The exports from Java to the United Kingdom are, as will be seen from the above table, very small, and, moreover, on the decrease, while the British imports into Java, consisting chiefly of textile fabrics and coals, are on the increase. The whole of the exports from Java to the Netherlands are carried by, and the property of, the 'Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij.' This trading society was established at Amsterdam in 1824, with a capital of 37,000,000 guilders, or upwards of three millions sterling, but which was subsequently reduced to 24,000,000 guilders, or 2,000,000l. The King of the Netherlands, Willem I., was one of the principal shareholders, and to create confidence in the company, he promised a guarantee of 4 per cent. per annum to his associates. His Majesty had to pay this interest from his own purse up to the year 1832, when the introduction of the 'culture system' in Java laid the foundation for the prosperity of the company, which has since been uninterrupted. The capital to start and work the 'culture system' was advanced by the 'Nederlandsche Handel Maatschappij,' on an interest of 4 per cent. guaranteed by the State; and the company, at the same time, was appointed sole agent in buying and importing into Java all Government supplies, and in exporting all produced an selling it in Europe. Money, Weights, and Measures. The money, weights, and measures of Java, and the British equivalents, are: The only legal coins, as well as weights and measures, of Java are those of the Netherlands. Statistical and other Books of Reference concerning Java. 1. OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. Almanak en Naamregister van Nederlandsch-Indie, voor 1869. Batavia, 1869. Regerings Almanak voor Nederlandsch-Indië. 1869. 1868. 8. Gravenhage, Verslag van den Handel, de Scheepvaart en de inkomende- en uitgaande Regten op Java en Madura, over het jaar 1867. Batavia, 1868. Verslag van den staat van het schoolwezen in Nederlandsch Indië, afgesloten onder ultimo 1866. 8. Batavia, 1868. Verslag over het jaar 1866, zamengesteld door de Kamer van koophandel en nijverheid te Batavia. 8. Batavia, 1867. Report by Mr. Ward, British Secretary of Legation, on the Progress of the Netherlands' East India possessions since 1857, dated January 17, 1863; in 'Reports of H. M.'s Secretaries of Embassy and Legation.' No. VI. London, 1863. Report by Mr. T. J. Hovel Thurlow, British Secretary of Legation, 'on Java and its Dependencies,' dated the Hague, July 1, 1868; in Reports of H.M.'s Secretaries of Embassy and Legation.' Nos. V. and VI. 1868. London, 1869. 2. NON-OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. Deventer (JSz., S. van), Bijdragen tot de kennis van het Landelijk Stelsel op Java, op last van Z. Exc. den Minister van Kolonien J. D. Fransen van de Putte, bijeenverzameld. 8. Zalt-Bommel, 1865. Money (J. W. B.), Java, or, How to Manage a Colony; showing a practical solution of the questions now affecting British India. 2 vols. 8. London, 1861. Müller (Joh.), Beschreibung der Insel Java. 8. Berlin, 1860. Vliet (L. van Woudrichem van), Over Grondeigendom en heeredienstpligtigheid op Java. 8. Amsterdam, 1864. Wallace (Alfred Russel) The Malay Archipelago. 8, London, 1869. PERSIA. (ARJANA.-ERAN.) Reigning Sovereign and Family. Nassr-ed-Din, Shah of Persia, born in 1829, the eldest son of Shah Mohammed; succeeded to the throne at the death of his father, Sept. 10, 1848. Children of the Shah.-1. Muzaffer-ed-Din, heir-apparent, born in 1850. 2. Djilal-el-Dauleh, born in 1853. The Shah of Persia-by his official title, 'Shah-in-shah,' or king of kings-is absolute ruler within his dominions, and master of the lives and goods of all his subjects. The law, or rather custom, of succession to the throne is the same as in Turkey. The whole revenue of the country being at their disposal, recent sovereigns of Persia have been able to amass a large private fortune. That of the present occupant of the throne is reported to amount to four millions sterling, one-half represented by diamonds-the largest the Derya-i-Noor, of 178 carats and other precious stones, forming the crown jewels. The present sovereign of Persia is the fourth of the dynasty of the Kadjars, which took possession of the crown after a civil war extending over fifteen years, from 1779 to 1794. The date of accession of each of the four members of the reigning dynasty It is within the power of the Persian monarchs to alter or to overrule the existing law of succession, and to leave the crown, with disregard of the natural heir, to any member of their