck the heart from our bodies and the
our world.
brains from our head
you wish
if
to
change us.
Long before you quoted from Zangwill's "Dreams of the Ghetto" to Kleintje said almost the same thing, though of course in different
me
We
words. ter
were eating
tarts,
or something of the kind,
came running up and wished
plate for her,
become clever not do
it; I
to act; to to
have some
too.
when
little sis-
There was no clean
and Kardinah
said, "Eat off Joe's plate and then you will whereupon Kleintje said solemnly, "No, I will remain stupid; to be clever is not to be happy not
like her,"
want
for every one.
want
to
to
—
It is
a misfortune to be able to think and not to be able
be able to know,
to feel
and
to wish,
and not
to
be free.
I
be only stupid."
Once when
I
was distraught with trouble, and leaned against the
wall motionless, with wide open eyes that saw nothing, but only stared at the light, a cry of
sense of reality.
sorrow smote
though his face was turned away.
Have
patience."
voice of your
own
my
ears and brought
me back
to
a
Father leaned over me, his arms were around me,
Oh,
my
heart;
father,
"Do not give way like that, why have you not listened to
why have you heeded
—148—
Ni. the
the voice of the world?
XXIX
WE
1
December do not want
to sail
ligent
should be satisfied
world were fastened upon
women, both with
if
times have
We
talked with
who could earn her
and from each one comes the answer, "There must be some
living;
one who
I
intel-
those of the nobles and those of the people, about the
idea of an independent, free, self-supporting girl,
own
cause.
only the attention of the
Many
it.
ship, some-
unhappy
thing must be done for this great, this
We
31st, 1901.
any longer upon a weak
sets the
example."
are convinced that
if
one has but the courage
to begin,
many
There must always be a beginning. One must go show the way, and the example must be good each one waits for
will follow her. first to
;
the other; no one dares to be to see
The parents
which one will have the moral courage
become independent and
We
first.
know
self supporting
a Regent's daughter, our
thusiasm for the idea of freedom. excellent Dutch,
we
1
is
age,
are very fond of them.
herself that she
is
allow a daughter to
by
who She
is
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;149â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
the daughter of
charming
chil-
a teacher, an ac-
crazy to study.
very anxious to go to Europe.
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
also full of en-
is
girls,
know from
I
herself.
crazy to study; she speaks
There are two great
quaintance of ours, that the older girl
me
own
She
to
to stand
and has read a great deal.
the Regent of Koetoardjo.
dren;
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
too wait for one another
She has told
The second
sister
!
LETTERS OF A also
is
on a
A
a dear, clever child.
When
visit.
and now
us,
VANESE PRINCESS
few years ago they were to
draw and paint with Their father has a
who
is
first
came, they began
We know
woman.
another one of his
married; she speaks no Dutch, but she has gone fur-
She has a great admiration for the
ther than the others.
dependent European woman; she would think
same conditions
the
our house
at
the younger one paints very well.
they
great respect for an educated
daughters,
JA
it
ideal if
we
free,
in-
could have
our native world.
in
Another Regent's daughter has been here; she
is
Sundanese
a
girl;
word of Javanese, but she was brought up with
she does not speak a
Europeans, so we talked in Dutch.
The
question that she asked
first
you?"
"You know
eighty-three of us.
I
was,
"How many
mothers have
turned to her in pained astonishment, and she went on (do
I
not be shocked)
sisters.
me
I
am
I
that
I
have
fifty-three
mothers and there are
do not know the majority of
the youngest, and never
knew my
my
brothers and
father; he died before
was bom." Is not that deeply,
deeply sad?
are free to choose their the
man
whom
to
another, and
land
In the Preanger, girls of noble birth
own husbands, and many of them even know The young people meet one
they are betrothed.
become engaged
after the
European manner.
Blessed
—and —
There
yet
is
a girl, a grand-daughter of a Regent, (her parents are dead)
who has had
a splendid bringing up, and
must be a wonder of learning.
if
her teacher
is
She plays the piano well,
a good judge, etc.
She be-
came engaged after the European manner and married some one, who had many wives, and a whole troop of children; some of them full grown.
I
knew one
who speaks Dutch and
of her step-daughters, a charming is
little
the mother of a two year old child.
—150—
woman She was
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS She
seventeen years old, a year or two younger than her step-mother.
me
told
husband herself and was very happy.
that she chose her
The idea of publishing
all that I think
and
feel about conditions
among our Mohammedan women, has been with me I
thought of putting
daughters
regents'
—
it
into a book, in the
I
shall not go on with
be perhaps some years before
would not allow me
that father
that
We
an excuse for
girls
Already
but
I
find
it,
and
The
have
It
will
up the
great difficulty "It
is
is
good for
you must not
your inmost thoughts."
we have
ideas,
to
I
shall not give
publish such a book.
to
telling
must have no
good as we I
it,
between two
at present.
it
to be versed in the Dutch language," says Father, "but
make is
can finish
That too was suggested by Mijnheer.
idea.
you
I
for a long time.
letters
and a Javanese.
a Sundanese
written several letters, but
form of
say "yes" and
but to think that everything
"amen"
to everything.
was asked a few years ago, by a Dutch authoress of reputation, Woman's Journal, with whom I correspond, and whom I very much, for permission to publish a letter in which I had touched
editor of a like
upon
The publication of private opinions such as mine, would be good for the cause, she thought. She would have
kept
been
these questions.
my
was
that
it
I
name, dwelling place, everything would have
Only those places would have been mentioned,
concealed.
wherein ter
identity a secret,
allude to certain peculiar customs of
sent
back
to Java, so that
it
my
must not be published; "later perhaps."
"Later" meant.
It
meant
that
when
I
we had
founder and editor
let-
He
said
I
knew what
that
should have become harmless, by
having the Raden Adjeng changed Lately
The
country.
could be shown to Father.
to Raden Ajoe. same thing over again. Mevrouw Ter Horst, of the Indian Woman's Journal, The Echo, sent me
the
—151—
— LETTERS OF A her paper.
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
She knows personally much about the
of the native
life
woman, and has great sympathy for the well bom girls in the VorstenShe wanted me landen ^ who are given away like so many presents. begin a series of articles, "Talks between two Regent's daughters."
to
Secrecy, should also thinks that
it it
would be a good idea
gave the
around us. was again denied. I
She
be necessary, was absolutely assured with her.
must not
I
tell
to write sketches of the life
hoping for his permission, which
letter to Father,
my
ideas too early, always
it
is
"Later."
The Heer Boes, of Probolingo, wrote to Father and asked if I might write some articles for his paper, De Nederlandische Taal, a periodical for natives.
The Heer Boes asked for a reply, and sent me a list of subjects that he would like to have treated, such as, "Native Education for Girls" "Native Art," "Useful Native Institutions."
At that time we had gone that
could not write,
I
And
hoped
I
I
that each
was
to Batavia.
in such trouble that
day would be
But the next day would be
before.
up what
I
had
tried to write; that
with waiting and delay.
I
was
only nonsense, earnest things 1
So many things came up after
was
pen refused
just the
same, and
stupid.
But
in despair.
I
my
better than the one that
I
was
be allowed to write
must not touch upon.
Vorstenlanden (Princes' countries) name given by the Hollanders
to the central province
of Java comprising the Residences of Soerakaarta and Djokjakaarta. principality and
is
would tear
was beside myself
I
to
I
to go.
had gone
Nominally
it
is
a
divided between two native princes, the Soeshocman of Soerakaarta and the
Sultan of Djokjakaarta. whose power has been so reduced by the concessions which they
have been forced
to
semblance of power Sultan
is
make is
to the Dutch Government that only its shadow remains. This encouraged by the Hollanders for diplomatic reasons, though the
virtually a prisoner in his
own
palace.
Soerakaarta and Djokjakaarta form the last remnant of the ancient Hindu kingdom of
Mataram
to
which originally the name Java was given.
—152—
LETTERS OF A Then
I
began
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
to think that if I
did write upon serious subjects,
should have the whole native world against me; the people
would not
The idea of serving our cause with
crazy.
my
became a
if I
me.
trust their children to
pen
I is
1
teacher,
should be called so dear to me,
and
yet picture to yourself a school without children, a teacher without
pupils!
But we have not gone as far as
For that we must
first
We
that.
must have education
obtain Father's permission, and^.then
first.
we have
to
present our petition to the Governor General.
We should us, to
must not count too much upon the success of our God, what then?
fail,
suit.
And
if it
There remains only one thing for
become accoucheuses; we should then have
to give
up our hope
way for others, for then we But we think that would be far better
of being examples and of lighting the
could be of service only to a few.
than just to be book-keepers, apothecaries' apprentices, or something of that kind.
Work
in
which our
lives
should be so barren, so empty, we
should be living only for ourselves, and
we want
to live for the
good of
society as a whole. I
have information about the Government school of Obstetrics
Amsterdam, where one can be educated for free of charge.
We
at
that profession absolutely
should have to have the help of Prof. Hector
Treub.
The course
lasts
two years.
How should we be able to get to
We do not know. Some way must be found. We will not go into that, until we have exhausted power towards
Europe?
every means in our
the carrying out of our other plans.
we could but get into communication with our own educated young men, men like Abdulli Rival and others, and win their sympathy When will the time come when boys and girls, men and for our cause. Alas, if
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;153â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A women rades?
shall look
As
turn, again
it
is
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
upon one another
now
—Bah!
as equal
how we women
and again.
—154—
human
beings, as com-
are degraded at every
XXX
WHEN
1
January 3rd, 1902.
we were
in
Samarang, our eldest
"Sister, sister,"
see us.
was
The arms
had seen me.
At
last,
We
and was opposed violently
to
we
me un-
at first, she
respect.
was very conservative,
every innovation.
was not the custom
send children to school.
to
an everyday occurrence; but when one has a
is
five children,
silent;
last we have found our sister. we have gained her understanding and
That gives us new courage, because
it
were
to
when she
At
after years,
Formerly
came over
she said,
were thrown around
that
trembled, and her eyes were filled with tears.
derstood each other.
sister
all that
little
Now
it
matter of twenty-
can one educate them all?
The question is never raised, that one has not the right to awaken when one cannot maintain life. Alas, how simple I am!
•••••••••
life
•
I
thought to myself
call
down
and
I
universal scorn
were showered with
away from me?
upon
1
my
insults,
No, they would
have a place in their hearts. in
did something terrible, which would
that, if I
head;
if
every one passed
me
by,
would Father and would Mother turn not.
I
should
All the time
our room, sewing on Kleintje's clothes. To Mevrouw Abendanon.
—155—
still
we were
be their child, and sitting quietly
here
She will have nothing that
LETTERS OF A a strange hand has touched.
JA
We
VANESE PRINCESS
must do everything for her ourselves.
way and Father came from behind it to stroke many unruly thoughts. After four weeks, sister will be with us no longer. "You will all miss me very much; I know it," she said, " In everything always, we
The door opened
a
little
head
the rebellious
that surged with so
three have been together."
February 15, 1902.
When some boil, I I
am
one does something unkind
glad that
the other person
it is
have hurt him for then ;
it
me,
to
grow very angry, but afterwards something
would be because Forgive
I
it is
I that
who has
it
makes
like joy
injured
should be base, and
me and if I
so long to write.
our darling, our heart and soul
sister, I
not
blood to
me.
I
that
were troubled,
had been guilty and injured another
me for having taken
my
comes
unjustly.
After the departure of
could not write.
home on the 31st of January. God grant, that our little girl may be as happy as it is possible for a young, pure and innocent creature to be in this world. You know how we Sister
went from here
her new
to
three have always clung together and that she has been our darling,
because she
is
we thought
so
blow
fell,
we
not strong, and needed our care.
much about felt
nothing.
capable of thought.
We
the
coming separation; but when the great
We
were so dismally calm, we were not
saw her go with dry
eyes.
Annie Glazer, our companion, who came on a
much
of sister.
One evening she played on
sister had loved most.
melted from our hearts.
Thank God,
that
Before her marriage,
And under
visit,
reminded us so
the piano the pieces that
the spell of her music the ice-crust
But with the warmth the pain too came back.
we could
said, in spite of the pain.
feel again.
"Thank God, thank God!" we
For those who cannot
capable, either, of feeling joy.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;156â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
feel pain are not
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
She has gone far away from
us,
and we cannot
everything, she
—our
is
We
as formerly.
strange to us that
realize that she will
own little girl. We see her in with us always, only we cannot prattle aloud to her
be with us no more
Kleintje, our
can only do that in our thoughts.
we must
take a pen and paper to
tell
It
is
still
so
her something or
other.
Kleintje, our
dear
little
one, have
you
be happy in your new
sister,
Ah,
and shed happiness around you
you did here, when you bound
there, just as
away from us?
really gone
life
all
our hearts so fast
to
yours.
There
young man with a very clever head, and
a
is
at the
same time
know us personally, but who has much sympathy for our struggle, and takes as much interest in it as if he were our own brother. We correspond with him and, later, he is coming himself to make the acquaintance of his sisters. He is so different from all the other men that we know. I read once that the greatest of high position,
who does
not
thing in the world was a noble man's heart. a noble man's heart
We
are
is
understand now, truly
the most priceless thing in the world ;
happy because we have found such an
Sister
I
it is
so rare.
one.
Roekmini thinks of you often and has such a high opinion of
you.
She
know,
if
is
a fine child, so good,
so.
faithful.
You would
like her I
you could meet her; but you do know her already through me,
do you not?
When
I
was
not because
it
sick, I tried to
make her
might make you uneasy.
write to you, but she would
When
she was with me, and I
sick, I thought to myself, it was very discouraging. Here some one who glows with enthusiasm for a noble cause; who longs to be strong and brave, to overcome mountains, and see; now she lies
was so very is
helpless, powerless.
If
some one picked her up and threw her
—157—
into a
LETTERS OF A well, she could
make no
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
resistance because she
would be wholly de-
fenceless.
Now
for the
first
time we understand what
De
Genestet
^
means
in his
Terugblik:
What we wish and
We
and
will
pray high powers
strive for
to grant.
For free man, you do not make yourself, and your own The eagle's flight is always fast enclosed, The Almighty bends our will, our strength, As the wind bends the wheat. Still
life
lay the groimd out.
Plan your
castles,
Mark the way you wish The earth is wide and
to travel.
beautiful,
Choose your fate and seek your way,
By your own light. God watches all the
And
And 1
the
while.
guides your foot-steps unaware.
same poet has given us much comfort
Peter Augustus
De
Genestet, noted poet.
Bom
age of thirty-one.
-158â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
at
in dark, difficult days.
Amsterdam
in 1829
and died
at the
XXXI
WE
^
February 18th, 1902.
know how
be merry and playful too, just
to
The Sunday
after
to the shore,
and
we spoke
thought of you and
we
last
to
be young.
we went down we were there. We
got your dear letter
Sunday
of you.
as well,
If
you could only have been
with us, to look at the wild play of the waves, and at the wonderful colours,
which stretched before us
sun-set.
at
wind, more than once our hair was blown to
our clothes
in the trees
to
and
down through
keep them from flying away. in the water, there
the waves.
was
We had
There was a strong
down and we had
to
hold on
There was not only
life
who ran up and Our voices time!
life in the girls,
such a delightful
we laughed aloud. Those were the who ran and sported in the waves with
rose above the noise of the water; teachers, the stately princesses,
blown hair and blown garments. so gay!
Our
We
were so happy, so young, and
attendants stood by staring and gaping with wide open
mouths.
The next morning we went again
to the shore; the sea
blustering, the boundless stretch of water little
out
ripples playing
among them
We
the surface,
was no longer
There were only
and the sun-light danced
in
and
like brilliants.
went into the
sea-weed, no slime; 1
upon
was calm.
sea, the
ground was even, there were no pebbles, no
we went
far out
till
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;159â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
the water reached our chins.
LETTERS OF A The baboe on
grew frightened, we could no longer under-
the shore
down
stand her, but she ran up and
We
and calling us back.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
mad woman, waving
like a
only laughed at her distress.
sounded over the water, raised in a merry
When we
went back
hunger, you
may
be sure.
Now
elf.
we
quickly to work.
sat at
song.
Out of the fullness of her
to tlie piano.
ready;
little
we took w4th us a lively feeling of After we had eaten ravenously, Annie sat
to the house,
"Danklied" and we sang with her. half
It
heart, she played a
was as though we had grown
In the back gallery our sewing stood
one table and worked busily, but
was not only
it
fingers that hurried along, our tongues were not idle and
tering
and laughing and singing.
had gone by, and we must little
sit
After our walk,
among
if it is
\he shrubs
chat-
At mid-day we took a
to the shore.
we usually drink
not too dark,
and
we were
the
In the twinkling of an eye, the time
again at the table.
walk and wandered back
garden,
In the dis-
saw our heads sway around as we danced, and our voices
tance, she
down
her arms
tea in the
and under the blue sky, where
flowers,
few stars and the pale gold moon come out. When we we have music or we read together. When Annie plays the we sit by her, and sew or write, for it is a delight to be able to
after awhile, a
go
in,
piano,
work while Cooking
there is
is
music the work goes so
easily.
;
also on our program.
We
practise that every day after
the rice meal.
You and your husband must come oppressive Batavia.
to see us
and
Can you not come now?
Then you can amuse yourselves with our kind of ful, so still, so quiet
and so peaceful.
shall have the help of the
rest
We
life,
We will take
here from that
shall expect you.
which
wind and the sea and of the birds ;
us every morning with their songs.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;160â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
so rest-
care of you and
we
that greet
LETTERS OF A Come, dear little
JA
and
friends, come,
VANESE PRINCESS find fresh life in
our modest,
still,
place.
Of
the
wedding here,
She was married
I shall
only say that sister was a lovely bride.
wajang costume and looked beautiful.
in
In the
evening, at the reception, she looked like a fairy princess from the
"Thousand and One Nights." She had on a golden crown, with a veil It was a new idea, but I have no doubt that it
hanging down behind. will be imitated.
much interested He stayed through
Resident Sijthoff was time as a young
girl.
liked to press her
hand
in seeing sister for the last
He would have might not be. He could
everything.
in farewell, but that
only greet her with his eyes.
As though carved
in stone, she sat straight as
an arrow, before the
Her head was held proudly
glittering golden canopy.
high,
and her
eyes were looking straight ahead as though staring at the future that
was
There were none of the usual
so soon to be unravelled before her.
tears, but
Only she and her two
even strangers were affected.
were calm.
Our emotions had been
music, by incense, and the perfume of flowers.
had looked forward one was astonished. ious to see
We
to
our parting as
We
are
still
how we hold up under
to
We
by
sisters
Gamelan were unmoved, we
lulled to sleep
the
something frightful, so every
stared at very hard, people are anxthe strain.
talked to the Resident of our plans that very evening.
Imagine
our speaking at the end of a crowded feast about a cause which earnest and so sacred; but alone,
and we had
were people, and flowers, with a
to
make
still
it
was our only opportunity
the most of
more people.
shimmer of
silk,
and the
it.
Alone!
all
to talk to
is
so
him
around us there
Surrounded by evergreens and glitter of
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;161â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
gold and jewels before
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
our eyes, amid the buzzing of a thousand voices, in a very sea of
we
sat there at midnight, with
champagne
light,
glasses in our hands, to speak
of grave matters.
We
were afraid that he would laugh
But we did not
let
him
frighten us.
with Roekmini, separately; to
and not borrowed from each
make
at us or at least think
He
talked
first
us "silly."
with me, and then
sure that our ideas were our
own
other.
medans, there
make of you, an important one; when you see if, among the Mohamare laws of majority, as among you. Or should I write
myself
Excellency for enlightenment?
I
have a request
to
your friend, Dr. Snouck-Hurgronje, ask him
I
to his
should be so glad to
know about
the rights
for
me
to ask!
It
and
duties, or, better
still,
Mahommedan wife and daughter. How strange makes me ashamed that we do not know ourselves.
the laws concerning the
We know
There are some things
so bitterly
little.
-162â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
^
XXXII
February 28, 1902.
THE
influence of blood cannot be denied.
I
attach a certain
value to the descent of every one around me, and idea that
I
shall be blessed
by
I
have an
the ancestors of those persons
whom I love and honour. I am eager to read the books you have sent me and I hope to be able to understand them easily. Do you not think me a little stupid? I am only a great child, who longs very much to be and who longs too for knowledge and understanding.
loved,
Understanding
is
a very
difficult art.
Is it
not so. Dearest?
But when one understands, one judges mercifully, and one forgives. It is
Our
souls are wafted
on the evening wind from the pendopo.
Let us dream as long as
would
We room.
life
It is
possible; if there were no dreams, what
it is
be?
have taken away
all the little trifles
no longer the joyful
where we wept, thought,
felt,
girls'
rejoiced
and ornaments from our
room, where we dreamed dreams,
and struggled!
Only our book-
case remains unchanged, and our old friends smile at us friendly, confident
One of our
still
in their
and encouraging way.
best friends,
who
is
no longer ornamental because he has
grown old-fashioned, shows very plainly whenever 1
up
blue heaven of our fancy by the sweet serene tones that are borne
to the
to us
Friday evening; Gamelan evening.
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;163â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
the door
is
opened.
LETTERS OF A Our
dear, true, old friend.
him, but
we
love
JA
Many
VANESE PRINCESS people would turn up their noses
him because he has never
left us,
at
but has rejoiced with
us in happy days; and through dark troubled ones, he has comforted
and supported
us.
He
is
De
Genestet.
tion to us of late.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;164â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
He
has been such a consola-
XXXIII
DO
you know who has painted
is
cellent wajangs, in the sand,
of bridges.
The
apes.
little
is
always covered with wajang
little
piece of soap-stone
Favored land our Japara.
You do
by
know
not
are of our dear, quiet place.
The grave of
the Sultan of
what more from here. sultan's grave, for
it is
Mantangan
There
his grave there
half an hour's ride, or some-
When
a holy tomb.
a patje tree.
is
is
a whole connected narrative about the
is
China, a Chinese followed him and
the sultan
Miraculous powers are ascribed a child, go there
When
and incense wafers.
it;
her wish will then be granted.
names of persons who had obtained
to this
and take
a patje fruit falls
the grave of the Chinaman, the woman must take
a stew, and eat
came back from
buried in the same place; over
lies
Barren women, who would gladly have
the sultan flowers
it
away, make
We
upon
it
into
have been told
their wishes in this
way.
see that the Javanese are a superstitious people fond of myths and
fairy tales. 1
ex-
on the walls, on bridges, on the supports
The wall behind our house
how proud we
You
draw
All the bridge supports erected today are covered with them
naked, dirty
the
It
art of painting is part
Little urchins, buffalo boys,
tomorrow, drawn with charcoal or with a
tree.
March 5th, 1902. many wajangs for us?
so
one of our gamelan players.
of the air in Japara.
figures.
^
It
is
said that the children with which the Sultan of
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;165â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A Mantangan
We
shall
have
to look for a
was uphill work
were frightened them. all
VANESE PRINCESS Poor childless ones!
blesses the childless, will all be girls.
boys, for there are all too It
JA
to
to
holy tomb that will bless the world with
many women in the world! make our artists carve wajang
dolls.
They
death for fear the wajang spirits would be angry with
Father assured them that he would take
all responsibility, that
consequences would be upon his own head, and that the anger and
wrath of the
would smite him alone, the task-master, and not
spirits
workmen who had merely It
was most
difficult
to
photograph
to
own
life
be taken, and that a photographer
makes
Kampang. A when one allows a
take a photograph in the
superstition says that one shortens one's
the portraits that he
the
carried out his will.
will
demand
life.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;166-
is
a great sinner; all
their lives of
him
in the after
XXXIV
^
March
HAVE
already written you about
such a great
It is
my
we miss our
loss,
sister in a
former
letter.
heart and soul sister all the
I
time.
Happily we have already had encouraging
her.
She
such a dear, noble child.
is
14, 1902.
She
letters
from
worth more than the
is
her new home, and has met Her new family took her by the hand, and wherever she went she found cordiality and sympathy from Europeans, as well as from her own people. You know already, from the marriage announcement that was sent
She
other two of us put together.
with
much kindness from every
you, that her husband
is
likes
one.
Patih; that
is
one
the highest ranks in our
if
native official world; besides, our brother-in-law
When
he
his father ceases to reign,
will,
is
heir to a throne.
of course, succeed him.
As
the
wife of a Regent, sister will be able to do a great deal for the education of
women, much more than we
will ever be able to accomplish.
have great hopes that her husband will support her;
much He
in
favour of the plans of the Heer Abendanon.
is
devoted to his
and a sympathetic families; that that; they
is
He
pleasant, do
1
maintains a whole multitude of poor
you not think so?
have much consideration for
hardly a single native chief
is
We
he was
wife, has a cheerful, energetic disposition
little
heart.
at least,
who has
To MejuflFrouw Zeehandelaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;167â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
their
But many Javanese do
poor neighbours.
not one or
There
more poor families
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
living in his house, or on his support outside.
India
noted for
is
Are you not
hospitality.
its
not for nothing that
It is
now about
satisfied
sister too?
She She
when
much
only discouraged because people expect too
is
like her older sister,
is
who never
a certain person in Holland
feels her littleness so
(Amsterdam)
sets
her too
of her.
much much
as in
the sun.
Truly
you must not do
Stella,
that; I shall
pointment to you when the happiest of
You have much
you.
Lately,
had a
I
my
my
my
in
one thing, and that
is,
my warm
in
smiled mournfully when
I
read
my
"skill in the
it
and thought
myself "if you but knew."
we
Yesterday
received letters from Holland, and
up your head,
"Girl, hold
bring you; you
life will
this will not
may
cast
down.
Life
And now the
first
itself
I
And
went
to
I
my
Father with your
not under
I
letter
and asked him
name,
I
Van der
me "Belang
to
Van Kol
have good hopes of his consent.
my own
am
in
no wise
Meij.
true comrade, for what
thank you too for sending
Father will wait for the coming of question.
yet I
teaches one to be cold and unfeeling.
thank you heartily,
done for me, and
said to myself,
as well realize that the future has a whole
about the proposition from Mejuffrouw
place
I
be the only disappointment that
multitude of them stored in her lap for you."
I
to you.
from an old gentleman, who had great ideas
letter
I
me
character, and of
"gentle courage" and "sweet disposition" and
Dutch language." to
stars brings
speak the honest truth, not worth a dubbeltje.
But you will never be disappointed affectiori for
be too much of a disap-
happy
too good an opinion of me, of
intellect; they are, if I
about
all
read
you have
en Recht."
it.
before he decides the
Yes
wish to remain unknown;
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;168â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
In
Stella, I will, but tell that to
Mejuf-
LETTERS OF A frouw Van der Meij.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
But that will not help very much, when they
once upon
hear it
is
whom
my work
to lay the
But
my
let
Frankly
it
But how I
about,
till
me has
take advantage its
am
good side
feel,
but
I
know
at
to
will
Ah!
hear nothing but praise. to write in Dutch; that
is
the
of that interest whatever
too, for at least I
its
cause.
can obtain a hearing.
gain friends for our cause by writing for the public
I to
make an impression and
will be talked
they penetrate to the second chamber itself?
have always wanted
to see
I
woman
tiresome.
easily earned success.
say things that will
unless
It is
discussed, especially as
interesting for a Javanese
whole of
I
blame.
do not like
woman, they
learn here in India of articles by a Javanese
I
something scathing, that
to write
do not feel strong enough;
and hear much, and
not yet ripe, Stella
;
when
to think it is, I
I still
lack experience,
over what
shall
tells
I
I
I
have yet
The
have seen.
what
fruit is
no longer hesitate on account of
the difficulties. If
we should
turn to the Queen,
and because we wished intervention. If
We
it
would not be
to obtain the
in her official capacity,
help of the State through Royal
should only ask the Princess for her personal help.
you knew how proud we were, then you would understand what a
struggle
it
to make up our minds to ask for assistance. when large affairs come up, small ones must go
has caused us
But as you
said,
to
the wall.
