T H E HISTORY of SUMATRA, Containing An Account of the GOVERNMENT, LAWS, CUSTOMS, and MANNERS Of the NATIVE INHABITANTS, With A Description of the NATURAL PRODUCTIONS, And A Relation of the ANCIENT POLITICAL STATE N D. WILLIAM MARSDEN, F. R. S. Late SECRETARY to the PRESIDENT and COUNCIL Of FORT MARLBOROUGH. LONDON: Printed for the AUTHOR, and Sold by Thomas Payne and Son, Mew's-Gate $ Benjamin White, Fleet-Jreet; James Robson, New Bwd-Jlreet; P. Elmsly> Strand; Leigh and SothebY, Tork-Jireet Cwent Garden ; and J. Sewell, Cornhilh m dcc lxxxih. PREFACE. T, HE ifland of Sumatra* which, in point of fituation and extent, holds a <-oiilpicuous rank on the terraqueous globe, and is furpalfed by few in the bountiful indulgences of nature, has in all ages been unaccountably neglected by writers; infomuch that it is at this day Iefs known, as to the interior parts more efpecially, than the remoteft ifland of modern dilcovery; although it has been conftantly reforted to by Europeans, for fome centuries, and the Englifh have had a regular eftablifhment there, for the Iaft hundred years. It is true that the commercial importance of Sumatra has much declined. It is no longer the Emporium of Eaftern riches, whither the traders of the Weft reforted with their cargoes, to exchange them for the precious merchandize of the Indian Archipelago : nor does it boaft now the political cunfequence it acquired, when the rapid progrefs of the Portuguefe fuccefles there nrft received a check. That enter-prizing people who caufed fo many kingdoms to ihrink from the terror of their arms, met with nothing but difgrace in their attempts againft Acheen, whofe monarchs made them tremble in their turns. Yet ftill the importance of this ifland, in the eye of the natural hiftorian, has continued undiminimed, and has equally at all periods, laid claim to an attention, that does not appear, at any, to have been paid to it. b The The Portuguefe being better warriors than philofophers, and more eager to conquer nations, than to explore their manners or antiquities, it is not furprizing that they mould have been unable to furnifh the world with any particular and juft defcrip-tion of a country, which they muft have regarded with an evil eye. The Dutch were the next people from whom we had a right to expect information. They had an early intercourfe with the ifland, and have at different times formed fet-tlements in almofl: every part of it; but they are lilent with refpeet to its hiftory. This might perhaps be popularly accounted for, from the fuppofed hebitude of their national character, or their attachment to gain, which is apt to divert the mind from all liberal purfuits. But I believe the true reafon is to be found, in the jealous policy of their commercial fyftem, which deems it matter of expediency to prohibit the publication of any refearches, that might tend to throw a light on the fources of their profit, and draw the attention of the reft of the world. But to what caufe are we to afcribe the remifTnefs of our own countrymen, whofe opportunities have been equal to thofe of their predeceffors or cotemporaries ? It feems difficult to account for it, but the fact is, that, except a fhort fketch of the manners prevailing in a particular diftrict of the ifland, publifhed in the Philofophieal Transactions of the year 1778, not one page of information refpecting the inhabitants of Sumatra, has been communicated to the public, by any Englifhman who has refided there. To To form a general and tolerably accurate account of this country and its inhabitants, is a work attended with great and peculiar difficulties. The necciTary information is not to be proCti-cured from the people themfelves, whofe knowledge and enquiries are to the lafl degree confined, fcarcely extending beyond the bounds of the diftrict, where they firft drew breath ; and but very rarely have the almofl impervious woods of Sumatra been penetrated, to any confiderable diliance from the fea coaft, by Europeans ; whofe obfervations have been then imperfect; truftedperhaps to memory only; or if committed to paper, loft to the world by their deaths. Other difficulties arife from the extraordinary diverfity of national diftinctions, which, under a great variety of independent governments, divide this ifland in many directions; and yet not from their number merely, nor from the diffimilarity in their languages or manners does the em-barraffment entirely proceed : the local divisions are perplexed and uncertain ; the extent of jurifdiction of the various potentates is inaccurately defined ; fettlers from different countries, and at different periods, have introduced au irregular, though powerful influence, that fuperfedes in fomc places the authority of the eftablifhed governments, and impofes a real dominion on the natives, where a nominal one is not afTumed. This, in a courfe of years, is productive of innovations that deftroy the originality and genuinenefs of their cuftoms and manners, obliterate ancient diftin&ions, and render confufed the path of an inveftigator. c Thefe Thefe objections, which feem to have hitherto proved unfur-mountable with fuch as might have been inclined to attempt an hiftory on Sumatra, would alfo have deterred me from an undertaking apparently fo arduous; had I not reflected, that thofe circumftances in which confuted the principal difficulty, were in fact the leaf! interciling to the public, and of the leafl utility in themfelves. It is of but fmall importance, the determining with precifion, whether a few villages on this or that particular river, belong to one petty chief or to another; whether fuch a nation is divided into a greater or leffer number of tribes; or which of two neighbouring powers originally did homage to the other for it's title. Hiftory is only to be prized, as it tends to improve our knowledge of mankind, to which fuch investigations contribute in a very fmall degree. I have therefore attempted rather to give a comprehenfive, than a cir-cumftantial defcription of the divifions of the country into it's various governments J aiming at a more particular detail, in what refpects the cuftoms, opinions, arts, and induitry of the original inhabitants, in their raoft genuine ftate. The interefts of the European powers who have eftablifhed themfelves on the ifland; the hiftory of their fettlements, and of the revolutions of their commerce, I have not confidered as forming a part of my plan ; but thofe fubjects, as connected with the accounts of the native inhabitants, and the hiftory of their governments, are occafio-nally introduced. I was PREFACE, vii I was principally encouraged to this undertaking by the pro-mifes of afliftance I received from fomc ingenious, and very highly efteemed friends, who refided with me on Sumatra. It has alfo been urged to me here in England, that as the fubject is altogether new, it is a duty incumbent on me, to lay the information I am in poffeflion of, however defective, before the public, who will not object to it's being circumfcribed, whilft it's authenticity remains unimpeachable. This laft quality is that which I can with the raoft confidence take upon me to vouch for. The greateft portion of what I have defcribed, has fallen, withtu the fcope of my own immediate obfervation; the remainder is either matter of common notoriety to every perfon refiding on the ifland, or received upon the concurring authority of gentlemen, whofe fituation in the Eaft India Company's fervice j long acquaintance with the natives ; extenfive knowledge of their language, ideas, and manners ; and refpectability of character, render them worthy of the mod implicit faith that can be given to human tefti-mony. I have been the more fcrupuloufly exact in this particular, be-caufe my view was not, ultimately, to write an entertaining book, to which the marvellous might be thought not a little to contribute, but fincerely and confcientioufly to add the fmall portion in my power, to the general knowledge of the age; to throw fome glimmering light on the path of the naturalift; and more efpe-cially to furnilh thofe philofophers, whofe labors have been directed to the inveftigation of the hiftory of Man, with facts to ferve viii P R E F A C E. ferve as data in their reafonings, which are too often rendered nugatory, and not feldom ridiculous, by afluming as truths, the mifconceptions, or wilful impofitions of travellers. The ftudy of their own fpecies is doubtlefs the moft interefting and important that can claim the attention of mankind ; and this fcience, like all others, it is impoffible to improve by abftract fpeculation merely. A regular feries of authenticated facts, is what alone can enable us to rife towards a perfect knowledge in it. To have added one new and firm ftep in this arduous afcent, is a merit I mould be proud to boaft of, THE HISTORY O F SUMATRA. Unknown to the /Indents— Shuat'jcn-.— Hame—General Defcription of the Country, its Mountains, Lakes and Rivers—Air and Meteors—Moonfoons, and Land, and Sea-Breezes—Minerals and J?oJJlls—Volcanos—Earthquakes—Surfs and Tides. If antiquity holds up to us fome models, in different arts and fciences, which have been found inimitable; the moderns, on the other hand, have carried their inventions and improvements, in a variety of inflan'-ces, to an extent and a degree of perfection, which the former could entertain no conception of. Among thofe *» wK^-K we have fteppea 10 tar oeyond our mailers, there is none more flriking, or more eminently ufeful, than the means which the ingenuity of fome and the experience of others, have taught mankind, of determining with certainty and precifion the relative fituation of the various countries of the earth. What was formerly the fubject of mere conjecture, or at belt of vague and arbitrary computation, is now the clear refult of fettled rule, founded upon principles demonftratively juft. It only remains for the liberality of princes and ftates, and the perfevering induftry of navigators and travellers, to effect the application of thefe means to their proper end, by continuing to afcertain the unknown and uncertain poiitions of all the B parts parts of the world, which the barriers of nature will allow the fkill and induftry of man to approach. The extendve and obvioufly fituated ifland, which is the fubject of Sumatra un- the prefent work, feems, notwithstanding fome obfcure and felf contra-known to the t • ancients. dictory pafTages of Ptolomcy and Pliny, to have been utterly unknown to the Greek or Roman geographers, whofe difcoveries, or conjectures rather, carried them no farther than Ceylon ; which with more fhadow Ceylon proba- of probability, was their Taprobane, than Sumatra, although that name, biy their Ta- , r , p-obanc. during the middle ages, was uniformly applied to the latter iiland. Whether, in fact, the appellation of Taprobane, as introduced by the ancients, belonged to any place really exifting, affords fome room to be fceptical. Obferving that a number of commodities, not produced in Europe, came from an ifland or iflands in the fuppofed extremity of the eaft, whofe fituation they were ignorant of, they poflibly n-lght have placed in their charts, one of ample extent, which mould ftand as the arbitrary reprefentative of the whole. This fuppofition cuts fhort the various arguments that have been adduced by different writers, in fup-port of the pretentions of any particular iiland to that celebrated name. The idea of Sumatra being the country of Ophir, whither Solomon fent his fleets, is too vague, and the fubject wrapt in a veil of too remote antiquity, to merit difcuflion.* In times much later, the indentity of Sumatra, as defcribed, or alluded to by travellers, appears not a little equivocal. Th*» Arab Travellers who, about the year 1173, penetrated Called Ramni into India and China, fpeak of an ifland which they cull 21 >>»ui, whofe vellers. " defcription coinciding tolerably with the real fituation and productions of Sumatra, allows us to conclude, that it was it they defigned. Marco Paulo, the famous Venetian traveller ; whofe writings publifhed in 1269, though long condemned as idle tales, have many internal marks of au-Java Minor by thenticity; defcribes an ifland which he calls Java Minor, that appears, Marco Paulo. ^ attentive perufal of ill fpelt names, and more efpecially of fome * A mountain in Sumatra is called by the name of Ophir; but this has been given to it by luropeans^ln modern days, Itriking flriking particulars in the manners of the people, to 'be no other than Sumatra ; as I think will appear to any inveitigator who is acquainted with the country.* At length the Portuguefe expedition in the ealtern leas, made this gjg^* ifland known to the reft of the world, pointing out its fituation and cha- tbePonugude. racier, with as much accuracy as attended their other difcoveries ;f and which the experience of Inter ages has determined with more precifion, as follows. Sumatra is an iiland in the Eaft Indies; the moft weftern of thofe Situation* claffed by geographers under the diftinction of Sanda iflands, and eon-ilitutes, on that fide, the boundary of the eaflern Archipelago. It's general direction is nearly north wcit and fouth caft. The equator bifects it in almofl equal parts, the one extremity being in five degrees thirty three minutes, north, and the other, in five degrees fifty fix minutes fouth latitude. Fort Marlborough, ox Oojong Car-rang, in latitude three degrees forty fix minutes, fouth, the only point whofe longitude has been determined by actual obfervation, is found to lie one hundred and two degrees eaft of Greenwich;']; but the fituation of Acheen Head alfo, is pretty accurately fixed by computation, at ninety five degrees, thirty four minutes; and the longitudes in the Straits of Sunda are well afcertained, by the fhort runs from Batavia, which city has the advantage of an obfervatory. Sumatra lies expofed on the fouth weit nae to the great Indian Ocean ; the north point ftretches into the Bay of Bengal; to the north eaft, it is divided from the Peninfula of Malayo, by the Straits of Malacca; to the eaft, by the Straits of Banca, from the ifland of that name; to the fouth cad, by the com- * Occafion will be taken in the fequcl, to examine into the authenticity of this curious, but obfeure author's relation, t See Oforius : Maffeus: De Barros. + Preparatory to an obfervation of the t* an fit of the planet Venus over the fun's difc, in June 1769, Mr. Robert Nairne determined the longitude of Fort Marlborough, by edipfes of Jupiter's fatellites, to be ioi°.42'.45" eaft from London; which wns afterwards corrected by the jftftronomer Royal to ioz°. mencement mencement of what are called the China Seas ; and on the fouth it is bounded by the Straits of Sunda, which feparate it from the ifland of Java.* The name of " Sumatra", by which this iiland has been called in latter times, being unknown to the natives; who indeed are ignorant that it is an ifland, and have no general name whatever for it; I have been led to take much trouble, and to purfue a more laborious investigation than the importance of the object demanded, in order to deduce the origin of the appellation, or to learn, from whom the Portuguefe, who in their earlieft writings call it nearly by that name, adopted it, in place of the more ancient one of Taprobane. It has by them, and the voyagers of other nations, been fuccefiivcly fpelt, Samoterra, Samotra, C->amatra, Zama/ra, Zamara, Sumotra, Samotra> Somatra, Sumatra, and laftly Sumatra. I mult acknowledge that in the event of my refearch, I obtained but little fatisfaction, unlefs it may be efteemed fuch, to have perceived that feveral others had attempted it with the fame fuccefs. The Arabians, who before the Portuguefe, were the greateft navigators of the Indian fcas, appear to have diftinguifhed it by the various names of Alrami, Rami, or Ramni, Lameri, Sobarmah, or Sobormah, Samandar, and Azebain, or Azebani; or clfe thefe names belong to different iflands in that part of the world, which from their Similarity of productions, and virJniry of fituation, are confounded together. Samandcr bear» fome refemblancc to the modern name, but it is defcribed by the Nubian geographer, Edreffi, as lying near to the river Ganges. The Africans are laid to call it Achamba. Monfieur D'Anville, whofe authority fhould be of confiderable weight, if the Subject was not fo very obfcure, is confident that the Jabadii wfula of Ptolomey, is Sumatra, though * A tradition, taken notice of by feveral writers, prevailed, that Sumatra was anciently a part of the continent of Afia. MafFeus fays, " Ea infula, a feptentrione in atiftrum oblique porrecta, ab contincnte, in qua Malacca urbs eft, angufto et pcriculofo dividitur rmiri; atque ob id ipfum, peninfula quondam credira eft." John de Barros likewife fpeaks of Sumatra, as what the ancient geographers called the Aurea Cherfonefus j thinking it to be a continuation of tho-continent. ufually ufually fuppofed to reprefent Java. The commentators of Arrian affert that this iiland is defigned by the infula Simundi, vet PaUJimundi of that writer, in his pertplus man Erythrcei. Odoriws, a friar, who in the year 1331 vifited fome of the Indian iflands, fpeaks of Java and Symolta which name feems a kind of middle term between that given it by Arrian and the modern one of Sumatra, and may pombly be the true etymology. Relandus, an able investigator of eaftern antiquities,, fays that it is called Sumatra, from a certain high land named " Samadra", which he fuppofes to lignify, in the language of the country, " friagna fomica"; but though, there is no fcarcity of large ants in the ifland, it is certain that they are never called by that name; it is nearly as certain that there is no remarkable hill there bearing the appellation he mentions ; nor does the derivation either carry the appearance of probability, or any corroborating tcflimony in its favour. He mentions likewife ; and in this he is fupported by the Dutch writers, that the people of the neighbouring iflands, call it Indalas (Andtelees), which holds good" of the Javans, but has no extenfive acceptance, and the natives themfelves, as before remarked, are ignorant of fuch a name, as well as of every other. This is a point which I took pains to investigate, and which I can pronounce upon with certainty; and to this circumttance principally the ambiguity refpedting its ancient title is owing : as navigators of different nations had no common and permanent Standard to refer to, each who vifited it bettowed an arbitrary appellation, which fubfequcnt travellers mifapplied and confounded*. What feems pretty evident is, that thr name, however derived, was learned by the Portuguefe on the coatt of Malabar, where they made their firfl eftablifhmcnts, and required a knowledge of the more eaftern countries; very rude indeed at the earlier period, as appears by the Pinerarlum Portugalenjtum, pub- * Much inconvenience Is experienced by navigators in modern times, from the arbitary mode of bellowing names on land newly difcovered or explored. That name which the inhabitants, or thofe of the neighbouring countries, diuinguifh a place by, ilionld ever be fcnipuloufly pre-ferved j if fuch can be afcertained. This fecms to have been firft attended to by Mr. Dairy mple,, and fiacc by Captain Cooke. c lifhed lifticd in the year that their firft expedition to Sumatra was fitted out; in which Cataia, or China, is defcribcd as an ifland*, Sumatra * For the gratification of the curious reader, i (hall fubjoin the following extracts, relative to the ancient name of Sumatra, from thofe authorities which 1 have had occafion to confult in the courfc of my invtfligation of that fubjecl:. Voyage of Arabs lo India and China, 1173. " An eaftern ifland called Ramni: governed by many kings : eight or nine hundred leagues in length: gold mines: camphire: many iflands near it; one of the largeft called Elnian (qu: Neas) : ufc coconut oil: have many elephants; fapanwood: eat human fiefh."