Raden Adjeng Kartini

“ It is such a pity that we live so far from each other. How nice it would be if we could exchange thoughts and ideas. Things can be expressed so much better in spoken than in written words. But our correspondence is very pleasant to me, we meet at so many points. How gladly I should teach you to know and understand my people. A wonder artist must rise up in Java to tell of our race in beautiful words to his fellow countrymen. ”

“ In the winter time she has often sat down on the ground beside poor people who lived in little hovels of straw. The middle of winter, no work, nothing to eat, no fire, no clothes, no warm covering, and crying children. ”

“ IHAVE read your last letter over many times; in it you write so sympathetically about the Javanese people. It is very pleasant that you should have such friendly thoughts towards the brown race. If I could only have you here with us there are so many things about my people which I should be glad to show you. Where can one study and learn to understand a people better than in the heart of that people? and here we have a true Javanese environment. ”

“ Every land has its own individual faults. India just as well as every other country on this round earth. Poor India, in foreign lands one knows so bitterly little of you, and a book like that of Veth will certainly not gain you sympathy. ”

“ And did you see the article by Martine Tonnet about the Wajang Orang at the court of Djokaarta? That too is a jewel. I wish that Borel would go there, he might feel inspired to break into charming poetry. The dance [4] of the Princes of Solo and Djokaarta must be magnificent. It is the dance of dances it is said. It is a pity that we cannot go to Djokaarta. We have often been invited, but it would be so wearisome to dress in court costume, and at court every one must be dressed (like a bride) . ”