We
set
our own pride aside before the general good.
In the present
instance our only chance of success lies in asking for help.
Every one who has met the Queen assures
me
that her Majesty is
interested to the highest degree in the welfare of her Indian subjects.
Queen Mother also takes a warm believe it; we are glad to believe it.
And
We
the
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;169â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
interest in Indian affairs.
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
At the time of the Woman's Exposition,
who
partment dent,
it
was
the
Queen Mother
sent her personal secretary to the president of the colonial deto
enquire about our work, and her Majesty asked the presi-
when he was conducting her around,
from our
letters.
to
read to her some extracts
feel confident of support,
I
from
the
Government
and from the Queen.
is
not what our hearts wish.
weather?
in despondent, unsettled
Deep
in the wilderness.
among koppensnellers but above
in the heart of our inland country living
in that distant place,
wounded wings, and he would
sorrow could be
around me.
^
doing good in
through his knowledge of medicine.
all,
as a bird with
my
is only Modjowamo left, Do you know whom I long for For our friend who is far away
support does not materialize, there
If this
but that
stilled,
But he too
is
I
stroke
many ways
would
my
fly to
tired
head
and the peace which he breathes would
human, he too must have
him till
fall
his despondent
moods, his struggles. Stella, Stella, if I
my ^
head
Head
rest
could only throw
upon your
hunters, similar to the
heart. Dyaks
of Borneo.
-170â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
my arms
around you, and
let
XXXV
'
March
YOU
The separation from
are right.
grief to us,
we have been
sister
29, 1902.
has been a great
together so long, and so intimately.
People were not wrong when they said that we three had
grown return visit,
to
left us;
cannot realize that
the idea that she has gone
We
unbearable.
is
We
be one in thought and in feeling.
has really
sister
try to
imagine that she
is
away never to only away on a
and will be back some day.
We
miss our Kleintje very much.
still; this
will not be the only
But happiness will not stand
hard parting, we know that; many others
await us in the future. It is
wise from time to time,
When
a tender strong
bond
Binds and caresses the poor heart,
To says
De
Genestet.
We
so?
tear
But
it
asunder with our
it is
receive encouraging letters
is
our happiness.
hands,
easier said than done.
and pleased with her surroundings. happiness
own
from
Do you
little sister.
not find
She
is
it
happy
That makes us so thankful, her
And now
I
shall try
and
tell
you some-
thing of her wedding.
A
native marriage entails a heavy burden
bride.
Days and weeks beforehand,
are begun. 1
Sister's
To Mevrouw de
upon
the family of the
the preparations for the solemnity
wedding was celebrated very quietly on account
Booij-Boissevain.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;171â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
One
of a death in the family.
VANESE PRINCESS
of our cousins,
who was
a sister of the
bridegroom, died shortly before the marriage.
Poor creature.
was
children behind her.
such a young thing, and she
still
You must know is
that Kleintje
father's sister.
He was
married
is
left little
to
her own cousin.
have been affianced and married, and
that children
His mother
here with us long ago, but then she was only
a schoolgirl and no one thought of an engagement; though
pened
She
it
has hap-
when
later,
both were full grown, the marriage would be celebrated over again.
The acquaintance of sister and her husband was renewed when the Governor General was at Samarang. It is not customary among us for young girls ever to leave the house until they follow a strange bridegroom; but as I have already told you, we have broken with many traditions, and can do what others cannot, on account of the unusual free-
dom still
now we
of our bringing up; and
are working to break tradition
further.
No
Javanese
in the
girl
must be seen before her marriage; she must remain
background, usually
her own chamber; and in December we
in
at Semarang with sister, and she went openly into the shops to buy some things which she wanted. A Javanese girl receives no good wishes upon her engagement; the
were
subject self.
is
not mentioned before her;
She
acts just as
still less
does she mention
though she knew nothing of
it.
I
it
her-
should like to
have read the hearts of our fellow countrywomen when they heard
sister
speak openly and freely of her coming marriage.
A day is
our custom: in the midst of
dead.
we commemorated our dead. joy we always invoke the memory
or two before the wedding,
There was a
sacrificial
That of our
meal, during which their blessing was
asked for the offspring of the coming nuptials. This takes place in the bride's family.
^172â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
My
brother-in-law and his
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
family came on the day before the wedding.
European bridegroom would do on arriving would be
to
go to her.
The
at the
thing that a
first
home
of his bride,
But among us that would be out of the question.
The bridegroom must not
see his bride until the knot
Even
is tied.
his
family must not see her.
On
the
day of the wedding, the bride was bathed
and after that she was taken
whose business a cloth that katoentjes
^
is
and
is
in
hand by
the dressing of brides.
in a bath of flowers,
the toekang paes, a
woman
The bride takes her
seat
especially prepared for the occasion, zidjes,
it
enough for a kabaja, joined together.
the property of the toekang paes.
on
consists of
This
is
At her side are placed sweetmeats
besides sirrih, pinang nuts, bananas, a jug of water, uncooked rice, a
roasted hen, a live hen, and a burning night candle.
and the toekang paes cuts the the hair on the forehead
fine hair
is cut,
from
Incense
the bride's neck
is
burned,
and face;
too; even the hair over the ears.
the eyebrows are shaved off with a razor.
One can always
tell
And
a newly
married woman, by the shorn hair across the forehead and ears and by the shaved eyebrows.
At about one o'clock forehead
is
in the day, the toilet of the bride begins.
covered with soft salve, even to the ears, and the face
whitened, while the hair
mented with
On
is
is
dressed in the form of a cap, and orna-
flowers.
the headdress are seven jewels, fastened
constantly waving
A
The
upon
spirals,
which are
up and down.
gold embroidered kain,^ and a kabaja of silver gauze, with the
usual jewelled ornaments, such as brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings,
and sleeve-buttons, completed her
1
Pieces of cotton and
2
A
toilet.
silk.
scarf or shawl draped to form part of the costume.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;173â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
In Java, young girls must not wear flowers in the hair; only married
women may do
that;
one often sees very old
women
going around with
flowers in their hair.
The evening before the wedding is called widodarenni; widodari means angel, heavenly being. On the last evening of her maidenhood, the girl on the threshold of
being, and the evening
is
matrimony
is
compared
to
such a heavenly
celebrated.
You must have seen the photographs of Javanese wood-work at Mevrouw Rooseboom's, and you may remember the picture of an article That
of furniture with three doors in front.
is
called a kwade,
and
it
used at weddings.
is
A
handsome carved kwade covered with gold
figures
on a purple
ground, was in the great hall at the back of the Kaboepaten. chairs,
were covered with a great
On
alcatief.
two large copper vases,
be broken
filled
at a
wedding.
At about half -past seven
had assembled
in the
in the evening,
when
hand of our married
woman who
1
The box
2
A
to
all
sister
and our
carried her sirrihdoos
of the
women
guests
sister
sister-in-law, ^
came
in,
led
by the
and followed by a
and kwispeldoor."
Sister
sat
middle of the room, near her family and the most prominent hold the sirrih paste.
spitting-box
;
for
of gold or tortoise-shell,
on
all
kwade-hall and were ranged on the ground in
two rows, one on each side of the kwade,
in the
with young cocoanut leaves
These vases are called kembang majang, and must not
flowers.
down
floors
both sides of the kwade, which was draped and ornamented with
flowers, stood
and
All tables,
and benches were removed from that apartment and the
is necessary to spit after chewing sirrih. These boxes are often and beautifully ornamented. They are placed by a Javanese lady
it
formal as well as informal occasions.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;174â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A The sirrihdoos and
guests.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
the kwispeldoor were placed next to her
only as a matter of form, for Kleintje eats no sirrih; behind her, a girl
waved a
Sister sat with crossed legs before the gold shining less as
little
koelte.
kwade, motion-
an image of Buddha, between the gravely dressed, solemn-look-
ing wives of the native dignitaries, equal in rank to her husband.
and cakes were served, every one took a cup of of small pastries.
had an individual
Tea
and several kinds
tea
The bride and the most distinguished guests each and a tray of pastries. It was as though
tea-service,
a whole carpet of pastries were spread out before the guests, here and
by sirrihdoozen and kwispeldoors of gold and
there broken shell, of
wood, or of
We
married women.
You have
woman
Not so long ago, is
The company was composed
unmarried ones were not
certainly heard that
fortune for a
way;
silver.
to
in enlightened
not that true?
among
Europe
there.
the Javanese
remain unmarried. it
a great mis-
it is
a disgrace as well.
It is
was looked upon
So we must not think
tortoise-
entirely of
ill
in the
same
of the foolish un-
civilized Indians. If the
bridegroom has a mother, on
this
evening she must be at the
feast of her daughter-in-law-to-be.
Our masculine guests ate with father in the pendopo, while the bridegroom stayed at home in his lodgings. Sister was so glad when, at half -past nine, the ceremonial was over, She walked decorously and sedately so far as she was concerned. from the as she
hall,
through the throng of
was out of
sight,
and safe
women
in
sitting
our room
around but as soon
all the
;
formality was
She was again our little sister, our dear happy Kleintje, and no Buddha image. That evening was sacred to the Prophet. In the mosque there was a great slamatan (sacrificial meal, celebrated with gone.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;175â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A prayers)
;
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
the blessing of heaven
was asked upon
the approaching mar-
riage.
At
that meal, only
Regent's wives
men were
who had come
Early the next morning, there was a quite gay, with
its
the rustling
stir in the
young cocoanut
The
little
played
We
home
koboepatin.
with us. It
looked
Outside on the
waved merrily
bordered the road which
In the green covered pasehuisen,
houses on the aloen-aloen before the kaboepatin, the gamelan
lustily.
were on the back gallery, where stood baskets of kanangas,
Women's hands were arranging
tjempakas, and melaties.
them on
into garlands, or suspending
soms from the
little
gamelan music and the perfume of
the flowers
swings, or tearing the blos-
leaves, so that they could be strewn in the
The kaboepatin was
bridal pair wherever they might go.
and
guests, even the at
tricolour
trees that
led to the house of the bridegroom.
two
wedding, ate
decorations of greens and flags.
highway, there was bustle and noise.
among
women
present, our
to sister's
flowers.
way
of the
filled
with
Busy people walked to was begun. Her forewas decorated with little
In our room, the toilet of the bride
fro.
head had been painted dark before; now
it
golden figures. Sister lay
down during
were two borders fastened into this, jewelled
work in,
is
made
the
operation.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to the hair
own
hair; but for sister
because the elaborate process
just recovered
Above
from a
is
we had
the border-
a false piece set
painful, and the poor child
had
fever.
the border-work
came
back of the head was dressed
from
With other brides
knobs were stuck.
of their
Behind the figures there
a dark one behind the gold;
a golden diadem, and her hair at the
like a half -moon
and
filled
with flowers;
that, a veil of melati with a border of flowers fell, and reached
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;176â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A to
on their
from which hung
spirals.
six chains of real flowers,
over the breast, and
down
little
suspended behind the ears,
to the waist.
These chains, which were about
made
of white flowers linked together
as thick as one's fingers, were
with
VANESE PRINCESS
Her head was again surmounted by the seven jewels Behind these, there was a jewelled flower,
her shoulders.
glittering
JA
bands of gold and ending in a round knob which was stuck
full of melati flowers.
Her wajang costume was arms were
decollete in front, so that neck, face,
entirely uncovered.
which was whitened, was covered with a fragrant
face,
and
All that was visible of sister except the salve.
She
wore a gold embroidered kain, over which there was a drapery of gold
woven
silk
;
the
whole was held up by a sash of yellow with long hang-
A
ing ends of red silk pointed with figures of gold.
growing lighter the
till
it
was pale green
upper part of her body.
through
this.
was bound around
in the centre,
Little glints of gold
Her arms and shoulders were
dark green sash,
showed delightfully
The
left entirely free.
yellow girdle around her waist was called mendologiri.
Sister
wore
one of gold, three fingers broad and ornamented with jewels; garlands of flowers, with hanging ends, were fastened to
one hip
to the other.
it,
reaching from behind
Around her neck, she wore
a collar, with three
wing-shaped ornaments hanging down over her breast and almost to her waist.
There were bracelets on her wrists and on the upper part
of her arms, shaped like serpents with upraised
tails
and heads; golden
chains dangled from these. It
was between three and four o'clock
kwade
From
In the
hall the wives of the native nobles assembled in gala attire.
the
kwade
to the
pendopo there was
which the bridal pair must walk. sisters
in the afternoon.
a carpet of flowers, over
The bride was The
and took her place before the kwade.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;177â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
led forward lights
by her
were already
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
lighted in the pendopo; the regents stood assembled in official costume,
and there were a few European acquaintances who were anxious sister for the last
time as a maiden.
side the kaboepaten,
it
to see
In the aloen-aloen, and all out-
was dark with people; only
the road which
was
decorated with flags and green leaves remained free.
A
streak of yellow could be seen in the distance;
it
drew nearer,
till
there appeared a train of open gold-striped parasols (pajoengs), under
which the native
officials
walk on great occasions.
was the retinue which preceded the bridegroom, who, with the other regents, was in an open carriage, which was covered with a glitIt
Gamelan music sounded from
tering golden parasol.
the pasebans and
the kaboepatin, to greet the approaching procession. It
reached the kaboepatin and halted at the door of the pendopo.
The whole company squatted down; the bridegroom got out of the carriage, and was led forward by two unmarried regents. They went into the pendopo, and all three knelt down in the middle of the room to do homage to father and the other regents. The two regents moved back, still
on their knees, and
The
pendopo.
was
chiefs
bridegroom alone
left the
formed a
circle
to
middle of the
Father sat at the head of the regents,
a smaller circle of priests.
and the High Priest who was
in the
around him, within which there
perform the ceremony next
to the bride-
Father announced to those present the reason for the calling
groom.
of this assembly, and said that he
now
sought the assistance of the High
Priest to bind his daughter in marriage to the bridegroom.
From I
crowd of people
was so sorry is
in the
in the
pendopo there arose a mystic buzzing
They were praying.
noise.
who
the
that I could not
pendopo, which was
filled
A
teacher
were the only
women
be near enough
a friend of ours, sister Roekmini, and
with men.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;178â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
I
to hear.
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
But we were very glad to be allowed there at all, and to have that much freedom granted us. It would not have been seemly for us to appear among a crowd of men during the celebration of a marriage ceremony. It was a pity, as we should have been glad to hear the betrothal
We
formulas.
could only see that during the betrothal
service the Priest held fast to the
but It
we did
hand of the bridegroom, who had
The solemnity
respond after him.
lasted a quarter of an
not have a watch with minutes, so
was impressive and
still
in the
hour
we could not
at
to
most;
tell exactly.
pendopo: not a sound could be heard
save the mystic droning of the priests.
There was a their knees.
The
now
stir
among
the
crowd of men, and the
The ceremony was
regents stood up; two of
priests rose
from
over.
them
lifted
up
the bridegroom, and
they started off over the carpet of flowers, followed by the most
Back
prominent regents.
by her
sisters,
in the
kwade
hall, the bride
was raised up
down the road of As the bride of each other, those who were
and, supported by them, she too started
flowers, followed
by
Mamma
and
all the
and bridegroom came within a few steps
women
guests.
leading them fell back, and the bridal pair gave, each to the other, a rolled
up
They took
sirrih-leaf filled with flowers.
a
few
steps nearer,
and then both knelt down and with them the whole company.
The bridegroom
made
sat ;
on her knees, the bride moved nearer
a sembah, both hands held together and brought
nose; that
is
our mark of reverence.
Then she kissed
to him and down under the
his right knee.
Again the bride made a sembah. The bridegroom rose and raised his wife, and hand in hand the young pair walked over the carpet of flowers to the
kwade, followed by the whole company except the regents, who
turned back to the pendopo.
Bride and bridegroom sat before the kwade like two images of
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;179â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
— LETTERS OF A Buddha
;
the family
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the bridal pair sat two little girls wafting their koeltes to
and
In most cases, husband and wife see each other for the this
ceremony.
Behind
and the lady guests thronged around them.
fro.
first
time at
At the stroke of half -past seven the regents came back,
and formed a half -circle on the ground around the bridal pair; the
women
of their families
formed
the other half of the circle.
The bride and bridegroom saluted
the older relatives with the foot-
kiss.
The bride first raised herself on her knees and shuffled forward toward Mamma; she made a sembah and kissed Mamma's knee, to beg
From Mamma, sister went who were older than she
her mother's blessing on her marriage. the aunts, sisters,
and cousins
—
to
to all those
Then she went to Father from him she went her uncles and cousins. When she and had returned again to her place,
and went through with the same ceremony.
and kissed to
his knee, in order to receive his blessing;
her father-in-law; after that to
had
finished kissing the feet of all
He
the bridegroom began the foot-kiss journey.
of his wife. out,
and
tea
When
he had completed
this
followed the example
ceremony, the regents went
and pastry were served as on the evening before.
At half-past eight bride and bridegroom departed. Hand in hand Usually they must go out on their knees; but as they left the hall. both of them had just recovered from
illness,
they were allowed to
walk. In other families the bridegroom must creep
up
the steps instead of
walking, on coming to the house of his parents-in-law, before he pays his respects to the ladies of the family; that
is
the perfection of
good
manners.
The bridegroom went to the bridal chamber, and sister where we dressed her for the reception to Europeans.
—180—
to
our room,
LETTERS OF A Her undone
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
bridal toilet, which had been the
Only
in five minutes.
her forehead were
We
unchanged.
left
dressed her alone, but
we did
work of a whole day, was and the decorations on
the headdress
just the
it
young
girls
We
same.
ought not to have thought that
it
was
entirely too stupid for us not to be allowed to touch sister in her bridal toilet.
Sister
now put on
a kain of silk interwoven with gold, and a
kabaja of ivory-coloured satin with silver embroidery.
She wore an-
diadem stead she wore a golden crown from which
other jewelled collar; the jewelled flowers in her hair and the
were taken
hung a
In their
off.
veil.
On
her head jewelled flowers on spirals were fastened.
So veiled and crowned,
it
was as though she had stepped from
a
page
Sister looked like one of the of the "Thousand and One Nights." fairy princesses. The costume was very becoming to her. What a
pity that she could not have been photographed in
The bridegroom appeared sat before the
kwade.
in his official dress.
At eight
o'clock, they
it!
Again the bridal pair
went arm
in
arm
to the
front gallery, where two gilded settees stood ready for tliem before a
background of palms.
They received
the good wishes of the
European ladies and gentlemen,
standing.
was called a reception, but
It
sound of the music, the dance-
at the
crazy feet turned toward the empty pendopo; bride and bridegroom
both took a few turns around the pendopo. It it
is
not customary for young girls to appear at a wedding, but
would have been foolish for us
to
remain away from
sister's
feast. It
was not yet twelve
guests, toasted the
o'clock,
young pair;
when
the Resident,
his speech
Soon after the European guests took
who was among
was answered by Father.
their leave, all but the Resident
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;181â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
the
and
LETTERS OF A a few others,
among them
They remained for
JA
a lady
VANESE PRINCESS who
is
an intimate friend of ours.
the native part of the feast.
After the departure of the European guests, the native nobles,
had absented themselves from the pendopo during in
the reception,
who came
and formed a half -circle, before which the bridegroom must give a
proof of his proficiency in dancing.
The regents
as well as the other chiefs
had meanwhile dressed
in
more
informal costume.
The gamelan played; a dancing-girl entered and began to dance. The Patih of Japara brought, on his knees, a silver waiter to the bridegroom, on which there was a silken cloth. When the bridegroom had taken the cloth, the Patih fell back. Soft gamelan tones again sounded; to the
went
hero of the day to open the
him and named it
I shall
was a prelude, an
invitation
The bridegroom
rose and
feast.
middle of the pendopo; he fastened the silken cloth around
to the
chimed;
it
his favourite air to the
not attempt to describe the dance;
shall only say that his graceful
it
was a joy
movements
as
my
dignitaries
he kept time
is
inadequate.
I
dancer in
gamelan music.
to the beautiful
The
circle of native
accompanied the music by singing and beating
Toward
the
their hands end of the dance the Resident went forward with
two glasses of champagne.
upon
pen
to the eyes to follow the agile
Behind him danced the dancing-girl, also singing. together.
The gongs
gamelan players.
was immediately struck up.
The gong sounded, and both dancers
fell
With a sembah the bridegroom accepted a glass from He drank it and the Resident emptied his at the same
their knees.
the Resident.
time amid joyful gamelan tones and sounds of general mirth.
A
servant took the
empty
glasses,
bridegroom stood up and again began
and the Resident to dance.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;182â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Now
fell
back.
The
his father-in-law
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
brought him a heahh to drink; dancing, they advanced to meet each
and
other,
at the
from
ceive the wine-glass
hand of
the
them and went back
by the side of
to sit
the bridal pair left the assembly; the the feast
was kept up
men had danced
too,
till
down
knelt
to re-
the older one.
After a health had been brought to him by left
man
sound of the gong, the young
all the regents present,
his wife.
Soon
he
after that
European guests went home, but
The European
early in the morning.
gentle-
and our Assistant Resident acquitted himself
excel-
lently.
Mamma,
our friend,
Roekmini, and
sister
I
stayed
till
the last Eu-
ropean guest had gone.
The next day there was quiet ceremony took place.
That
parents of the groom.
It
is
in the house.
the
first visit
called
is
In the afternoon the last
of the bridal pair to the
Javanese ngoendoh mantoe,
in
The
which, literally translated, means "daughter-in-law plucking!" daughter-in-law
is
compared
which her husband's parents
to a flower
will pluck.
For
this occasion
both bride and groom should again put on their
bridal costume; but that would have been
groom was dressed gold,
and a
silk
as usual
kabaja
;
and
sister
much
too wearisome, so the
wore a kain interwoven with
her hair was dressed in the form of a cap, and
on her head was a small sheath
in the shape of a cross,
which was
filled
with flowers, and over the whole was a network of melati blossoms, and
again the jewelled spirals waved to and fro above her head.
The bridal pair went on
foot, to the
in a procession, followed
house where the father of the bridegroom lodged.
Days and weeks
after the
called bride and bridegroom.
mother.
by the native chiefs
wedding the newly married pair are
The bride
is
There are women, mothers, who
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;183â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
still
a bride until she becomes a all their lives
are called
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
nganten, short for penganten, which means bride and also bridegroom.
The day
after the
Europeans and
ceremony was spent
in receiving visits
from both
natives.
Five days later there was again a feast in the koboepatin; the
first
return of the holy day which had opened the wedding ceremonies was celebrated.
The young couple
left a
week
after the
wedding; they were feted
whom
everywhere by various family connections with their journey
home.
they stopped on
At Tegal the marriage was celebrated
all
again; they remained there a week, and finally they reached their
home
over
own
Pemalang.
at
There, you have a description of a Javanese wedding in high circles. Sister's
that
marriage was called only a quiet
ceremony.
What must
affair,
a wedding be that
and yet is
it
entailed all
celebrated in a gala
way?
We
were dead tired after the wedding.
The Javanese give presents
at a
marriage; things
wear, such as
to
kains, stomachers, headdresses, silk for kabajas, cloth for jackets; also things to eat, such as rice, eggs, chickens, or a buffalo.
and
These are
merely meant as marks of good-will.
Kardinah also received a splendid bull from an uncle.
This had
to
be placed on exhibition with the other presents!
When
a buffalo
more than one
is
is
killed at the time of a
needed for the feast meals
sirrih, little cakes,
—
a
—and
wedding
bamboo
usually
vessel filled with
pinang nuts, and pieces of meat must be mixed with
the running blood of the slaughtered buffalo.
with flowers, are laid at
These vessels, covered
all of the cross-roads, bridges,
the estate, as an offering to the spirits
who dwell
there.
and wells on
If these bridge,
road, and water spirits, are not propitiated, they will be offended at the
—184—
LETTERS OF A
and misfortune will come of
festivities,
people.
A
Its
origin
Who
with legends and superstitions.
dusky realm of fairy
when
then,
superstition
trampled under
is
the belief of the
work and
tales into the light of is
we do
cast off,
who
are
shall lead the people out of
And
reality?
not want the poetry to be
foot.
But of what good have been interested
my
That
it.
do not know.
I
friend of ours says rightly that the Javanese are a people
filled
the
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
my
is
Let
prattling?
in this epistle,
and
me
you
if
rather ask
will
now
you
forgive
if
you
me
for
long silence?
There
is
so
much
that
simple na'ive beliefs. fact, that
is
lovable in
may
It
my
people, such
sound strange, but
you Europeans have taught me
to love
it is,
charm
in their
nevertheless, a
my own
land and peo-
Instead of estranging us from our native land, our European
ple.
education has brought us nearer to
it;
has opened our hearts to
its
beauties, and also to the needs of our people and to their weaknesses.
Do
not
Javanese
let
me
girl; I
tire
you any longer with
the scribbling of a silly
have written enough.
(Postscript)
In first
some places
it
is
the custom
when
the bridal pair meet for the
time for the bride to wash the groom's feet as a token of sub-
Whenever a widower widow a young man, the giving of the sirrih The one who has already been married at the wedding is omitted. hands the other, who carries a watering-can, a piece of burning wood, mission before she gives him the knee-kiss.
marries a young
girl,
or a
the contents of the can are
poured upon the
whereupon
wood
the charred
is
fire,
which naturally goes out;
thrown away and the watering-can
broken into pieces.
The symbolism of
this I
do not have
to explain.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;185â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
It is
plain enough.
LETTERS OF A You
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
should have seen sister as she sat there before the kwade.
ought
have been photographed,
to
would have shown
or, better still, painted,
She
because that
the colouring.
She stepped so calmly and sedately down the carpet of flowers; everywhere there were flowers and the perfume of incense; yes, truly, she was I
much
like a
Bodhisatwa! (incarnation of Buddha).
cannot hear the gamelan or smell the perfume of flowers and
cense, without seeing her
The people picked up
image before
my
eyes.
the flowers over which sister
kept them; they bring good luck,
it is
said,
husband!
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;186â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in-
and
to
had walked and
young daughters, a
XXXVI
^
March 27, 1903. always said of the
is
IT
for,
Well
plain?
misery
;
and misery
complain
to
girls
here
that,
and comfortably taken care of."
how about
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;they
means, is
happiness,
feel,
who
too
What
a right to com-
the
opposite
of
and yet they have no right
are said to act always of their
their children?
hood, than children
well-being,
what the women
"they are well provided
Have they
own
free will.
But
more wretched than a sad childearly have learned to read the shadow side is
of life? I
once copied something from a speech by Prof.
great
German
scholar
almost as follows:
who was
Max
Miiller, the
so learned in Eastern tongues.