—Herbelot. Bibliothique orientale, 1697. " Sobarmab or $o~ immah, an Ifland in the Chinefe Sea, about which are many fmall ones uninhabited. Sea very tempeftuous. Soundings generally forty fathoms. ScheiifFAl Edreffi writes, in the tenth part of his firft climate, that the bed camphire of the eaft is collected here. This ifle is moft probably Sumatra 5 the Arabians calling all that fea and land which is to the eaftward of Cape Comorin, the fea and land of China. Some geographers remark that the greateft quantity of wood aloes comes from the ifie of Hemender, which may be what wc call Sumatra. Rami \ a rich country, bearing the tree called Bacam by the Arabs, and by us Bajilwood (fappan), and where you find the animal which the Arabs and Perfians name Kerkedan, (rhinoceros)j is an ifland feven hundred leagues in length, and diftant about three days fail from Serendib, which we believe to be Zeilan. Dlb or d'vv, in ihe Indian language, fignifies an ifland. Edrefll fays that the Chinefe ufed to carry on a great traffic to Seremdib"—There is reafon to doubt their having ever palled Acheen—In the geographia Nubieivfis (quoted by Herbelot), the ifland called Alrami feems to anfwer beft to Sumatra, except in its proximity to Serendib, being ten days fail inftead of three, Sabormah has the next claim j and laftly Samandar, which though the neareft in name, fcarcely agrees at all in fituation, being faid to tie near the Ganges—Jones, Defcription of Afia, 1773, " Farther eaftward arc the iflands of Samandar; Rami or Latneri, which may, perhaps, be Java, though, by the accounts of it, one would take it for the fame with Samander; and then Albi-noman will be Java, and Mehrageox Sobarmab, iforwfc"—MarccvPaulo, 1269. '* Beyond Petan, fleering towards the fouth, at the diftance of thirty three leagues, is Java Minor"—the difcription of which anfwers to Sumatra.—Odoricus, as mentioned in Hackluit, t. 2. p. 45. « In the year 133', Odoricus, a friar, was in Java: the firft European that peirced into India and returned". ('Marco Paulo an exception)—Herbert. Oderic calls Sumatra, Symolta—Mandevillc, »4oc " Befide the yfle of Lemery is another that is clcpt Sitmobor; and faft befide, a great yfle cleptjava"—Nicoli de Conti. 1449. Ramufio gives a good account of Sumatra under the name o£ Taprob.ane, and particularly mentions fome extraordinary cuftoms, now well afcertained, of the Batta people—Itinerarinm Portugallenflum in Indiam, printed 1508, but written, apparently, fome years fooner, " Lacham mitcit oppidum dictum Samoterra, ultra Calechut leucis ccccc". '* Praeteria in hoc mari Indico complures infula: vii'untur, et inter alias duoe funt quae cameras omni rerum celebritate pneftant.— Altera Sayla dicitur, qua abeft; ab ditto capite Comar M propecc—Poft hanc, ad orientem, altera vifitur quae dicitur Samotra, nos Taprobanum appella-aauj, qu« abeft ab urbe Calechut itinera trium menfium. Ultra earn eft Cataium feracifllma, ut dictum Sumatra is one of the largeft iflands in the world, but its breadth is Size determined with fo little accuracy, that any attempt to calculate its fu- perfkes dictum eft, infula'1.—Ludovlcus Vertomanus, 1504. (There is reafon to think this date too early) Printed 1535. « Pyder the moil famous part of Sumatra or Taprobana"—Old map and defcription of Sumatra or Taprobana, by a French Captain ; without date; but appears to have been written not many years after the firft Portuguefe voyages. Preferved in Ramufio, vol. 3—In a letter from Emanuel king of Portugal to Pope Leo the tenth, dated 1513 (preferved in the Nov us Orbis Hiftoricus) he motions the difcovery of Zamatra by his fubjects—Epiftola di Maffnniliano Tranfylvano, 1519. " Hanno navigato all'ifola detta di gli antichi Taprobana, la qual adeflb ft chiama (Zamara) Sumatra j purche dove Tolomeo et Plinlo et altri cofmographi han rniflb la Taprobana, non e ifola alcuna, chi fi pofla credere efler quello"—Ludovico Barthuma, 1519* (Ramufio) fpeaks of Sumatra — Sebaftianus Munfterus. Printed 1537. " Circa littora Taphro-phanae, quam hodie Sumatram vocant."—■Cofmographie Univ. de A Thevet, 1541. . Land and Sea lates all other wind. Heat acting upon air rarefies it, by which it be- Breezes, comes fpecifically lighter, and mounts upward. The denfer parts of the atmofphere, which furround that fo rarefied, rulh into the vacuity from their fuperior weight; endeavouring, as the laws of gravity require, to reilore the equilibrium. Th us in the round buildings where the manufactory of giafs is carried on, the heat of the furnace in the center * center being intenfe, a violent current of air may be perceived to force its way in, through doors or crevices, on oppofite fides of the houfe. As the general winds are caufed by the direti influence of the fun's rays upon the atmofphere, that particular deviation of the current, dif-tinguilhed by the name of land and fea breezes, is caufed by the influence of his rejlMed rays, returned from the earth or fea on which they ftrike. The furface of the earth is more fuddenly heated by the rays of the fun, than that of the fea, from its greater denfity and ftate of reft; confequcntly it reflects thofe rays fooner and with more power : but owing alfo to its denfity, the heat is more fuperficial than that imbibed by the fea, which gets more intimately warmed, by its transparency, and by its motion, continually prefenting a frefh furface to the fun. I Ihall now endeavour to apply thefe principles. By the time the riling fun has afcended to the height of thirty or forty degrees above the horizon, the earth has acquired, and reflected on the body of air fitnated over it, a degree of heat fufficient to rarefy it and deftroy its equilibrium; in confequence of which, the body of air above the fea, not being equally, or fcarce at all rarefied, rufhes towards the land ; and the fame caufes operating fo long as the fun continues above the horizon, a conftant fea breeze, or current of air from fea to land, prevails during that time. From about an hour before fun fet, the furface of the earth begins to lofe faft the heat it has acquired from the more perpendicular rays. That influence of courfe ceafes, and a calm fucceeds. The warmth imparted to the fea, not fo violent as that of the land, but more deeply imbibed, and confequently more permanent, now acts in turn, and by the rarefaction it caufes, draws towards its region, the land air, grown cooler, more denfe and heavy, which continues thus to flow back, till the earth, by a renovation of its heat in the morning, once more obtains the afcendancy. Such is the general rule, conformable with experience, and founded, as it feems to me, in the laws of motion, and the nature of things. The following obfervations will ferve to corroborate what I have advanced, and to throw additional light on the fubject, for the information and guidance of any future inveftigator, Q The The periodical winds which are fuppofed to blow during fix months from the N. W. and as many from the S. E. rarelv obferve this regularity, except in the very heart of the monfoon ; inclining, almoft at all times, feveral points to feaward, and not unfrequently blowing from the S. W. or in a line perpendicular to the coaft. This muft be attributed to the influence of that principle which caufes the land and lea winds, proving on thefe occafions more powerful than the principle of the periodical winds; which two always act at right angles with each other. If thefe were of equal power, the current of air would take a middle direction, and conftantly blow, on Sumatra, from the W. pointy during one monfoon, and from the S. point during the other :—and as the influence of either is prevalent., the winds approach to a courfe perpendicular to, or parallel with the line of the Coaft. The tendency of the land wind at night, has almoft ever a correfpondence with the fea wind of the preceding or following day; (except when a fquall or other fndden alteration of weather, to which thefe climates are particularly liable, produces an irregularity) ; not blowing in a direction immediately oppofite to it; which would be the cafe, if the former were, as fome writers have fuppofed, merely the effect of the accumulation and redundance of the latter, without any pofitive caufe; but forming an equal and contiguous angle, of which the coaft is the common fide. Thus, if the coaft be conceived to run N. and S. the fame influence, or combination of influences, which produce a fea wind at N. W. produce a land wind at N. E. or adapting the cafe to Sumatra, which lies N. W. and s. e., a fea wind at S. is preceded or followed by a land wind at E. This remark muft not be taken in too ftrict a fenfe, but only as the refult of general obfervation. If the land wind, in the courfe of the night, fhould draw round from E. to N. it would be looked upon as an infallible prognoftic of a W. or N. W. wind the next day. On this principle it is, that the natives foretell the direction of the wind, by the noife of the furf at night, which if heard from the northward, is cftecmed the forerunner of a northerly wind, and vice vtrfd. The quarter from which the noife is heard, depends upon the courfe of the land wind, which brings the found with it, and drowns it to lee- f ward— ward—the land wind has a correfpondence with the next day's fea wind— and thus the divination is accounted for. The effect of the fea wind is not perceived to the diftance of more than three or four leagues from trre more in common, and for the moft part it is fainter in proportion to the diftance. When it firft fets in, it does not commence at the remoter extremity of its limits, but very near the more, and gradually extends itfelf farther to fea, as the day advances; probably taking the longer or fhorter courfe as the day is more or lefs hot. I have frequently obferved the fails of fhips, at the diftance of four, fix or eight miles, quite becalmed, whilft a frefh fea breeze was at the time blowing upon the fhore. In an hour afterwards they have felt its effect. Palling along the beach about fix o'clock in the evening, when the fea breeze is making its final efforts, I have perceived it blow with a confiderable degree of warmth; owing to the heat the fea had by that time acquired, which would foon begin to divert the current of air towards it, when it had firft overcome the vis inertia, that preferves motion in a body after the impelling power has ceafed to operate. I have likewife been fenfible of a degree of warmth on pafling, within two-hours after fun fet, to leeward of a lake of frefh water ,• which proves the affertion of water imbibing a more permanent heat than earth :—in the day-time the breeze would be rendered cool in croffing the fame lake. Approaching an ifland fituated at a diftance from any other land, I was ftruck with the appearance of the clouds, about nine in the morning, which then formed a perfect circle round it; the middle being a clear azure; and refembled what the painters call a Glory. This I account for from the reflected rays of the fun rarefying the atmofphere immediately over the ifland, and equally in all parts, which caufed a conflux of the neighbouring air, and with it the circumjacent clouds. Thefe laft, tending uniformly to the center, comprefled each other at a certain distance tance from it, and like the ftones in an arch of mafonry, prevented each others nearer approach. That iiland however does not experience the viciflitude of land and fea breezes, being too fmall, and too lofty, and iituated in a latitude where the trade or perpetual winds prevail in their utmoft force. In fandy countries the effedt of the fun's rays penetrating deeply, a more permanent heat is produced, the confequence of which fhould be, the longer continuance of the fea breeze in the evening ; and agreeably to this fuppofition I have been informed, that on the coaft of Coromandel, it feldom dies away before ten at night. I ihall only add on this fubjedt, that the land wind on Sumatra is cold, chilly and damp ; an expofure to it is therefore dangerous to the health, and fleeping in it, almoft certain death. The foil of Sumatra may be fpoken of generally as a ft iff, reddifh clay, Soil. covered with a ftratum or layer of black mould, of no confiderable depth. From this there fprings a ftrong and perpetual verdure, of rank grafs, brufh wood, or timber trees, according as the country has remained a longer or fhorter time undifturbed by the confequences of population, which being in moft places extremely thin, it happens that at leaft three parts in four of the iiland, and to the fouth ward a much greater-proportion, is an impervious foreft. Along the weftcrn coaft of the iiland, the low country, or fpace of Unevenncftofi land which extends from the fea Ihore to the foot of the mountains, is Surface-interfered and rendered uneven to a furprifing degree, by fwamps \ whofe irregular and winding courfe may in fome places be traced in a continual chain for many miles, till they difcharge themfelves either into the fea, fome neighbouring lake, or the fens that are fo commonly found near the banks of the larger rivers, and receive their overflowings in the rainy monfoons. The fpots of land which' thefe fwamps en-compafs, become fo many iflands and peninfulas, fometimes flatted at top, and often mere ridges ; having in fome places a gentle declivity, and in others defcending almoft perpendicularly to the depth of an hundred feet. In few parts of the country of Bencoolen^ or or of the northern diftricts adjacent to it, could a tolerably level fpace of four hundred yards fquare be marked out: about Soongeylamo in particular, there is not a plain to be met with of the fourth part of that extent. I have often, from an elevated fituation, where a wider range was fujectcd to the eye, furveyed with admiration the uncommon face which nature affumes, and made enquiries and attended to conjectures on the caufes of thefe inequalities. Some chufc to attribute them to the fucceffivc concuffions of earthquakes, through a courfe of centuries. But they do not feem to be the effect of fuch a caufe. There are no abrupt fiffures; the hollows and fwellings are for the moft part fmooth and regularly Hoping, fo as to exhibit not un-frequently the appearance of an amphitheatre, and they are cloathed with verdure from the fumm.it to the edge of the fwamp. From this latter circumftance it is alfo evident that they are not, as others fuppofe, occafioned by the fall of heavy rains that deluge the country for one half of the year. The moft fummary way of accounting for this extraordinary unevennefs of furface were to conclude, that in the original con-ftruction of our globe, Sumatra was thus formed by the fame hand which fpread out the fandy plains of Arabia, and raifed up the Alps and Andes beyond the region of the clouds. But this is a mode of folution, which, if generally adopted, would become an infuperable