Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/27

OF JAVA. 13 cal grammar, and the result is an awkward com- bination of letters. On such occasions, the native princes will condescend to issue a dispensatmi in their behalf; for such subjects are, with them, matters of interest and moment. Sounds, in the Javanese language, have often an analogy to the sense, as in other languages. It is not enough, indeed, that this analogy is pre- served 'y the language often aims at stating the degree of it, by the use, according to circumstan- ces, of the broader or weaker vowels, or by adopt- ing liquids in some cases, and harsh consonants in others. The Javanese writers delight in an as- semblage of such words, when they attempt sub- jects of awe or terror ; and, no doubt, they must have a powerful effect on the ear of a native. The Javanese language, in common with every other language of the Indian Isles, does not a- bound in figurative modes of expression ; such as have, by some, been imagined to be characteristic of the language of all barbarians, and especially of those of the East, Nothing, indeed, can be more adverse to the genius of the Javanese than a figurative and hyperbolical style We see, indeed, a good deal of this in the poetry borrowed from the Hindus of Western India ; but the observa- tion now made strictly applies to writings purely Javanese, to their epistolary correspondence, and