"Polygamy, as
it is
It
was
practiced by the Eastern peo-
women and girls, who could not live in their environment without a man to take care of them and to protect them." Max Miiller is dead; we cannot call him here to show him the benefits ple
is
of benefit to
of that custom. 1
To Mevrouvf Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;187-
XXXVII
^
May
CANNOT begin
to
I
I
tell
you how great was
my
studies.
once learned
one advantage in
is
me
that I
am now
now time
am
First, I
my head,
is
I
I
my
could in
I
I
at
later I
Dutch so
can understand childhood,
now much more a deep grief
still it is
my studies
my
could
age.
have
that I shall
my
have depended so much upon I
I
indefinitely,
thoroughly in
it
must study one or two of the native languages.
have struck so hard with
happily for so long,
was able But there
ten full years ago.
pen that
my
through the middle, hut even that does not make pen!
17th, 1902.
at last I
has been but a review of what
could have carried on
limited on account of
working
and then
There,
I
when
joy
twenty-three years old instead of thirteen.
then look forward so far,
but
it
more than
this late study.
quickly and readily than to
So far
at school
my
it
is
broken
give up.
Poor
pen-holder
me
and we have worked together
must be a strange creature
to
lament over a broken
pen-holder! In April,
we went on
we paid our
a journey;
;
other sister, our eldest,
an urgent see her.
meeting 1
letter
We to
from
set
you?
who was
ill.
little sister,
While we were
begging us
out early the next morning. It
was simply
blissful!
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;188â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
We
sister a visit.
our home without the least idea of seeing her again we went
to
How
We
there,
come
to
can
I
left
to see an-
we
received
Pemalang,
to
describe that
did nothing the
first
LETTERS OF A few moments but look
was so thankful blooming before. I
thing,
It is
one another and hold one another
And
tight.
She had never looked so fresh and
her well.
to see
VANESE PRINCESS
in her cheeks. And beyond everyhow her husband valued and honoured her. with great pleasure that I have learned to know my new brotherHe is a good, sincere man, with many fine traits. He is very
it
in-law.
at
JA
delighted
She had roses
me
to see
She
upright, just and true, and has a sympathetic heart.
is
com-
his
rade, his advisor, his friend, and a mother as well to his three children,
who
are as fond of her as if she were their own mother. The children follow her foot-steps everywhere, like little faithful dogs. The oldest child, a boy of seven, had lived with his grandparents. Sister took him in charge and the child is devoted to her now
and loves
to
be with her; though his grandparents did not keep him at
arm's length you four, she gives
may
The two
be sure.
them lessons
at
home:
so
I
others are girls of six and
might almost
call
them
little
pupils, Stella.
He
leaves the education of his children entirely to her, and naturally
sister will
been able
bring up her
little
daughters in our
Sister has not
spirit.
her early dream, as she had dreamed
to realize
it,
but
is
the
task which she has undertaken less beautiful for that reason?
Our roads have what matters
I
it
divided, but both of us
which road one takes
long to go to Holland for
second
is
that I
prejudices that
away.
air, Stella,
reasons; the
make
mention but one of the persistent
of
little
same
ideal;
first
is
study, the
blow upon the few remaining
to
left, it is true,
can
the
but leads to the same goal?
cling to me, so that they
There are not many
Only your cold
many
want European air still
if it
work for
me
may
in truth, a free
prejudices,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;189â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
be wholly driven
but some obstinately remain.
I
woman.
To
should not be dis-
LETTERS OF A turbed in the least
men.
But
if I
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
were alone
in a
room
filled
make me, under any
can think of nothing, that could
I
with European gentle-
sible circumstances, receive alone, even one well-born Javanese
man, who was unmarried. it is
true.
even
if
feel at
I
it is
company,
should think
I
without a companion, and tiresome, and should not
it
ease.
So you see that
away from
my strong ideas of freedom, I cannot get my native environment, which keeps girls
in spite of
the influence of
strictly secluded.
When
the idea has been strongly inculcated that
not modest to show oneself to strange men's eyes, then to
break away from
must that
How
go. is
much
else shall
must not remain always
we be One
drives
air of
my
away
Europe
a hard task
so, that
prejudice
work together with men? And we hope to accomplish
w^ay in which
will be potent to separate
Sometimes
Javanese education. the foolishness for a
little,
but
it
I
me from
He
the Resident,
the in-
laugh at myself and
always comes back.
returned from our journey on the 19th of April.
several stations to meet us.
brought a long
official
Father came telegram from
which announced that the Heer Van Kol would come
found something
still
All the government
from the Resident
to
That was a delightful greeting of welcome, and
Japara the next day. I
able to
it is
it is
good.
fluence of
We
It
it.
part of our plan.
Only the
it
young
laughable, absurd, idiotic, but
man
dare not talk to a strange
there were
my
think
I
pos-
nicer
when
officials
to wait
On Sunday afternoon, With Van Kol was a
I
got
home
—your
letter.
along the whole line received the orders
upon
the
Heer Van Kol as he passed through.
at the stroke of three, the travellers
arrived.
journalist, who served him as interpreter and who had waited for him at the border. Van Kol had made a resolution never to lodge anywhere except in
guide, and Father,
—190—
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
a hotel, because he knows well the open hospitality of the country.
But after he had made the acquaintance of our family, and received a pressing invitation, he stayed with us.
who had been
we heard
Later
that
was we
it
He
responsible for his faithlessness to his resolution.
thought us worthy of scrutiny, he wished
European education on opportunity pass.
observe the influence of
to
girls of the aristocracy,
Happily we did not hear
and could not
the
let
this till afterwards.
The
knowledge would have made us constrained and self-conscious.
At the It
table,
was splendid
he talked almost constantly of his wife and children. to
hear
how
this great
man honours
his wife.
He met He
her through correspondence, a point of resemblance there, Stella.
corresponded with her at
by chance She was
about her literary work.
first
that she discovered
at that
her great
gift,
is
was only
time a governess, and was staying with some friends at
a villa on the slope of the Pinanggoengan (their villa
hage
It
her talent for writing.
called after that villa "Lali
Djiwa"
—
soul's
now
in Prinsen-
rest).
One
of
must write a description of the place, and they drew lots to decide which one it should be. The lot fell upon her. She sent the
the party
article to a
magazine and the editor wrote asking her for more.
Van Kol has been his early days,
to all of the places
where he lived and worked
in
and the children who formerly played with his daugh-
he found mothers themselves when he went back. But he still remembered them and knew them all by their names. Stella, we were happier that evening with the Heer Van Kol than we
ter,
have been in a long time.
At
first
we showed them examples
which called forth expressions of
Van Kol made some away and
of the artistic work of our people, wonder and admiration, and Heer
sketches of them.
the chair next to
him was empty
—191—
Some ;
I
of the
company moved
slipped into
it.
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Then he began, "You have planned
me so." On my answering
go to Holland?
to
Melchers
told
cult for in
you
later,
coming back
in the affirmative, he
when you come back.
The
it
will be
diffi-
greatest difficulty lies
to the old life."
"Why do you think that?" He spoke frankly and openly and you,
went on, "But
if later on,
said, "It
you should marry.
you would never be able
to
make
would be too
for
difficult
After having lived in Holland
yourself contented as the wife of a
native chief."
He
instanced cases of well educated native girls their friends,
They and
had married Hollanders.
their
who
husbands were devoted
to
one another but the Indian cannot be really happy amid European surroundings, and the Hollander can never accustom himself to the Indian life,
so there
is
always an impassable gulf between husband and
wife. I let
him
finish quietly, before I
day; "Mijnheer
Van
Kol,
if I
brought
my own
ideas to the light of
should go to Holland,
my
intention
is to
be educated for a profession, that of teaching preferably, and when
come back It is to
He
I
I
plan to open an institute for the daughters of native chiefs.
study that
looked at
I
me
wish
to
go there."
in surprise; his
himself he said, "That
is
a fine idea
blue eyes lighted up as though to
—
a very fine idea."
Then
to
me,
"Do you not think it splendid to have an object in life?" There was so much enthusiasm in his voice and in the expression of his eyes, that I felt my heart grow warm, involuntarily my lips formed a word, a name "Stella." Stella, if I
could only have you here, but then the earth would be
too small to hold
my
happiness.
For that was happiness,
—192—
that
moment
LETTERS OF A when
saw
I
superior
my
that
man
like
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
plans were understood and respected too, by a
Van
Kol.
was
It
mothers must
like the feeling that
have when they hear their children understood and praised.
He had
asked
if I
had talked with Mevrouw Rooseboom.
the opportunity; both times
They seemed
company, a ball or a dinner. the palace, because his Excellency the
Heer Van Kol
told
me
Governor General had said
She will go for us
Buitenzorg,
we have
Could
in
to the
to
kind, which
to
do
is
Heer Van Kol
make
to
have
at
that
he knew me. to
Batavia and
to
our friends
tell
them
to all
at Buitenzorg.
but go with her!
I
present a petition or something of the
to
will write for us
will set forth our names, our ages
I
had never
have spoken of us
Abendanons' and
our hearts; she will go too
What we have
And
I
as soon as he arrived that
Annie Glazer goes on her vacation next month that
No,
had met her there had been a great
I
sure that he will
briefly
petition
what we want
remember us when he
at his instigation written to his
The
from Batavia.
and very
gets to
to do.
Holland
wife and explained our plans
to her.
He was and also
delighted at Roekmini's idea of going to the Art
to
For indeed in her art.
know it
that she
wished
go through the household school.
appears that she has not enough talent
He
to ever
go very far
shared our belief that a teacher of Domestic Science
could help our people very much. to
to
Academy,
But he
is
anxious for her
to
be able
Academy for a few months before she starts on her domestic He thought it fine that we two should wish to work together He said many times over 'T think it splendid for each other.
go to the
studies.
and help
you two I
want
to
undertake so much."
have talked
to
him about
to
subjects in our schools,
and
the idea of teaching hygiene
let
him understand
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;193â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
and kindred
that I should be glad to
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
He
take a course in hygiene and nursing, in order to teach them later.
thought that a good idea too.
"In India you could not study that except under great in
Europe
would be quite
it
easy, there
difficulties;
you would have everything
under your hand, and you could easily get through
in a
few years, as
you speak and write Dutch very well." I
him 'of
told
other reasons
He sympathized
Europe.
in the belief that
why we wished to
sojourn for a time in
And
with us there too.
our ideas would be able
to
he was one with us
compel a larger following,
we could spread them broadcast, if we worked under the protection The Javanese nation is like a great child that It respects ever}i:hing with which the all loves show and display. that
of the Government.
powerful Government concerns
We
talked of the education,
ters of the nobles.
monotonous dull It
was time
man
the last
itself.
if
such
Van Kol knows
it
with
whom
I
girls;
he
is
He
spoke of his own noble and highly
He
called her his counsellor
his guiding star.
me deeply He is small
touched
his wife.
delightful to be in his I
done for Javanese
should have to argue about the importance
gifted wife with such love and respect.
It
be called, of the daugh-
lives.
that something should be
of woman's place in society.
and
may
Regents' wives, and knows of their
have been asked
to
hear
this
man making himself
in body, but great in heart
so small beside
and
soul.
It
was
company. to
put
my
ideas in Avriting in the
form of a
It would do much good to our cause knows of the deep injustice that our women suffer. But I must know what I am doing. As soon as I let my voice be heard, I know that I shall bring down the anger and hate
brochure or if she,
of
who
many
letter to the is
a
woman
of the Javanese
Queen.
herself,
men upon my
head.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;194^
LETTERS OF A For myself personally scholars, because
I
VANESE PRINCESS
do not fear
I
should become a teacher
JA
might have
no father would
their hate or anger, but if I
to stand
before a class without
trust his children to
me.
I
should
have touched the egoism of man. I
girl
have received an answer
comes of age.
to
my
question as to
"A Mohammedan
It is
girl
when a Mohammedan
never comes of age.
If
she wishes to be free, she would have to marry and after that be
So we
divorced."
shall
have
declare ourselves of age, and compel
to
the world to recognize our independence.
You know
that
Van Kol came here with a journalist. He wrote a made with Van Kol, also the visit to
description of the journey that he
and something
the kaboepaten is described,
Van
with Heer
Now
Kol.
people will
is
told of our ocnversation
know whither we
are going.
I
only hope that making our ideas public will do good and not harm.
For the
my
people.
breath with
Keep it
my name would come am proud of that Stella
time
first
I
my
was too beautiful, so
we have;
and
it
little
Oh
now one
It still
Stella,
it
had
good of
me
be named with the same
to
be pulled apart.
to
all
Poor clover
of the triple bond.
of us.
It
taken together as
sorrowful.
It is
was made girls.
at
leaf,
the best portrait
Christmas time
The
sight of the
Three hearts grew together on one
of them has been torn away.
Will the wound ever
bleeds at the least touch.
you do not know how we miss
—speaks of
us of her
memory
last portrait,
group makes
stem, and
heal?
it is
our
is
—
people.
this portrait in
that
out openly in connection with
her.
We
feel so old
her.
Everything reminds
now; the past seems
to lie
behind us like an eternity, and yet a half year has not gone by since she left us.
—195—
'
XXXVIII
May
HAVE
read your
over
last letter
many
times; in
sympathetically about the Javanese people.
I
If I
my
about
you write so
it
very pleasant
It is
you should have such friendly thoughts towards the brown
that
race.
26th, 1902.
many things Where can one
could only have you here with us there are so
people which
should be glad
I
to
show you.
study and learn to understand a people better than in the heart of that
You know
people? and here we have a true Javanese environment. that all of
you would be welcome
charming of you
It is
present
I
may
to
wish
at
to
any time. have
me
with you, but alas! for the
To
only appreciate your good will.
Buitenzorg belongs just
now
to the
knows when a change may come!
realm of forbidden
So much
that
travel alone to
But who
fruit.
seems
to
us today to
be absolutely impossible, appears tomorrow as an accomplished
The Javanese are a nation filled with memories and fairy dreams and fairy tales the most wonderful things happen, and which
is
there can If
Javanese through and through, holds fast still
fact.
tales,
my
in
heart
to the illusion that
be miracles, even as there were in the far distant past.
you knew of the dreams of some Javanese
girls that
you know,
possibly you might be surprised at them, think them strange, but you
would do you 1
not, I hope, not, that
Mevrouw de
we
merely shrug your shoulders
in pity.
You know,
are possessed by the idea of going to your country?
Booij-Boissvain.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;196â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
What one
But you do not know why. of visiting strange lands,
JA
is
naturally thinks
when one speaks new things,
of seeing and understanding
enjoying oneself, and perhaps also of learning accomplishments.
But when we feel so much for the suffering of our people,
strange
is it
then that there should be in us a great longing to do something that will
What
help them?
We
wish
has that to do with our desire to go to your country?
knowledge and bring back
to gather
ures of other lands, of your
change the
to
which
is
own country
first
to
our people the treas
of
all.
We
do not wish
spirit of the native Javanese, but to cultivate the
That
latent in them.
is
the goal which
we have
set
goo
before our
eyes.
such a pity that
It is
we
live so far
from each
other.
How
nice
it
we could exchange thoughts and ideas. Things can be much better in spoken than in written words. But our correspondence is very pleasant to me, we meet at so many points. How gladly I should teach you to know and understand my people. A
would be
if
expressed so
wonder words
artist
to his
must
rise
up
in
Java
fellow countrymen.
Burmanese.
Now we
brought so
many pens
to tell of
our race
in beautiful
Just as Fielding has written of the
have only that notorious book by Veth into motion,
^
that has
and caused a storm of anger
to
break forth.
Every land has
its
own
individual faults.
every other country on this round earth.
one knows so
bitterly little
certainly not gain
India just as well as
Poor India,
of you, and a book like that of Veth will
you sympathy.
Augusta de Wit^ writes with understanding, and 1
"Java; Geographisch, Ethnolgisch, Historisch," 3
vols.
of Leyden. 2
in foreign lands
"Facts and Fancies about Java," by Augusta de Wit.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;197â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
Haraam
in beautiful lan-
1875-80, by Professor Veth
JA
LETTERS OF A
We
guage about India.
VANESE PRINCESS
always read her articles in the Gids with much
pleasure.
In everything that concerns nature and is
delightful.
in
hand with
On
and
in
"dreams," Borel
Have you read what Borel has
his friend Veth.
We
about the gamelan? article
art,
other subjects he has less good to say, he goes
think
it
a
jewel.
little
And
hand
written
did you see the
by Martine Tonnet about the Wajang Orang at the court of That too is a jewel. I wish that Borel would go there, he
Djokaarta?
might feel inspired
to
The dance
break into charming poetry.
Princes of Solo and Djokaarta must be magnificent. of dances
it is
said.
It is
a pity that
have often been invited, but
it
we cannot go
would be
so
It is
of the
^
the dance
to Djokaarta.
wearisome
We
to dress in court
costume, and at court every one must be dressed (like a bride).
Do you know very
fine.
It
Do you
Johannes."
I
also
it
seems
is
not like that too?
read what you wrote of your
what you said of the poor
little
when winter comes.
land, especially in Friesland. the
"De Kleine
so true in thought,
I
and
in
hear much of the misery
Poor, poor simple creatures!
tells
me
about conditions in Hol-
In the winter time she has often sat
ground beside poor people who lived
straw.
The middle of
clothes,
no
1
of
protege with great interest, and
in Holland.
correspond with a Frieslander; she
down on
It is
me
charming.
of the poor there I
to
"T'Vioolje dat weten wilde," reminds
Eeden.
style
by Marie Marx-Koning? We think it me that she must be a great admirer of Van
that fairy story
warm
in little hovels of
winter, no work, nothing to eat, no
covering, and crying children.
It
is
fire,
For a description of the deince of the Princes at the court of Socrakaarta, see " Chap. 14, p. 169. I'ile de Java" by Jules LeClercq.
Sejour dans
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;198â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
no
bitterly hard.
Un
XXXIX
^
June 10, 1902.
DUTCH
am
I
I
am
to
still
languages
I
manner
it is
in
I
is
in
a very long
like geology.
which
think set
it
is
I
interesting
down
What
interesting.
of
little
it
I
my way.
I
people
way from knowledge
of
also enjoy mathematics, but
and very
who knew how
do think delightful,
has come
many
But heavens! fond-
it.
Not
is
to
that I
do
instructive; but the
charm for me.
in school-books has little
should like to have a teacher
that so
home
struggling with the groundwork of history.
not like history;
I
favourite study, and
thoroughly at
ness for a language
Next
it.
my
has always been
say that
make
the dry parts
ancient history;
it is
a pity
should love to study the history
of the Egyptians, and of the old Greeks and Romans.
We
do not wish
Javanese.
We
to
make
of our pupils half Europeans or European
want a free education,
to
One who
everything, a strong Javanese.
make
of the Javanese, above
will be blessed with love
and
enthusiasm for his own land and people, with a heart open to their good qualities 1 2
and
to their needs.^
To Mevrouw Abendanon. En somme Java est trop gouvemee.
La remede
est
sous le main
;
"Instruire las in-
digenes non pas avec I'idee d'em Faire des Europeans, mais dans le but de les preparer a devenir les coUaberateurs intimes de ceux-ci."
A. Fabert.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;199-
June 17, 1902.
READ
in the
paper that some Chinese
I
should like to meet the gallant
know something
to
I
see
Of what good is the prenow that the strongest and
and that gives little
me
Chinese girls;
courage and hope. I
should be so glad
of their thoughts and feelings, their "soul."
have always longed
to
have a Chinese
wondered about the inner
often
joy.
We
few old traditions?
oldest traditions can be broken; I
my
feel like shouting aloud in
servation of a
had asked permission Hurrah for progress! I
girls
examinations.
to stand the teachers'
life of
girl for a friend.
such a
girl.
It
I
have
must certainly
be full of poetry.
At Semarang, a Chinese on a
It lies
hills
hill
and
is
^
millionaire has laid out a splendid garden.
so beautiful; there are rocks, grottos
covered with green ferns.
Masses of flowers and miniature
trees are interspersed with little parks
There has
is
many
On
fruit
and winding paths.
a lovely summer-house in the middle of the lake.
capes and twisted turns.
can be seen swimming around.
and tiny
And
in
it,
the shore,
The lake
goeromis and gold is
fish
a hill with a grotto,
1
To Mevrouw de
2
In 1898, four years before this letter was written, there were 261.000 Chinese settlers in
Java.
They
Booij-Boissevain.
Their constantly increasing number presents a problem to the Dutch Government. more frequently artisans, merchants or agriculturists
are seldom day labourers but
and by
their frugality
and industry have attained a condition of general prosperity,
in all
competition easily outstripping the more indolent Javanese, and often accumulating large fortunes.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;200â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
A
and a bath house. out on top of the
and flowers of
become little
runs through the grotto and comes
do not come out of the chasms
is
high, that
is
stair
where two miniature temples stand.
The whole idea
the art that is
it
Fruit trees is
fairy -land
only the fairy kings and queens and the silver shining
illusion complete.
But where
winding
VANESE PRINCESS
kinds grow and bloom everywhere;
all
reality,
elves
hill,
JA
not poetry?
is
holy, in a
make poem expressed in
in the rocks to
like a
is
Everything that
word everything
that
is
is
the art.
good, that
beautiful in life
is
poetry!
We
have seen the creator of
commonplace
sjofele baba.^
tigers are scattered
among
this
Images
wonder
A
deadly dull,
human
dragons, and
place.
in plaster,
the grass; these too are the creations of his
fancy. It is
a pity that at the entrance of the
walk
that leads to the fairy lake,
two figures of European workmanship have been placed; they destroy the
harmony.
You have been
to
Batavia to see the exhibition?
and what do you say now of the brown race?
Oh
I
am
so
my
proud of
Hollanders must lead us. like children,
Sjofele,
Yes, to be sure, its
art?
people, they are capable of so much, but you
And you
will
do that will you not?
We
are
men and women.
ragged or dirty
;
baba, a Chinese coolie.
Sjofele baba indicates a good-natured
contempt. 2
of
and you are our protectors, who must guide us and help
us to be grown up 1
What
"
Exposition of Javanese art held at Batavia in that year.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;201â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
XLP July 12, 1902.
and Mother have both FATHER We had expected
given us their full permission.
storms, thunder-claps, and lightning flashes.
it. I had hoped that Father would dream that Mamma would stand by him. have never been estranged from one another but things are clearer
I
cannot yet fully realize
consent, but
We
I
had not dared
now between Mamma and felt
calm
calmness vanished.
not thought over what
words
words ready There
is
should say, but when
my mouth
in
to us in
had so much
I
my
lips.
it
Who
in
came was
it
that I
to the point, the
that placed the
—Who?
me?"
Mamma say, deeply moved, "Oh We have done wrong, not to
Poor, dearest mother, I
wish that
years,
I
could
what she
we owe
to her.
so thankful that 1
To Mevrouw
we
tell
child,
why have you
have told
Mamma
to-
in
Now
our mouths when we stood before her speaking for our ideals.
heard
had
were certainly hovering near putting the words
spirits
I
such a quiet, gentle
my mind
a power higher and greater than all earthly powers put
Good
gether.
I
themselves from
fell as
has brought us nearer together.
us, this
when Mother spoke
at first, but
my
manner,
to
I
not trusted
everything.
are not worthy to kiss her feet.
you what
Mamma has
been
to
us all these long
Now we realize for the first time the debt that owe her a world full of love and gratitude we are we are going away from Mamma in peace, in the service still is.
We
;
Ovink-Soer.
—202—
LETTERS OF A Good
of that
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
express our joy openly as formerly, as
We
we did only
had prepared what
do not know where
spoke
to
My
him.
I
I
and
had
to
while ago.
say to Father with the greatest anxiety.
voice sounded strange to
I
I sat
my own
ears.
I
was un-
I
was pleading was granted,
I
my dear father, the ice-crust melted from my arms around him and speak words of my knees trembled and my voice refused to do my bidding.
saw how much
I
heart.
comfort, but
my
little
got the calmness and composure with which
moved, but when the permission for which
my
a
no longer
are quiet now, but full of silent gratitude.
I I
We
knows and understands.
that she herself
it
cost
longed to throw
before him on the ground and looked at him with the mist before
eyes.
I felt
his pain
and
I
0, some day
suffered with him.
will
I
repay for everything.
my
In
my
heart the prayer rose "Father, forgive me,
Father, for-
give your child, she cannot do otherwise." It
was on the
twenty-first of June; I chose that day,
the difficult interview with Father.
Mother, with
me
Father stood by
in spirit.
me
in
my
I
my
On
fruit will
the
at
have you,
my
little
When
earthly one.
desire, there
was no joy
From
the depth of
my
my
soul
I
in
I
my
whom
prayed:
parents, flowers will spring
grow for our land, and for our people."
same day,
Batavia
to
and sympathy for the sorrow of one
grant that from this great sacrifice of
up and Kol
pity
my
struggle against
My tears were for him.
loved.
"0
was only
wished
Good angels surrounded me, my Heavenly
was alone once more and had gained heart; there
I
your birth-day, for
the twenty-first of June,
at his request.
The
letters
we wrote
to the
Heer Van
contained our names, ages,
and a summary of our ideas and wishes. But we had
to
have our parents' permission, without that nothing
could be done for us.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;203â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
/
And now
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
from our way, we stand Our parents cannot possibly afford the expense of our education; nor would we ask it of them. Yesterday I received a long and very earnest letter from Mevrouw Van Kol. If I that this stumbling block is cleared
before a second
—
the financial one.
did not need to keep
it
fingers did not cling to
try to tell
until it
it
so, I
you something of
was answered, and
if
should like to send
it
its
We
had received a benediction. anxiety;
we
are at peace,
we
trust
that
we have found Thee,
still,
that
We
herself.
feel as though
are no longer afraid,
and we believe.
We are no more than the dust of the
we!
boisterous happiness, but a
unaccustomed
She has given us more than
contents.
moral support, she has given us part of
my
to you, but I shall
we have no
Of what worth are
We feel no jubilant,
ground.
quiet joy.
we
God, we are so thankful
we have come through
doubt, unbelief
and materialism.
We all the
have thought much of time
it
was near;
it
late.
We
sought the Light afar off and
has always been with us,
it is
in us.
Our souls have been working and growing, and we did not know it. Mevrouw Van Kol has drawn back the curtain from before our eyes; we are more grateful to her for that than for all the other things which have been done for Before
I
us.
I
Mamma
had said
to
answered "God gave them
to
received her
such ideas?" and
letter.
me,
natural that Mother should try to hold us back, but
we would never
change, that
we could
"Who
me."
It
gave you
was only
when she saw
that
not change, she said to us with
resignation, "Well, children, I shall try to think that
you are called
to
God has sent you for this service." Mevrouw Van Kol wrote us: "Often we need human beings and their support, but there are many more times, when it is only God that we need. He has called each one of us to do our special work, and he do
this; that
—204—
LETTERS OF A
JA
gives us strength and constancy.
You
of experience says.
VANESE PRINCESS Believe me, this
now
stand
is
beginning of your work; when you are in the midst of will have that
had experience.
we become
It
what the voice
at the threshhold of life; at the it,
then you too
only when we have had experience
is
and friends of mankind,
free and strong, true helpers
depending not upon them, but upon ourselves and upon our Father-
God." Unasked, East and West has sent us assurances of its support and Mevrouw Van Kol sent us the paper with an account co-operation.