bar to all progrefs in natural knowledge, by damping curiolity and reftraining refearch. Nature, we know from fufficient experience, is not only turned from her original courfe by the induftry of man, but alfo fometimes checks and croffes her own carreer. What has happened in fome inftances it is not unfair to fuppofe may happen in others; nor is it prefumption to trace the intermediate caufes of events, which are themfelves derived Caufes of this from one firft, univerfal and eternal principle. To me it would feem, inequality. ^ ^e fprings of water with which thefe parts of the ifland abound in an uncommon degree, operate directly, though obfeurely, to the producing this irregularity in the furface of the earth. They derive their number, and an extraordinary portion of activity, from the loftinefs of the ranges of mountains that occupy the interior country, and intercept, and collect the floating vapors. Precipitated into rain at fuch a height, the the water acquires in its defcent through the fiffures or pores of thefe mountains, a confiderable force, which exerts itfelf in every direction, lateral and perpendicular, to procure a vent. The exiftence of thefe copious fprings is proved, in the facility with which wells are every where funk ; requiring no choice of ground, but as it may refpect the convenience of the proprietor; all Situations, whether high or low, being prodigal of this valuable element. Where the approaches of the fea have rendered the cliffs abrupt, innumerable rills, or rather a continued moifture is feen to ooze through, and trickle down the fteep. Where, on the contrary, the, fea has retired and thrown up banks of fand in its retreat, I have remarked the ftreams of water, at a certain level, and commonly between the boundaries of the tide, effecting their paffage through the loofe and feeble barrier oppofed to them. In fhort, every part of the low country is pregnant with fprings that labor for the birth ; and thefe continual ftruggles, this violent activity of Subterraneous waters, gradually undermine the plains above. The earth is imperceptibly excavated, the furface fettles in, and hence the inequalities we fpeak of. The operation is flow, but unremitting, and, I conceive, fully capable of the effect. The earth is- rich in minerals and other foflil productions. No coun- Mineral and try has been more famous in all ages for gold, and though the fources JjJJ produc from whence it is drawn may. be fuppofed in fome meafure exhaufted, GokL by the avarice and induftry of ages,, yet at this day the quantity procured is very confiderable, and doubtlefs might be much encreafed, were the Ample labor of the gatherer aflifted by a knowledge of the arts of mineralogy. There are alfo copper mines, whofe ore is very rich,, copper-and refembles the Japan copper in the appearance of a mixture of gold. Iron ore is collected, fmelted, formed into metal and worked up in the ir0ft. country of Menangcabow. That it abounds in many other places is evident, from the color it is perceived to communicate to the foil. On many parts of the coaft, the fand of the beach is of a ftrong mining black, and is attracted by the loadftone. The fteel manufactured at the abovementioned place, has a peculiar temper, and a degree of hard- G nefis 21 S U M A T R A, Tiiv nefsthat has never been imitated in Europe. Tin, called by the French writers Colin, is one of the principal export commodities of the iiland. The country where it chiefly abounds, is in the neighbourhood of Pa-lembang on the eaft coaft, but in many other parts the natives point out Sulphur. its exiftence, and particularly about Pedattee near Bcncoolen. Sulphur Saltpeter. is gathered in any quantity about the numerous volcanos. Saltpetre the natives procure, by a procefs of their own, from the earth which is found impregnated with it; chiefly in extenlive caves that have been from the beginning of time, the haunt of a certain fpecies of birds, Coal. cf whofe dung the foil is formed. Coal, moftly wafhed down by the floods, is collected in feveral parts, particularly at Cattown, Ayerrammee and Bencoolen. It is light, and not efteemed very good, but I am informed that this is the cafe with all coal found near the furface of the earth. The veins are obferved to run, not in an horizontal, but in an inclined direction, and till the pits have fome depth, the foflil is of an indifferent quality. The little ifland of Poolo Pifang, clofe to the foot Chryftai. Gf Mount Poogong, is chiefly a bed of rock chryftai. Mineral and Hot Springs. kot fprings have been difcovered in many diftricts. In tafte the waters moftly remble thofe of Harrowgate, being naufeous to the palate. The Earth OiL oleum terras, or earth oil, ufed chiefly as a prefervative againft the deftruc-tive ravages of the white ants, is collected at Ippoe and elfewhere.* There is no fpecies of hard rock to be met within the low parts of the ifland, near the fea Ihore. Befides the ledges of coral, which are co-Soft Roc'-, vered by the tide, that which generally prevails is the nappal, as it is called by the inhabitants, forming the bails of the red cliffs, and not unfrequently the beds of the rivers. Though this nappal has the appearance of rock, it pofieffes in fact fo little folidity, that it is difficult to pronounce whether it be a foft ftone or only an indurated clay. The furface of it becomes fmooth and gloffy by a flight attrition, and to the touch refembles foap, which is its moft ftriking characteriftic. Except thofe parts of it, which by long expofure to the air, have acquired a greater * The fountain of Naptha or liquid balfam, found at Pedir, fo much celebrated by the Portuguefe writers, is doubtlefs this oleum terra, or menia tanna, as it is calJed by the Malays. degree degree of hardnefs, it may eafily be cut with a knife or any iharp in-ftrument; it is not foluble in water, and makes no cffervefceiice with acids. Its component parts appear to be clay and fand bound together by a glutinous or foponacious matter, and its color is either grey, brown or red, according to the nature of the earth, that prevails in its com-pofition. The red nappal has by much the fmalleft proportion of fand, and fecms to poifefs all the qualities of the fteatite or foap earth, found in Cornwall and other countries. The mountain (tone is a fpecies of granite, for the moft part of a lightifh Hate colour. Where the encroachments of the fea have underminded the land, the cliffs are left abrupt and naked, in fome places to a very confiderable petrefaftion. height. In thefe many curious foflils are difcovered, fuch as petrified wood, and fea fhells of various forts. Hypothefes on this fubjed: have been fo ably fupported and fo powerfully attacked, that I ihall not pre-fume to intrude myfelf in the lifts. I fhall only obferve, that being fo near the fea, many would hefitate to allow fuch difcoveries to be of any weight in proving a violent alteration to have taken place in the furface of the terraqueous globe; whilft on the other hand it is unaccountable how, in the common courfe of natural events, fuch extraneous matter Ihould come to be lodged in ftrata, at the height perhaps of fifty feet above the level of the water, and as many below the furface of the land. Coloured Here are likewife found various fpecies of earths, which might be ap- Earths' plied to valuable purpofes, as painters colours and otherwife. The moft common arc the yellow and red, probably ochres, and the white, which anfwers the defcription of the milenum of the ancients. There are a number of volcano mountains in this, as in almoft all the other iflands of the eaftern archipelago. They are called Volcanoes* in the Malay language goonong appee. I have never heard of the lava flowing from them in fuch a quantity, as to caufe any damage; but this may be owing to the thinnefs of population, which does x\o\ render it neceffary for the inhabitants to fettle in their neighbourhood. The only volcano I had an opportunity of obferving, opened in the fide of of a mountain, about twenty miles inland of Bencoolen, one fourth way from its top, as nearly as I can judge. It fcarcely ever failed to emit fmoke, but the column was only vifible for two or three hours in the morning, feldom riling and preferving its form, above the upper edge of the hill, which is not of a conical fliape, but extending with a- gradual Hope. The high trees with which the country thereabout is covered, prevent the crater from being difcerniblc at a diftance; and this proves, that the fpot is not confiderably railed or otherwife affected by the eruptions. I could never perceive that it had any connection with the earth-Earthquakes, quakes, which are very frequently felt there. Sometimes it has emitted fmoke upon thefe occafions, and in "other inftances, not. Yet during a fmart earthquake which happened a few years before my arrival, it was remarked to lend forth flame, which it is rarely known to do. The ap-prehenfion of the European inhabitants however, is rather more excited, when it continues any length of time without a tendency to an eruption, as they conceive it to be the vent by which the inflammable matter efcapes, that would otherwife produce thefe commotions of the earth. Comparatively with the defcriptions 1 have read of earthquakes in South America and other countries, thofe which happen in Sumatra, are generally very flight; and the ufual manner of building, renders them but little formidable to the natives. The moft fevere that I have known, was chiefly experienced in the diftrict of Manna, in the year 1770. A village was deftroyed by the houfes falling down and taking fire, and feveral lives were loft.* The ground was in one place rent, a quarter of a mile, the width of two fathoms, and four or five deep. A bituminous matter is defcribed to have fwelled over the fides of the cavity, and the earth, for a long tong time after the fhocks, was obferved to contract and dilate alternately. Many parts of the hills far inland, could be diftinguifhed to have given way, and a confequence of this was, that during three weeks, Manna river was fo much impregnated with particles of clay, that the natives could not bathe in it. At this time * I am informed that in 1763, an entire village was fwallowed up by an earthquake in Pooh Keas, one of the iflands which lie off the weftern coaft of Sumatra- was Was formed near to the mouth of Padang Goochee, a neighbouring Remarkable river, fouth of the former, a large plain, feven miles long and half cSthquaVe*" a mile broad; where there had been before only a narrow beach. The quantity of earth brought down on this occafion was fo confiderable, that the hill upon which the Engliih refident's houfe ftands, appears, from indubitable marks, lefs elevated by fifteen feet than it was before the event. Earthquakes have been remarked by lbme to happen ufually upon hidden changes of weather, particularly after violent heats; but I do not vouch this »p*« my own experience, which has1 been pretty ample. They are preceded by a low rumbling noife like diftant thunder. The domeftic cattle and fowls are fenfible of the preternatural motion, and feem much alarmed ; the latter making the cry they are wont to do on the approach of birds of prey. Honfes iituated in a low fandy foil are leaft affedted, and thofe which ftand on diftinct hills, fuffer molt from the lhocka, becaufe the further removed from the center of motion, the greater the agitation ; and the loofe contexture of the one foundation, making lefs refiftance than the folidity of the other, fubjects the building to lefs violence. Ships at anchor in the road, though feveral miles diftant from the Ihore, are ftrongly fenfible of the concuffion. Befides the new land formed by the convulfions above defcribed, the Ncw L, fea by a gradual recefs in fome parts, produces the fame efTeft. Many f°rmcd-inftances of this kind ; of no confiderable extent however; have been obferved within the memory of perfons now living. But it would feem to me, that that large tract of land called Pcolo Point, forming the bay of the name, near to Silebar, with much of the adjacent country, has thus been left by the withdrawing, or thrown up by the motion of the fea. Perhaps the point may have been atfirft an iiland ; from whence its appellation of Pooh, and the parts more inland, fmce gradually united to it. Various circumftances tend to corroborate fuch an opinion, and to evince the probability that this was not an original portion of the main, but new, half-formed land. All the fwamps and marfhy grounds that lie within the beach; and near the extremity there are little elfe; H are are known, in confequence of repeated furveys, to be lower than the level of high water; the bank of fand alone preventing an inundation. The country is not only entirely free from hills or inequalities of any kind, but has fcarcely a vifible llope. Silebar river, ivhich empties itfelf into Poolo Bay, is totally unlike thofe in other parts of the iiland. The motion of its ftream is hardly perceptible ; it is never affected by floods i its courfe is marked out, not by banks covered with ancient and venerable woods, but by rows of aquatics, mangroves, Sec. fpring-ing from the water, and perfectly regular. Some miles from the mouth, it opens into a beautiful and extenfive lake, diverfified with fmall iflands, flat, and verdant with rufhes only. The point of Poolo is covered with the Arow tree, or baflard Pme, as fome have called it,* which never grows but in fea fand, and rifes faft. None fuch are found toward Soongey-Jf the fea. laymo, and the reft of the fhore northward of Marlborough Point, where on the contrary you perceive the effects of continual depredations by the ocean. The old forefl trees are there yearly undermined, and falling, obflruct the traveller; whilft about Poolo, the Arow trees are continually fpringing up, fafter than they can be cut down or otherwife deftroyed. Nature will not readily be forced from her courfe. The laft time I vifited that part, there was a beautiful riling grove of Pines, eftablifhing a poffeffion in their proper foil. The country, as well immediately hereabout, as to a confiderable diftance inland, is an entire bed of fand, without any mixture of clay or mould, which I know to have been in vain fought for, many miles up the neighbouring rivers. But upon what hypothefis can it be accounted for, that the fea fhould commit depredations on the northern coaft; of which there are the moft evident tokens, as high up at leaft as Ippoe, and probably to Indrapour, where the fhelter of the neighbouring iflands may put a ftop to them ; and that it fhould reftore the land to the fouthward, in the manner I have defcribed ? I am aware that according to the general motion of -* This Arow tree I have reafon to think the fame which Captain Cook obferved in the South Seas, and frora which he called one low fancly ifland, thelflc of Pines. the the tides from eaft to weft, this coaft ought to receive a continual accef-flon, proportioned to the lofs which others, expofed to the direction of this motion, muft and do fuftain ; and it is likely that it does gain upon the whole. But the nature of my work obliges me to be more attentive to effects than caufes, and to record fads, though they fhould clafh with fyftems the moft juft in theory, and moft refpe&able in point of authority. The chain of iflands which lie parallel with the weft coaft of Sumatra, iflands near , ,,i r 1 ri • 11/. 