LETTERS OF A JAVANESE PRINCESS
her paper. She knows personally much about the life of the native woman, and has great sympathy for the well born girls in the Vorstenlanden [1] who are given away like so many presents. She wanted me to begin a series of articles, "Talks between two Regent's daughters." Secrecy, should it be necessary, was absolutely assured with her. She also thinks that it would be a good idea to write sketches of the life around us. I gave the letter to Father, hoping for his permission, which was again denied. I must not tell 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 to Batavia. So many things came up after that I could not write, I was in such trouble that my pen refused to go. And I hoped that each day would be better than the one that had gone before. But the next day would be just the same, and I would tear up what I had tried to write; that was stupid. But I was beside myself with waiting and delay. I was in despair. I was to be allowed to write only nonsense, earnest things I 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. Nominally it is a principality and is 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 make to the Dutch Government that only its shadow remains. This semblance of power is encouraged by the Hollanders for diplomatic reasons, though the Sultan is 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.
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