And where
containing a description of the journey of Heer Stoll.
the
writer had spoken of us, the following had been interpolated by East
and West:
"We since
it
trust that
Heer Van Kol, who has been a member of
was founded, will not have neglected
to tell
E &
W
her that she can
count to the fullest on our support in her noble struggle."
Mevrouw Van Kol, sent a few words to East and West about us, so that we might be brought nearer to the heart of the Javanese loving public, which reads E & W. After she had seen
this article,
She has asked permission I
do not like the idea, but
ther:
"How
to publish
it
is
in
my
entire letter in that paper.
our own behalf, and she writes fur-
can the friendly public know what
learn to appreciate your aspirations, better than in
is
which the young Javanese lays bare her soul
from whom she asks support and sympathy? letter that the public ought not to see, and
to
There I
in
your heart and
from a candid
know
is
an older not a
letter,
woman
word
in that
of no better intro-
duction for you to the circle that has the welfare of Java and of the
Javanese at heart.
I
can easily understand your scruples, but over-
come them and say "Yes." I have come to no decision
in
regard to
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;205â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
this.
I
must
first
have Fa-
LETTERS OF A Father wants
ther's consent. if the
Government says
JA
me
VANESE PRINCESS keep everything secret
to
world can hear of
yes, then the
at present; It is
it.
very
we should choose our way with all prudence, but experience we gain more by publicity than by secrecy. Even if the Government should refuse our request, we should lose nothing. How many petitions are never reached! true that
has shown us lately that
Let
me
we
say now, to set you at ease, that
will always
remain what
we are, but we fervently hope with you, that it may be granted us to make our own form of religion admirable in the eyes of those who think differently.
We
religion
made
and
feel that the kernel of all religion is right living, is
good and beautiful.
ye peoples, what have ye not
But,
of it?
Religion
designed as a blessing,
is
it
should form a bond between all
the creatures of God, white or brown, of every station, sex
One Father, of one God. we Mohammedans, and with
for all are children of the Almighty, say theists,
God
is
There
is
belief,
no God but
the master, the Creator of everything.
one another, help and support one another.
all love
and
us all-believing mono-
Children of one father and for that reason, brothers and
must
that all
were but understood.
sisters,
Ah,
down upon
if this
But we are so harnessed down by form that we
dogma
are sometimes driven against all religion; the followers of one
look
who
the followers of another, despise, hate and, sometimes,
even persecute them but enough of this for the present. ;
Is there a
writings
Dutch translation of Lessing's works, and of the
of Pudita Ramabai?
of this courageous Indian still
so well; I
was
I
was
woman
still
going to school when
for the
first
time.
I
life I
and
heard
remember
it
very young, a child of ten or eleven, when, glowing
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;206â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A with enthusiasm,
I
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
read of her in the paper.
ment; not alone for the white
woman
is it
I
trembled with excite-
possible to attain an inde-
pendent position, the brown Indian too can make herself free. days
I
thought of her, and
I
have never been able
what one good brave example can do!
\
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;207â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
It
spreads
to forget her. its
For See
influence so far.
XLIP July 28, 1902.
NO
cloud lasts for ever; neither
sun-shine. is
bom
From
and here
is
there such a thing as eternal
the darkest night the most beautiful I
Human
console myself.
morning
life is a true re-
flection of the life of nature.
Whiat
we must pray
for day and night
is
strength.
which makes the leaf and bud of one plant burst into the earth, 1
where
it
rots.
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;208â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
But the rain
forth, beats another
XLIII
'
August 15, 1902.
NELLIE'S
^
enthusiastic
article
copied in several papers here. tains
operation of
or a part of
one
letter;
is
women
my I
it.
in India.
letter,
think
enough and
director of the
letter
my
that
would be
to publish
it
all
better not to publish another
from Nellie throws
full light
upon
show the Netherlanders
many
busy now with an
will find
room for
it.
if
the
she could publish
She sent a copy of
about a Javanese wedding.
others their inferiors.
am
also con-
just as did Nellie,
and asked our permission it
Algemeen Handelsblad, asked
letters
spects their superiors, in
I
The Echo quoted,
home, and her brother advised me
letters will
many
Echo
in the
Hilda de Booj, the daughter of Heer Charles Boissevain, a
question.
one of
One
an appeal from that paper asking the syrnpathy and co-
all
a few words from
—
East and West has been
in
to publish
Such personal
it.
that the Javanese are in
respects their equals
this
some
re-
and perhaps
in
So says Heer Boissevain. article
for Belang Enrect;
If not, I shall send
it
to
I hope they some other paper or
We are collecting Javanese fairy tales for Nellie and sister making drawings for them. Oh, I hear so much wisdom and truth from the mouths of the people, and it is expressed in such sweet, melodi-
magazine. R.
is
ous words.
If I
only had your language well under
my
should like to translate the beautiful inspired music, so that 1
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
2
Mevrouw
—209—
Nellie
Van
Kol.
it
thumb,
I
could be
LETTERS OF A
We
understood and appreciated.
break any one's head
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
are not so deep by nature that
There
understand our wisdom.
to
Happy language where
selfishness in our language.
is
it
will
no word for
that
word has
never penetrated. I its
wish that
I
my
could teach you
language, so that you could enjoy
beauties in their original freshness.
soul of our people, the finer
think
I
drawn usually from a
poets are
—may
The great majority are
classes are educated.
Tlj There are
it.
certain
The deeper I penetrate the Among you wise men and station, and only the upper
some superior
spirits
among
I
You know them better than I. me into Kampong and Dessa;
Stella?
say
it?
—
the lower classes ; but the
But go around with
small huts of the poor submerged tenth,
let
let
crude.
many,
us visit the
us listen to their speech,
They are an unschooled people always, but music comes welling from their lips; they are tender and discreet by
seek out their thoughts.
nature, simple and modest.
If I
am
ever with you
I
can
tell
you much
know and love them as I do. among them, and where a people
of our gentle people; you must learn to
There are so many poets and
artists
has a feeling for poetry, the most beautiful thing in
life,
they cannot
be lacking in the instincts of civilization.
Everything that
is
high and fine in
belief, art, everything that elevates
so
much
nese,
to the
life is
The
Javanese people.
poetry love, devotion, truth, ;
and ennobles. least, the
And
poetry means
very humblest Java-
And what do you think of the deep respect which And of the touching piety of the have for their parents?
a poet.
is
children
living toward the
dead?
There
is
no joyful occasion where the dead
are not called to our remembrance, and their blessing and the blessing
of heaven invoked.
And
the
name
In joy and in sorrow,
—how holy
of Mother
—210—
we
think of our dead always.
that is!
In hours of pain and
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
murmur that name. It is Mother, and again Mother who is called upon, if we need help, if we need support. The honour of motherhood lies in this, in the calling of her name in deep, sorrowful hours. Why do we not call upon our father why just our mother? Because we feel from childhood, instinctively that Mother, doubt, the pale lips always
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
means a world of love and devotion. Each object that falls out of our hands "Oh, Allah,
my
you, what
shows?
it
I
have
work earnestly
Stella, I shall
may
Do
child."
be such a mistress of
it
at
is
all that is beautiful
to the outside
my own
I
white race as
I
know
it
in
want
its finer,
that to
your language, so that some day
our people clear and intelligible
language hard as well.
meaning of
to explain the
can make
that I
picked up with the saying;
world.
to teach
I
want
our people
nobler aspects.
to
I
among
to study
know
that
They must learn of
your nobleness, of your greatness, so that they will honour and love you.
I
want
to
do so much that sometimes
pair of hands.
The
must not injure
my
I
could do.
till
And
late at night
ject if in the
it
bodily weakness, so
is
am
I
would be
had a double little.
And
I
the most stupid thing that
that is not
good for me.
me harm and
am
I
often stupid, sometimes sitting and working
should do I
wish that
great, but the strength is
health, that
yet I
and
end
will
doing
my
I I
my own
ob-
could not overcome
my
may
defeat
best to live soberly
-211-
and sensibly.
XLIV^ August 15th, 1902.
HURRAH now
They are well
for our native Art and Industry!
started
on the road
you how pleased and
it is
so easy to
make
I
to a
We
am.
splendid future.
textile
brown race
us proud of them!
:
Wood
that
he saw here by
carving, the art of the gold smith,
Our
weaving have reached a high degree of excellence.
here have received a large order from East and West for
We
are delighted.
tell
like to admire our own people
The future of our Javanese artists is assured. Heer Zimmerman was in ecstasies over the work the despised
cannot
I
Now
the clever artist can bring out
and
artists
St.
Nicholas.
new
ideas and
express his poetic thoughts in graceful undulating lines and in ravishing, glowing,
changing colours.
else to seek the beautiful
—
Oh,
splendid above everything
is
it
God
a spark of
is
everywhere, even when
things outwardly appear most evil.
There was once a child who went
what she would
to
an old
like to have, for the little
ornaments, nor clothes; but the child said
woman who
asked her
one had neither sweets, nor
"Oh Mother,
give
me
a flower
that opens in the heart."
How
do you like that?
You must
of the child sounds so sweet. 1
To
2
Flower tongue.
There
see
is
it
Dr. Abendanon.
—212—
—
in the original
a deep
meaning
the answer
in bloementaal."
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
"Njoewoen sekar melati hingkang mekar hing poendjering is
what one hears
thing interesting that is
now busy
we hear from
the
mouths of the people.
in
We
our language.
writing
are learning songs.
Not songs of rejoicing
—
you ever
^have
heard one of that kind from a Javanese?
The gamelan never
even at the most extravagant festivals,
tone
that is well, life
is
its
There
say "bloementaal," and
not well said.
We
That ever)'-
are
no word for poetry
is it
ati."
down
We
all the time.
is
rejoices,
Perhaps
mournful.
mournful; not a song of rejoicing.
These pages have been written under the influence of sweet and sad singing.
It
evening, windows and doors are open; the fragrant
is
breath of the blooming tjempaka beyond our chamber comes to greet
us with the cool breeze that rustles through floor, just as I
do now
To
also writing.
Before
floor.
at a
its
long low table, at
branches.
my left was
me was Annie woman who read from
the right of
me was
a
I sat
sister
upon the
Roekmini
Glazer, she too on the a
They
book of songs.
were very beautiful, and the pure, serene, sonorous tones seemed wish that you could be
would have a dream.
It is
ugly, unless
This
is
we make
—
it
it
is
But to
I
us.
little circle.
Dreams!
Life
have
I
You is
not
to
be
so.
beautiful.
We
always have beauty within us.
the reason that I wish that in education, emphasis were laid
upon character forming, and of will;
with us in that
cold, sober reality, but even reality does not
not ugly
It is
sitting there
with us and dreamed with
felt
to
How
carry our souls far away, nearer to the realm of the blessed.
it
first
of all upon the cultivation of strength
should be instilled into the child.
am wandering from my
subject.
This time
I
wanted
to write
you about our people, and not about education. There is an old woman here from whom I have gathered many
—213—
— LETTERS OF A flowers that spring
and has
still
willing, but
why?
more first I
Why
must
from the
She has already given
heart.
and
to give,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
I
that time
I
awake and
door storm door
my
The meaning behind
day and a
night,
licht/
tot
tot rust,
strijd tot eer
door leed
sounds like a requiem in
lips; "Fast a
in solitude."
"Door nacht
tot lust."
ears.
the words of the old
woman
is:
Fasting and
waking are symbolical; "Through abstinence and meditation, we go
ward
the material
As
is
light,
where darkness has not gone before. Fasting
that a beautiful thought?
by
a child
others around
began
No
the light."
you not think
I
is
must buy her flowers
pay?
Solemnly the words sounded from her
and pass
She
wish for more; always more.
must earn her treasures, I
me much,
the spirit; solitude
is
is
to-
Do
the overcoming of
the school of meditation.
did everything mechanically without question, because
me
to question,
did the same thing; then a time came
why do
I
do
that,
why
is
so
when my mind
and so? why
—why—
It
endless.
would not do things mechanically without knowing the reason. would not learn any more lessons from the Koran, saying sentences I
a strange language, whose meaning
probably
my
meaning and
I
am
willing to learn everything." 1
in
did not understand and which
teachers themselves did not understand. I
I
Through night to light, Through storm to rest Through strife to peace Through sorrow into joy.
—214—
I
"Tell
me
the
was wrong, the
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Book of Books is too holy to be comprehended by our poor intelligence. We would not fast and do other things which seemed senseless to us. Every one was in despair; we were in despair, no one could explain the Our God was our conthings which were incomprehensible to us. science, our Hell and our Heaven too was our own conscience; if we did wrong our conscience punished us; rewarded
if
we
did good, our conscience
us.
The years came and went; we were called Mahommedans because we had inherited that faith, and we were Mahommedans in name^ no more. God Allah was for us a name a word a sound without meaning. Now we have found Him for whom unconsciously our souls had
—
—
—
yearned during the long years. did not
know
that
it
was near,
—
We that
had sought it
so far
and so long, we
was always with
us, that
it
was
in us. It
had been working
in us unconsciously for a long time; but she
who opened the door for which we had sought, was Nellie Van Kol. And who leads us now, and shows us the way toward Him? It is
Mamma.
We
have been so stupid
all
our
lives;
we have had
mountain of treasure under our hands and we have not known Foolish, headstrong, pedantic persons that selves
now
for our
own
we were, we reproach
conceit and self sufficiency.
ourselves: "It has pleased
God
to
a whole
it.
open your hearts
We
our-
say to console
at last,
be thankful
for that."
God
alone understands the riddle of the world.
It is
together paths that were far asunder for the forming of
-215—
He
that brings
new
roads.
XLV^ August 17th, 1902.
GOOD
morning; here comes
sister to prattle to
a splendid fresh morning, and
is
corner by the window where
Another time
Our home, which however,
is
our doenia
shall continue
I
I
and describe
shall try
I
my
(little
am
I
sitting
you again.
It
here in a cosy
have a view of the garden.
our surroundings
all
world) and our
talk of yesterday.
It is
to you.
Now
cloister.
pathetic to see
the joy of our elders over the return of the strayed sheep.
Out of pure old Javanese
woman manuscripts; many joy,
an old
are going to study Arabic so that
You know perhaps
here sent us her collection of books,
read, and write
that Javanese books are very rare,
find because they are written with the hand.
We
printed.
How
I
are reading
now
beautiful. scious,
our
all
to learn the
It is
children as
we
It
is
We
and hard
in
to
the flower-tongue.
should be so glad
if
Have you any
difficult
a sentient language; often the
—
desire
certainly, but
words seem
to
you
it
is
be con-
are astonished sometimes,
own
are of the country, at the cleverness of our fellow coun-
Things of which one could never imagine anything could be
made, they express charmingly. To Heer
poem I
it.
Only a few of them are
fine things in the original.
Javanese language?
they express so much.
trymen.
1
a lovely
wish that you knew our language.
could enjoy
We
written in Arabic characters.
we can
E.
C.
Name
Abendanon.
—216—
something in the dark, give
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
out a subject at random, and a simple Javanese will immediately
a rhyme that astonishes by
aptness and clearness.
its
longs peculiarly to our Eastern people.
It
is
make
This facility be-
a pity that
when
the
precious gifts were meted out, your sisters should have been neglected.
That see,
not jfishing for a compliment,
is
made
fairy has
As one can
literally.
have
good care that
to take
certain
this virtue
amount of feeling
not seen already, that
it is
Now
goes to extremes.
try to understand them.
Your
sisters
;
that
very
It is
you know
Help me
know
to
difficult
my
all
we went
needed
— — rain
Now we know
it,
that
We
a prayer:
how
were afraid that they
rain, but
it
in order to
we found our
rose-
the days went; our
grow and
our tears of today serve only will
bloom
Rain,
to
But the same
fire
to
blossom.
nourish the seed,
in the future.
world too;
submissively before suff^ering.
that is in the heart.
is
Will you not
and of beautiful blossoms.
right for sorrow to exist in the
Bow your head
here
naturally
out one morning to see
not struggle, do not complain and curse sorrow It is
who
before they could bear those splendid blossoms.
the soul needs
from which another, higher joy
Do
faults,
The days came and
roses were full of luxuriant leaves
Rain
for one
of things in themselves that are not good.
from the over-abundant
bushes full of green buds.
rain, they
you have
see, if
overcome them.
our flower children were getting along. suff"ered
and we
does not degenerate into a vice.
good but you will soon
is
After having had days of rain,
would have
gift myself,
often hard for your sisters to keep themselves
in the golden middle way.
do that?
sister
reparation by endowing us richly with her gift of
I
you.
it
do not think so very much of her
sensibility.
A
we mean
though one fairy gave us wit in step-motherly wise, another
It
when it
has
it
its
comes
to
mission.
brings out the good
which purifies gold, turns wood
into ashes.
—217—
LETTERS OF A Now
I
want
with Nellie it
you how
to tell
Van
JA
it
VANESE PRINCESS
was
that
we happened
to get into touch
Perhaps you have already read something about
Kol.
One evening in the latter part of April, we had a visit Heer Van Kol. He was sent to us by a Dutch lady, who has
in the paper.
from
the
much sympathy
for the cause of your sisters.
our esteem through what he has been
meet superior people.
lightful to
and the Javanese.
to Java,
him a place It
was one of the most
Already, long ago, he had won
pleasant meetings of our whole lives.
the personal meeting secured for
It
in
our love.
was a great occasion
But
It is
in
our
de-
lives,
when we met your dear parents, it was a turning point for us; it waked us up to reality. Before that we had only seemed to live, we had been asleep, always sleeping and dreaming. Now we are alive, fighting and struggling, hoping, despairing, suffering
laughing; that
is life.
have descended
We
have climbed
and
weeping and
rejoicing,
to the heights of joy,
into the depths of misery.
am happy
I
and we
just to
be
alive. I
gles
have heard from your mother that you sympathize with our strug-
and ideas; and you have told us so yourself.
know
please you to
there are others
who
So
it
will certainly
are interested in our cause;
Van Kol and his wife. Heer Van Kol everything. It was to hear about our he had come, and he promised to support our endeavours
superior people like Heer
We
told the
plans that
with all his might; just as your father has promised to do. not glad that the cause of your sisters has found a
Holland that
—
in the council halls of the country?
he can
to
help us.
He
asked us
if
He
we would
she would prove a true, faithful advisor.
He
warm will
Are you
defender in
do everything
not write to his wife;
spoke of his wife with
such love and respect he called her his guide and his counsellor.
—218—
It
— LETTERS OF A touched us to hear a
man
JA
—and
VANESE PRINCESS
Would that there were more such men woman and honour her for it. I
had
did not
was writing
to
which was the to
Was
left, I wrote to his wife.
her
had no feeling
I
so of a
woman.
my
immediately after he
feet;
instinct
it
at all that
it
—
wonder! for when
I
was
I
an utter stranger,
to
had been the same way, when
I
was talking
As though she had been my mother,
I
blurted out
fact.
her husband.
man
see the highest in
grow under
the grass
let
—speak —who would
such a
It
without reserve, just what
I felt.
It
was easy
to
be frank with her hus-
band, for he was so modest, so friendly, met us so cordially, and was so fatherly towards us.
and wrote at once
at
once
to
—and such
God has
I
am
glad that
Mevrouw Van
We
a letter!
given us as a
gift,
followed the voice of
I
Kol.
heart
received a letter from her
feel ourselves rich in her sympathy.
and through
the heart of a true friend,
friend's heart, he has found us himself.
happy we
We
my
If I could only tell
that
you how
are.
"We port
will find the right human friends, when we cease to seek for supamong men, but depend upon ourselves and upon our Father
God."
We
"The
loveliest
nestle
Again she says:
are deeply grateful to Nellie for that.
and best among us are but weak blundering creatures;
on your Father's heart, he will heal your wounds and dry your
tears."
In the days since
has happened.
I
have begun
plunged us into despair, but now solation
from men
becomes
light,
We
this letter
something very unpleasant
Before our acquaintance with Nellie,
—we hold
it is
fast to
different.
We
it
would have
do not seek con-
His hand, and then the darkness
and the storm wind a gentle breeze.
are not afraid,
we
are never afraid, wherever
—219—
we may
be, there
LETTERS OF A is
who judges us
a father that watches over us,
ready for anything.
—
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
For there
no
is
light
We
with love.
are
where darkness does not go
dawn is bom out of the night. Now that we have found Him, our whole lives are changed, our work seems nobler, higher. What do you think of all this, Edie? I I know one thing for certain, that you are glad for your sisters. before
have
the
other things to prattle about, and then
still
go; otherwise
it
will
grow
seems very formidable
to
and
stale,
you.
it is
Honestly,
Do
must be the basis of our friendship. thing because
it
might give
me
pain,
must
I
let this letter
Perhaps
too long already. tell
me
Candour
the truth?
not be afraid to
when you know
tell
that
it
it
me
some-
would be
wholesome for me.
From you we did not expect allow the workmen under your your ideas
fullest
it hurts me so to man made lower
We
it
is
else,
but that you would not
We
orders to be beaten.
in the matter.
I
see the beast in
share to the
cannot bear to see any one struck;
man, unfettered, hot tempered, the
than the beast.
cannot understand
execution,
anything
how men, and even women, can go to see an You know very well that un-,
worse than heartless.
fortunate convicts are often beaten with rods; they are cruel people that willingly encourage the infliction of such punishment.
Javanese, but I
still
worse
in the
in fact a highly
at a festival of the people, let first a child, girl,
make
and after
that a
;
woman, and
the acquaintance of his stick in a most frightful
of the great man's way.
It is
in the
educated European,
manner, because the blunderers had not been deft enough out aloud
bad
European, when he so debases himself.
have seen, a certainly not stupid,
a young
It is
I
ground
each blow pierced
me
my teeth
in getting out
together to keep
from crying
through the soul.
not the idea of pain that makes
—220—
me abhor
bodily punishment,
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
but the deep humilation that the victim must feel. it
does to the one
never cures.
who
That
is
And
also the
harm
Physical punishment embitters, but
punishes.
our conviction.
As children of a ruler in a community where the idea is fast rooted that a Randen Mas or a Raden Adjeng is absolutely a being of a higher order, to whom a God-like reverence is due from the people, we have oftener than we would, been among scenes that made us tremble with exasperation. At such times we are struck dumb and stand still as death, we can neither speak nor smile, indignation and pity hold our mouths it
fast closed.
An
acquaintance of ours once said
"We
must do
how otherwise will our little handful be able to keep peace and among thousands? Had they not been afraid of us, they would
well;
order
long ago have hunted us from the land, and driven us into the sea."
Obedience through fear; when will the time come when the God-like rule,
which
is
called love, will penetrate millions and millions of hearts?
One thousand nine hundred and two years ago the beautiful law of love was preached, but how many thousand years must pass before love will come into its own? Not only among the elect, but among the multitudes?
Your mother knows told
the whole history of our lives.
you of our childhood years, when we lived under the
of older brothers and sisters?
must submit tini;
The
Among
us
to the older in everything.
it is
was
that I
a law, the younger ones
That was not for
even in her early years, the desire for result
Has she ever despotic sway
was somewhat out of harmony with
brothers and sisters, because
I
submitted to them only when
son in what they thought good.
So
alone against a hostile power.
Bitter, bitter tears
I
Kar-
sister
freedom had awakened.
I
my
older
saw a
rea-
stood there a child of twelve years,
children.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;221â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
were wept by us as
LETTERS OF A
,
Do you know who at
has always been our friend, our help and our
But most of the time he was not
Kartono.
support?
Our friendship
Semarang.
My
earliest youth.
We
fraternity."
It is
not a boast,
is
quite old
eldest sister married,
and then we began a new
and
wished
to
be loved
but every one knows
And how our
little
you
my
see;
it
at
home, he was
goes back to our
older brother went away,
The watchword was "Freedom, equality
life.
be with us than with the others. gether.
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
—not
feared.
that our little ones
Love
is
the
ones love us!
would rather
bond which binds us
to-
They have taught us much.
Those who embittered our childish years, were also our teachers, for Another proof that
they taught us to avoid being like themselves.
row
sor-
justifies its existence.
Those who formerly opposed
They do not
friendship.
In every
letter,
our
tell
us,
now come
to
us with love and
us so in words, but deeds bear witness.
sister asks us to
come and
Our presence
visit her.
does good, both to her and to her house, she says always.
God tory,
is great,
become
God
powerful!
is
Could not that
bit of
our
the Javanese?
Would
and respect
bind the Netherlands and Java together?
happy I
but
to
state of affairs
protest, I
we only know
has come about in our
you
I
hope sincerely
away from
family,
I
this
do not know; us,
the
will take
it
that this long discourse will not
a further correspondence with your sisters. as a proof of our
good
intentions,
we look upon you as our brother and our many letters from Sawah Loento with Japara as
say that that
own
How
Many times the question has been asked we have much love in our hearts and that is
that
best Brother,
that
not be possible for nothing but mutual love
I believe.
frighten you
And
it
do not know.
whole secret
Now,
life his-
the life history of two peoples, of the Hollanders and of
—222—
friend.
when we
We
hope
destination will be
LETTERS OF A forthcoming.
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Tell us about everything
—your
work
—your
life
and
your environment. It is
to take
a pity that photography
some peeps, for the
customs.
We,
is
such a luxury, for
we should be glad
benefit of our friends, into typical Javanese
as children of the country, can go everywhere here
with a freedom that would not be allowed to you.
—223—
XLVr
LATELY mire
we have
received
August 20th, 1902. some people from Batavia who ad-
the art of our people, and who wish to do much for it. They were heads of the governing board of East and West India, who wished to have examples of native art for Santa Glaus
in
and were anxious for Japara to be well represented. We have been busy with that work. It is such a pleasure to us to be able (sinterklaas),
work for
to
privilege to be the avenue through which
way
their soul find a
its
some of
think
it
a great
these expressions of
new world. Works of art that compel wonmade by the despised Javanese, whom the world
into a
der and admiration are in
We
the furtherance of our people's art.
simplicity has patronized.
When
one looks
splendid examples which
at the
that sees their simple creator,
works, one that here
ecstacies
is filled
and the primitive
we
have, and after
tools with
which he
with reverence for his work, and feels instinctively
Once when we were in over something which he had made, we said to him "Oh, where one
is
face to face with a true
artist.
did you get such beautiful designs?"
The lowered eyes were answered "From
my
swer, and afterwards 1
To Mevrouw Van
2
Bendoro means master
raised,
and with an embarrassed laugh, he
heart, bendoro."
we laughed
^
We
were delighted
so at ourselves, because
Kol.
—
It is
also used to
women
—224—
of high rank.
at his an-
we had
sat
LETTERS OF A upon
and he was
the steps,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
in a respectful attitude
upon
the ground,
•••••••••
humbling himself before •
us, to
whom he was
a hundred fold superior.
splendid that through the untiring efforts of yourself and some
It is
others, the eyes of the Netherlands are beginning to be
important part of a child's education
—
reading.
opened
to that
may
Holland
congratulate herself that she possesses such noble strength, which
well sets
mind and spirit far more fortunate
with heart and soul toward the forming of the
itself
And in that respect the Dutch child is Javanese, who possesses no books except school-books.
of her youth. than the
We
were
us to write
children
still
little
when an
narratives of native child life which were to appear
We
in small illustrated books.
the sketches, that
inspector of native education asked
some day
had not the
least idea
the pioneer of the noble
when we wrote
movement
in Hol-
land to give the children good literature, would ask us to bring a
little
stone for the building of that tower, which
pure
a tower full of clear,
air,
panse of Heaven the
men
—which
of the future.
games and songs for tales
and the
much,
to
little
We
games.
we have an
1
Jules
last
now
In the
place though
first
Le Qarcq it is
to
study
an
The
it.
we
seek in vain in
man who
says of Javanese music that to
European
ears,
it
far
we it,
down
the fairy
love music very
because we have
from you, and European music.^
in
it
has spent twenty years colof charm, and produces a sweet from being barbaric it makes one
art "tres difficile, tres complique, tres delicat."