1 the weft coaft, may probably nave once formed a part or the main, and been feperated probably ones from it, either by fome violent effort of nature, or the gradual attrition Jomc' t0 ir" of the fea. I would fcarcely introduce the mention of this apparently vague furmife, but that a circumftance prcfents itfelf on the coaft, which affords fome ftronger colour of proof than can be ufually obtained in fuch inftances. In many places, and particularly about Pally and Laye, we. obferve detached pieces of land ftanding fingly, as iflands, at the diftance, of one or two hundred yards from the Ihore, which were headlands of points running out into the fea, within the remembrance of the inhabitants. The tops continue covered with trees or ihrubs; but the fides are bare, abrupt and perpendicular. The progrefs of in- * filiation here is obvious and incontrovertable, and why may not largcr iflands, at a greater diftance, have been formed, in the revolution of ages, by the fame accidents ? The probability is heightened by the direction of the iflands, Neas, Mantawaye, M^o, &c. the fimilarity of foil and productions, and the regularity of foundings between them and the main; whilft without them the depth is unfathomable. Where the fhore is flat or fhelving, the coaft of Sumatra, as of all coralRocics, other tropical iflands, is defended from the attacks of the fea, by a reef or ledge of coral rock, on which the furfs exert their violence without further effect than that of keeping its furface even, and reducing to powder thofe beautiful excrefcenccs and ramifications which have been fo much the object of the naturalifVs curiofity, and which fome ingenious men, who have analyfed them, contend to be the work of infects. The coral. coral powder is in particular places accumulated on the more in great quantities, and appears, when not clofely infpected, like a fine white fand. The Surf (a word not to be found, I believe, in our dictionaries) is ufed in India, and by navigators in general, to exprefs a peculiar fwell and breaking of the fea upon the Ihore; the phcenomena of which not having been hitherto much adverted to by writers, I (hall be the more circumftantial in my defcription of. The furf forms fometimes but a fingle range along the Ihore. At other times there is a fucceflion of two, three, four or more behind each other, extending perhaps half a mile out to fea. The number of ranges is generally in proportion to the height and violence. ; The furf begins to aflume its form at fome diftance from the place where it breaks, gradually accumulating as it moves forward, till it gains a height, in common, of fifteen to twenty feet, when it overhangs at top, and. falls like a cafcade, nearly perpendicular, involving itfelf as it de-fcends. The noife made by the fall is prodigious, and during the ftill-nefs of the night, may be heard many miles up the country. Though in the rifing and formation of the furf, the water feems to have a quick progreftive motion towards the land, yet a light body on the furface is not carried forward, but on the contrary, if the tide is ebbing, will recede from the ihore ; from which it would follow, that the motion is only propagated in the water, like found in air, and not the mafs of water protruded. A fimilar fpecies of motion is obferved on ihaking at one end, a long cord held moderately Hack; which is cxpreffed by the word, undulation. I have fometimes remarked however, that a body which finks deep, and takes hold of the water, will move towards ihore with the courfe of the furf, as is perceptible in a boat landing, which fhoots fwiftly forward on the top of the fwell; though probably it is aided aided by its own weight in the defcent, after having reached the fummit, and to that owes its velocity. Countries where the furfs prevail, require boats of a particular con-ftru&ion, and the art of managing them demands the experience of a man's life. All European boats are more or lefs unfit, and feldom fail to occafion the facrifice of the people on board them, in the imprudent attempts that are fometimes made to land with them on the open coaft. The force of the furf is extremely great. 1 have known it to overfet a country veffel, in fuch a manner, that the top of the maft has ftuck in the fand, and the lower end made its appearance through her bottom. Pieces of cloth have been taken up from a wreck, twifted and rent by its involved motion. In fome places the furfs are ufually greater at high, and in others at low water, but I believe they are uniformly more violent during the fpring tides. I fhall proceed to enquire into the efficient caufe of the furfs. The Confiderations L rdpecting the winds have doubtlefs a ftronsr relation to them. If the air was in all caufe of the & Surf. places of equal denfity, and not liable to any motion, I fuppofe the water would alfo remain perfectly at reft, and its furface even ; abftracting from the general courfe of the tides, and the partial irregularities occasioned by the influx of rivers. The current of the air impells the water, and caufes a fwell, which is the regular rifing and fubfiding of the waves. This rife and fall is fimilar to the vibrations of a pendulum, and fubject to like laws. When a wave is at its height, it defcends by the force of gravity, and the momentum acquired in defcending, impells the neighbouring particles, which, in their turn, rife and impell others, and thus form a fucceflion of waves. This is the cafe in the open fea; but when the fwell approaches the fliore, and the depth of water is not in proportion to the fize of the fwell, the fubfiding wave, inftead of prefling on a body of a water, which might rife in equal quan- I tity, tity, prelTes on the ground, whofe reaction caufes it to rufh on in that manner which we call a furf. Some think that the peculiar form of it, may be plainly accounted for, from the fhallownefs and fhelving of the beach. When a fwell draws near to fuch a beach, the lower parts of the water meeting firft with obftruction from the bottom, ftand ftill, whilft the higher parts refpectively move onward; by which a rolling and involved motion is produced, that is augmented by the return of the preceding fwell. I object that this folution is founded on the fuppofi-tion of an actual progreflive motion of the body of water in forming a furf; and that certainly not being the fact, it fee ins deficient. The only real progreffion of the water is occafioned by the perpendicular fall, after the breaking of the furf, when, from its weight, it foams on to a greater or lefs diftance, in proportion to the height from which it fell, and the Hope of the fhore. That the furfs are not, like common waves, the immediate effect of the wind, is evident from this, that the higheft and moft violent often happen when there is the leaft wind, and vice verfd. And fometimes the furfs will continue with an equal degree of violence during a variety of weather. On the weft coaft of Sumatra, the higheft are experienced during the S. E. monfoon, which is never attended with fuch gales of wind as the N. W. The motion of the furf is not obferved to follow the courfe of the wind, but often the contrary; and when it blows hard from the land, the fpray of the fea may be feen to fly in a direction oppofite to the body of it; though the wind has been for many hours in the fame point. Are the furfs the effect of gales of wind at fea, which do not happen; to extend to the ihore, but caufe a violent agitation throughout a confiderable tract of the waters, which communicating with lefs diftant parts, and meeting at length with refiftance from the fhore, occafions the fea to fwell and break in the manner defcribed ? To this I object, that there feems no regular correfpondence between, their magnitude, and the apparent agitation of the water without them; that gales of wind,. except except at particular periods, are very unfrequent in the Indian Seas; where the navigation is well known to be remarkably fafe ; whilft the furfs are almoft continual; and that gales are not found to produce this effect in other extenfive oceans. The weft coaft of Ireland borders a fea, nearly as extenfive, and much more wild, than the coaft of Sumatra, and yet there; though when it blows hard, the fwell on the fhore is high and dangerous; is there nothing that refembles the furfs of India. Thefe, fo general in the tropical latitudes, are, upon the moft pro- ^Su?^" bable hypothefis I have been able to form, after long obfervation, and much thought and enquiry, the confequence of the trade or perpetual winds which pervail, at a diftance from ihore, between the parallels of ten and thirty degrees north and fbuth, whofe uniform and invariable action caufes a long and conftant fwell, that exifts even in the calmeft weather, about the line, towards which its direction tends from either fide. This fwell or libration of the fea, is fo prodigioufly long, and the fenfible effect of its height of courfe fo much diminifhed, that it is not often attended to; the gradual Hope engrafting almoft the whole horizon, to an eye not very much elevated above its furface: but perfons who have failed in thofe parts may recollect that even when the fea is apparently the moft ftill and level, a boat or other object at a diftance from, the Ihip, will be hid from the fight of one looking towards it from the lower deck, for the fpace of minutes together. This fwell,. when a fquali happens, or the wind frethens up, will, for the time, have other fubfidiary waves on the extent of its] furface, breaking often in a direction contrary to it, and which will again fubfide as a calm returns, without having produced on it any perceptible effect. Sumatra, though not directly expofed to the fouth eaft trade, is not fo diftant but that its influence may be prefumed to extend to it, and accordingly at Poolo Pifang near the fouthern extremity of the ifland, a conftant foutherly fea is obferved, even after a hard northweft wind. This inceffant and powerful fwell rolling in from an ocean, open even to the pole, feems an agent adequate to the prodigious effects produced on the coaft; whilft whilft its very* ftze contributes to its being overlooked. It reconciles almoft all the difficulties which the phcenomena feem to prefent, and in particular it accounts for the decreafe of the furf during the N. W. monfoon, the local wind then counteracting the operation of the general one; and it is corroborated by an obfervation I have made, that the furfs on the Sumatran coaft ever begin to break at their fouthern extreme, the motion of the fwell not being perpendicular to the direction of the fhore. This manner of explaining their origin feems to carry much reafon with it, but there occurs to me one objection which I cannot get. over, and which a regard to truth obliges me to ftate. The trade winds are remarkably fteady and uniform, and the fwell generated by them is the fame. The furfs are much the reverfe, feldom pcrfevering for two days in the fame degree of violence; often mountains high in the morning, and nearly fubfided by night. How comes an uniform caufe to produce effects fo unfteady; unlefs by the intervention of fecondary caufes whofe nature and operation we are unacquainted with ? It is clear to me that the furfs, as above defcribed, are peculiar to thofe climates which lie within the remoter limits of the trade winds, though in higher latitudes, large fwells and irregular breakings of the fea are to be met with, after boifterous weather. Poflibly the following caufes may be judged to confpire, with that I have already fpe-cified, towards occalioning this diftinction. The former region being expofed to the immediate influence of the two great luminaries, the water, from their direct impulfe, is liable to more violent agitation, than nearer the poles, where their power is felt only by indirect communication. The equatorial parts of the earth performing their diurnal revolution with greater velocity than the reft, a larger circle being defcribed in the fame time, the waters thereabout, from the ftronger centrifugal force, may be fuppofed more buoyant; to feel lefs reftraint from the ftuggifh principle of matter; to have lefs gravity; and therefore to be more obedient to external impulfes of every kind, whether from the winds or any other caufe. The The fpring tides on the weft coaft of Sumatra are cftimated to rife in Tides, general no more than four feet, as little perhaps as in any part of the globe; owing to its open, unconfined fituation, which prevents any accumulation of the tide, as is the cafe in narrow feas. It is always high water when the moon is in the horizon, and confequently at fix o'clock, nearly, on the days of conjunction and oppofition throughout the year; in parts not far remote from the equator"*. This according to Newton's Theory, is about three hours later than the uninterrupted courfe of nature; owing to the obvious impediment the waters meet with in revolving from the eaftward. # Owing to this uniformity it becomes an eafy matter for the natives to afcertain the height of the tide at any hour that the moon is vifiblc. Whilft {he appears to afcend, the water falls, and vice versa; the lowed of the ebb happening when fhe is in her meridian. The rule for calculating the tides is rendered alfo to Europeans, more fimple and practical, from the fame caufe. There only needs to add together, the epaft, number of the month, and day of the month, the fum of which, if under thirty, gives the moon's age—the excefs, if over. Allow forty eight minutes for each day, or which is the fame, take four fifths of the age, and it will give you the number of hours after fix o'clock, at which high water happens. A readinefs at this calculation is particularly ufeful in a country where the fea beach is the general road for travelling. K Dtfiinfiioit DiJlincHon of Inhabitant s.-~~Rejangs chofen for General Defcription* —Perfons and Complexion.—Clothing and ornaments. count of the H A VING exhibited a general view of the iiland, as it is in the hands inhabitants. ^ nature, I mall now proceed to a defcription of the people who inhabit and cultivate it, and mall endeavour to diftinguifh the feveral fpecies or clafles of them, in fuch a manner as may belt tend to perfpi-cuity, and to furnifh clear ideas of the matter. Various modes The moll obvious divifion, and which has been ufually made by the writers of voyages, is that of Mahometan inhabitants of the fea coaft, and Pagans of the inland country. This divifion, though not without its degree of propriety, is vague and imperfect; not only bccaufc each defcription of people differ confiderably among themfelves, but that the inland inhabitants are, in fome places, Mahometans, and thofe of the coaft, in others, what they term Pagans. It is not unufual with perfons who have not refided in this part of the eaft, to call the inhabitants of the iflands indifcriminately by the name of Malays. This is a more confiderable error, and productive of greater confufion than the former. By attempting to reciuce things to heads too general, we defeat the very end we propofe to ourfelves in defining them at all: we create obfcurity where we wifh to throw light. On the other hand, to attempt enumerating and diftinguifhing the variety, almoft endlefs, of petty fovereign-ties and nations, into which this ifland is divided, many of which differ nothing in perfon or manners from their neighbours, would be a talk both impoffible and ufelefs. I fhall aim at fleering a middle courfe, and accordingly fhall treat of the inhabitants of Sumatra under the following fummary diftinctions; taking occafion as it may offer, to mention the principal fubdivifions. And firft, it is proper to diftinguifh the empire of of Menangcabow and the Malays; in the next place the Achenefe; then the BaUas; the Rejangs; and next to them, the Lampoons.* Menangcabow being the principal fovereignty of the ifland, which for- Menangra merly comprehended the whole, and ftill receives a fliadow of homage from the moft powerful of the other kingdoms, which have fprung ttp from its ruins, would feem to claim a right to precedence in defcription, but I have a fufHcient reafon for deferring it to a fubfequent part of my work; which is, that the people of this empire, by their converfion to * Attempts to afccrtain from whence the ifland of Sumatra was originally peopled, muft reft upon mere conjecture. The adjacent peninfula prefents the moft obvious fource of population, and it is accordingly faid that Malayan emigrants fupplied the Archipelago with inhabitants : but no argument, except that of vicinity, can be produced in fupport of this, not unplaufible, opinion. The Malays, now fo culled, are in comparison of the internal Sumatrans, but as people of yef-tcrday ; and though they have fpread their language and manners far and wide, fince the foundation of Malacca in the thirteenth century, they are confidered as intruders only, among the aboriginal people of the eaftern iflands. I have elfewhere remarked, that one general language prevailed, (however mutilated and changed in the courfe of time), throughout all this portion of the world; from Madagascar, to the moft diftant difcoveries eaftward ; of which the Malay is a dialect, much corrupted, or refined, by a mixture of other tongues. This very extenfive hmi-larity of language indicates a common origin of the inhabitants, but the circumftances and pro-grefs of their reparation, are wrapped in the darkeft veil of obfeurity. In the courfe of my enquiries amongft the natives, concerning the aborigines of the ifland, I have been informed of two different fpecies of people difperfed in the woods, and avoiding all communication with the other inhabitants. Thefe they call Orang Cooboo, and Orang Googoo. The former ate faid to be pretty numerous, efpecialiy in that part of the country which lies between Palembang and Jambee, Some have at times been caught and kept as flaves in Labooti, and a man of that place is now married to a tolerably handfome Cocboo girl, who was carried off by a party that difcovered their huts. They have a language quite peculiar to themfelves, and they cat promifcuoufly whatever the woods afford, as deer, elephant, rhinoceros, wild hoq;, fnakes or monkeys. The Googoo are much fcarcer than thefe, differing in little but the ufe of fpeech, from the Orang Oittan of Borneo ; their bodies being covered with long hair. There have not been above two or three inftances of their being met with by the people of Laboon, (from whom w»y information is derived), and one of thefe was entrapped many years ago, in much the fame manner as the carpenter in Pilpay's Fables caught the monkey. He had children by a Labooti woman, which alfo were more hairy than the common race 5 but the third generation ar^ net toy be diftinguifhed from others. The reader will beftow what meafure of faith he thinks due, on this relation, the veracity of which I do not pretend to vouch for. It has probably fome foundation in truth, but is exaggerated in the circumftances- Mahometanilhv Mahometanifm, and confcquent change of manners, have loft in a great degree the genuine Sumatran character, which is the immediate object of my inveftigation. They are diftinguifhed by the appellation of Malays, by the reft of the iiland, which, though originally, and ftrictly denoting an inhabitant of the neighbouring peninfula, is now undcr-ftood to mean a Muffulman, (peaking the Malay language, and