family. Government, Religion, and Education. The form of government of Persia is in its most important features similar to that of Turkey. All the laws are based on the precepts of the Koran, and though the power of the Shah is absolute, it is only in so far as it is not opposed to the accepted doctrines of the Mahometan religion, as laid down in the sacred book of the Prophet, his oral commentaries and sayings, and the interpretation of the Y Y same by his successors and the high priesthood. The Shah is regarded as vice-regent of the Prophet, and it is as such that he claims implicit obedience. Under him, the executive government is carried on by a ministry, formerly consisting of but two high functionaries, the Vizier-Azem, or grand vizier, and the Ameen-aDoulah, or lord treasurer, but in more recent times divided into ten departments, after the European fashion. However, the grand vizier and lord treasurer are still by far the most important members of the executive, the vizier directing the whole foreign policy of the government, and acting as commander-in-chief of the army in the absence or as substitute of the sovereign, and the treasurer superintending the home administration and the collection of the revenue. The country is divided for administrative and other purposes into twenty provinces, each under the rule of a Beglerbeg, or civil and military governor, usually a member of the royal family. The provinces again are subdivided into districts, superintended by a Hakim, or governor-lieutenant, whose chief duty is the collection of the revenue. There is a certain amount of self-government in towns and villages, the citizens of the former electing, at fixed times, a Ketkhodah, or magistrate, and of the latter a Muhuleh, who administer justice, and also serve as organs of intercommunication between the people and the government. The vast majority of the inhabitants of Persia are Mahometans, the total number of dissenters not amounting to more than about 74,000. The latter consist of Armenians, Nestorians, Jews, and Guebres, or Parsees. The Armenian population is estimated at 4,660 families, or 26,035 souls; the Nestorians-including both Protestants and persons who have joined the Roman Catholic Church, about 3,500 and 600 families respectively-at 4,100 families, or 25,000 souls; the Jews at 16,000 souls; and the Guebres at 1,200 families, or 7,190 souls. The Mahometans of Persia are of the sect called Shiites or Sheahs, differing to some extent in religious doctrine, and more in historical belief, from the inhabitants of the Turkish empire, who are called Sunnites. The Persian priesthood consist of many orders, the chief of them at the present time being that of Mooshtehed, of whom there are but five in number in the whole country. Vacancies in this post are filled nominally by the members of the order, but in reality by the public voice, and the Shah himself is excluded from all power of appointment. Next in rank to the Mooshtehed is the Sheik-ul-Islam, or ruler of the faith, of whom there is one in every large town, nominated by, and receiving his salary from, the government. Under these dignitaries there are three classes of ministers of religion, the Mooturelle, one for each mosque or place of pilgrimage; the Muezzin, or sayer of prayers, and the Mollah, or conductor of rites. The Armenians are under two bishops, one of them Roman Catholic, and both residing at Ispahan. There is wide tolerance exercised towards Armenians and Nestorians, but the Jews and Guebres suffer under great oppression. Education is in a comparatively advanced state, at least as far as the upper classes are concerned. There are a great number of colleges, supported by public funds, in which students are instructed in religion and Persian and Arabian literature, as well as in a certain amount of scientific knowledge, while private tutors are very common, being enfployed by all families who have the means. A larger portion of the population of Persia are possessed of the rudiments of education than of any other country in Asia, except China. Revenue and Army. During the reign of the present Shah, the revenue of Persia has been increased by nearly 3 crores of tomans, or 694,000l. The receipts, in 1868, were calculated to amount to 4,361,660 tomans, or 1,744,6647. in money, besides payments in kind, consisting of barley, wheat, rice, and silk, valued at 550,840 tomans, or 220,3361., making the total revenue equal to 4,912,500 tomans, or 1,965,000l. The following return shows the revenue demanded from each province during the 1868:year Ispahan Tomans 420,000 380,000 210,000 |