—225—
the youth,
greatest difficulty lies in
is full
and that
all the ex-
—
collecting fairly tales, fables,
will not be easy to write
week, we talked with a
melody incomprehensible jealize tbfit
are busy It
looking on
erecting for her loved ones
entirely different musical scale
there are chords for which
Only
is
our great sorrow we know nothing about
never had an opportunity this,
undimmed windows,
she
her.
rising so high in the
is
LETTERS OF A lecting songs
and poetry of
all
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
kinds
among
the Indian people.
rhymes and jingles. some Javanese songs in his collection.
Now
collected all conceivable forms, even so anxious to have
has
he
But so
he has not been able to write them into music on account of the of which
He
is
far,
difficulty
spoke.
I
But gamelan music
rhymes are simple. quite well.
is
We
very
tried
and the children's songs and
difficult,
some of them on
would seem as though an
It
the piano
and they went
invisible telephone cable ran
Djawa and back again; otherwise we do not see many things of which you spoke in your letter were already answered in ours before we received it. In my letter which crossed yours, you will find many of your questions answered. We had even written you of the songs, games and fairy tales. It will be so unfortunate if we cannot give the songs, for the charm lies in the music. As children, we did not enjoy our fairy tales, if the narrator from here
how
to Lalie
can be that so
it
could not sing.
We
have been having a heated controversy about the influence of
Our adversary thought
books.
was
silly,
We
a book nothing
—
that idealism
was
all
nonsense; poetry
not of the slightest value.
were delighted the next morning, when we opened the Amster-
dammer
to find
are novices,
your delightful
triflers,
article
our judgment
is
on the influence of books.
We
worth nothing; but now we have
an authority on the subject.
He
is
a very peculiar man, and
it
interests
him
to strike at
our inner-
He likes to try to analyze our deductions. He is a many good qualities, but so weak. Through him, we see still more plainly why a child should first of all be educated in strength of
most convictions.
man
of
will. I
Without strength,
cannot
tell
all other
good qualities are of
you how thankful we are
—226—
that
little
worth.
you have shown us the way
LETTERS OF A to true
free in
—
happiness
to true
freedom
it is
Where
to them.
is
VANESE PRINCESS
—
to
Those who serve God are
God.
To be dependent upon
they are bound to no man.
bondage
but
—
JA
true happiness?
so difficult to find the road thither,
It is
others
is to
we cannot go by
tram, by
horse or by boat, and no gold can pay the cost of the journey.
hard
to find the
be
not far away,
It is
way, and we must pay the fare in tears and heart's
Where
blood and meditation.
is
the road?
in ourselves.
It is
In the
we find much that delights us, that transports us, so that we think we have found the long sought happiness. But even as the thought comes, we find by bitter experience that what we hold to our hearts, is world,
empty
dross.
True, lasting happiness dwells within, and
We
have learned of that from you.
God
is
called soul's peace.
is
jealous,
it is
not suffer us to pray to any other gods but Him, and
who
bitter disillusion those
them with reverence. In
it,
shalt
much
Mother says
The
and pray
to
Alas, if that
man is man and commandment were only under-
would be spared us. would like to meet you;
suffering that she
for the miracle that
lievers;
punishes with
have no other gods before me," a command
you have wrought
hearts to the Father of Love.
ligion,
will
there lies an earnest admonition that
but a fallible creature. stood, so
He
i
So we think, "Thou of love.
He
create gods for themselves,
said;
things that
You
we had
thank you personally
to
in her children in opening their
ask what had turned us into unbe-
seen lurking under the mantle of re-
and Oh, the intolerance of so many strong believers.
We were children; how can one understand We did not know, could not understand that using God's
name
to
cover his wicked deeds.
for that matter, not what
is
the thoughts of a child? it
is
We
your belief? but what
—227—
is
man who
does
asked and
evil,
still
ask
the conduct of your
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS Now we know
Righteousness was our God.
life?
that
God and
right-
eousness are one.
We
are reading a beautiful
is
no word for poetry
it
not expressive?
in
poem;
it is
in the flower-tongue.
There
—and
our language, so we say flower-tongue
is
All our books are in poetic metre and can be either
read or sung. Do you remember the cool, bright tropical evenings, when everything was quiet, and the stillness was only broken by the
wind through
rustling of the
tlie
the fresh evening breeze brought
tops of the cocoa-nut trees?
you on
of kemoening, tjempaka, melati.
then? the song of a Javanese,
bours
—
of love
—
who
its
When
breath the sweet perfume
Did a dreamy song never reach you sings to his family and to his neigh-
heroic deeds, and glittering pageantry
—
of beauty
and of wisdom; of mighty men and women, princes and princesses of the long ago.
It is
that loveliest
hard day's work, seeks lost in the
dreaming
all his cares
away, wholly
shining far-away past, whither his song leads him.
Javanese are a people who says rightly.
That
sleep."
hour when the Javanese, tired from the
rest in song,
"They are is
true, but
"The
young friend of ours dreams of their eternal
live in the past," a
lost in the blissful
we
are alive,
we must
live;
and
life
always
goes forward.
Our
friend says, too
:
"Your people must be awakened
realization of the outside world."
Many
to a practical
things that are dear to us will
then be driven into the background, but should
we
for that reason, de-
lay the awakening?
Dreams are for ever?
dreams
splendid, but what
We
must make
would become of us
if
we dreamed make our
ourselves nobler, by trying to
real.
—228—
LETTERS OF A There
so
is
much charm
means of making us
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
anew
it
many
a great pleasure to find out their ideas.
simple language, but they
by
their truth
tell
and wisdom.
beautiful thoughts in our
I
own
few days.
in the last
ing of fables brings us into contact with is
You have been
in the Javanese people.
realize
the
This collect-
kinds of people, and
They
tell
them
it
to us in
them so graciously, and we are moved wish that
soft
could send you some of their
I
musical tongue.
Translated they are
no longer what they were.
We
tell
you too much about our people, do we not? answers
question,
it
them and
that
itself.
you love them
essential thing is the spirit,
We
know
sincerely.
that
We
But what a
you are glad
to
believe with
you
and not the world.
We
know
of
that the
are so rich, and
happy with the spirit friends that we have, is it selfish to want to from each one of them? To improve ourselves by correspondence with those who nourish and broaden our minds? so
learn
We
think
it
abominable
to receive
and
to
have
to
answer
letters
about
make one ask "Why were they written?" We are many superior minds. Deep in the heart of Celebes we have a noble friend. We admire him sincerely for his great work. It is always a holiday for us when we receive a letter from Dr. Adriani. His letters are as interesting as they are learned. We met him when we were visiting the Abandanons. Mevrouw brought us together, knowing how much we should value the acquaintance. When we are distressed by the heartlessness of others, the mere thought of him is a consolation. The selfishness of people hurts us; often it is boundless. It is such a delight to meet now and then, among luke-warm or indifferent people, many without heart or head either, a being who is all enthusiasm and heroic strength. nothing, epistles that
certainly privileged to be in touch with so
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;229â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
— LETTERS OF A
We
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
know us
are so sorry that you did not
in the full
glow of our
triple bond.
—one
We
were three souls welded together
by side
living side
in thought
and feeling
Storms passed over the young
in life as sisters.
heads, storms raged in the young hearts! I
think of your "In order to reach our ideals,
From
illusions."
ripens.
It is
illusions,
the death of
so with
human
we must
lay
down many
young spring blossoms, the strong
life
—
sometimes mature ones
is it
From
not?
the death of
fruit
young
which ripen and bring forth
rise up,
fruit.
We
have laid down a great
we buried
it
illusion.
in our heart's blood, but
was a
It
still
we
bitter,
miserable hour;
felt as
though we were
being rushed along as by a river, which was carrying us forward to fresh, strong life.
We know bring
it
many
tears
growth.
We
that
to full
must be shed
to
are beginning
water the young fruit and
now
to
understand what Dr.
Abendanon meant when he told us that through his wife. What was formerly dark to us has meaning now. Yes, we shall only be able to move slowly. The journey is long and the way steep and difficult. The idea of personal suffering does not trouble us, but if it should react upon ourselves, and in that way, impede our cause, it would be terrible. I
think of a certain evening not long ago, an acquaintance took both
of us to a concert at the play-house at Semarang; that
we two had
ever, in our
whole
lives,
it
was the
first
time
been alone in the midst of a
great sea of humanity, without sister, without father, without mother;
both of us absolutely alone, with
same thought: "So great sea of Life!
all
those strange faces.
But we are comforted,
watch over us."
—230—
We
had the
we two alone on the there is a God who will
shall our life be in the future;
LETTERS OF A On
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the twentieth of this month,
thought.
We
saw the Willem
we were
at
Tandjong Priok,
carrying as a precious freight, Java's great friend and to the distant Netherlands.
that country, so that
He
is
already
when he speaks
known
warm
in the
supporter,
Assembly of
in the interests of the millions of
children in this land, his words will have authority, and weight.
him
safely
Willem
II.
in
steam away from the coast of Java,
II.
Take
for the sake of these lands, and for the sake of
his dear family.
And now, true best counsellor, our highly honoured and dearly loved It did us much good friend, we thank you many times for your letter. in every
way.
It
us and opened up
encouraged us
new
to earnest meditation
vistas of thought to us.
—231—
—strengthened
XLVII
'
September 2nd, 1902. is
IT
presumptuous for us
to
play "mother," and with children
are older than we; but what does age matter?
who
Every one needs
love, the grey-beard as well as the child.
Should a to
her right
woman
—
only exclusively through marriage be able to come
to the full
awakening of the best
the highest and most sacred glory of
must a woman be obliged mother
—
a being
who
to
is
is
all love
and
sacrifice?
world that
one can love better than oneself.
her soul? because
But then
motherhood.
have a child of her own
pitifully shallow is the idea of the self that
woman
gifts of
it is
in order to
be a true
how
If that is true,
only a piece of one-
There are so many who are
called mothers only because they have brought children into the world,
but beyond that they are not worthy of the name. all the love that is in
a spiritual sense
her heart
—mother.
to others,
We
A woman
that gives
with no thought of herself
is,
in
set the spiritual mother higher than the
physical.
We
hope and pray fervently
that later if
it
is
granted us to realize
our ideals, and we stand at the head of a school, our children will not call us
"mother" as a matter of form, but because they feel
that
we
are
mothers.
We zurg, ^
hope
who
that
will
Anneka
make up
will find cordial, affectionate people at Buitento the
poor lonely child for the lack of a mother
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
—232—
LETTERS OF A and of a home of her own. here.
I
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Anneka
lived our Javanese live with us
wish that you could have taken a peep at the
comer
little
be-
hind the door, where Anneka sat on the ground with us in such a sisterly
manner.
where
I
One evening she sat by us in our chamber, at the low table am now writing; she sewed, we wrote. There was still a fourth
in the circle
You know
—
She read aloud or rather sang
a friend of ours.
to us.
of course, that all of our books are written in poetic metre,
flower-tongue as
we
and they are meant
say,
Outside the chamber there bloomed
Doors and windows were open. a tjempaka tree;
its
perfume came
was gentle and tender,
the song
be sung.
to
The voice
us on the soft wind.
to
was sweet
to
our listening ears.
It
carried our souls back to the far distant past, to the golden age of
babaric splendour, and of
and
wise and beautiful
strong.
We fly
men and women who were
bit
our pen-holders absently
—much
oftener than
we made them
over the white paper, and amid these wholly Javanese surroundings,
there between the West.
We
brown children of the Sunny Land, sat a pale daughter of gladly would we have you, even so, among us.
Oh how
have learned the songs
too,
and
if
we were
not bashful,
we would
dream before you. Yesterday Annie did something typically Javanese. She was so anxious to go away from Japara, we said to her "Ask the help of the
sing and
Soenan of Kantingan, promise him an
comes true."
Day
before yesterday evening
she went with us to
make her
Anneka went with us
we spoke
off"ering.
of priests to the holy grave, and
on the ground
off"ering of flowers, if
your wish
So she did.
we
of
We
it,
and the next morning
went there with a band
took flowers and incense with us.
into the building over the grave
at the foot of the
tomb.
—233—
and
sat
with us
Incense burned, and a mystic
LETTERS OF A buzzing rose at It
first
murmer
VANESE PRINCESS
softly but gradually louder
was solemn and impressive.
to the
JA
We
sat with
from the
priestly choir.
lowered heads and listened
of the mystic prayer, while blue clouds of incense rose
upwards.
One
of the priests creeping forward on the ground brought Anneka's
flowers
and laid them reverently on the grave of the Soenan, and after Next to me I heard a snickering. It was
that
on the other graves.
Barefooted as a mark of reverence, she had come with us
Anneka!
For
into the building.
and
to
We feet.
is
it
our custom
to
look upon the .dead as holy,
show them reverence. then went to the
We
little
stream behind the churchyard to wash our
asked the priest for Heaven's blessing for Anneka.
Dearest,
our native
we should life
so love to have
There
with us.
is
so
you
here, so that
you could
live
much that is touching in our Javawe show to our dead and to our
nese life; especially in the honour that parents.
Nothing ever happens in our
of joy or of sorrow, that
we do
remember Japara when she she
may
sits
Anneka
will
high and dry at Buitenzorg, although
They that can never forget it. They
be a thousand times better off there than here.
have known Japara who have seen ;
must think of is
any importance, either
lives of
not think of our dead.
it
its
soul,
again and again, whether
it is
with love or whether
it
with hate.
Yesterday at midday we went to the woodcarving works interesting.
There were
The work they do
is
fifteen people,
men and
severely simple but
it
is
;
it
was very
apprentices, at work. in the highest degree
effective.
Sister
Roekmini must naturally go
down with
the wood-carvers
been there
all along.
to
work with them, and she
sat
on a bench as naturally as though she had
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;234â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
We
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
LETTERS OF A
have made the acquaintance of Frits Reuter; he
He
draws one's heart.
you say
to
so
is
who What do
a writer
wholesome and spontaneous.
reading one book through from seven o'clock in the evening
to three o'clock in the
given when one present, to
is
is
in
make us
morning?
not sensible, but
It is
good company.
If
it
was your
can be for-
it
by your you should
intention
love your great poet of the people, then
certainly be satisfied with your work.
We have also enjoyed Vosmaer's first
lives.
it is
we thank you
was our heartily
all the
we
received a book on Greek
gods and goddesses;
it is
delightful
look at the plates and read the descriptions after "Inwijding."
to see all that
not desire so much.
We
Carel
Poet and art Dutch hexameters.
Vosmaer. into
No, no, we must
and Frank.
are only thankful that there
endowed with the power of words, who has made and that we can understand his language. "Homer"
Oh!
beauty with one's own eyes, and to experience the emo-
tion that thrilled the souls of Sietska
1
It
one of the pleasantest introductions of
After reading "Inwijding,"
mythology, with pictures of to
beautiful "Inwijding."
acquaintance with this Netherlander, and
for introducing us to him;
our
^
critic.
it
is
live
some one,
and breath,
Author of "Amazone," and the translator of
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;235â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
'
XLVIII October 11th, 1902.
FEEL some
I
who will carry on our work in directing we have gone away. Our little sisters are
anxiety as to
wood carving
the
after
and there
too young,
is
the financial responsibility as well.
European comes here, naturally our
own
his
one who devotes himself to
profit; the
interested
and have
The world says
in his heart a love for art
that everything spontaneous
everything that differs from all ages, the
type
set
is
tormented
way
artists will
it,
is
this
dis-
must be suppressed, and
necessarily soiled and smirched.
Every one who
all his life, unless
work should be
and a love for Java.
of the idealist has been hard.
suffered.
is
a
If
be exploited merely for
No
In
deviation from the
not like the rest of the world,
he throws away his own coat, and in
is its
stead draws on the coat of custom.
I I
do not want
to
promise you anything,
should be able to keep
my
promise.
Stella, for I
Do you
think
am
not sure that
Modjowarno
so
Which would you prefer, that we should go crazy here at we seek healing for the wounds in our souls there? If we are disappointed in our plans, we are determined that we will not remain any longer cloistered and imprisoned here for petty, futile reasons. We will not submit to conditions which we detest and despise
frightful?
home, or
1
that
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;236â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
— LETTERS OF A
in
VANESE PRINCESS
The enemy abroad does not
with all our hearts.
enemy
JA
our own country eats into our souls.
frighten us, but the
Nothing can help us
but God.
Now
do not say
a letter telling
that
you
terror for me.
you
to
It is
will be cast
address
me
at
down and sad, when you receive Modjowamo. The idea has no
we shall go there with lacerated hearts, Modjowamo, and even there, all will
true that
but that will not be the fault of not be I
to
You have
lost, Stella.
shall stiU
have
that,
and there
Here
venture save myself.
really think.
If I
became a
often encouraged I shall I
to
I
I
my
use
to lose
should venture much,
teacher,
whom
calling dead, because those
me
have nothing
if I
pen
and nothing said what I
should be striking
my own
had offended would gird on
their
armour and hunt me down. I
have already said that we would not go
deeply wounded souls.
my
pen?
Do you know
Nothing speaks so
have made eyes grow wet.
to
Modjowamo,
the effect that
to the heart like suffering.
You know me too
save with
would have upon
And even
well, I hope, to accuse
I
me
It is only to show you how very much the when one has heart's blood for ink. A few months ago, some one wholly unknown to me burst out crying when she read some words of mine. She felt how I had suffered when the words flowed from my pen. She was so affected that she wished to begin work at once for the alleviation of the misery of which I had The next day she even offered to help us; alas, only to withwritten. draw the offer a few days later, through the working of reason. People think that they are pleasing me, when they assure me that I What does it amount to? I want what I write to write "splendidly." make a lasting impression, Stella, and I can only do that when I have
of vanity
when
worth of a pen
I
had experience. then
—
say that.
rises
When my
heart has been written upon, then
will what I say be of worth.
—237—
—only
—
'
XLIX
October 12th, 1902.
DURING which
the last year I often heard something about myself, distresses
me.
answer outright; I
am seriously troubled, Some
true?
that
I
my
I
am
a coquette.
Do
have asked
me
for I dislike anything that
my
sister to
truth-loving
watch
me
what there
that is strange,
little sister
says
—
well,
is
she
when
my
and
is
Believe me,
no thought of pleasing; and
is
to tell
me what
my
eyeS.
always conscientious
intentionally; that I have
I
Is that
eyes.
much when
never mind with whom.
It
way?
inconstant.
in the play of
is
eyes dance as if they were saying
is true, it is
not spare me, but
a coquette? and if so, in what
one, no slanderer, says that I speak with
they see in
And my
I
am
say that if
I
I
talk long,
do not do
it
what she says
unconscious and in spite of myself.
a strange sensation,
when one has always thought
serious, candid girl, to hear all at once that one
is
oneself a
a coquettish creature.
was astonished and distressed I had never given the matter a thought, and would not be guilty of such conduct knowingly. I
;
I
am
I will
told that I
not do that;
eyes, not cast shall be
that
we
made
must modestly (hypocritically) cast down I
will look
men, as well as women, straight
down my own before them. to
my
eyes.
in the
know very well that we promise, perhaps under oath, when we go from here, I
will not bring to our families the terrible disgrace of sharing
our love and sorrow with a European; on that point they can be peace.
iTo Mevrouw Abendanon.
—238—
at
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS
We
would never think of such a thing; inevitably
ing destruction not; we,
upon
who wish
You know how case
shall never
it
comes of
to set ourselves
very
as examples.
care for what "they say," but in this
little I
a
man
they marry Europeans." cause,
would be Wreak-*
be said, "There, you have the whole thing; see what
When
it.
up
it
For our own sakes, we could
the whole cause.
European educations,
gives his daughters
That would do incalculable injury
to the
and that may not be.
And
we do but share our love and sorrow with Do not Europeans live at this moment? our inmost hearts? And do we not share the inner life of
yet actually what do
What am
Europeans? with us in
I
doing
Europeans?
Much, yes everything can be taken away from me, but not my pen, always be mine. Do not let them provoke us too much, the
that will
most enduring patience can give way. that
weapon, even though
You may be
assured that
it
we
We may
be driven to the use of
wound ourselves. we go to Mo-
should rebound and
will
make good use
of
it if
djowarno.
We want
i
long for comfort from our true friends,
to
warm our
frozen hearts on your hearts.
egoism of others, but what of ourselves? our pain and suffering with others, and that for us love is inseparable
Do you
we have grown
not think
to
It is
cold;
we
We complain about the pure egotism to share
ask for love when
we know
from sorrow.
we have gone back sadly?
We
have grown hard
and unfeeling, and we are often afraid of ourselves. God, give us strength, help and support us; and from you, dear, ask forgiveness for the sorrow
be
silent is not
good
—
it is
I
have caused you by
not honest.
this letter.
I
But to
Forgive me, and love your brown
children.
—239—
October 27, 1902.
we have suflFered, we know that we are fortunate, many poor creatures in even more miserable circumstances than ourselves, who without friends, without a single
IN
spite of all that
for there are
confidante
—must
struggle on alone through life never hearing a cordial
sympathetic word; never meeting an understanding look, or receiving
warm
a
the possession of love If
you
We
You
we
feel that
we
are richly blessed in
and friendship such as yours. and
will always love
happy.
trust us, little
Mother, you will make us
thank you again and again, for your love and sympathy.
we
it
away
pray and entreat you, think no more about our happiness.
We
see
and keep
We
We
pressure of the hand.
are answering your letter at once, and
shall put
as a sacred relic!
it
have told you so often that
it is
not our
own happiness we
sfeek,
but that
of others.
When we I
protest
go to Europe,
we
we do
not expect to gather roses for ourselves.
—nothing
expect nothing of Europe
of which European girls dream, nor do friendship and sympathy there, or that
environment. enlightment.
we 1
We hope It
of the "happiness"
we expect that we will find much we will feel at home in a strange
only for one thing, to find there knowledge and
will not matter if
but receive there what
we
we do
seek.
To MevTouw Abendanon.
—240—
not find
it
gay
in
Europe,
if
;
We
do not expect the European world
time has long gone by when the only true civilization,
Forgive us,
if
we say
We
Europe perfect? great good that there
is
We
also
is
in
much that
we
to
make
The
us happier.
seriously believed that the
European
is
supreme and unsurpassed. but do you yourself think the civilization of
it,
should be the
last
not to see and appreciate the
your world, but will you not acknowledge that brings the very
name
of civilization into ridicule?
complain about pettiness and smallness of soul in our own sur-
roundings; do not imagine for a
we
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
LETTERS OF A
moment
that
we
think that in Holland
shall not find pettiness too.
You know
better than we, that
among
the thousands that are called
by the world, only a very few are
civilized
broad mind
is
And
expected.
That a
that in reality.
from whom it might be exclusive and brilliant salons;
not possessed by every European
even in the most elegant,
prejudice, intolerance and short sightedness are no infrequent visitors.
We
do not think of Holland as an ideal country, not in the
least.
Judging from what we have seen of the Hollanders here, we can tainly reckon
upon much
in that small, cold country that will
our sensibilities and bitterly grieve as
bom
liars,
We
sonified. it
We
us.
cer-
wound
Javanese are reproached
wholly untrustworthy, and we are called ingratitude perhave not only read
this
spoken aloud, and that was a fair
many test
times, but
we have heard
of the speaker's delicacy of
feeling.
We
only smile when
we read
or hear such pleasantries,
we
think to
ourselves of European society life which often gives glaring proof of the truth
and
sincerity of those
who
sit
in high places
and look down with
scorn upon the lying, untrustworthy Javanese.
We the
came
first
in contact with
occasion on which
Europeans very
we found
little
until a
few years ago
ourselves in a European crowd,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;241â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A was the
At that
VANESE PRINCESS How
time of the coronation of her Majesty.
at the
comedy play of
We
JA
festival,
the
my
saw two ladies
reverence for Europeans received
in earnest speech, intimately holding
we heard
the arm, their heads confidentially close;
A
here and there; good friends, thought we.
broke up the
admirable was
European world behind the scenes!
tete-a-tete.
its
death blow.
one another by
words
affectionate
gentleman came and
As he walked away with one
of the ladies,
we
heard her say: "Such a cat."
While the remaining lady said creature, she rigs herself
to
another nearby, "That unfortunate
up so ridiculously."
Just a
little
while be-
fore she had declared that the dear one was charmingly dressed.
We
received blow after blow that evening, through this, and other
heart-rending
little
men" who spread
scenes.
We
saw
the horrible breath of alcohol around them,
our very hearts, and longed eagerly surroundings.
If
we had been
Soon
little after,
our
She had been
we met
little
this
friend.
"gentle-
when they
grew cold
to
away from these "civilized" had told what these friends war would have broken out!
to get
civil
after that a girl wrote us of a visit
alleged friend.
We
—
base, and
had said of one another, a formal
tion of
men's faces
And, oh, the noise and racket everywhere!
spoke.
A
red, fiery
which she had paid
to
an
so charmingly, so cordially received.
"friend" and thanked her for her kind recep-
She
said, "I think
her a sullen
girl; she
always
looks so sour and waspish."
Innumerable times we have witnessed fantastic kisses between persons
whom we knew
hated one another.
And
it
was not the despised
who did this, but white people of unmixed blood; educated, and brought up with every advantage. We saw too how harmless, sim"nonas"
1
A
^
half-breed
woman,
child of a native mother
and European
—242—
father.
LETTERS OF A pie "nonas" were held
"The Javanese
is
a
bom
We
accusation there.
up
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
to ridicule
by clever, educated Hollanders.
—wholly untrustworthy."
We
liar
rance, and a full grown, thinking person commits the
and with calculation, which of the two
liberately
We
leave the
only ask that when a child sins through igno-
think sometimes with reason, what
is
is
same
sin de-
the most guilty?
Does
civilization?
it
consist
commanding tone, or in hypocrisy? Oh, what do we do? what have we said? Forgive us little Mother. You know that it is not our intention to grieve you by being honest.
in a
Is it
not true that honesty
Often
we
it
is
are Javanese, to
We
is
the basis of our friendship
not polite to be honest.
whom
We
—
of our love?
do not enjoy being impolite;
"politeness" belongs as a natural heritage.
know our opinion of some things in your civilization. Because you seem to think that we look upon the European world as our ideal. It is not always there that we have found true education, and we know that you must think the same thing. True education is not the exclusive property of those who have had the advantage of books; it is to be found as well among the people upon whom a majority of the white race, convinced as it is of its own excellence, looks down with disdain. Our people have faults, certainly, but they also think that you ought to
have virtues which could very well serve as examples
We
nations.
have degenerated, gone backward you
to the civilized
see, or
we would
not have lost what a superficial glance can recognize as one of the peculiar qualities of the Javanese people
Father said to
me
Europeans that really love you." I
knew
it
very well myself.
would not have
to use
—modesty. many me that,
once, "Ni, do not imagine that there are
We
two hands
Father did not have
to tell
could count upon our fingers, and
either, those
—243—
who
we
are really our sincere
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Most of them pretend sympathy for effect, or through calculawith some end in view. It is amusing; if one looks at the humor-
friends. tion,
ous side of such things, then one
is
not distressed.