belonging, by defcent, at leaft, to the kingdom of Menangcabow, or to that part of the lea coaft bordering on it, called At ay Angin, which extends from thirty two minutes N. to forty minutes S. latitude. Hereabout a colony from the peninfula evidently fettled, from whence their dependents emigrating, took up their refidencc at different fea ports on the fouthern coaft, as far down as Bencoolen; introduced their language, and fcater-cd every where the feeds of their religion, which as they fliot up, either withered, or flourimed more or lefs according to the aptnefsof the foil, and the pains of the laborer. Beyond Bencoolen there are none to be met with, excepting fuch as have been drawn thither by, and are in the pay of the Europeans. On the eaftern fide of the ifland they are fettled at the entrance of almoft all the navigable rivers, where they more conveniently indulge their natural bent for trade and piracy. It muft: be obferved that the term Malay, in common fpeech, like that of Moor on the weft of India, is almoft fynonymous with Mahometan. When the Sumatrans, or natives of any of the eaftern iflands, learn to read the Arabic character, and fubmit to circumcifion, they are faid to become Malays {vmvjaddce Malayo.) But this is not a proper or accurate mode of fpcaklng. The fultan of Anac Soongey, it is true, ambitious of imitating the fultan of Menangcabow, ftiles himfelf and fubjects, Malays; yet his neighbour the Pangeran of Soongey Lamo, chief of theRejangs, who is equally an independent prince, and very enlightened Mahometan, will not allow himfelf to be other than an original Sumatran*. Thus much it was neceffary I fhould fay, in order to avoid abiguity, concern- * He ftemed offended at my fuppofing him a Maylayman, in a conveifation i once had with him on the fubjecl, and replied with fome emotion, " Malayo tedab, Sir ; orang ootoo befool fayo. " No Malay Sir i I am a genuine, original countryman." The two languages, he writes ^nd talks with equal facility, but the Rejanghe efteems his mother tongue, ing iag the Malays, of whom a more particular account will be given hereafter. As the moft diflimilar among the other clafTes into which I have divided the inhabitants, muft of courfe have very many points of mutual re-femblance, and many of their habits, cuftoms and ceremonies, in common, it becomes expedient, in order to avoid a troublefome and ufelefs repetition, to finglc out one clafs from among them, whofe manners fhall undergo a particular and complete inveftigation, and ferve as a ftandard for the whole; the deviation from which, in the other clatTes, fhall afterwards be pointed out, and the moft lingular and ftriking ufages peculiar to each, fupperadded. Various circumftances induce me, on this occafion, to give the preference to the Rejangs, though a nation of ^atl0n of t1lc 7 o i Jo* o Kejangs aclop- but fmall account in the political fcale of the ifland. They are placed ,tCja3f a fian.d~ in what may be called a central fituation, not geographically, but with tion. e refpedt to the encroachments of foreign manners and opinions, introduced by the Malays, from the north, and Javans from the fouth; which gives them a claim to originality, fuperior to that of moft others. They are a people whofe form of government and whofe laws extend, with very little variation, over a confiderable part of the ifland, and principally that portion where the connexions of the Englifh lie. There are traditions of their having formerly fent forth colonies to the fouth ward; and in the country of PalTummah, the lite of their villages is ftill pointed out; which would prove that they have formerly been of more consideration than they can boaft at prefent. They have a proper language, and a perfect, written character, that is become of general ufe in many remote diftricts. Thefe advantages point out the Rajang people as an eligible ftandard of defcription ; and a motive equally ftrong that induces me to adopt them as fuch, is, that my fituation and connexions on the ifland, led me to a more intimate and minute acquaintance with their laws and manners, than with thofe of any other clafs. I muft premife however that the Malay cuftoms having made their way, in a greater or lefs degree, to every part of Sumatra, it will be totally im-pofiible to difcriminatc with entire accuracy, thofe which are original, L from from thofe which are borrowed ; and of courfe, what I fhall fay of the Rejangs, will apply for the moft part, not only to the Sumatrans in general, but may fometimes be, in ftrictnefs, proper to the Malays alone, and by them taught to the higher rank of country people. The country of the Rejangs is divided, to the north weft, from the kingdom of Anac Soongey (of which Moco Moco is the capital) by the fmall river of Oori, near that of Cattown ; which laft, with the diftrict. of Laboon on its banks, bounds it on the north or inland fide. The country of Moofce, where Palembang river takes its rife, forms its limit to the eaftward. Bencoolen river, precifely fpeaking, confines it on the fouth eaft ; though the inhabitants of the diftrict. called Lemba, extending from thence to Sikbar, are entirely the fame people, in manners and language. The principal rivers, befides thofe already mentioned, are Laye, Policy', and Soongey lamo; on all of which the Englifh have factories, the refident or chief being ftationed at Laye. Perfons of the The perfons of the inhabitants of the ifland, though differing confi- inhabitants. . . ■ ° to derably in diftnets remote from each other, may in general be comprehended in the following defcription; excepting the Achenefe, whofe commixture with the Moors of the weft of India, has diftinguifhed them from the other Sumatrans. They are rather below the middle ftature ; their bulk is in proportion ; their limbs are for the moft part flight, but well fhaped, and particularly fmall at the wrifts and ankles. Upon the whole they are gracefully formed, and I fcarcely recollect to have ever feen one deformed perfon, of the natives.* The women, however, have the prepofterous cuftom of flattening the nofes, and compreffing the heads of children newly • Ghirardini, an Italian painter, who touched at Sumatra on his way to China in 1698, 01> ferves of the Malays, Son di perfona tanlo ben formata Quanta mai jinger fan pittori induJJri. H: fpeaks in high terms of the country, as being beautifully pi&urefquc. born-, Situation of the Rejang country. General defcription. born, whilft the Ikull is yet cartilagenous, which increafes their natural tendency to that fhape. I could never trace the origin of the practice, or learn any other reafon for moulding the features to this uncouth appearance, but that it was an improvement of beauty in their eftimation. Captain Cook takes notice of a fimilar operation at the iiland of Ulitca. They likewife pull out the ears of infants, to make them Hand erect, from the head. Their eyes are uniformly dark and clear, and among fome, efpecially the fouthern women, bear a ftrong refemblance to the Chinefe, in that peculiarity of formation fo generally obferved of thofe people. Their hair is ftrong, and of a mining black; the improvement of both which qualities, it probably owes, in great meafure, to the conftant and early ufc of coconut oil, with which they keep it moift. The men frequently cut their hair fliort, not appearing to take any pride in it; the women encourage theirs to a confiderable length, and I have known many inftances of its reaching the ground. The men are beard-lefs, and have chins fo remarkably fmooth, that were it not for the Malay priefts difplaying a little tuft, we mould be apt to conclude that nature had refufed them this token of manhood. It is the fame in refpect. to other parts of the body, with both fexes; and this particular attention to their perfons, they efteem a point of delicacy, and the contrary an unpardonable neglect. The boys, as they approach to the age of puberty, rub their chins, upper lips, and thofe parts of the body that are fubject. to fuperfluous hair, with chunam, (quick lime,) efpecially of lhells, which deftroys the roots of the incipient beard. The few pilae that afterwards appear, are plucked out from time to time with tweezers,which they always carry about them for that purpofe. Were it not for the numerous and very refpectable authorities, from which we are affurcd that the natives of America are naturally beardlefs, I ihould think that the common opinion on that fubjecl: had been raftily adopted, and that their appearing thus at a mature age, was only the confequence of an early practice, fimilar to that obferved among the Sumatrans. Even now I muft confefs that it would remove fome fmall degree of doubt from from my mind, could it be afcertained that no fuch cuftom prevails.* Their complexion is properly yellow, wanting the red tinge that con-ftitutes a tawny or copper color. They are in general lighter than the Meftees, or half breed, of the reft of India; thofe of the fupcrior clafs, who are not expofed to the rays of the fun, and particularly their women of rank, approaching to a great degree of fairnefs. Did beauty conftft in this one quality, fome of them would furpafs our brunettes in Europe. The major part of the females are ugly, and many of them even to dif-guft, yet there are thofe among them, whofe appearance is ftrikingly beautiful; whatever composition of perfon, features and complexion, that fentiment may be the refult of. cdor not The fairnefs of the Sumatrans, comparatively with other Indians, cHmate?1010 fituated as they are, under a perpendicular fun, where no feafon of the year affords an alternative of cold, is, I think, an irrefragable proof, that the difference of color in the various inhabitants of the earth, is not the immediate effect, of climate. The children of Europeans born in this iiland, are as fair, and perhaps in general fairer, than thofe born in the country of their parents. I have obferved the fame of the fecond generation, where a mixture with the people of the country has been avoided. On the other hand, the offspring and all the defcendants of the Guinea and other African flaves, imported there, continue in the laft inftance as perfectly black as in the original ftock. I do not mean to enter into the merits of the queftion which naturally connects with thefe obfcrvations; but fhall only remark, that the fallow and aduft countenances, fo commonly acquired by Europeans who have long refided in hot climates, are more afcribable to the effect of bilious diftempcrs, which almoft all are fubject to in a greater or lefs degree, than of their expofurc to the influence of the weather, which few but feafaring people are • It is allowed Ly travellers that the Patagonians have tufts of hair on the upper lip and chin. Captain Carver fays, that among the tribes he vifited, the people made a regular practice of eradicating their beards with pincers. At BrufTels is preferved, along with a variety of ancient and rurious fuits of armour, that of Montezuma King of Mexico, of which the vizor, or milk for the face, has remarkably large whifkers ; an ornament which thofe Americans could not have imitated, unlefs nature had prefented them with the model, liable liable to, and of which the impremon is feldom permanent. From this circumftance I have been led to conjecture that the general difparity of complexions in different nations, might pojf/bly be owing to the more or lefs copious fecretion, or redundance of that juice, rendering the fkin more or lefs dark according to the qualities of the bile prevailing in the constitutions of each. But I fear fuch an hypothefis would not Hand the teft of experiment, as it muft follow, that upon diflection, the contents of a negroe's gall bladder, or at leaft the extravafated bile, fhould uniformly be found black. Perfons fkilled in anatomy will determine whether it is poftible that the qualities of any animal fecretion can fo far affect, the frame, as to render their confequences liable to be transmitted to pofterity in their'full force. The fmall fize of the inhabitants, and efpecially of the women, may be in fome meafure owing to the early communication between the fexes; though, as the inclinations which lead to this intercourfe are prompted here, by nature,, fooner than in cold climates, it is not unfair to fuppofe that being proportioned to the period of maturity, this is alfo fooner attained to, and confequently that the earlier ceflation of growth of thefe people, is agreeable to the laws of their conftitution, and not occafioned by a premature and irregular appetite. The men of fuperior rank encourage the growth of their hand nails, particularly thofe of the fore and little fingers, to an extraordinary length; frequently tinging them red, with the expreffed juice of a fhrub called cent; as they do the nails of their feet alfo, to which, being always uncovered, they pay as much attention as to their hands. The hands of the natives, and even of the half breed, are always cold to the touch ; which I cannot account for otherwife than by a fuppofition, that from the lefs degree of elafticity in the folids, occafioned by the heat of the climate, the internal action of the body,, by which the fluids are put in motion, is lefs vigorous, the circulation is proportionably languid, and of courfe the diminifhed effect is moft perceptible in the extremities, and a coldnefs there is the natural confequence, M Tha Jim people The natives of the hills through the whole extent of the iiland, are lubje to went f^j^ tQ thofe monftrous wens from the throat, which have been obferved of the Vallais, and the inhabitants of other mountainous diftrict s in Europe. It has been ufual to attribute this affection, to the badnefs, thawed ftate, mineral quality, or other peculiarity of the waters; many fkilful men having applied themfelves to the inveftigation of the fubject. My experience enables me to pronounce without hefitation, that the dif-order, for fuch it is, though it appears here to mark a diftinct race of people (cronggoonong), is immediately connected with the hillinefs of the country, and of courfe, if the circumftances of the water they ufe contribute, it muft be only fo far as the nature of that water is affected by the inequality Or height of the land. But on Sumatra neither mow nor other congelation is ever produced, which militates againft the moft plauiible conjecture that has been adopted concerning the Alpine goiters. From every refearch that I have been enabled to make, I think I have reafon to conclude, that the complaint is owing, among the Sumatrans, to the fogginefs of the air in the valleys between the high mountains, where, and not on the fummits, the natives of thefe parts refide. I before remarked, that between the ranges of hills, the cahoot or denfe mift, was vifible for feveral hours every morning; riling in a thick, opake and well defined body, with the fun, and feldom quite difperfed till after noon. This phcenomenon, as well as that of the wens, being peculiar to the regions of the hills, affords a prefumption that they may be connected ; exclufive of the natural probability, that a cold vapour, grofs to an uncommon degree, and continually enveloping the habitations, lhould affect with tumors the throats of the inhabitants. I cannot pretend to fay how far this folution may apply to the cafe of the goiters, but I re-recollect it to have been mentioned, that the only method of curing thefe people, is by removing them from the valleys, to the clear and pure air on the tops of the hills; which feems to indicate a fimilar fource of the diftemper with what I have pointed out. The Sumatrans do not appear to attempt any remedy for it, the wens being confiftent with the higheft health in other refpects. The The perfonal difference between the Malays of the coaft, and the Difference in country inhabitants, is not fo ftrongly marked but that it requires fome Malays m& experience to diftinguifh them. The latter, however, pofTefs an evident tranL Um*~ fuperiority in point of fize and ftrength, and are fairer complexioned, which they probably owe to their fituation, where the atmofphere is colder; and it is generally obferved, that people living near the fea Ihore, and efpecially when accuftomed to navigation, are darker than their inland neighbours. Some attribute the difparity in conftitutional vigor, to the more frequent ufe of opium among the Malays, which is fuppofed to debilitate the frame ; but I have noted that the Leemoon and Batang Alfy gold traders, who arc a colony of that race fettled in the heart of the iiland, and who cannot exift a day without opium, are remarkably hale and ftout; which I have known to be obferved with a degree of envy by the opium fmokers of our fettlements. The inhabitants of Paffummah alto, are defcribed as being more robuft in their perfons, than the planters of the low country. The original clothing of the Sumatrans is the fame with that found by Nothing, navigators among the inhabitants of the South Sea iflands, and now generally called by the name of Otaheitean cloth. It is ftill ufed among the Rejangs for their working drefs, and I have one in my poffeffion, procured from thofe people, confifting of a jacket, ftiort drawers, and a cap for the head. This is the inner bark of a certain fpecies of tree, beat out to the degree of finenefs required; approaching the more to perfection, as itrefembles the fofter kind of leather, fome being nearly