286 LIFE IN JAVA.

ignorance, liowever, the Chinese, as well as the Javanese, regard these stones with superstitious veneration, making their offerings and " chin chin joss " to them. Gilt papers, bits of incense, &k., were lying scattered about all round them.

Between two and three miles from Buitenzorg, on the road to Batavia, is the villa o-e of Kadonj; Badak, another resort for invalids. Being situated in a retired nook, it is greatly appreciated by those who prefer quiet to the bustle of such a place as Buitenzorg.

The fifth post is Bidara Cheena, once a very large populous Chinese village. Here we saw a number of men and boys carrying gilt poles with red banners flying from them, and preceded by a band of music, of which little was heard sa^'e the loud drums. I was told they were going to a feast called the SedakaBumie, " charity of the earth," an annual festival given by a landlord, on Avhicli oc- casion a fat sapi, or ox, is killed and skinned. The

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