Do
People often do such foolish things. see that
many
of those
who now
not imagine that
do
talk about native art, only
do not
I
it
to
make
themselves agreeable to me, and not because they have any real appreciation of
Before
it.
me
every one
is
enthusiastic.
Is
from
convic-
But that does not matter, the result will be good, and through
tion?
such people the real friends of Java and the Javanese
We we
it
know why
Echo
the
are a novelty, and
Dutch Lelie placed
its
is
make
glad to publish our articles.
Letters
be reached. It is
because
The
a fine advertisement for that paper.
columns
at
directress has asked for letters
ment.
may
my
and time and again the
disposal,
Why?
from me.
For the advertise-
from a true daughter of the Orient, from a
real "Java-
nese girl," thoughts from such a half-wild creature, written by herself in a
European language, how
if
—which may God forbid— —then would be
hearts
people
who
There
is
much
that
it is
is
more
and sleep as
the life hereafter.
That I
is
am
sleep; as
little
now
as possible
The
"It is not eating
is
desirable.
men
and
all will
great idea that
it is
is
it
back of
taught that
ab-
means, that one must
be well in
that is the
—244—
They
preach, literally.
interpreted
and sleeping
a child of Buddha, and
It is
as a symbol.
People take the things that the wise
eat
And
Oh, there are
beautiful in the Javanese religious law.
not taken
from food and
we cry aloud our
so very "interesting."
some day we should die of our broken
think that only the interesting
only a pity that
stain
it is
so terribly "interesting."
all
it
If in despair
interesting!
miseries in the Dutch language, again
this life
in
they pass by.
it,
aim of
and
life."
we should
eat
no animal
— LETTERS OF A When
food.
was a
I
child, I
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
ill. The doctors could not help Then a Chinese convict,^ who had been
was very
me, they could suggest nothing.
My
par-
the medicines of learned
men
friendly with us children, begged to be allowed to help me.
and
ents consented,
was healed.
I
What
He
could not accomplish was done by "quackery."
me
by giving
Through drinking
idol.
divinity, to the is
healed
me
simply
ashes to drink of the burnt-offerings dedicated to a Chinese that potion, I
Santik-Kong of Welahan.
There
holy one.
is
burned day and night.
a
little
became
A
the child of that Chinese
year or so ago we
made
a visit
golden image before which incense
In times of epidemic
it is
carried around in
The birthday of the holy one is celcome from far and near. us the legend of the golden image, which
state to exorcise the evil spirits.
ebrated with great brilliancy and Chinese
Old Chinese residents have told for
them really
Our land
is
lives.
full of mysticism, of fairy tales,
have certainly heard
many
the Javanese meets the most frightful blows of destiny.
The
foreordained, they say, and are submissive.
determined, even before he sees the light of
misery are meted out that
to
him before
which God has decreed.
But
it is
it
Tekdir.
And
It is
Tekdir
man
fate of every
life.
is
Happiness and
No man may
his birth.
away
turn
the duty of every one to guard
against misfortune as far as possible; only efforts, is
You
and of legends.
times of the enviable calmness with which
when
it
comes despite
their
against Tekdir nothing in the world can pre-
vail.
That
tells
what happen Tekdir.
is
us to be steadfast and to push forward and to will, to
That
is
submit calmly
to the inevitable,
why our people would
Formerly in Java convicts were released from prison
—245—
to
to
say
it
not set themselves for
ever against that which had actually happened. 1
happen,
let
and then
Brought face
work the government
to face leinds.
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
with a fact, they are face to face with Tekdir and are submissive.
God
give us strength.
We
are in deep sorrow.
loved ones. happiness. a strong
upon a
To break
We
But better a sound
little skiff
away from our now have been our
are preparing to go
loose the bonds which until little
hut than a castle in ruins, better
than to go in a splendid steam-boat and be driven
reef.
For a long time now
I
have had
to
go
bed without Father's good-
to
Until a few months ago, Father never went to bed with-
night greeting.
chamber door, and putting his head inside to see his little daughter once more and to call her name before he went to rest. If the door was locked, he knocked, softly; his little daughter must hear and know that she was not forgotten. Gone now is that dear, dear time. I have had much love too much out stopping
—
first
outside our
—
all to
another,
myself.
who goes
For when one has had too much, then there must be Now it is my turn to do without. I have lacking.
bathed long enough in the over-flow. It is
that
he
hard for me, but for him,
may be
my
so fortunate as to banish
me
poor, dear loved one will then be spared love I
him dearly
am
hope and pray fervently from his heart utterly. My
Father,
in spite of everything;
I
much
he
is
misery.
more
to
me
I shall
always
than ever, and
thankful for all the happy years that have gone by.
But for
my
I never become a child of Buddha, Even though it were only in memory. What Nellie said is true: "Life brings more cruel partings than Those whom death takes away from us in the bloom of love death." and friendship remain more surely ours in spirit than those whom life
poor Father,
it
would be
he would then possess
better
had
me wholly.
leaves to uS.
My
dearest Father, that he should find this out in his old age and
—246—
LETTERS OF A JA VANESE PRINCESS from
his favourite child!
who has
We
suffered and
to
forgive me, but
will suffer;
pray God fervently that
and will learn to
who
May God
we
little
not he alone
too have striven and suffered.
in the course of time
be proud of his
it is
daughters.
he
may
see the truth
That we
may
atone
him in some measure for the deep disappointment we are causing
him now.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;247â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LP
WHEN
November
we
love, is
it
21st, 1902.
not our earnest wish that the object of
our love should be happy? and those are happy who love
and are loved love of
man and woman;
capable of judging.
in return.
that
But
I
is
I
am
mean
I
am not
a love which one can feel for
many;
and never mind how much for one, for another Is
it
selfish
when we expect
those
in just the
whom we
return, to rejoice in our happiness, even
of our hearts to another? ^
not speaking here of the
a delicate question and one that
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;248â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
when
love and it
same measure.
who
love us in
consists in the giving
LIP November
THREE
21st, 1902.
plump full of we keep free for photographs and other souvenirs, so that we have all of our friends before us. You between Mamma and Brother Kartono. A little further away is Adriana, the learned man who is such a friend of humanity. Then of the four shelves of our book-case are
books; the fourth
are
Dr.
comes a charming nature,
You
whom we
are in good
day; in
fact, the
and looked
We have
creature, a pure, fresh, unspoiled flower of
love very much.
company
day has not
Papa,
has a place of honour.
too,
And we have you begun for us until we have
truly.
an idea that we shall see you
A
meeting
—
few moments of time.
just once,
We shall catch,
as
it
—each from
but
—every
seen our friends
we have
this idea
and
that the meeting
a brief greeting and then a
another, and then vanish for ever silly,
with us
into their dear, true faces.
will be brief. in a
little
and are not able
—
parting; all
were, a glimpse of one the other's ken.
to get
it
out of our heads.
But why do we yearn for the personal, bodily meeting when the ual meeting
is
so pleasant?
We
ought not
to
It is
spirit-
need anything more
—
is
not the spiritual the best in us?
What do you is it
not?
iTo Heer
think of the Japaraesque fire-screen?
Hail to all noble friends of Java, E, C.
Abendanon.
—249—
It is
who brought
splendid,
the art of her
LETTERS OF A people, and with
many
VANESE PRINCESS
the beauty of their souls, into the light!
it
fervently that the interest too
JA
now taken
other things, and that
We
hope
will not dwindle as has that in all
will not prove only a fleeting fashion.
it
it shall not do that, although we realize that the majority of who now show interest in our art do so only because it is the fashbut those who gave the movement its first impetus did so from sin-
No, those ion;
cere conviction, and that will prevail in the long run.
You
should enjoy living so
see, I
many different kinds of lives. among mine workers; or in
—
should like to be in a mining district native Christian community,
among
Malay camp, or what
But above
life,
as
is
it
not.
lived in Dessa
native Christians.
still
nearer
to
and Kampong among our own people; that
my
for our people
is
much
some of
We
try to
come
child's
people.
hand
my
people would
I
should feel under more
in contact with the people as
When we go out alone, we always stop and pay a Kampong houses. In the beginning they looked at
the
us with strange, unfriendly eyes, but
A
that
One cannot learn the soul of a among them. The love that I have
only a foretaste of what
as possible.
visit to
know
I
heart.
people without living and working
intimate circumstances.
In a Chinese or
should like to experience
all I
has always had a great charm for me. then grow
I
a
is
quickly
filled,
it is
not so any longer.
so too
is
the
hand of a
childlike
They are very sensitive to kindness and also have a quick Under the influence of a ready word which will
sense of humour.
bring a hearty laugh, a sullen karwei being.
from to
is
changed
human workmen
into a cheerful
Every day for some months, we have had a gang of
They are busy building an addition have a splendid pendopo at our rear.
the water-staat on our place.
our house.
We
are going to
During the rest hour,
we
often go and talk a
little
with the work-folk.
Picture your sister, sitting on a heap of sand, surrounded by
—250—
workmen
LETTERS OF A who have almost no ferior
VANESE PRINCESS
clothes on their bodies
and who are smoking straw,
we must begin
the conversation, for an in-
Naturally
or eating rice.
JA
would rather be
silent a
whole day than
to
speak
first to
his
superior.
They work under
He
is
good
the supervision of an "Indo."
to his people,
who come and go
We
and are always treated with consideration. little
freely in his presence,
often hear them
make
pleasantries with the toewan, a certain indication that the "baas"
good
is
^
to
them.
hear them grumble.
If they receive orders to
That
is
pleasant,
is it
work over-time, we never
not?
And
this sinjo
^
might
well serve as an example. 1
Indo-European used commonly
2
Sinjo from the Portuguese "Senhor," indicating master, used toward natives with Europ-
to
denote a many-mixed blood.
ean blood.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;251â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LIIP
WE
December think that your
little
table
is
12th, 1902.
the most beautiful of all the
A
carved work that our Singo has done.
short while ago
he was saved as though by a miracle, from a great calam-
Eleven houses near his own were burned
ity.
cocoanut tree in his
garden was
ground.
to the
The
see the miracle
and asked the
ablaze, but by great good The whole village ran out to lucky owner of the only remaining house,
what "Ilmoe"
or "Djamat"
he had
little
all
fortune his house remained uninjured.
^
had saved
of course, that he
^
to protect
his house through
he had no "Ilmoe" or "Djamat," nor magic
some magic
spells,
Allah" who had spared him for his own purposes.
man came to dwelling. He
the
fire,
of his
him
that
faith I
is
had kept
his
spell.
No,
he had only "Goesti
The day
after the
and fancy! he thanked us for the preservation
insisted that
it
was the power of our prayers for
house from misfortune.
Such naive and simple
touching.
asked myself
if it
the simple faith that
stead?
us,
For they thought,
him.
The
would be
right to take
makes them happy.
away from
What could
stupidest person can tear down, but
it
these poor souls
I
give them in
is
quite another
matter to build up.
We have 1 2
3
found so many charming qualities
To Mevrouw Abendanon. Magic power to obtain what one wishes. talisman which protects from calamity.
A
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;252â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in
its
our humble friends.
LETTERS OF A
We saw
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
were turned away for a long time from
so
much
slowly; that
uncharitableness under
it is
not religion that
is
its
all religion,
We
mantle.
uncharitable, but
man who
what was originally Godlike and beautiful, bad and ugly.
and must one be
that love is the highest religion, to love
according to that Heavenly
Mohammedan and
Brahmin, the Jew, the lives of
A
command?
because we
learned, at
first
has
made
We
think
a Christian in order
For the Buddhist, the
even the Heathen can lead
pure love. while ago
little
I
received a letter from Dr. Adriani in which you
him what you had done for us, and he is "What Mevrouw Van Kol has made you see," so glad for our sakes. he wrote, "is the substance of all religion, the recognition of God as a would be
interested.
I
told
person, not as goodness, but the Good."
There are many earnest things it
to
says,
you and talk about "But
I
it
in his letter, I
with you;
must answer
it.
I
could read
Somewhere he
can see no other way, Christianity alone does not bring one
happiness, only the personal love of ity is the
I
wish that
God does
symbol."
-253-
that, of
which Christian-
LIV^
MY
January 14th, 1903.
my little brother,
become priaja, and enter the service of the Indian Government. If Mevbrother;
rouw has that I
think
am it
told
not sorry, but
will positively not
you something of
am
my
will
know
rejoicing with brother in his decision.
We
letters,
you
splendid that brother has not for an ideal that which thousands
of his fellow countrymen have always looked upon as most desirable,
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
as the very height of good fortune buttons,
to
under a gold striped parasol.
be a It is
and ceremony have no charm for him, and that
he wishes
Prince, glittering with
a great joy to us that
that
flat,
by the
feet of thousands.
should have liked for him to dedicate himself to the service of
suffering humanity, and to have studied medicine.
part selfishness in me,
doctor because
bly taught
him
to further the
He
it is
to
I
That
should have been glad to see
such a beautiful calling, and
understand our ideals.
He
it
is
perhaps
him become a
would have
inevita-
could have done so
much
mutual respect between the European and native elements.
could have taught his people to trust the European methods of heal-
and he could have called the attention of the European world simple native methods whose value has been many times proven. ing,
I
pomp
he has realized so young
go another way from the one that has always been
to
followed, and trodden I
little
spoke
to little
no inclination iTo
to the
brother about the Doktor-Djawa School, but he had
in that direction,
and we do not wish
Dr. Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;254â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to press
him.
January 17, 1903.
FOR
three longs weeks not a drop of rain has fallen.
ing hot as
it
It is boil-
has never been before, even in the dryest Oostmoes-
son.
Father
is
in despair; the
Oh, our poor people! they do not
know
young
rice in the fields is turning
So far they have had enough
to eat
brown,
here and
the most frightful of all calamities which a land can
—Famine.
But what has not been,
suffer
may
be;
and
this
great
drought in the time of the wet season presages anything but good.
What
happen
will
blown as
it
if it
keeps up?
usually does
in
first
For several mornings the wind has
May.
Has
the turning point been
reached, has the dry season begun? It is
frightful, every
one looks on helpless.
sown and planted turn brown and
thing that has been
able to turn a finger to help too; one feels dull
and
What do you think Oh, how frightful for for us in here
moesson). little
of it?
it
It is
is
it,
hard
to see every-
die,
without being
and the great heat harrasses the body
listless.
from a child of the sun? the people who are working out in the fields, if of such a complaint
so scalding hot, and this
is
the wet season (West-
Do not be chary with your cold; could you You may take as much of our warmth as you
iTo Mevrouw Van
Kol.
—255—
not spare a wish.
LVP January 27th, 1903.
HAVE
been thinking of the time that
sat with
I
is
past, the old time
when
I
your father and your dear mother by the sea; those
were moments of
The
never forgets.
delight, such as one
last
time too that we sat with your father by the shore, and he talked to us
memory.
of our plans, will always live in our
was splendid
It
speak heart to heart with one
to
be such a noble, sincere friend. sleep the whole night, affectionate
we had
words
is
in
to
our great sorrow.
We
way where we had
my bed with your in my heart.
and
early,
father's earnest
That was what
it
to
give us
your father had
went with his Excellency our parents,
Government through
an opportunity
to
the
we
startled.
Brother?
are fickle?
To
I
all
we
1
are going
help the Javanese
our might
woman
Are you
at first to
—
that
go to Hol-
move heaven and earth to get there, and when at last, thanks to work of our friends, we can go to say "I am going to stay."
land, the
go
in the car-
do not know what you will think
strive with
to
Governor General,
of the future by completing our education at Batavia. not
to
talked on the sand; the result of that
that very soon, with the full consent of
to present a petition to the
asking
my mind
The next morning
to face.
riage past the talk
tossed about in
whom we knew
the result; I could not
needed, what we had longed for; an earnest affectionate word,
spoken face
away,
I
still
And what was
To Heer
—
E. C.
Abendanon.
—256—
LETTERS OF A What do you
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
But
think of such instability?
back and acknowledge one's mistake than
is
it
not better
to persist in a
to
turn
wrong course
for the sake of consistency?
Do you know when
^
that idea of going to
Holland
first
took such a
December days of 1901, when we suffered without knowing why. Then there came to us a wild longing to go away far away. Away, away away into another atmosphere fast hold of us?
—
It
was
in the
—
to
—
another land, where
we should
breathe a different
and
air,
all
our
soul's
wounds should be healed, where we should be strengthened
spirit
and perhaps also
Strengthened and
in body.
bom
in
anew, we
work for the regeneration of our people. While we were away, people would cease to think of us. Alas, that it would seem so good to be forgotten. We should be forgotten by those for whom we would work, whom we so longed to help. would come back
to
0, poor illusions!
You know
that
it
has always been one of our
dearest dreams to be educated for our work, in Holland. last,
severe illness has
we
as us.
made
stood over his sick bed
But
I
still
We
us think deeply.
how
fast his
ask myself, should
we have come
is
no doubt that our parents have
much, and we ourselves, are very grateful Sister
and
a long time.
—has
at last
dear heart was bound up in to this decision if
your father had not been here and talked with us? but there
But Father's
understood
to
to his
I
do not know,
thank your father for Excellency too.
have talked and pondered over your father's words for
I
The
result
is
that our going to
flown to the moon, but that
we hope
Holland to
is still in
the air
go to Batavia with
all
speed.
This
is
all personal.
More
cision will have
upon our cause.
we could begin
to
important,
study at once.
In the
While
—257—
is
first
if
the effect
place if
we go
to
which our de-
we go
to Batavia,
Holland, we must
LETTERS OF A wait a long time.
what can be done
I
at
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
think always of your father's words,
once
—something
will
"Why
not do
have been accomplished then,
Your father some one comes to him and says, "No friend I cannot help you now, I must first study, and learn how wounds should be dressed." Then the some one goes away, and when at last he had learned the art of binding wounds, the man who had called to him, had long been dead. while in Holland everything would
spoke of the wounded
man who
lie
far in the future."
called for help;
—
Then your father spoke of a pearl lying deep in the sea. You know it is there but you do not know precisely where. You wade out into the sea and try to find it. The water comes up to your lips, some
that
one
calls to
you and says
— "Friend do
water already comes up to your
Your
father said
we could open
pass a single examination.
one
to pass
preparation?
sounds) If
is
to
It
we want
will
it."
nothing in the law that compels girls.
help us, that would be as
would be well for us
it
to
open
it
We we
could get
wished, but
at all without
adequate
"Our School" (how pleasant that more of a moral than an academic education. by the Government we would not have to follow the
is
true that in
to give
not erected
it is
There
you
still
a school at once without having to
examination before teaching native
some European teachers do you think
you are drowned, measure and fish for
lips, if
not have the pearl; get into a boat,
The
not do that, go no further.
prescribed paths, and
we want
the whole idea of our school to be the
education of children, not as though they were in a school, but in a
home, as a mother would bring up her own children. It
must be
like a great
home community.
Where
the inmates all love
one another and learn from one another, and where the mother
mother
We
in
name
but in
spirit, the
is
not a
educator of the child's soul and body.
have thought much about that other idea of your father's; but in
—258—
LETTERS OF A this
we
way;
if
we
not take the
are not able little
would hold?
ten
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
to study,
but have to remain at home, could
daughters of regents here, as
many
as the kaboepa-
Let them go to school outside, but give them their
moral education here with
form
play and help
to
those children
would be
We could lead the young hearts through
us.
the
young
During the hours when
characters.
we could take other little children own neighbourhood and teach them ele-
at school,
of native chiefs here in our
mentary branches, handiwork and other
All the while unper-
things.
we would be knocking at the little hearts and trying to get nearer to the little souls. But if we find that we can open a school, then we had rather study first. Do you not think we are right, Brother? The school would be at Magelang or at Salatiga. Your father has talked ceived,
with ours about
it,
and there
is
no objection
almost as good as going to Holland.
That would be
at all.
would be splendid
It
—He
Brother?
Our grandfather
in the past brought
up
the sons of other nobles.
Grandfather had a tutor for his children, and he took the sons of the
Pangerang of Solo and of a regent of middle Java his
own
which
is
sons.
is
nothing
to
be educated with
new under
the sun; our idea
from our grandfather.
called startlingly new, is old, inherited
Our plan father
So you see there
of education
—our
spirit,
has descended from him.
was a pioneer; we are only carrying on
his
work
Grand-
—they were
good people, both grandfather and grandmother.
Your
father has told us that according to
form a note must be
pre-
sented in which our plans, and ideas are set forth plainly and exactly. It
must be written from the heart, not
for the Governor General.
note
first,
We
at all as
but his Excellency does not think
write simply, just as
we
though
it
was intended
should like for your father to read the
feel.
—259—
it
necessary.
We
must
LVII
'
February
MUST a
I
to
thank you once more for your advice.
Why
tremendous amount of good.
you
sliould
1st,
Your I
1903.
talk did us
not acknowledge
we had never looked at things in that light before, if we went to Holland we might endanger Our "Friends" would be only too glad to spread that we had grown to be wholly "blanda," ^ and many
that
and had never dreamed that our own cause.
abroad the report
parents would shudder at the mere thought of entrusting their children
You have opened our eyes; we are grateful from our hearts. This morning we were taking a drive and we witnessed a naive example of native faith. It was out in the fields. Men and animals
to us.
were uniting
in
prayer to the All-Highest
to
bathe the thirsty earth with
blessed rain. In the foreground sat the priest and santries,^ behind the priestesses in white
garments and around them hundreds of men,
children.
Sheep, goats, horses and buffaloes were bound
them and led the
priest stood before
Most of the people ing of the sheep
fell in
women and
to stakes.
A
service, praying in a loud voice.
with "Amin-amin," in which chorus the bleet-
was blended.
This ceremony
is
called "sembajang istira."
They prayed for three
Dr. Abendanon.
1
To
2
Blanda: European.
3
Those who
live
pious lives and scrupulously observe
theology.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;260â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
all
forms of religion.
A
student of
— LETTERS OF A
You can imagine
days and three nights.
now
the people, because
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Their prayers were effectual
has rained.
it
We
and do you know what they say now?
we had
their heads, that
a share in
the delight and gratitude of
cannot get the idea out of
it.
Before this at other places the people had held "sembajang istira," but never a drop of rain
Chance willed
fell.
it
that
we should be
present at the solemnities here, so our simple people draw the con-
we gave strength to that was heard and answered.
last
clusion that plainly,
Such I
childlike, confiding faith
wish so often that
I
prayer and supplication which,
touching.
is
had a photographic apparatus and could make
a permanent record of some of the curious things that
much which we should
see
I
people.
There
we could
give to outsiders a true picture of us Javanese.
It
so
is
would mean
so
much more than mere
would see the whole scene on the paddi angongs
and
^
included.
I
—
among our
like to preserve, so that
written description
the buffaloes
could then write what
I,
if
they
and the botjok
as a child of Java, think
feel about these things.
You know
that I
am
always glad
and when you ask a favour of me, glad to do what
I
be able to do anything for you, a joyful occasion.
can for "East and West."
myself a service, for
So dispose of
to
it is
my
it is
I
for our people, and
feel that I I
and
my
am
I
am
also
only doing
people are one.
time as you will, with a quiet mind, and do not be
afraid that you will be asking too
much
of me.
I
only ask your fore-
bearance when something that you have ordered does not come quickly enough. I
have talked with the goldsmith about going
in tortoiseshell there. 1
Boys who herd
He
is
to
eager to go; already he can
bufifaloes.
—261—
to
work
make
little
Solo to learn
LETTERS OF A combs, he has the tools for
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
but he does not understand polishing
that,
He
very well; he could learn that at Solo.
work
in
art
is just
things cannot be done at once.
of
my
article
tifully.
have had a pleasant
I
The
on woodcarving.
Do you not think so? Do you know what
fine paper. first
beginning and naturally
one of the editors of Eigen Haard.
Pijzel,
time that
I
article should
I
I also
Though
is
it
We
be in demand.
set of
my
from Dr.
reproduced beau-
them made on very That the very
own name, "Moedertje"
even as pleasant that the
have heard that
native girl has "crazy" ideas just as
only simpletons.
letter
think so splendid?
I
all of these
received some copies
illustrations are
have one
write for the public under
should introduce me.
also anxious to learn to
That too could be learned there.
horn and mother of pearl.
But the revival of our
is
we
have.
in the
You
If the nobles here disdain us,
little
Minahassa, a
we are not the and we are rejected see
by the people too, then we can fly away and seek that sister soul. Far away from the whirl of the markets, in some forgotten place, together we will find work for the head, the heart and the hand. In the great wide world somewhere there must be a place for
My to
eldest sister has
Kendal, but
to
Koedoes
to visit
the latter's interest in our cause.
who
us.
been here, but she went away yesterday, not back her mother-in-law and to try to arouse
Some one
herself once bitterly opposed us.
When
goes
now
to
plead for us,
she was coming here,
did not plan an elaborate speech that would soften her heart.
we
and
we
We
was sweet and strange when our sister with moist eyes said tremulously "Good, may you carry out your plans and meet with success. I shall pray God to bless you." talked to her simply, just as
We
asked her, "Will you
felt,
still
demn us?" And she answered, "Even
it
cling to us if others revile us
and con-
the loudest talkers will be silent
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;262â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
some
LETTERS OF A day."
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
Sister thinks that her mother-in-law will help us,
husband too will have sympathy for But how are things here to others
We
Formerly we must never speak
now
me
they bring
it
up
talked not long ago with a stranger about several
My heart beat with joy and happiness when
ing next to
that her
us.
home?
about the subject nearest our hearts,
themselves. things.
at
and
the whole time.
"I
am
I
saw Father stand-
his child in spirit too," sang
my
come here so that we could exit would be good for us. Oh is my dream to really become reality? Are we going on our way Before we had an opportunity to with our parents' full blessing? write to the Heer Sijthoff, we received a very cordial letter from him A few lines further on, last week, reproaching us for our obstinacy. he declared that we had forced his respect and promised to give us his support. When we need it, we have only to ask him. heart!
Father invited the stranger
change our thoughts and ideas.
to
He
thought
-263-
LVIII
'
March
HAVE
I
been laid low by sickness
anxiously is
I
was
and given
it
my
;
And
me
for days they watched over
in the most frightful pain.
now behind me.
was freed from it
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
4th, 1903.
the suffering
is
Thank God,
that
a thing of the past.
I
pain by such a strange remedy; we have preserved
to all of
our family.
Later,
it
may do
our children
good.
Yesterday driving.
I
and he held on
And today
began work again.
Father's pleasure to
me
was
touching.
tightly as if
a delightful hour, the precious
first
time, I went
I sat next to
he were afraid of losing me.
memory
ways. ^
for the
Naturally
of which will be with
It
-264^
was
me '
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
him,
al-
LIX^
WE
March
fore
many
to Solo.
my
of
days.
Now
And
then the goldsmith will go with
all three
birth place are growing
and
branches of the
is
their well-being,
And we
thriving.
for others that can be spurred back into
our aim
9th, 1903.
have received word that the tortoiseshell will be here be-
life.
and they show
ing with eagerness and enthusiasm.
