42 LIFE IN JAVA.
ing with our letter to Colonel J . That gen- tleman at once called with his wife and invited us to his house, sending his own carriage to take us there, and showing us every kindness during our stay in Soerakarta, or, as the natives call it, Solo.
The traders of Malacca use this name as a kind of advertising medium to enhance the value of the weapons they import for sale.
Such a statement as the following may fre- quently be heard when they are anxious to push the sale of their goods :
" Where can you buy a finer kriss than this ? Allah, Tuan, it comes from the tanah Solo (land of Solo) ; and where's the weapon that will match it for sharpness and strength? None can beat Solo krisses no, not even those of Bugis !"
In all probability, except the hilt, which is of Malay workmanship, the kriss is all of Birmingham manufacture, as the Solo weapons, being highly prized, arc very expensive.
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