equal to the moft delicate kid-flrin ; in which character it fomewhat differs from the South Sea cloth, as that bears a refemblance rather to paper, or to the manufacture of the loom. The country people now conform in a great mea-fure to the drefs of the Malays, which 1 fhall therefore defcribe in this place; obferving that much more fimplicity ftill prevails among the former; who look upon the others as coxcombs, that lay out all their fubftance on their backs, whilft, in their turns, they are regarded by the Malays with contempt, as unpolilhed ruftics. A man's A man's drefs confifts of the following. A clofe waiftcoat, without fleeves, but having a neck like a fhirt, buttoned clofe up to the top, with buttons, often, of gold fillagree. This is peculiar to the Malays. Over this they wear the badjoo, which refembles a morning gown, open at the neck, but fattened clofe at the wrifts and half way up the arm, with nine buttons to each lleeve. The badjoo worn by young men, is open in front no farther down than the bofom, and reaches no lower than the waift, whereas the others hang loofe to the knees, and fometimes to the ancles. They are made ufually of blue or white cotton cloth; for the better fort, of chintz, and for great men, of flowered filks. The cayen J'arrcng is not unlike a Scots Highlander's plaid, in appearance, being a piece of party colored cloth about fix or eight feet long, and three or four wide, fowed together at the ends; forming, as fome writers have defcribed it, a wide lack without a bottom. This is fometimes gathered up, and flung over the ftiouldcr like a falh, or elfe folded and tucked about the waift and hips ; and in full drefs, it is bound on by the creefe (dagger) belt, which is of crimfon filk, and wraps feveral times round the body, with a loop at the end, in which the iheath of the creefe hangs. They wear fliort drawers, reaching half way down the thigh, generally of red or yellow taffeta. There is no covering to their legs or feet. Round their heads they fallen, in a particular manner, a fine, colored handkerchief, fo as to refemble a fmall turban ; the country people ufually twilling a piece of white or blue cloth for this purpofe. The crown of their head remains uncovered, except on journeys, when they wear a toodong or umbrella-hat, which compleatly fkreens them from the weathers The women have a kind of bodice, or fhort waiftcoat rather, that defends the breafts, and reaches to the hips. The cayen farrong, before defcribed, comes up as high as the armpits, and extends to the feet, being kept on limply by folding and tucking it over, at the breaft, except when the tallee pending, or zone, is worn about the waift, which forms an additional and neceifary fecurity. This is ufually of embroidered cloth, and fometimes a plate of gold or lilver, about two inches broad, fattening fattening in front with a large clafp of fillagree or chafed work, with fome kind of precious ftone, or imitation of fuch, in the center. The badjoo, or upper gown, differs little from that of the men, buttoning in the fame manner at the wrifts. A piece of fine, thin, blue cotton cloth, about five feet long, and worked or fringed at each end, called a fedett* dang, is thrown acrofs the back of the neck, and hangs down before; ferving alfo the purpofe of a veil to the women of rank when they walk abroad. The handkerchief is carried, either folded fmall in the hand, or at length, over the fhoulder. There arc two modes of drefling the hair, one termed coondyc, and the otherfangoll. The firft refembles much the fafhion in which we fee the Chinefe women reprefented in paintings, and which I conclude they borrowed from thence, where the hair is wound circularly over the center of the head, and fattened with a filver bodkin or pin. In the other mode, which is more general, they give the hair a fmgle turn as it hangs behind, and then doubling it up, they pafs it crofs-wife, under a few hairs feparated from the reft, on the back of the head, for that purpofe* A comb, often of tortoifefhell, and fometimes Unagreed, helps to prevent it from falling down. The hair of the front, and of all parts of the head, are of the fame length, and when loofe, hang together behind, with moft of the women, in very great quantity. It is kept moift with oil, commonly of the cocoa-nut, but thofe who can afford it make ufe of an empyrcumatic oil, extracted from gum Benjamin, as a grateful perfume. They wear no covering, except ornaments of flowers, which, on particular occafions, are the work of much labor and ingenuity. The head drerTes of the dancing girls by profeffion, who are ufually Javans, are very artificially wrought, and as high as any modern Englifh lady's cap, yielding only to the feathered plumes of the year 1777. It is impoffible to defcribe in words thefe intricate and fanciful matters, fo as to convey a juft idea of them. The flowers worn in undrefs are, for the moft part, ftrung in wreaths, and have a very neat and pretty effect, without any degree of gaudinefs, being ufually white or pale yellow, fmall, and frequently only half blown. Thofe generally chofen for thefe occafions, are the boongo-tanjong and boongo-meU leor ; the bvongo-choowpaco is ufed to give the hair a fragrance, but is N concealed * concealed from the fight. They fometimes combine a variety of flowers in fuch a manner as to appear like one, and fix them on a fingle itock; but thefe, being more formal, are lefs elegant, than the wreaths. Diftinguiflring Among the country people, particularly in the fouthern countries, the virginT"^ °f virgins {orang gaddees, or gocldefles, as it is ufually pronounced) are diftinguifhed by a fillet which goes acrofs the front of the hair, and fallens behind. This is commonly a thin plate of filver, about half an inch broad : thofe of the firft rank have it of gold, and thofe of the loweft clafs have their fillet of the leaf of the ueepah tree. Befides this peculiar ornament, their ftate of pucellage is denoted by their having rings or bracelets of filver or gold on their wrifts. Strings of coins round the neck are univerfally worn by children, and the females, before they are of an age to be clothed, have, what may not be inaptly termed, a rao-defty piece, being a plate of filver in the ihape of a heart, hung before by a chain of the fame metal, palling round the waift. The young women in the country villages, manufacture themfelves the cloth that conftitutes the principal and often the only part of their drefs, or the cayen farrong, and this reaches from the breaft no lower than the knees. Thofe worn by the Malay women and men, come from the Bugguefs iflands to the eaftward, and with them extend as low as the feet: but here, as in other inftances, the more fcrupulous attention to appearances, does not accompany the fuperior degree of real modefty. Mode of filing Both fexes have the extraordinary cuftom of riling and otherwife dif-teeth. figuring their teeth, which arc naturally very white and beautiful, from the fimplicity of their food. For a file, they make ufe of a fmall whetftone, and the patients lie on their back during the operation. Many, particularly the women of the Lampoon country, have their teeth rubbed down quite even with the gums; others have them formed in points, and fome file off no more than the outer coat and extremities, in order that they may the better receive and retain the jetty blacknefs, which they almoft univerfally adorn them with. The black ufed on thefe occafions is the em-pyreumatic oil of the cocoa-nut fhell. When this is not applied, the filing filing does not, by deftroying what we term the enamel, diminifh. the whitenefs of the teeth. The great men fometimes fet theirs in gold, by cafing, with a plate of that metal, the under row; and this ornament, con-trailed with the black dye, has, by lamp or candle light, a very fplendid effect. It is fometimes indented to the fhapc of the teeth, but more ufually quite plain. They do not remove it either to eat or flecp. At the age of about eight or nine, they bore the ears of the female children j which is a ceremony that mud neceflarily precede their marriage. This they call betetiday, as they call filing their teeth bedabovg; both which operations are regarded in the family, as the occafions of a feftival. They do not here, as in fome of the adjacent iflands, (of Neas in particular), encourage the aperture of the ear to a monflrous fize, fo as in many inflances to be large enough to admit the hand through, the lower parts being ftretched till they touch the fhoulders. Their earings are moftly of gold fillagree, fattening, not with a clafp, but in. the manner of ftuds. 48 S U M A T R A. Villages.—Buildings,—Dome/lie Utetifils.—Food, X Shall now attempt a defcription of the villages and buildings of the Sumatrans, and proceed to their domeftic habits of ceconomy, and thofe fimple arts, on which the procuring of their food and other neceffaries depend. Thefe are not among the lead: interesting objects of philofo-phical fpeculation. In proportion as the arts in ufe with any people are connected with the primary demands of nature, they carry the greater likehood of originality, becaufe thofe demands muft have been administered to, from a period coeval with the exiftence of the people themfelves. Or if complete originality be regarded as a vifionary idea, engendered from ignorance, and the obfeurity of remote events, fuch arts muft be allowed to have the faireft claim to antiquity at leaft. Arts of accommodation, and more efpecially of luxury, are commonly the effect of imitation, and fuggefted by the improvements of other nations, which have made greater advances towards civilization. Thefe afford lefs ftriking and characteristic features, in delineating the picture of mankind, and though they may add to the beauty, diminifh from the genu-inenefs of the piece. We muft not look for unequivocal generic marks, where the breed, in order to mend it, has been crofted by a foreign mixture. All the arts of primary neceffity are comprehended within two diftinctions. Thofe which protect us from the inclemency of the weather and other outward accidents; and thofe which are employed in fecuring the means of fubfiltence. Both are immediately effential to the continuance of life, and man is involuntarily and immediately prompted to exercife them, by the urgent calls of nature, even in the mereft poftible ftate of favage and uncultivated exiftence. In climates like that of Sumatra, this impulfe extends not far. The human machine is kept going with fmall effort, in fo favourable a medium. The fpring of importunate neceffity there foon lofes its force, and confequently the wheels of invention that depend upon it, fail to perform more than a few few fimple revolutions. In regions lefs mild this original motive to in-duftry and ingenuity, carries men to greater lengths, in the application of arts to the occafions of life; and which of courfe, in an equal fpace of time, attain to greater perfection, than among the inhabitants of the tropical latitudes, who find their immediate wants fupplied with facility, and beyond what thefe require, prefer fimple inaction, to convenience procured by labor. This confederation may perhaps tend to reconcile the high antiquity univerfally allowed to Afiatic nations, with the limited progrefs of arts and fciences among them; in which they are manifeltly furpaffed by people who, compared with them, are but of very recent date. The Sumatrans, however, in the conflruction of their habitations, have ftept many degrees beyond thofe rude contrivances, which writers defcribe the inhabitants of fome other Indian countries, to have been contented with adopting, in order to fcreen themfelves from the immediate influence of furrounding elements. Their houfes are not only fub-ftantial, but convenient, and are built in the vicinity of each other, that they may enjoy the advantages of mutual afliftance and protection, rcfulting from a ftate of fociety. The doofoons or villages; for the fmall number of inhabitants affem-bled in each does not entitle them to the appellations of towns; are always Iituated on the banks of a river or lake, for the convenience of bathing, and of tranfporting goods. An eminence difficult of afcent,. is ufually made choice of, for fecurity. The accefs to them is by footways, narrow and winding, of which there are feldom more than two; ©ne to the country, and the other to the water; the latter in moft places fo fteep, as to render it neceffary to cut fteps in the cliff or rock. The doofoons being furrounded with abundance of fruit trees; fome of confiderable height, as the door ear,, coco and heteUnui; and the neighbouring country, for a little fpace about, being in fome degree cleared of wood, for the rice and pepper plantations; they ftrike the eye at a diftance as clumps merely, exhibiting no appearance of a town or any place O o£T of habitation. The rows of houfes form commonly a quadrangle, with pafTages or lanes at intervals between the buildings, where, in the more confiderable villages, live the lower clafs of inhabitants, and where alfo their paddee-houfes or granaries are erected. In the middle of the fquarc (lands the baliit or town hall, a room about fifty to an hundred feet long, and twenty or thirty wide, without divifion, and open at the fides, excepting when on particular occafions it is hung with mats or chintz. In their buildings neither ftone, brick, nor clay, are ever made ufe of, which is the cafe in moll countries where timber abounds, and where the warmth of the climate renders the free admifiion of air, a matter rather to be defired, than guarded againfl: but in Sumatra the frequency of earthquakes is alone fufficient to have prevented the natives from adopting a fubilantial mode of building. The frames of .the houfes arc of wood, the underplate refting on pillars of about fix or eight feet hi height, which have a fort of capital, but no bafe, and are wider at top than at boitom. The people appear to have no idea of architecture as a fcience, though much ingenuity is often fhewn in the manner of working up their materials, and they have, the Malays at leaft, technical terms correfponding to all thofe employed by our houfe carpenters. Their conception of proportions is extremely rude, often leaving thofe parts of a frame which have the greater! bearing, with the weakefl fupport, and lavilliing ftrength upon inadequate preffure. For the floorings they lay whole bamboos (a well known fpecies of large cane) of four or five inches diameter, clofe to each other, and fallen them at the ends to the timbers. Acrofs thefe are laid laths of fplit bamboo, about an inch wide and the length of the room, which are tied down with filaments of the rattan; and over thefe are ufually fpread mats of different kinds. This fort of flooring has an elallicity, alarming to ftrangers when they firft tread on it. The fides of the houfes are generally clofed in with pakopo, which is the bamboo half fplit, opened, and rendered flat by notching the circular joints withinfide, and laying it to dry in the fun, prefled down with weights. This is fometimes nailed on to the upright timbers timbers or bamboos, but in the country parts, it is more commonly interwoven, or matted, in breadths of fix inches, and a piece, or fhect, formed at once of the fize required. In fome places they ufe for the fame purpofe the coolitcayos, or coolicoy, as it is pronounced by the Europeans, who employ it on board fhip, as dunnage, in pepper and other cargoes. This is a bark procured from fome particular trees, of which the boonoot and eeboo are the moft common. When they prepare to take it, the outer rind is firft torn or cut away; the inner, which affords the material, is then marked out with a prang, pake!, or other tool, to the fize required, which is uniformly three cubits by one; it is afterwards beaten for fome time with a heavy flick, to loofe it from the flem, and being peeled off, is laid in the fun to dry, care being taken to prevent, it's warping. The thicker or thinner forts of the fame fpecies of coolitcayos, owe their difference to their being taken nearer to, or farther from, the root. That which is ufed in building has nearly the texture and hardnefs of wood. The pliable and delicate bark of which clothing is made, is procured from a tree called calawee, a bafiard fpecies of the bread-fruit. The moft general mode of covering houfes is with the attap, which is the leaf of a fpecies of palm called ntepah. Thefe, previous to their being laid on, are formed into fheets of about five feet long, and as deep as the length of the leaf will admit: they are then difpofed on the roof, fo as that one fhect fhall lap over the other, and are tied to the bamboos which ferve for rafters. There are various other kinds of covering ufed. The coolitcayos, before defcribed, is fometimes employed for this purpofe : the galoompye—this is a thatch of narrow, fplit bamboos, fix feet in length, placed in regular layers, each reaching within two feet of the extremity of that beneath it, by which a treble covering is formed : ejoo—this is a vegetable production, fo nearly refembling horfe hair as fcarcely to be diftinguifhed from it. It envelopes the ftem of that fpecies of palm called anou, from which the beft toddy or palm wine is procured, and is employed by the natives for a great variety of purpofes. It is bound on as a thatch, in the manner we do ftraw, and not not