I
are
still
looking
The people know
their appreciation
am
it
industry
artistic
that
by work-
thankful that they under-
we have their good always before our eyes; otherwise everywe might do for them would be useless. They are It is splendid to see life waking and stirring around us. beginning to grow vegetables on a large scale, even in the Kampong, around the Malay camp. Everything goes so well. The goldsmith has taken more boys as apprentices, and there are some clever youths that
stand that thing that
want
to
be educated for the wood-carving trade also.
thing with great pleasure; the kota,
The
have noted one
I
the apprentices, there
from
a boy
is
and consequently not a child of Blakang-Goenoeng, the
wood-carving village.
boy from
among
the kota
We
have
to seek out other apprentices, but this
came of himself and asked us
to take
we
ones here will carry on our work when
little
him.
We
are gone.
can lead them from a distance so long as they need leading. .
1
.
•
•
•
•
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
—265—
•
•
•
•
— LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Some one complained to us about ingratitude, among our inferiors. We told him that if he were distressed at the ingratitude of the people, it was his own fault.
He
looked at us with his great eyes and said;
ple are ungrateful to
"My
fault,
when
peo-
me?"
"Yes, your fault, when you allow yourself to be distressed by
it.
For we must never do good with the thought of gratitude before our
We
eyes.
must do good, simply because
doing will we
in so
selves,
and
to
make
understand the
He in
fulfil
ourselves."
others happy,
less bitterness
asked us too,
we
I
it is
we must
feel,
good, and because only
understand.
and the easier
"What would happen
happy ourThe more we
believe that to be
if
it is
to
be
just.
you should meet some one
whose presence your heart would beat?"
happy and thankful because that would indicate that I soul, and the more companion souls we find, the better it is for our cause, and that of those whom we love." "You will never meet a companion soul." That was said forcefully. What did he mean? Does he place our men too low or me undeservedly high. H he but knew, I had just received an enthusiastic letter from a young and to me unknown companion soul. I shall send the letter to you. It is from a student of the Native Artisans school. A spontaneous expression of sympathy "I should be
had met a companion
—
—
about the article that appeared in Eigen Hoard which you induced to write.
It is
but through
it
so like a
candour in every That
is
it
—young is
far
in
its
glowing enthusiasm,
from commonplace; there
is
line.
a luxury which writers can enjoy,
they are friends that
young boy
a spirit speaks that
me
when they
unknown people
strike a sympathetic chord.
was you who induced me
to
I
feel that
love to think
make my own name known
—266—
to the
LETTERS OF A public,
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
and such an introduction from one
whom
I
admire deeply
is
like a benediction. If that article has first
had
saw the to
light
met with
success, I attribute
it
to the fact that it
There were many things that
through your hands.
be included in that introduction, but in none of them did
its, mark.
pearance
Its
many
success has
meant much
to
come
me
questions have
to
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;267â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
our
artists,
and since
it
miss
its
about our wood-carving.
ap-
April 25th, 1903, is
IT
stupid and unpardonable that ;
one could be more surprised
at this
determination than
we
the fruit
us, think of the cause
will
"We
want
ourselves. that
we
But do not think of
to stay."
and what will be best for
No
us.
had been prepared for anything, but we had never expected
would say of our own free rest
did not write to you as soon
was made that we were not to eat work which you and others have done for
as the great decision
of the noble
We
we
that;
it is
we must
there
our case.
Do
not think that our feelings have changed, they have not.
our request was on the way that for the sake of
Governor General, we believed firmly
our future pupils, education in Europe was an
But after that another truth was impressed upon
absolute necessity. us: "At this time,
to the
When
it
would be far
better for the cause if
we remained
in
India."
You know Europe.
that
it is
Can you
very eve of
its
our dearest wish
what
realize
realization?
it
We
to
complete our educations in
will cost us to give
up
the idea
on the
have been through a terrible struggle.
But we threw aside our own desires, when we found that the cause could be served best in a different way.
We
saw
this as
soon as
we
ceased to
think of ourselves, but only of our cause.
The people for whom we wish 1
to
work, must learn to know us.
To Mejuffrouw Zeehandelaar.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;268â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
If
we
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
went away, we should become as strangers
we came
And when
them.
to
after
women. If the people do not like to trust their daughters to European women, how much less would they be willing to trust them to those who were some
years,
worse
in their eyes,
Our aim
is
back, they would see in us only European
Javanese turned European.
our people; and
they should be set against us, of what
if
We
good would the help of the Government be?
ought to strike as
quickly as possible, and place before the public as an accomplished fact girls. Just now they are talking about us, and we known over the whole of Java. We must strike while the iron is not. If we went away, interest would grow luke-warm and after a time '^ fdwindle away altogether. Now we can make ourselves personally '^ known to our people. Seek to win their sympathy, teach them to trust us. If we had their sympathy and their trust then we should be at ,
a school for native
}J^ are J''^
\
peace.
We have not entirely given up We could still go, always, and if Our
be better than from here. having us it
at a distance,
the idea of going to Holland, Stella.
we should go from
Batavia,
it
would
parents would then be accustomed to
and after they had once gotten used
to the idea,
would not be so hard for them, if the distance were made greater. For us too that would have a good side. Consider this, we have
never been away from home, and
warm
little nest,
ment far from But that
is
from our own country, and placed
all
who loved
us, the
itself.
We
it.
We knew that The main question
had never looked
courage, or courageous defiance, call
our enthusiasm, we thought
little
—
in another environ-
change would be great.
only a side issue.
seen anything against
dertaking
we were suddenly taken from our
if
it
all along, is
at the other side,
—
what you will
or not at all
—269—
and had never
the danger to our un-
—of
from
carried
defiant
away by
the temper of the
LETTERS OF A Yes,
public.
own
we
thought
to
it
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
our credit
or another about
its
approbation, so long as
We
of the holiness of our cause. instance,
we may
to
defy
and
it,
to
hold our
Not disturbing ourselves one way
ideas high against the world.
still
we
ourselves were convinced
think that
is right,
but in this
For now everything de-
not live up to our ideal.
Always we wish to work for the good of our people, and we must not set them against us by crushing with relentless hands the ideas upon which they have thriven pends for us upon the good will of the public.
and grown old through the centuries. Patience, the wise have said to us all along.
Now we
did not understand.
now we know
We to
that the
us, the
all
Stella,
reformers must be Patience.
we only
retard
them when we
try
If the public should be aroused against
hastily.
whole cause would be held back.
to give their
heard them but
are beginning to understand.
watch-word of
cannot hasten the course of events,
push forward too
We
People would be unwilling
daughters a liberal education, for education would be held
responsible for such impossible creatures as we. Patience! patience, even unto eternity.
when
penetrated at
this truth
thusiasm,
we
last.
We
Stella, I
so miserable
must curb ourselves
will not pass our goal without seeing
we can
was
it.
in our en-
Mevrouw Van
an ideal, we must first lose we have thrown aside is not to No, that may not give ourselves to the public frankly just as we are. The public must not know what we are really fighting the name be. of the enemy against which we take the field must never, never be cried It is polygamy. If that word were heard no man would aloud I have struggled against this, it is as though we trust his child to us.
Kol wrote
many
to us, that
The
illusions.
before first
realize
illusion that
—
—
—
began our work with a
We hoped to
make
lie.
ourselves
known
just as
—270—
we
were, and that even so,
LETTERS OF A from conviction to us.
It
We
we were
that
Oh
wisdom
to gather
Stella,
would send
do not make the
by your sorrow.
have always known that
it
was
there for
It is
work
is
name
of
you have done for us not
fruits
its
loss of this great
go
to
to
now,
Before
the
lost,
been drawn
their
to
this,
own
Now
You
Let us never speak of
it
work of you
will be of great
my
parents too, a thousand times for
and—
for nothing.
No,
Stella,
your
all.
Though we may make no use of
good
to
our cause, attention will have
it.
questions relating to the education of the Javanese peo-
have always been brought up by those who had some
ple,
it is.
your country
i
thank you, in the
I
their children
hard enough as
my dearest wish my own people.
again.
all that
interest of
at stake.
from ulterior motive; would that have been Would case if you had not drawn the attention of the liberal to us? Government have been ready to help us if you had not worked for
the the
us? of
right, parents
have not yet begun our work and yet we have seen our illusions
illusion harder to us
it
VANESE PRINCESS
would be impossible.
dwindle away one by one.
and
JA
I
my
the interest
is
free
thank you a thousand times for your great love. people,
I
thank you sincerely.
In the
name
Great good will come of your
work for the Javanese. Be sure of that. Our plan is, if our request is answered favourably, to go at once to Batavia. Roekmini will study drawing, handiwork, hygiene and nursing. In drawing, she will have lessons from the teacher at the Gymnasium, and she will take the course in hygiene School.
I
with which
shall take a I
at the
Dokter-Djawa
normal course, continuing the same
studies,
have already been working here for several months.
—271—
LXP July 4th, 1903."
WHATEVER we may
the future
may have
in store for us, I
pray that
always remain confident and gay and full of
faith.
to others, "do not despair, do not curse your Through suffering comes power." Now it is my
have said so often
I
cross,
weary one.
fate to apply
But
I
anxiety.
what
I
have been preaching.
will not think It
makes
any more of
my
head so
strife or suffering, of care
tired,
and
my
heart so sick.
and of will
I
smell the perfume of flowers and bathe in the sunshine ; they are always
here to comfort us.
Moeske, we have begun our work. advice to begin at once, just as that
it
We
would begin so started with
we
We
We
had not dared
to
hope
easily.
are so pleased
to the
little
at
our
to trust us quickly; while they 1
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
2
Written with a pencil after an
pay
illness.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;272â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
and
little
children.
band; they always come ex-
and they get along so amiably together. all
to five,
kaboepaten, and soon there
when we look
They are such a fresh unspoiled quisitely neat,
thank your husband for his
one pupil, quickly the number jumped
tomorrow morning eight will come will be ten.
We
were.
They learned
due respect to form, they are
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
and unrestrained before us as though there were no such
as free
still
JA
thing as rank or difference of degree.
The day before yesterday a daughter
me.
to
from home, and
Picture
let
them
the djaksa of it
Karimoan Djawa
^
brought
Moeske, they send their daughters away
eat with us here in a strange place.
Yesterday, a young mother came to
me
in great distress; she said that
were not
so,
she would be so glad to
she lived too far away,
and study with us her
little
As
child
not yet a year old; as soon as she
is
we may
her mother will send her to us, wherever
The children come here four days
They
past twelve.
We
study, writing, reading,
aptitude for
mistresses.
years old,
from
eight to half
handiwork and cooking.
show a special
it.
school must not have the air of a school, or
mothers.
is six
be.
in the week,
teachers do not give lessons in art unless the pupils
Our
come
that cannot be, she wants to provide for
daughter, the education which she has not had the opportunity
Her
to gain.
if it
herself.
like a great household of
must be
It
We
will try
we
that of school-
which we are the
and teach them love as we understand
it,
by
word and deed. In our
we were guided by that simple precept which is understood: "Do not unto others what you do not wish done
own
universally
youth,
unto yourself.'"
Mevrouw Van Kol has
told us
much
of your Jesus, and of the apostles
Peter and Paul.
Of whatever
— I
belief or race a
man may
a noble character, a noble character.
be, a great soul is a great soul I
have read "Quo Vadis," and
have been thrilled with admiration for the martyrs
amid the 1
A
bitterest suffering, still
group of islands
off
to their faith,
who
looked faithfully and trustingly
the coast of Japara.
—273—
to-
LETTERS OF A ward
the Highest
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
and proclaimed His praise in beautiful song.
suffered with them and
I
Do you know "We Two," by Edna It
treats of atheism
I
have
have rejoiced with them. Lyall?
That
is
a very fine book.
and Christianity, of true Christianity and of
its
is so much in the world. The Luke Raebum, is a great figure, and Erica Raebum too is a noble character, who from a zealous atheist becomes a sincere and be-
frightful perversion, of which, alas, there atheist,
lieving Christian.
They were a father and daughter who loved each
other devotedly, and depended each
We read
upon
too the "Soul of a People."
also a beautiful book.
We
are anxious
Judaism (do you not say that?). the Ghetto" will be what
we
the other.
That
now
is
to
about Buddhism and
is
read something about
Perhaps Zangwill's book "Dreams of
seek.
-274râ&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LXII
^
August
A He
is
FEW
words
turn in
woman ahead of
spurs while
am
I
my
to
announce
A
alone!
me just
1903.
new
work
as a
I shall
life.
1,
to you, as briefly as possible, a
noble
not go on with our great
man
will be at
my
side to help me.
work for our people he has already won his beginning. Oh, he is such a lovable, good man, in
;
And he
he has a noble heart and a clever head as well.
has been to
Holland, where his bride would so gladly go, but must not for her people's sake. It is
a great change; but if
one another, we
may
we work
tion of our hopes than could either alone. points.
You do
and support and help
together,
be able to take a far shorter road to the realiza-
not yet
know
the
name
of
We my
meet
at
many, many
betrothed;
it is
Raden
Adipati Djojo Adiningrat, Regent of Rembang.
And now,
adieu!
Soon,
I shall
write again, and
length. ^
To Mevrouw Van Kol.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;275â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
I
hope
at greater
^
LXIII
^
August
WANT
1903.
make myself worthy of the highest title, and that is a Have I not told you often that we were done with
to
Child of God,
I
all
Now
personal happiness?
life
comes
demand
to
that
promise of me.
nothing could be too bitter or too hard for us, to
1st,
add one
little
if it
I
have said that
would but enable us
grain of sand to the building of that great structure,
the happiness of a people.
Now
I
have been tested
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
What am
I
worth?
Yesterday was again an exciting day for
wish
make use
to
We
us.
munication from the Department of Education,
received a com-
telling us if
we
did not
of the opportunity granted us to be educated as teach-
send a statement accordingly in writing to the Governor Gen-
ers, to
eral.
How
Briefly
and
must the statement which has been asked to the point, that
opportunity because
I
am
I
no longer wish
engaged
better opportunity has presented at the side of a
whom I support me
greater service with him, than
we
make
for,
be worded?
use of the offered
be married or because now a ;
itself to
noble man,
me, and who will ably
to
to
me
respect, in
my
two, as
still
of working for our people
who
work.
women
loves the people with I shall
be of much
standing alone, could
ever be.
And Roekmini ^
does not wish to take advantage of the opportunity,
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;276â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A because she
may
not,
I
wish
VANESE PRINCESS
nor does she wish even
She will reach her goal
Then
JA
in a different
my
to express
if
she could, to go alone.
way.
respect and gratitude to the
for having taken the interests of Java to heart, and because
of the people asked for aid, to
meet her half way
in
it
lent
an ear
child
her request, and was willing
to
her regard for the future welfare of her race.
Holland has now grown nearer
We
to us.
now
are convinced
Netherlands wishes the happiness of India; that
mean
Government
when a
is
that the
no hollow phrase; we
it.
my
All of
friends
wished and prayed
nowhere but
And
to a
among my humble
this for
fellow countrymen have always
me, "That Bendora Adjeng Tini might go
kaboepaten."
the simple
minded hearts
rejoice
now because
their
dream
is to
be realized, they are happy because their wish for their Bendora
coming
true.
vox dei." that
my
You
see
how my simple
If that is true then
path in
life
it is
is
"Vox populi
friends triumph.
under the guidance of a higher power
has taken a different direction from that which
I
myself had planned.
"May you
be a blessing, a refuge
to
many, the
they find refuge from the heat of the day." ple here pray for me.
May
I live
up
That
tree in
is
whose shade
what many old peo-
to the expectations of these
who
are simple of heart.
A
great task lies before
ceed, and bring
it
to a
me; unquestionably
good end,
I shall
never have served them in any other way.
my
fellow countrymen
my
is
hard, but
serve our people as If
will be a lesson that will have a powerful effect to
it
my work upon our
is
if I sucI
could
well done,
it
cause, because
future will be the most beautiful and de-
sirable in the world.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;277â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
The mere fact of my marriage will do good; it will interest the parents, spur them on to educate their daughters, and impress them more than could a thousand inspired words.
and riches are I
remember
to
be despised before
stands for a fact, that beauty
It
and mind.
gifts of the heart
my own words, when some
education could be impressed upon our
one asked
me how
women and
the idea of
The Java-
girls.
nese people are just like other children of nature: they are children of the sun, worshippers of splendour that wish, give
them what
them something
Now we
and
brilliancy.
Very
well, gratify
same time give
their hearts desire, but at the
that is true, that is of real worth.
shall not infringe too harshly
our childlike people can
freedom of women
is
still
upon the customs of our land,
have their pomp and splendour.
inevitable;
coming, but
it is
The course of destiny cannot be turned
we cannot
aside, but in the
The
hasten
it.
end the triumph
has been foreordained.
We
shall not be living to see
helped
Do
to
it,
break the path that leads
not be uneasy;
that I can fly is just
my
but what will that matter? to
it,
and that
betrothed will not cut
what has raised
me
broaden
my
field of
work.
He
and not as a possible ornament for
my
have
a glorious privilege!
my wings
short; the fact
so high in his eyes.
only give a larger opportunity to stretch out to
is
We
He
will
wings; he will help
me
appreciates your Meiske for herself, his
home.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;278â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LXIV^ August 8th, 1903. you know what day this is? It is the third aniversary of our meeting. Three years ago today, three simple, childlike girls
DO
received a costly gift from heaven, the gift of a friend after their
own
The
hearts!
childlike girls have
has furrowed wrinkles in the through forth
Have they wasted and gone
fire.
from the
Just
We
be women,
their hearts
to ashes, or
where
woman came
think her a treasure.
usefully, teaches embroidery
When
at the table
;
Justinah the wise
until next week.
to
life
have been
have they come
purified?
fire
now we have company
us working.
grown
young faces;
still
and
is
this
I sit
there are five of
morning and will stay
She spends her time here
so severe
when we
are careless.
we make a mistake, she immediately pulls everything out.
How
my
shoul-
rich I felt this der, while I
morning when she laid her hand trustingly on
explained something or other to her.
home with us;
I
look with so
much
Now
she feels at
pleasure into her fine intelligent eyes;
they say so much.
She
is
a dessa-child.
enjoy meeting her.
Oh, how full of love
She
listens
is
then asks such intelligent questions.
If
you ever come
bourhood again, I hope to be able to take her to you. 1
You would
her calling!
with attention when one speaks, and
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;279â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to
our neigh-
This clever
little
a
LETTERS OF A woman is
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
have asked him
make
my
and
I
the seventeenth of this month.
him.
to bring his children with
my
the acquaintance of
future,
I
am
I
so anxious to
The children are to be strive, and suffer, if
future family.
and work for them,
shall live
need be, for them.
hope that they will love me.
I
have asked their
My
father to give the entire control of his children to me. to
make them
and she
in child-birth,
with all a child's eagerness.
still,
The Regent of Rembang comes on I
women
has already attended forty-eight
such a young thing
feel, in so far as
it
is
dream
is
my own
possible, that they are
children.
There are others that
call themselves
my
children; the Under-Col-
"Make my
lector here, a rich regent's son
and
servant, let her scrub the floor,
draw water, anything
you
will but let her stay with you."
but
I felt
I
that
listened with a smile
you on
will, if
my
face,
like crying.
all the little children entrusted to
nourish them with
am
my
is
who has been
me
given into
and quick.
If she
sister in
handiwork.
of gentle birth
In the
who have been
our work
heart,
and
Now
Rembang educated.
dwelling
She
is
a lovely
at all, I shall
she receives lessons from
there are I shall
—
care by her parents.
women and
my
children
try to gain their inter-
later.
future sister-in-law
that will
my
my new
to
my
shows any inclination
educate her for some profession.
My
safely in
the daughter of a teacher and has been to school.
child, clever
est in
me
I
love.
only going to take one child with
girl of eight or so,
She
I
child your
said nothing, promised nothing, but only prayed silently that
might lock
I
heir, said,
is
already "tainted" by a Western education;
be pleasant for me.
two more short months and
my
My
days, at
home
are numbered ; only
future protector will
—280—
come for me.
He
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
and his younger brother, the regent of Toeban, have been here.
day
is set; it is
quiet, only
November,
the twelfth of
The wedding
The
will be very
our families will be present and neither of us
is to
wear
bridal dress; he will be in his uniform, as I have already seen him.
That ment.
is
my
wish.
They are
His children are not coming, still
too
little,
and the journey
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;281â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to is
my
great disappoint-
tiresome.
LXV^ August 25th, 1903.
SHALL there
I me
my
efforts to
it is
has promised to stand at
also his wish
He
help our people.
and his hope
it
done by
others.
He
are being educated at his expense.
him and
to his
people;
may he
would
too
Many
like to help in
instruction
of his various relatives
expects
me
to
not be disappointed!
ful for one thing: his family share his ideas
They look upon me
support
to
work of education, and though he cannot give personal
himself, he can have
my
himself has already laboured
He
diligently for their welfare for years.
the
Rembang, and thank God,
at
He
shall not stand alone.
and support me;
side in
work
find a rich field of
I
be a blessing I
am
very grate-
and approve of
as the future rearer of their children,
to
his choice.
and
I
really
hope to serve in that capacity; I do not think of anything else.
Sometimes I
think that
from
forget that
am
I
still
the one that I
always;
it
Nothing I
I
gives
me
and nothing
I
1
many
beautiful illusions; and
calling, only along a different I shall
me to be cheerful. may ever be perfect
that I might
many, and God has heard
It is
lost so
my
way
think that
peace and helps
had hoped and prayed
what
have
had mapped out for myself, and
perfect,
is
I
following
my
in this world.
become the mother and
prayer, though
it is
a
sister of
different
from
up our people.
He
little
meant.
one of his dreams,
To Mevrouw
too, to
be able
Dr. Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;282â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
to raise
LETTERS OF A is
good
truly
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
people and to the
to his
officials
under him; they feed out
of his hand.
Day before
yesterday a collector was here and spent the whole evening
He
talking to Father about his daughter.
education.
me to undertake her me and now he came to
wishes
His wife has already spoken
to
talk to Father.
am
I
asked
be able to take them
I shall
We
nothing.
from here;
to take other children all, it is
how
shall first see
it
hard
do not know whether
I
to refuse,
goes.
We
but
some days and meanwhile I
before coming to the hard duty of making a decision, shall not speak of
when
forgiven
it
save under stress of urgent necessity.
they see that
I
promise
I will
shall wait
will be
I
do not refuse from pride, but from ex-
pediency and out of consideration for others; perhaps for the sake of their
own
children too.
Fortunately cares as I
little
am
Rembang as
I
is
a quiet
delighted that the Resident there
It lies
!
When
place,
And
good
is
that
he
is
interested in our cause, so
my
great friend,
more than a hundred feet from the house. him that I was much interested in the art and kindred
not
they told
carvers there; they only needed a
something very pleasant.
is
it
there will be
industries of our people, he said that there
it
and
for amusements.
that I shall not go as a stranger.
the sea
little
will go there with
were goldsmiths and wood-
And
directing.
little
listen to this:
Perhaps our good friend, Singowirio
me; you know whom
I
mean, the man from Blakang-
Goenoeng.
He plan
could not have followed his Bendoro to Batavia, but is
somewhat
take him.
our
different
he
is
anxious to go.
We
But capital and leadership are needed
artistic industries
now
are planning to
first
of
all,
can be placed upon a practical basis.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;283â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
that the
before
A
large
LETTERS OF A
JA
work-place ought to be built, and
VANESE PRINCESS
many
apprentices and artisans taken
work under regular supervision in our immediate neighbourhood. we only had the money, we could build a work-place, buy material, employ workmen and train apprentices. Singo could be placed at the to
If
head of the establishment.
I
believe in less than a year or two years at
most, the capital thus invested would be doubled. I
should have been glad to begin here, but both of us had our eyes
When we were
upon Batavia.
gone our
to take the responsibility for everything,
Now
hard for them.
we had
the necessary
money.
I
am
and
we could
different,
it is
would have had
little sisters
that
would have been too
take the responsibility,
convinced that our
if
artistic industry
has a great future.
Not long ago, while we were on a
little
journey,
He
expressed
Brandes, brother of Doctor Brandes. the art of our country.
When
I
told
him of
we met the Heer much interest in
a tokootje
^
of productions
of native art at Semarang, he set out immediately to look for
must understand that the people of Semarang are opposed the products of their
own neighbourhood
wishes to open a tokootje at Semarang.
Brandes foimd,
this,
if
But again money
I said,
at
he said, "Oh, do not worry about
you
to
yet.
You
sending
"East and West"
to Batavia.
and "East and West" cannot give very much as
it.
When
that, the
is
I
needed,
told
money
Heer
will be
will only take care of the other side."
"But there must be some one of discrimination who will stay
Semarang." "That will be found
tiful things are I
too,
and your only care will be
to see that
beau-
produced."
have received a short
letter
from him.
friends about the plan, and they were all 1 Little shop.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;284^
He
has spoken to various
much
interested,
and have
LETTERS OF A
JA
promised their financial support. gard to the art of wood-carving.
we would need
for that.
VANESE PRINCESS
I
spoke to him of our other idea in
re-
At once he asked how much money
did not mention any certain amount,
I
I
who know, how much the work-place would cost, how much the wood, and how what wages would have to be paid out to the work-men every month. The work-place could be very simple at must
first
ask those
The great
first.
difficulty is that there
must be a force of
kept steadily working, and there would have to be
fifty
men
money with which
to
pay them, because they could not afford to wait for their wages until their work was sold. Rembang would be an excellent country for wood-carving.
It is
Singo himself thinks the idea excellent, If everything goes well,
though
I
am
a
also much sono there. we only had the money!
the land of dati and there
what a retinue
modem woman.
if I
is
me, even
shall take with
certainly have a strange bridal
I shall
dower.
The Regent of Rembang
is
marrying a whole
What
kotta.
has he to put himself between the people and their bride? I shall strike
an unfortunate time, for
of the year.
(Poeasa-Leberan Nieuwjaar).
I
to
would not allow do I
that.
I
my
want a place
I
I
wide open the whole night long.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;285-
my
have said
all
along that
could never allow any one
in their hearts, not
cannot think of the future without
Oh, heavens!
shall arrive in the dry season
foot to be kissed.
along without her and she without me! stay
I
business
outward forms.
Roekmini.
When
I
How
shall I get
think of her
my
eyes
LXVP October 19, 1903.
DO
you know what has happened?
date has been changed.
twelfth,
day the eleventh, 1
At his earnest request, the
The wedding
will not be on the
but on the eighth of November, and on Wednesat
about
five o'clock, I shall leave
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
-286â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
my
home.
LXVII
YOUR
and
thrills,
I
November 3, 1903. Her heart glows and
girl is alive again, she is alive.
makes did
^
it is
not burning pain or bitter,
the strings vibrate; love
complain, ungrateful that
I
dumb
despair that
Why
sounding the chords.
is
was, with such a rich treasure within
me? Love
And
is
greater than all else!
I shall give,
been given me, that
hunger and
And
she
is
richest
I shall
give back with interest.
each other two years ago.
It
Oh, there
He and
first
moment
life.
He and
Father
that they set eyes
upon
Father have been friends ever since;
visited us often.
was one of his poor all
What has are so many
thirst after love!
Strange and wonderful things can happen in
him and
gives most.
as a rich father's child, with a full hand.
were drawn together from the very
and he has
who
little
of the children.
