OCR Text |
Show A State Governed by Women. a.mong the colonial possessions, or, correctly, dependencies of Holland, there ia a remarkable little state which, in its constitution and the orignaK customs of its inhabitants, surpasses the boldest dreams of the advocates of women's rights. In the island of Java, between the cities of Batavia and Bamarang, is the king-doom king-doom of Bantam, which, al-tiough al-tiough tributary to Holland, is an independent in-dependent state politically without importance, yet happy, rich, and, Bince timo immemorial, governed and defended by women. The sovereign is, indeed, a man, but all the rest of the. government, belongs to the fair sex. The kiug is entirely dependent upon bis state council, , composed of three women. The highest authori ties, all state officers, court functionaries, function-aries, military commanders, aud soldiers, are, without exception, of the female sex. The men are agri culturiata and merchants. The body guard of the king is formed of the elite. These am zona ride in the masculine style, wearing sharp steel points instead of spurs. They carry a pointed lance, which they swing very gracefully, and also a musket, which isdischarged at lull gallop. The throne ie inheiited by tbe eldest son, and, in case, the king dies without issue, a hundred Amazons assemble in order to choose a successor from among their sons. Tbe chosen one it then proclaimed lawful king. The capital city of this little state lies ic one of the moat picturesque parts ol the island, in a fruitful plain, and it defended by two well-kept fortresses. |