unfrequently over the galcompyc; in which cafe the roof is fo durable as never to require renewal, the ejoo being of all vegetable fub-ftances the lead prone to decay, and lor this reafon it is a common practice to wrap a quantity of it round the end of timbers or pods which are to be fixed in the ground. I law a houfe about twenty miles up Manna river, belonging to Dupatty Bandar Augoong, the roof of which was of fifty years danding. The larger houfes have three pitches in the roof; the middle one, under which the door is placed, being much lower than the other two. In fmaller houfes there are but two pitches which are always of unequal height, and the entrance is in the fmaller, which covers a kind of hall, or cooking room. There is another kind of houfe, erected niodly for a temporary purpofe, the roof of which is flat, and is covered in a very uncommon, Ample, and ingenious manner. Large, dreight bamboos are cut of a length fufficient to lie acrofs the houfe, and being fplit exactly in two, and the joints knocked out, they are difpofed in an order alternately concave and convex, in fuch manner that each of the latter falls into two of the former which lie next it, fomething like the laying of pan-tils. The convex bamboos perfectly defend the building from rain, and the concave ferve as gutters to carry the water off*.. The mode of afcent to the houfes is by a piece of timber,or dout bamboo cut in notches, which latter an European cannot avail himfelf of, efpecially as. the precaution is feldom taken of binding them fad. Thefe are the wonderful light fcaling ladders, which the old Portuguefe writers defcribed to have been ufed by the natives of Achcen in their wars with their nation. It is probable that the apprehenfion of danger from the wild beads, caufed them to adopt and continue this rude expedient, in preference to more regular and commodious ffeps. The detached buildings in the country, near to. their plantations, called taU * I find that the original inhabitants of the Philippine iflands covered their buildings in the fame manner* UngSy longs, they raife to the height of ten or twelve feet from the ground, and make a practice of taking up their ladder at night, to fecurc themfelves from the deftructive ravages of the tigers. I have been allured ; but will not pledge myfelf for the truth of the flory ; that an elephant, attempting to pafs under one of thefe houfes; which Hand on four or fix polls; ftuck by the way, but difdaining to retreat, carried it, with the family it contained, on his back, to the diftance of feveral miles. In the buildings of the doofoons, particularly where the moll tefpec-table families refide, the woodwork in front is carved, in the ftyle of bafs relief, into a variety of uncouth ornaments, and grotefque figures, not much unlike the Egyptian hieroglyphics, but certainly without any myltic or hiflorical allufion. The furniture of their houfes, correfponding with their manner of Furniture., living, is very fimple, and confiils of but few articles. Their bed is a mat, ufually of a fine texture, and manufactured for the purpofe, with a number of pillows, worked at the ends, and adorned with a mining fubflance that remfembles foil. A fort of canopy or valance, formed of various coloured cloths, hangs over head." As they fit on the floor, there is no occafion for {lools or chairs. Inftead of tables, they have what refembles large wooden falvcrs, with feet, called doolaj/g; round each of which, three or four perfons difpofe themfelves; and on this are laid the tallams or brafs waiters, which hold the cups that contain their curry, and plantain leaves, or matted veflfels, filled with rice. Their mode of fitting is not er.ofs legged, as the inhabitants of Turkey, and our taylors, ufe, but either on the haunches, or on the left fide, fupported by the left hand, with the legs tucked in on the right fide; leaving that hand at liberty, which they always, from motives of delicacy, fcrupuloully eat with; the .left being referved for lefs cleanly offices. Neither knives, fpoons, nor any fubftitutes for them, are employed; they take up the rice, and other victuals, between their thumb and fingers, and dextcroully throw it mio the mouth by the action of the thumb; dipping frequently their hands in water, as they cat. P They Utenfiis. They have a little coarfe china, imported by the Bugguefs praws, which is held as matter of luxury. In cooking they employ a kind of iron vcfTel, well known in India by the name of quallee or tauch, refembl-ing in fhape the pans ufed in fome of our manufactures, having the rim wide, and bottom narrow. Thefe arelikewife brought from the eaftward. The. pr ceo and belango, fpecies of earthen pipkins, are in more common ufe, being made in fmall quantities in different parts of the iiland, particularly in Lampoon, where they give them a fort of glazing; but the greater number of them are imported from Bantam. The original Sumatran veffel for boiling rice, and which is ftill much ufed for that purpofe, is the bamboo; that material of general utility, with which bountiful nature has fupplied an indolent people. By the time the rice is dreffed, the utenfil is nearly deftroycd by the fire; but refills the flame fo long as there is moifture within. jriie3. Fire being wanted among thefe people but occafionally, and only when they cook their victuals, there is not much attention paid, in their buildings, to providing conveniencies for it. Their houfes have no chimneys, and their fire places are no more than a few loofe bricks, or Hones, difpofed in a temporary manner, and frequently on the landing place before the doors. The fuel made ufe of is wood alone; the coal which the ifland produces, never being converted by the inhabitants to that purpofe. The flint and fteel for ftriking fire, are common in the country, but it is a practice certainly borrowed from fome other people, as that fpecies of ftone is not, I believe, a native of the foil. Thefe generally form part of their travelling apparatus, and efpecially with thofe men called reefcws (fpendthrifts that turn freebooters), who find themfelves often obliged to take up their habitation in the woods, or in deferted hou- Modeof kind- f°s* ^ut t^ey fre(lucntly kindle fire, from the friction of two fticks. ibg them. They chufe a piece of dry, porous wood, and cutting fmooth a fpot of it, lay it in an horizontal direction. They then apply a fmaller piece, of a harder fubftance, with a blunt point, in a perpendicular pofition, and turn it quickly round, between the two hands, as chocolate is milled, preffing it downwards at the fame time. A hole is foori formed by this motion of of the fmaller ftick; but it has not penetrated far, before the larger one takes fire. I have alfo feen the fame effecl: produced, more limply, by rubbing one bit of bamboo, with a fharp edge, acrofs another*. Water is conveyed from the fpring, in bamboos, which, for this purpofe, are cut, either to the length of five or fix feet, and carried over the moulder, or into a number of fingle joints, that are put together in a bafket. It is drunk out of the fruit called laboo here, and calabajh, in the Weft Indies, a hole being made in the fide of the neck, and another at top for vent. In drinking, they generally hold the veflel at a diftance above their mouths, and catch the ftream as it defcends. Baf-kcts (brovong, baccole) are a confiderable part of the furniture of a man's houfe, and the number of thefe feen hanging up, are tokens of the owner's fubftance: for in them his harvefts, of rice or pepper, arc * This mode of kindling fire is not peculiar to Sumatra : we read of the fume practice in Africa, and even in Kamfchatka. It is furprizing, but confirmed by abundant authority, that many nations of the earth, have, at certain periods, being ignorant of the ufe of fire. To our immediate apprehenfion, human exiftence would feem in fuch circumftances impoffible. Every art, every convenience, every ncctffary of life, is now in the moft intimate manner connected with it: and yet the Chinefe, the Egyptians, Phoenicians and Greeks acknowledged traditions concerning ita firft difcovery in their refpective countries. But in fact, if we can once fuppofe a man, or focicty of men, unacquainted with the being and ufes of this element, I fee no difficulty in conceiving the poffibility of their fupporting life without it j I mean in the tropical climates; and of centuries patting before they fhould arrive at the important difcovery. It is true that lightening and its effects, volcanos, the firing of dry fubftances by fortutious attrition, or of moift, by fermentation, might give them an idea of its violent and deftruaive properties ; but far from being thence induced to appropriate and apply it, they would, on the contrary, dread and avoid it, even in its lefs formidable appearances. They might be led to worfhip it as their deity, but not to cherifh it as their domeftic. There is every reafon to conclude that the man who firft reduced it to fubject ion, and rendered it fubfervicnt to the purpofes of life, procured it from the collifion of two flints; but the fparks thus produced, whether by accident or defign, might be obferved innumerable times, without its fuggefting a beneficial application. In countries where thofe did not prefent. themfelves, the difcovery had, moft probably, its origin in the rubbing together of dry flicks, and in this operation, the agent and fubject co-exifting, flame, with its properties and ufes, became more immediately apparent. Still, as no previous idea was conceived of this latent principle, and con-fequently no fcarch made, no endeavours exerted, to bring it to light, I fee not the impo.ffibility a priori, of its having remained almoft as long concealed from mankind, as the properties of the loadftone, or the qualities of gunpowder. gathered gathered and brought home; no carts being employed in the interior parts of the iiland, which I am now defcribing. They are made of ilices of bamboo, connected by means of fplit rattans; and are carried, chiefly by the women, on the back, fupported by a firing, or band, acrofs the forehead. Although the Sumatrans live, in a great meafure, upon vegetable food, they arc not reflrained, by any fuperflitious opinion, from other aliments, and accordingly, at their entertainments, the flefh of the buffaloe (car-low), goat, and fowls, are ferved up. Their dimes are almoft all prepared in that mode of drefllng, to which we have given the name of curry, and which is now univerfally known in Europe, It is called in the Malay language, gortye, and may be compofed of any kind of edi. ble, but is generally of Hem or fowl, with a variety of pulfe and fuccu-lent herbage, ftewed down with certain ingredients, by us termed, when mixed and ground together, curry powder. Thefe ingredients are, among others, the cayenne or chili pepper, turmeric, ferraye or lemon grafs, cardamums, garlick, and the pulp of the coco-nut bruifed to a milk refembling that of almonds, which is the only liquid made ufe of. This differs from the curries of Madras and Bengal, which have greater variety of fpices, and want the coco-nut. It is not a little remarkable, that the common pepper, the chief produce and ftaple commodity of the country, is never mixed by the natives in their food. They efteem it heating to the blood, and afcribe a contrary effect to the cayenne; which, I can fay, my own experience juftifies. A great divcrfity of curries is ufually ferved up at the fame time, in fmall veffcls, each flavored, to a nice difcerning tafle, in a different manner; and in this con-lifts all the luxury of their tables. Let the quantity or variety of meat be what it may, the principle article of their food is rice, which is eaten in a large proportion with every difh, and very frequently without any other accompaniment than fait and chili pepper. It is prepared by boiling in a manner peculiar to India; it's perfection, next to clcannefs and whitenefs, confifling in it's being, when thoroughly drelTed and foft to the heart, at the fame time whole and feparate, fo that no two grains grains fhall adhere together. The manner of effecting this, is by putting into the earthen or other vefTel in which it is boiled, no more water than is fufficicnt to cover it; letting it fimmer over a flow fire; taking off the water by degrees with a flat ladle or fpoon, that the grain may dry, and removing it when juft fhort of burning. At their entertainments, the guefts are treated with rice prepared alfo in a variety of modes, by frying it in cakes, or boiling it, mixed with the kernel of the coco-nut and frefh oil, in fmall joints of bamboo. This is called lemmang. Before it is ferved up, they cut off the outer rind of the bamboo, and the foft inner coat is peeled away by the perfon who eats. They drefs their meat immediately after killing it, while it is ftill warm, which is conformable with the" practice of the ancients, as recorded in Homer and elfewherc, and in this ftatc it is faid to eat tenderer than when kept for a day : longer, the climate will not admit of, un-lefs when it is preferved in that mode called dfadihg: This is the flefh of the buffaloe cut into fmall thin flakes, and expofed to the heat of the fun in fair weather; generally on the thatch of their houfes ; till it is become fo dry and hard as to refifl putrefaction, without any affiftance from fait. Fifh is preferved in the fame manner, and cargoes of both , are fent from parts of the coaft where they are plenty, to thofe where provifions are in more demand. It is feemingly flrange, that heat," which, in a certain degree, promotes putrefaction, fhould, when violently encreafed, operate to prevent it; but it muft be confidercd that moifture alfo is requifite to the former effect, and this is abforbed in thin fubftances, by the fun's rays, before it can contribute to the production of maggots. Shichang, a prefervation, if it may be fo termed, of an oppofite kind, is efleemed a great delicacy among the Malays, and is by them exported to the weft of India. The country Sumatrans feldom procure it. It is a fpecies of cavcar, and is extremely offenfive and difgufting to perfons who are not accuftomed to it •, particularly the black kind, which is the moft common. The beft fort, or the red blachang, is made of the fpawn fpawn of fhrimps, or of the fhrimps themfelves, which they take about the mouths of rivers. They are left in the fun to dry, then pounded in a mortar, with fait,' rnoiftened with a little water, and formed into cakes; which is all the procefs. The black fort, ufed by the lower clafs, is made of fmall fifh, prepared in the fame manner. On fome parts of the eaft coaft of the ifland, they fait the roes of large flfh, and preferve them perfectly dry, and well flavored. When the natives kill a buffaloe, which is always done at their public meetings, they do not cut it up into joints, as we do an ox, but into fmall pieces of flefh, or flakes, which they call baniye. The hide of the buffaloe is fcalded, fcraped, and hung up to dry in their houfes, where it fhrivels, and becomes perfectly hard. When wanted for ufe, a piece is chopped off, and being ftewed down for a great number of hours, in a fmall quantity of water, forms a rich jelly, which, properly feafoned, is efteemed a very delicate dim. The fagoo, though common on Sumatra, and ufed occafionally by the natives, is not an article of food of fuch general ufe among them, as with the inhabitants of many other eaftern iflands, where it is employed as a fubftitute for rice. The tree which yields it, is a fpecies of palm, whofe trunk contains a glutinous pith, that being foaked, dried, and granulated, becomes the fago of our fhops, has been too frequently and accurately defcribed, to need a repetition from me. Millet (randa jaou) is alfo cultivated for food, but not in any confiderable quantity. When thefe feveral articles of fubfiftance. fail, the Sumatran has recourfe to thofe wild roots, herbs, and leaves of trees, which the woods abundantly afford in every feafon, without culture, and which the habitual fimplicity of his diet, teaches him to confider as no very extraordinary circumftance of hardfhip. Hence it is, that famines, in this ifland; or more properly fpcaking, failures of crops of grain;, are never attended with thofe dreadful confequences, which more improved countries, and more provident nations experience. Agriculture*. Agriculture.—Rice, its Cultivation, &c.—Plantations of Coco, Betel nut, and other Trees, for Dome/lie ufe.