She was so anxious
to
wife's wishes to
come and
Both of them called
make our
my
see us, with
father, "Father."
acquaintance; alas, before her wish
could be granted, death took her away. Shortly before her death, he saw his wife in a dream; she was deep in fervent prayer,
and the prayer that was sent up
to the
All-Highest
was, that she and Raden Adjeng Kartini might meet and be friends
through
all eternity.
Since that time,
thoughts.
iTo Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;287â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
I
have never been out of his
LETTERS OF A Yes, he has suffered much,
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
when she went away
it
was a deep blow
him, he loved her very dearly.
to
And
his
hope for himself
is,
that Father's treasure
—
—
his wasiat djati,^
me shall help him to forget his grief. May I not find a little message from you when, on the eleventh, I It will be as if you had raised enter my new home for the first time?
as he calls
your dear hand 1
to bless
Heir o his existence in
me.
whom
his
whole being begins and ends.
—288—
'
LXVIII November
I
MY
7.
Dearest Moedertje: This
young
we are
to
be married.
Good-bye,
heartily for me, and
little
on the day before her wedding.
heart will be with you.
half-past six,
from your
the last greeting
is
girl,
remember
that
I
know
that
daughter as a
Tomorrow,
tomorrow
my
whole
my
dearest.
you
will always have the deep af-
Greet your husband
fection of
Your own
little
daughter
K. 1
at
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;289-
LXIX^
MY
Rembang, December 11th, 1903. Dearest, Best Friends:
You do
from there
is
know with what
not
my new
home,
is
affection this,
my
A home where,
written.
peace and love everywhere, and we are
first letter
praise God,
happy with and
all
through one another. I
regret so deeply that only through the press of circumstances I
have not been able
to write to
you before.
The
Forgive me.
first
days
were so frightfully hard; then our children were
ailing, and at last I from the wearisome days through which we had passed. was far from well and was obliged to take care of myself. Now I am
felt the reaction I
again fresh and happy.
Once more
brained creature of other days,
it is
the old irresponsible, hare-
who can look forward
to the future
with smiling eyes.
Do
I
have to express myself
day on which Father to be
I
my
laid
my hand
comrade
still
more
in that of
plainly, dearest?
him who was
in the journey through this
I
bless the
by the Allgreat and difiicult sent
life.
Everything that was noble and beautiful in realized before me.
Some
of the dreams that
carried out years ago, or he dreams them 1
To Mevrouw and
Dr. Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;290â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
now
my
eyes
I still
I
find here
dream he has
with me.
We
are so
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
entirely one in thought
and ideas that often
would both love him
you knew him.
if
brain and honour his good heart.
Our nobles would
not care to hear
I
it,
am
You
frightened.
You would admire
his clear
have thought so often that the
I
noble should live for the people, and
I
have wanted but he,
my
to
preach this aloud.
gone
heart's king, has
before me. It is just
me
husband brought me here
to his
now our home. The Queen could have been more warmly welcomed. All of Rembang made festival;
country, and led
not
my
a month today since
into his house,
even on the border, every house was decorated with flags; the very hired carriages on the highways bore the tricolour.
The enthusiasm
of the people was so spontaneous and genuine, the expressions of
warmly from
The people were gay and Again and again my rejoiced because their beloved ruler was happy. the people must see his new balcony husband took me out on the sympathy came
so
their hearts.
—
Goesti-Poetri. I sat
on a
stool
near him,
silent,
my
eyes full of tears, and
my
heart
overflowing with emotion; there was happiness, there was gratitude, there
was pride pride ;
in
him, that he had gained such a
my
the heart of the people; gratitude because one of realized,
and happiness because
And our
children
—how
can
I sat
I tell
warm
place in
dearest dreams was
there at his side.
you of
these delights?
I
felt
drawn to them at once, they are such dear, unspoiled creatures; and every day they grow closer and closer to
my
laid a good foundation to their education;
wished education
to
heart.
it
began
begin in simplicity and modesty.
Their father has just as I
My
always
little treas-
ures do not hold themselves above the most humble person here in the
house; every one to go forth
is
alike to them.
The
and sow.
—291—
field is
prepared,
I
have only
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
In January I hope to be able to open our ing for a good teacher; and
till
we have found
and I be prevented in any way, one of my work for me, till I am able to take charge of Several parents have already asked is to
one,
We
are look-
have charge
I shall
If unforeseen circumstances should intervene
of the lessons myself.
idea
school.
little
me
sisters will it
carry on the
again.
to teach their children.
open a school for daughters of the native chiefs here,
can get a suitable teacher.
If
we could
find a
Our we
if
good governess, then she
could care for the mental development of our children and also for the
formation of their characters.
When
everything
is
in
good working order, could we not hope for a
The expenses of
subsidy from the Government?
the school
would be
as
low as possible; the children would receive their board and lodging
from us. Shall I write a letter about it? The parents are full of confidence and are asking us to take their This is now our opportunity. We must begin. children. After a while I shall write to you at greater length about our plans. I have the fullest confidence that a girls' school, held by us at our home, under the direction of a European teacher with me as head mistress, would succeed. We have great plans, and we would give anything to be able to talk this over with you and your husband face to face. I am writing this at five o'clock in the morning. The children are awake and hanging over my chair; mother must give them bread and free
milk.
You must
see our youngest just once ; he is not yet two years old, but
so intelligent.
heavy for him not hang.
As
I sat
here, he
to carry, so
Then
came with
he dragged
it
to
a
little
the darling child climbed on
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;292â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
footstool;
it
was too
mother; mother's feet must
my
lap.
When
I call
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
the children to me, they fight to see which one shall reach
our
little sister
brings
me
me
and
first,
the spoons and forks.
The one who is naughty must not come to mother. They have the greatest fun when they bathe with me, and I too enjoy this more than anything
else.
It is
such a pleasure to see the fresh, laughing
little
faces.
And now yet for the
of late.
I
I
am
received at Japara;
I
you, Moedertje dearest,
welcome
greeting,
it.
And
which
I
kiss
have not thanked you
my
I feel
my
to
until I
A
Mevrouw and Heer
ing.
to
Japara to see
my
Bervoets,
parents,
inspiration of Father's, and
we
both.
whole history
have told
it
to
Guess who has been staying here and who went away only been
you
arrival.
a great peace.
must not go
this letter
warmest thanks
you heartily on both cheeks for your
found upon
I
Today
December, 16. behind
I
many expressions of love which we have received from you was made so happy by the letter from your husband and
yourself, which
And
going to talk about myself.
who
from Modjowarno. sent
bless the
them here
to us.
lies
you. this
morn-
They had It was an
happy chance which led those
good angels here. I
had been anxious for a long time
to
make
My wish has been granted,
noble couple.
and
the acquaintance of this in
what manner!
I
have
always thought of them with sympathy, but now deep gratitude
is
mingled with the sympathy.
Day
before yesterday,
the whole day.
one would have desperately leave of our
At noon little
my
husband was cheerful and wide awake and he was so well that
the Bervoets came,
thought that a few hours later he would be lying
Much interested, it was past midnight before we took An hour later, my husband was suffering from a guests.
ill.
violent indisposition ; the sickness
came suddenly, and
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;293â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
in less than three
!
LETTERS OF A minutes
How I He had
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
was so severe that he hardly expected to see the morning. felt, you can easily imagine. I had Doctor Bervoets called. it
expected to leave the next morning at eight, but neither he nor
his wife
had the heart
would go
at
to
go away and leave us in so much trouble; they
But even then they saw that
one o'clock instead.
husband needed constant medical
attention,
my
and our doctor was away on
a journey. It
was an acute case of
colic;
never suffered before in his
mend, and morning
You
fell asleep.
at eight o'clock,
improving steadily and
an
from which my husband had at mid-day he began to
illness
Yesterday
life.
can imagine
how
thankful
our new friends went away. only very weary.
is
At
sleeping quietly, and has been for a full half hour.
may
so strange that in her last days his
She longed
of me.
dream was laid
was.
This
husband
is
moment he is God grant that he
this
soon be entirely well
It is
it
I
My
my
by
to
to
know me, and
to
first
wife should have thought
become friends with me.
Her
go to Japara and to take her children to me; she hardly
portrait out of her hand,
and even on her
last sick-bed she
had
her.
After she had departed, and her earthly pain was over, every one
had but one wish, which has now been granted since the eighth of November. That is why there was
here, even the native officials, have
such general rejoicing when
My
we came.
husband received your
letter
The horse They are now packed and
with great pleasure.
trappings for "East and West" are ready. as soon as he
is better,
they will be sent.
pea-cock feather cigar holders, and real Lassemsche sarongs.
We
we
He
has also several kinds of
are looking for some examples of
shall then see
"East and West."
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;294â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
what we can do further for
LETTERS OF A
My
VANESE PRINCESS
husband thinks the idea of moving the Japara wood-carvers here
He
excellent.
supports
A
other projects.
dreams
My
JA
me warmly
he does in
all
my
all along.
husband
is
legends of Java.
anxious for
He would
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a wonderful
them together There
in that, just as
handcraft school for natives has been one of his
is
so
much
several articles
from
that
his
me
to write a
collect
book about the sagas and
them for me, and we could work on
prospect.
he wants
to
do with me; on
hand are already
-295â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
lying.
my
writing-table
LXX Rembang, March
MY
wish that
I
my
I
so wills
it,
from heaven
sent
draw
soul to tell
A
my
Mother,
two souls
me
Can you picture I
shall
make you
grandchild? first to
is
great joy, to
give
least
it?
I
that
still
more
beautiful, to
already binds us together.
soul that will be
little
a mother!
not be able
bom from
this
our
I
shall
make you,
old Moedertje,
Will you come later on
now
to
go to Batavia.
to see
your
Our plan was
Now
I am not able to travel, and when our little may not travel. So I shall see Batavia no you are there. And what would it be worth to
the idea.
while
I
without you and Mijnheer?
because of
me.
great, sweet happiness awaits
beautiful life
tighter
a grandmother!
I shall
up
I
make you
mother.
here, then, too,
more, at
me
my
go on a journey this month, to take a month's holiday.
we must one
make our
to
mother, think of the
to call
you of
arms around your neck,
toward the end of September, there will come one
bond closer and
the
my
could throw
a sharer in our splendid secret.
Gods
1904.
Own Dearest Moedertje: long from
If
6th,
new
life
which
I
My
husband
carry under
wanting to our happiness.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;296â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
happy That alone was
so glowingly
my heart.
LXXP Ramhang, April
HIGHLYmust
10th, 1904.
Honoured Friends:
It
me
have seemed strange
your cordial
in reply to
you
to
and
letter,
to to
have heard from have had no word
of acknowledgment for the splendid presents with which so greatly pleased.
If every thought sent to
we have been
you had become a deed,
letters you would now have! Forgive me, dear word has gone to you long before this. The change from a simple young girl to a bride, a mother, and the
what an array of friends, that no
wife of a highly placed native dian life
—
is
official
—
^which
means much
so great that I could think of nothing at
first
in
our
but of
In-
how
my new duties. But that was not the only reason. Shortly wedding, my husband was taken very ill. After that I my-
best to fulfil after our self
began
to ail.
me.
We
live flat
here, at
Even now by the
is
1
Japara was an advantage,
is
reaches us.
it
But
must let
first
me
blow over coral
thank you, also in
husband's name, most gratefully for the magnificent presents which sent to us at the time of our marriage.
The in
it
climate does not agree with
Here we must have a care for the sea
very unwholesome, because
reefs and slime before
you
Rembang
sea, but what, at
Rembang, a plague.
wind, which
my
the
interesting painting,
our sitting-room, where To
and the coloured photograph of Jena hang
my
husband, who
Professor and Mrs. Anton of Jena.
—297—
is
a great lover of statues
LETTERS OF A and
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
pictures, keeps his art treasures.
great pleasure and then
How
in Jena.
German
many
my
loving, grateful thoughts fly to
charming of you
want
to
to give
me
friends
a "boomkoek," the
national cake, which no single festival in your country must
That you were not able
be without.
makes no
difference to me.
And now
must
I
tell
just as
it
thought in deeds,
much
as though
my new
You
life.
will be glad to
Because you take such interest in your
God
Javanese friend, and have been so concerned about her future.
be thanked, your fears for writes
you these
who can
My
different
from
my
life.
that
I
you
support gives
my work
I
you could
see
for
me
my my
him
me)
is
I
not only
am my
him
me
in
and many of
too,
in deeds.
have laid
I
be a pioneer in the strug-
to
strength in
eyes.
I
my
I
am now
the
efforts to reach
have now both personal
ideal.
will both be pleased to
know
that
now anchored in my new surroundings.
friend of the turbulent spirit that
have planned
always before
is
happiness and also
know
to
and freedom of the Javanese woman.
man whose
the ideal which
I
bound himself
think has been thought by
I
out for myself a full
wife of a
it.
the whole of Java that
ideas have already been expressed by
gle for the rights
young wife
best friend.
Everything that
my
to express
known through
it is
others; yet he has
is
A
have proved groundless.
no words adequate
find
husband, he
me
wife whose happiness beams in her eyes and
lines, a
husband (and
it
fact.
you about
you not?
that, will
to express the
appreciate
I
had become an accomplished hear of
look at them so often with
I
is
your
little
Javanese
a safe haven.
I
wish
You know how
little
cared for luxury and worldly position; they would have no value in
my
eyes,
were
it
not that
they are means by which
it is
I
my
may
husband who gives them
reach
my
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;298â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
goal
more
easily.
to
me.
But
The Java-
LETTERS OF A
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
nese are deeply loyal to their nobles. sire is readily accepted
shall reach the hearts of the people
The
Everything that their chiefs de-
So now
by them.
at the side of
much more
my
husband
I
easily.
success of the plans for our school shows that I have their con-
fidence.
We
began
to teach at
are carrying on the
home
work
in Japara,
Our
there.
and now our younger
little
school
dred and twenty pupils, daughters of native chiefs.
them
instructions.
daughters were
beginning
my
But here too first
to realize the
I
now has one hun-
My
have begun our work;
pupils.
So you see
dream of
their girlhood.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;299â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
sisters
sisters give
my own
little
that the little Javanese are
'
LXXII
w
Rembang, June 28th, 1904.
.
we
'E do not go out often, and
dren
always
my
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;both my own and
share of
est
life is
tween
my
Splendid!
full.
my
dear husband,
And
When
and I
I
am
little
not too tired,
I
is at
preside at the tea-table.
ones are sent to bed,^ and
When
the
the
young
play in the garden.
We
days be-
my
chil-
At half -past
hungry children.
if
father
is
in bed,
At four o'clock
girls.
ones have drunk their milk
little
and have bathed, they can drive the fowls us, or
my
work, then the
until twelve o'clock.
work with
yet
these last take the larg-
father
twelve, father finds a troop of clean-faced but very
At half -past one the
my
divide
I
little,
housekeeping, and
the adopted ones.
time and attention.
work with me from nine
children
entertain very
to the coops,
amuse ourselves for a
or walk with
little,
and prattle
about everything or about nothing.
When sits
I sit in
arm
our
down
to
little
troop comes
in,
then
we
a rocking-chair with the two smallest on
of the chair and the two eldest at
my
afterward supper-time comes around.
upon himself must take it,
lap, a child
We
Father
he knows
it is
little
fellow has taken
if
he
is
To Mevrouw Abendanon. In Java
customary to take an hour's rest in the afternoon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;300â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
No
one
not allowed to
because he has deserved a punishment.
2
soon
eat early with the little
The
work away from him, and
^
on each
tell stories;
the task of lifting the glass cover for mother.
that little
it is
my
knee.
We
ones, the smallest of all sits next to mother.
do
are done with play.
read the paper, and they range themselves around mother.
LETTERS OF A At eight o'clock the
up
sit
And we
treasures are sent to bed.
little
and talk to each other
kapok, and
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
Klaas Vaak drives us
till
this is not so late as at Japara, for
we
get
parents
poeloe
to the
up very early
in
the morning.
Sunday
We begin it always with a
a holiday for both of us.
is
after that I teach
my
and then the mother and wife can
girls cooking,
do the things for which she has not had time during the week.
much
that she
think
it is
my
can do, for
He charms me sometimes delightful in
husband
is
happier when
of which
So the days
fly
I
It is
I sit
my husband
add the songs.
to
must not think.
It
not
by him.
with beautiful gamelan music and songs.
I
For the gamelan
music alone makes too great an impression upon me. to times
walk;
It
takes
makes me weak and
by, calm, quiet and peaceful as a
me back
sad.
brook deep
little
in the forest.
under
If the child that I carry
for her?
may
I shall
wish that she
my
may
heart
is
a
girl,
to
do anything abhorrent
does must be of her own free will.
to
I
wish
and that she
live a rich full life,
complete the work that her mother has begun.
compelled
what shall
She shall never be
her deepest feelings.
What
she
She shall have a mother who will
watch over the welfare of her inmost being, and a father who will never force her in anything. ter
It
make no
will
remains unmarried her whole
difference to
life long;
will be that she shall always keep her esteem
has shown that he respects women, and that his desire to trust his daughter wholly to
Oh,
me! I
if
you only knew the things
What
I
heard before
have since learned.
offer
me
My
his heart, his hand,
my
him
if his
daugh-
what will count with him
and
we
aff'ection
for us.
He
are one in thought, by
me.
that slander has spread
abroad about
marriage was praise compared
to
what
husband must indeed have had courage, to and his name. He had heard many things
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;301â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
JA
VANESE PRINCESS
concerning me, but never a single word of praise; there
was a conviction, which nothing could shake,
ers of
new
who scorned was
still
which were incomprehensible
ideas,
name through
he would always take
mud.
the
She had been so
ing her last illness, she slept with a premonition that
my
some day
I
my
in his heart
we were
the bear-
to the great multitude,
us because they could not understand.
living,
still,
that
When
his first wife
when they dragged my anxious to know me and durpart
portrait in her hand.
And he had
should play an important role in his
Every one here in the house had been interested
in
me.
life.
So there are
premonitions, secret longings, that come often as forerunners of what will
happen
in the future.
Only
I
alone did not think, did not dream
my future existence. my little ones any vacation; they will have one in September when my child is born. For the first fortnight I must rest, and then my baby will go into the schoolroom. I have already pre-
that this I
am
would be
not giving
pared a comer where baby can sleep, while mother and brothers study.
burg
Now we
shall
have something a
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;a mother who with a suckling baby goes
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;302-
la
little sisters
and
Hilda Van Suylen-
out to work.
LXXIII
WHEN
shall I ever
all sides
be able
it is
my
hard duty
Rembang, June 30, 1904. you as of yore? From
to write to
come reproaches
cannot do anything else;
and
'
to
carry
are doing their best, and
I
it
But
that I write so seldom.
I
have undertaken a great
through
to
I
task,
The children
completion.
have now twelve, among them several who
are full-grown. I
am
busy now with the
are eager for a girl, and
then
I
shall
have
to love
outfit for
my
your
grandchild. If
it
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;303â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
My
sisters
should be a
her doubly, for every one here
boy. 1
little
husband for a son.
is
girl,
anxious for a
LXXIV
MY
Rembang, July
Own Dearest Moedertje: My love for you and my interest
17, 1904.
in everything that con-
cerns you must not be measured according to the
my
letters to
With the
best will in the world,
write to any one at
bad
health.
And
myself.
How much to
I
is
now
must
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
who can come
family,
cannot
sit
Mamma
I
up
me
to
I
almost impossible for
is
when I
I
am
struggling against
caught a cold and suffered
God! but
its
mother!
I still
have
to take care of
All the tedious suffering
is still
must take care of myself, and be prudent
into
my
in
have only received members of the
past, I
room.
I
write this in a long chair.
I
straight comfortably.
was with me
last
week; the dear one, nothing
for her, where the welfare of her children to
of
will be well, for our child's sake.
a child costs
For a month
everything.
it
especially,
past, thank
Oh Moeska,
come.
now
all,
have been quite sick:
I
That
severely.
number
you.
is at
stake.
is
too
much
Just so she went
Pamalang when Kardinah was sick, and just so she came all the way when my husband in his distress telegraphed for her. My hus-
here,
band sion.
is
looking forward to the approaching time with great apprehen-
He
cannot bear to see
fered more than
I
when
upside down to spare
I
me
me
was so
suffer, sick.
suffering
poor dear one; he really suf-
He would
and pain.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;304râ&#x20AC;&#x201D;
turn the whole world
LXXV
'
Rembang, August
MOESKA I
Dearest think of you
10, 1904.
:
so
much!
Above
all
do
you same
think of
I
now, always with a feeling of tenderness, but
at the
time, a deep sadness.
Sadness because you are so far from me, and will be even further
removed beyond
my
reach.
Why
must
be that just those souls that
it
are most closely akin should be separated so far from one another? I
am
so
unhappy when
I let
myself long for you.
straight ahead, neither hearing nor seeing
me.
I live
in the past, that sweet
and
light.
I
suffered and
I
is
rejoiced.
Why
I
never cease to thank
God
looking
happening around
when
I
was
so
interwoven always like a
My
ness, but also of gratitude, for the happiness
brought me.
I sit still,
is
that bitter past,
eager for suffering, and where your love
garland of
what
heart
is full
of sad-
which your love has
for having brought
you
to us.
And at the same how they will be able to get more money out of him. Who will that money come from? Naturally from the little man for whose woe and weal we express such extreme concern that a whole commission is named to inquire into the cause of his retrogression; "What makes the Javanese so poor?" When grass-cutters who is it
that the Javanese is so poor, they ask?
time, they are thinking
1
To Mevrouw Abendanon.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;305â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LETTERS OF A
is
VANESE PRINCESS
made
earn 10 or 12 cents a day are goat or a sheep
JA
pay a trade
to
butchered a tax of twenty cents
merchant who butchers two every day, must pay to
Every time a
tax.
is
A
paid.
this tax,
I
learned
much
Barely enough of this at
my
^-
which amounts
one hundred and forty-four florins in the course of a year.
left for his profit?
Satee
What
is
to live on.
parents' house, but here
where
my
hus-
band shares every thought with me, where I share his whole life, his work and his troubles, I have come to know of conditions of which I was not only in ignorance, but the very existence of which
There holds
is
office,
so
much
crying injustice, and he
must suffer indeed.
He must
who
I
did not dream.
loves righteousness and
see much, and do
much him-
self that is against all principles of right.
Good-day, Moeska perhaps ;
this will
be
my
last letter to
you.
Think
sometimes of your daughter who loves you and your husband so dearly,
and who presses you now 1
Satee
is
to
her heart.
a dish composed of meat strung on a stick and roasted.
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;306â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
LXXVI Rembang, August 24, 1904.
DEAREST MoEDERTjE Mine: After
all,
that
was not
afraid; but perhaps
coming quickly.
I
grandchild will be Greetings, there
is
my
feel
bom
it,
it
be
my
last letter.
will be for the best that
Moedertje;
sooner than
dear one.
to
we
it
is
first
have been
my
time
expected him. in
my
heart
"God keep my dear friends." Your own little daughter, Kartini.
I
-307â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
is
very probable that your
Think well of me, both of you;
a prayer which says,
I
LXXVII
MY
Rembang, September
Dearest Moedertje:
How
can
thank you for the precious
I
have given our baby.
It
has
all the
little
frock that you
more worth
in our eyes
because we know under what circumstances you have worked
We
ent for
your
made
yourself after your return to Batavia.
it
1904.
7th,
little
grandchild.
this pres-
heard through Roekmini that you
To
think that you,
who
were indisposed yourself and had so many cares upon your shoulders
when you were under
as always, but especially at that time sure, could still take such delicate
Your friendship must indeed be sincere.
I
looked
at the little frock
happy heart; and often much, Moedertje dearest.
grateful
me
so
Later your his neck,
him
till
God has
when
I
It
has
must look
him than
I
own
heart,
me
to
"Go, wife, and write
and
at
it
again.
made your daughter
It tells
so happy.
grandchild can wear the figured ornament around
to
it is
now
keep
it
for
little
ornament will be even
when we received your
Moedertje right away, or
have followed his advice and,
shall
of the great love which
me.
to
yesterday,
I
him
I tell
given to his mother, so that the to
me deep and
yesterday with wet eyes and a
the dress grows too small for him.
husband said
our child.
stitches for
and your love for
feel I
he can understand me, when
more precious
My
little
and patient
great,
great pres-
at the
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;308â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
same
it
may be
present,
too late,"
time, the voice of
my
LETTERS OF A Our
little
that his
one
coming
JA
is
not here yet, but
is
very near.
VANESE PRINCESS it
may be any moment now.
feel
I
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, dear. The thought that far from here there is one, a part of my soul, who hopes and prays for me, makes me strong, and does me unutterable good. People who have seen me during these last days think me unusually And why should I not be cheerful when such great happicheerful. What matter all the hours of pain, when they are the ness awaits me? price of such sweet happiness?
I
my
long so for
and
treasure,
little
many whom I love are with me in thought in know how at my dear home, hour by hour, they think of me, hope and pray for me? When so many hearts pray the same prayer, Heaven will not be deaf it is
know
sweet to
these last days.
to
Moeske,
it.
I
that
Do
I
am
so firmly convinced that all will go well with your
not
daughter; naturally you will be notified at once as soon as the great event has taken place.
Oh,
how
if
it is
good angel, could but stand
happy
blissfully
even though If
my
you,
it
I
should be!
that
only not too sensitive, all will be well
will take care of that
My
know
grandmother who has come I
am
watch by
and protect your
mother has been with
are coming.
you
me to
—
its
he,
me
And
But your
one from evil
for two weeks, and there
be with
child,
mother.
its
Moeske?
cradle.
little
my
will love our child
should grow into a greater simpleton than
will not be unless the evil spirits
man
I
at the cradle of
is
that
talis-
spirits.
also an old
during the hard hours that
waited upon, spoiled, and watched over like a prin-
cess.
The
layette
and the
little
bed are
in
our room
all
ready for the coming
of our treasure.
And Moeske, how
are you,
my little Grandmother?
—309—
How
is
Mijnheer
LETTERS OF A getting along?
when
Oh,
VANESE PRINCESS
JA
hope that you will both be
I
How
this reaches you.
is
Edie?
his article in Elsevier s magazine, with
youth write?
Ask brother Edie
ways regretted
so
much
that I
the chances of that have gone
When you Kartini.
much
still
in the best of health
still
in
China?
I
read
What does
interest.
remembers me.
I
the
have
al-
have never met him personally and now
by for
ever.
him give him a cordial greeting from Sister him of my great happiness, and that my husband and I of him with sympathy. write to
Tell
both think
How
he
if
he
Is
delightful
perfume!
I
is
the odour of the
have put
it
away with
little
fruit
which
is
our true native
the baby's frock, in a chest with
other garments, so that they will be perfumed delicately.
My' treasure
must smell sweet. Good-night, dearest Moedertje; accept again sincere thanks from us both.
Greet Mijnheer heartily for us, and feel yourself softly kissed
by your own
little
daughter.
Kartini. (This was her last
bom, and four days years old. her.)
letter.
later,
On
the 13th of September, her son
was
she died suddenly, being just twenty-five
She was deeply mourned by I
â&#x20AC;&#x201D;310â&#x20AC;&#x201D;
all
who had known and loved
>INIVERSITY LIBRARY in the
last
date stamped below
'^''' •?.?
'Z^.
TSmr TTRT?AI?V
3 1158 00489 8952