ABSTRACT
Games of hazard are the favourites of the Indian islanders. Among the Javanese, the only game of pure hazard of native origin consists in guessing the number of beans, of certain description, which the players hold in their hands. Of games of exercise or amusement, displaying address or agility, the Indian islanders are not fond, and never excel in them. In all their exercises they would rather sit than stand, even where there is an obvious advantage in the latter position. The love of dancing, in a variety of shapes, is a favourite passion of the Indian islanders. It is somewhat more, indeed, than an amusement, often mingling itself with the more serious business of life. The intellectual amusements of the Indian islanders consist of listening to professed story-tellers, or to those who make a business of rehearsing their written compositions, and of dramatic performances.
