Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/29

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GOVERNMENT. 17 or " fellow," are applied by him alike to the first minister, to a prince of the blood, and to the humblest villager. * In an ethical work, com- posed in the reign of the Sultan of Pajang, about 250 years ago, implicit obedience, and unlimited devotion to the sovereign, are recommended in the following odious strain!: "He who serves a prince is exalted by an implicit obedience to his will. Should the monarch order you to embrace

  • The language of the Malays, and their laws, contain si-

milar evidence. To shew the spirit of their institutions, I shall quote a few passages from their customary laws. " The forbidden words, say these, arc Titah, Barpatek, Marka, Ampun^ Darma-kurnia,) and Anggurha. If an inmate of the palace apply these terms to any but the prince, to whom they by right belong, he shall be put to death. If a person without the walls use them, he shall be struck a blow over the mouth at the time he is pronouncing them. If any maa direct these words to be addressed to himself, he shall suffer death." In the sumptuary laws of these people, the same spirit is discernible. The following are examples : " If persons come into the presence chamber, or even en- ter the precincts of the palace, wearing clothes of extraordi- nary fineness, without the royal approbation, their clothes shall be torn from their backs, and they shall be turned out.*' — " If a person use a mat for sleeping on, ornamented with yello'My (the royal colour,) or a yellow coloured pillow, or a yellow handkerchief, the punishment of such offence s death." — " If a person wear a golden hilted h-'is, without the royal orders, such kris ehaU be taken from him and confiscated." VOL. III. B