386 Collectanea.
increased. Their subjects are taken, some from native, some from Javanese, and some from Arabian story, with usually an admixture of Hindu fable. None of them are genuine translations from
foreign languages There is no date to any Malay work,
and there is no known Malay author. All Malay literature down to the present day resembles, in this respect, the ancient anony- mous ballads of European nations."
The particular story which I have selected for translation is evidently a favourite, and a dramatic version of it is acted in the native Malay theatre at the present time, as may be seen from the following advertisement, cut from the Straits Times of March 23rd, 1903.
WAYANG PUSI. INDRA BANGSAWAN.
THE EMPRESS VICTORIA JAWI PRANAKAN
THEATRICAL COMPANY OF PENANG.
TO-NIGHT ! TO-NIGHT !
23rd March, igoj.
" PUKKUR MAHADI."
With Grand Artistically Painted Scenes,
Extraordinary Costumes and a Grand Display
of Music, Flags, Bunting, &c.
At the New Parsee Theatre Hall,
NORTH BRIDGE ROAD.
Prices of Admission.
First Class
... $1.00
Second Class ..
50
Third Class
25
ZENANA.
First Class
SO
Second Class ..
25
Children under 10 years
half price only in First
and Second Class. Tickets can be obtained
at the Doors of the Theatre.
{Doofs open
at 8 p.m.)
Perfor))iance Commences at g p.m. sharp.
HADJI ^V^XYmX— Manager.
I possess two copies of Indra Bangsdwan ; one written in the ordinary Arabic character, the other also in the Malay tongue, but in English script. This latter copy, which I picked up at an