—Dye fluffs. FrOM their domeftic ceconomy I am led to take a view of their la- Agriculture, hours in the field, their plantations and the ftate of argiculture amongft them, which an ingenious writer eileems the jufteft criterion of civilization. The moft important article of cultivation, not on Sumatra alone, but Ricc. throughout the eaft, is rice. It is the grand material of food, on which at leaft fifty millions of the inhabitants of the earth fubfift, and although chiefly confined by nature to the regions included between, and bordering on the tropics, its cultivation is probably more extenfive than that of wheat, which the Europeans are wont to confider as the univerfal ftaff of life. In the continent of Afia, as you advance to the northward, you come to the boundary where the plantations of rice difappear, and the wheat fields commence; the cold felt in that climate, owing in part to the extreme height of the land, being unfriendly to the production of the former article. Rice (bras') whilft in the hufk, is in India called paddee, and afTumes , a different name in each of its other various ftates.. We obferve no distinction of this kind in Europe, where our grain retains through all its ftages, till it becomes flour, its original name of barley, wheat or oats*. Among people whofe general objects of contemplation are few, t The following, befide many others, ai-e names applied to rice, in its different ftages of growth and perparation: paddee; original name of the feed : eoffay, grain of laft feafon : hinnet; the plants before- removed to the fawoors: bras or bray; rice, the hulk, of the paddee being taken • off: cbarroop; rice cleaned for boiling: najfee, boiled rice: pterang \ yellow rice: jambar; a fervicc cf rice, &.c* thofe. thofe which do of neceffity engage their attention, are often more nicely difcriminated, than the fame objects among more enlightend people,whofe ideas ranging over the extenfive field of art and fcience, difdain to fix long on obvious and common matters. Paddee, on Sumatra and the Malay iflands, is diftinguifhed into two forts, Laddang or up-land paddee, and Sawcor or low-land, which are always kept feperate, and will not grow reciprocally*. Of thefe the former bears the higher price, being a whiter, heartier and better flavored grain, and having the advantage in point of keening. The latter is much more prolific from the feed, and fubject to lefs rifk in the culture, but is of a wratery fubftance, produces lefs increafe in boiling, and is fubject to a fwifter decay. It is however in more common ufe than the former. Befide this general diftinction, the paddee of each fort, particularly the Laddang, prefents a variety of fpecies, which, as far as my information extends, I fhall enumerate, and endeavour to defcribe. The common kind of dry ground paddee: color, light brown: the fize rather large, and very little crooked at the extremity. Paddee tindallong: dry ground: fhort round grain: grows in whorles or bunches round the flock. Paddee ebbafs: dry ground: large grain: common. Paddee galloo: dry ground: light colored: fcarce. Paddee fennee: dry ground : deep colored: fmall grain : fcarce. Paddee ejoo: dry ground: light colored. Paddee kooning: dry ground: deep yellow : fine rice: crooked, and pointed. Paddee coococr batlum: dry ground: much cfteemed: light colored; fmall, and very much crooked, refembling a dove's nail, from whence its name. Paddee pe/ang: dry ground: outer coat light brown,* inner red: longer, fmaller and lefs crooked than the cooccor ballum. Paddee Santong: the fineft fort that is planted in wet ground: fmall, ftreight, and light colored. In general it may be obferved that the larger grained rice is the leaft efteemed, and the fmaller and whiter, the moft prized. In the Lampoon country they make a diftinction of paddee crawang, and paddee jerroo, the fromer of which is a month earlier in growth than the latter. * Le Poivre, in the Travels of a Philofophcr, observes the fame tUftinctJon in the rice of Cochin China. or nee. I (hall fpeak firft of the cultivation of the Lad dung or upland paddee. Uplandjmddee This is fown, as is obvious from the name, in high grounds, and almoft univerfally on the lite of old woods, on account of the fuperior richnefs of the foil; the continual fall and rotting of the leaves, forming there a bed of vegetable mould, which the open plains cannot afford, being exhaufted, by the powerful operation of the fun's rays, and the conftant production of a rank grafs, called talking. When this lal-lang, with which the eaftern iflands, are for the moft part covered, where the ground is free from wood, is kept under by frequent mowing, or the grazing of cattle, it's room is fupplied with grafs of a finer texture. Many fuppofe that the fame, identical fpecies of grafs undergoes this alteration, as no fre(h feeds are fown, and the change uniformly takes place.. But this is an evident miftake, 'as the generic characters of the two are effentially different, the one being the gramen cariccfunt, and the other the gramen acitulatuin, defcribed by Rumphius. The former, which grows to the height of five feet, is remarkable for the whitenefs. and foftnefs of the down, which is it's bloflbm, and the other for the fharpnefs of it's bearded feeds, which prove extremely trcublefome to the legs of thofe who walk among it *. On account of the fertility which it occafions, the natives do not look upon the abundance of wood in the country, as an inconvenience, * " Gramen caticofum. Hoc totos occupat campos, nudosque colles; tarn dense & late" ger-minans, ut, e longinquo. haberernr campus oryzft confuus : tarn luxnriose" & former crefcit, ut ncque hoitos nequc Jyivas cvitet, atque tam vehementer prorepit, ut areae vix depurari ac fervari poifint, licet quotidie deambulentur." u Gramen aciculatum. Ufus ejus fere nullus eft, fed hie detigendum eft ta?diofum ludi-brjum, quod quis habet, fi per campos, vel in fylvis procedat, ubi hoc gramen ad vias publicas crefcit, quum pneterientium vcftibus femen quam maxime inllceret.,' Rumphius. Le Poivre, in his-Travels of a Philofopher, defcribes the plains of Madagafcar and Java, as covered with a long grafs, which he calls Fatak, and which, from the analogy of the countries in other refpccls, I would fuppofe to be the lallatig : but he praifes it as affording excellent paftunge; whereas on Sumatra it is reckoned the worft, and except when very young, it is not edible by the largeft cattle; for which reafon the carters and drovers conftantly fet fire to that which grows on the plains by the road fide, that the young fhoots which afterwards fpring up, may fupply food to their beafts. R but' but the contrary. In few parts of the iiland do they ever fow grain on hind that has been long cleared, and there, more from neceffity than choice. I have heard a prince of the country complain of a fettlement made by fome ftrangers in the inland part of his dominions, whom he •mould be under an obligation to expell from thence, to prevent the walle of his old woods. This feemcd a fuperfluous act of precaution in an iiland which ftrikes the eye as one general, impervious, and inex-haullible foreft *. On the approach of the dry monfoon, or about the month of April, the hufbandman makes choice of a fpot, for his laddang of that feafon, and collecting his family and dependants, proceeds to fell the timber in ■order to clear the ground. This is a labor of immenfe magnitude, and would feem to require herculean force; but it is effected by perfeve-rance. Their tools, the prang and billiong, (the former refembling a bill-hook, and the latter an imperfect adze), are feemingly inadequate to the talk, and the faw is unknown in the country. Being regardlefs of the timber, they do not fell the tree near the ground, where the Item is thick, but erect a ffage, and begin to hew, or chop rather, at the height of ten or twelve feet, where the dimenfions are fmaller, till it is fufficiently weakened to admit of their pulling it down with rattans, in place of ropes, made fall to the branches -J-. And thus by flow degrees the whole is laid low. I could never behold this devaluation without a ftrong fentiment of regret. Perhaps the prejudices of a claf-fical education taught me to refpect thofe aged trees, as the habitation or material frame of an order of fylvan deities, who were now deprived of exiftence, by the facrilegious hand of a rude, undiftinguifhing fivage. But without having recourfe to fuperftition, it is not difficult to account for fuch feelings, on the fight of a venerable wood, old as the * The quicknefs of vegetation precludes all poffibility of clearing a country fo thinly inhabited. Ground, where paddee has been planted, will, in a fingle month after the harveft, afford full fhelter for a tiger. f The Mai/on rujliaue de Cayenne^ defcribes a fimilar mode of felling trees, i foil foil it flood on, and beautiful beyond what pencil can. defcribc, annihi* latcd, for the temporary ufe of the fpace it occupied. It appears a violation of nature, in the exerciie of a too arbitrary right. The timber thus felled is of no value, from it's abundance, the fmailnefs of con-fumption, and it's diftance, in common, from the banks of rivers, by the means of which alone it can be tranfported to any diftance* Trees, whofe amazing bulk, height, and ftreightnefs would excite the admiration of a traveller, compared to which the malts of men of war are diminutive, fall in the general ruin. The branches are lopped off, and when the continuance of the dry weather has rendered them fufficiently arid, they are fet fire to, and the country is, for the fpace of a month, in a general blaze, till the whole is con fumed. The expiring wood, beneficent to it's ungrateful deftroyer, fertilizes for his ufe, by it's afhes and their falts, the earth from which it fprung, and which it fo long adorned, Unfeafonable wet weather at this period, which fometimes happens, is productive of much inconvenience, by lofs of prefent time, and throwing the crop back. There are impoftors that make a profit of the credulity of the hufbandmen ; who, like all others whofe employments expofe them to rilks, are prone to fuperftition ; by pretending to a power of caufing, or retarding rain. One of thefe will receive, at the time of burning the laddangs, a dollar or more from each family in the neighbourhood, that he may procure favorable weather for their bufi-nefs. To accomplifh this purpofe, he abftains, or pretends to abftain, for many days and nights, from food and flecp, and performs various trifling ceremonies, continuing all the time in the open air. If he ef-pies a cloud gathering, he immediately begins to fmoak tobacco with great vehemence, walking about quick, and throwing the puffs towards it with all the force of his lungs. How far he is fuccefsful, it is no difficult matter to judge. His fkill, in fact, lies in chufing his time, when there is the grcateft profpect of a continuance of fair weather in the ordinary courfe of nature : but fhould he fail, there is an effectual faho. He always promifes to fulfill his agreement, with a Deo volentc claufe, and and fo attributes bis occaOonal difappointments to the particular Inter-pofition of the deity. The cunning-men, who, in this and many other inftances of conjuration, impofe on the fimple country people, are always Malay adventurers. When the periodical rains begin to fall, which happens gradually about September or October, they proceed to low the grain. Ploughs are rarely ufed, and only in the open plains, when cultivated, in countries where the old woods are comparatively fcarce. In the grounds I am defcribing, the flumps of the trees would utterly preclude the pof-fibility of working them. The hufbandman enters the plantation; as it is ufual to call the paddee field; with a fharp flake in each hand, and with thefe makes holes on either fide of him, at equal diftances, as he proceeds. Another perfon follows him with the feed, of which he drops a few grains into each hole; leaving it to accident, or the winds and rain, to cover it. The birds, as may be expected, often prove dif-tructive foes, and in a plantation far removed from any other, they have been known to devour the whole. The above is all the labour that a laddang requires, till the harveft time, which is eftimated at five months and ten days from the period of fowing. The preparation of the Sawoor, or low ground plantations, is as follows. After clearing away the brufh wood, and aquatic fhrufcs, with which the fwamps and marfhes, when neglected, are overun, a number of buffaloes, whofe greateft enjoyment confilts in wading and rolling in mud, are turned in. Thefe work it up by their motions, and enrich it with their dung. The next care is to level it well, that the water, when introduced, may lie equally on all the parts. For this purpofe, in fome diftricts of the country, they contrive to drag about on the furface, a flat board with earth on it, to deprefs the riling fpots, and fill up the hollow ones. The whole is then divided by pa-, rallel dams, by means of which the water is retained, or let off at plca-fnte. Thefc divifions or plats, are called peering, which figniiies a diflu Whilft, Whilft this work is going on, a fpot is prepared in a convenient part of the ground, where the feed paddee is fown, in fmall patches, very thick, for tranfplanting, and in this ftate it is called bunnay. When it is about two or three inches high, the tops are cropped in order to multiply the Ihoots. At the end of forty days from firft fowing, the tranf-plantation takes place : holes are made in the fawoor as defcribed in the laddang, and a few plants put in each; a referve being made in the patches to fupply the place of fuch as fhall have failed upon removal. The innumerable fprings and runs of water with which this ifland abounds, render unneceflary the laborious proceffes by which water is raifed and fupplied to the plantations in the Weft of India, where-the country is level, and the foil fandy : yet fill the principal art of the planter con lifts, and is required, in the management of this article; to furnilh it to the ground in proper and moderate quantities, and to Garry it off, from time to time, by drains; for it muft on no account be song ftagnant, as a neglect of that kind would occafion the grain to rot. When the paddee begins to form the ear, or to bloffom, as the natives exprefs it, the water is all finally drawn off. They now begin to prepare their machines for frightening away the birds, in which they employ incredible pains, and wonderful ingenuity. Tie firings and clappers are fo difpofed, that a child fhall be able, with the fimple motion of it's arm, to create a loud, clattering noife, through every part of an extenfive plantation ; and on the borders are placed, at diftances, a fpecies of windmill fixed on poles, which, to an unexperienced traveller, have as tremendous an effect as thofe which terrified the Knight of la Mancha. In four months from the time of tranfplanting, they begin to reap the grain. The mode of doing this is the fame with both fpecies of paddee. The ears are cut off pretty fhort, one by one, with a rude in-ftrumcnt, refembling the flump of a knife, in a bamboo haft*. This is performed with one hand, as if the ears were plucked, and each, as taken off, is put into the other hand, till that is full; when they are * The inhabitants of Menangcabow reap with an in.ftrum.cnt refcmbling a fickle, S ' tied tied up in a little fheaf, and thrown into a bafket, which they carry for the purpofe, either by their fide, or Hung on their back, with the firing or ftrap acrofs the forehead. The quantity of paddee which they can grafp in both hands, whilft thus in the ear, is faid to be equal to a bamboo (gallon) when threfhed out, and is often fold by that eftimation. Different nations have adopted various methods of feparating the grain from the ear. The moft ancient we read of, was that of driving cattle over the fheaves, in order to trample it out. Large planks; blocks of marble ; heavy carriages ; have been employed in later times for this end. In moft parts of Europe the flail is now in ufe. The Sumatrans have a mode different from all thefe. The paddee in the ear being fpread on mats in their barns, they rub it out with their feet; fupport-ing themfelves, for the more eafy performance of their labor, by holding with their hands a bamboo placed acrofs, over their heads. Although by going always unlhod, their feet are extremely callous, and therefore in fome degree adapted to this work, yet the workmen, when clofely talked by their mailers, fometimes continue fliuming 'till the blood ilfues from their foles. This is the univerfal practice throughout the ifland. A laddang, in any of the diftricts that lie near the fea coaft, cannot be ufed two following feafons, though a fawoor may; yet in the inland country, where the temperature of the air is more favorable to agriculture, they have been known to fow the fame ground, three fucceflive years* It is common there alfo to plant a crop of onions, fo foon as the ftubble is burned off. Millet is fown at the fame time with the paddee. In the country of Manna, a progrefs in the art of cultivation is dif-covered, fuperior to what appears in almoft any other part of the ifland; among the Battas perhaps alone excepted. Here the traveller may ob-ferve pieces of land, in fize from five to fifteen acres, regularly ploughed and harrowed. I fhall endeavour to account for this difference. Manna is much the moft populous diftrict to the fouthward, with the fmalleft extent extent of fea coaft. The pepper plantations and laddangs together, have in great meafure exhauftcd the old woods, in the accefhble arts of the country, and the inhabitants are therein deprived of a fourcc of fertility which nature formerly fupplied. They muft either ftarve, remove their plantations, or cultivate the earth. The firft is contrary to the inherent principle which teaches man to prefcrve life by every poftible means: Their attachment to their natale folum, or rather their veneration for the fepulchres of their anccftors, is fo ftrong, that to remove, would coft them a ftruggle equal almoft to the pangs of death : Neceflity therefore, the parent of art, obliges them to cultivate the earth. The produce of Rate of Pro-the grounds thus tilled, is reckoned at thirty for one: from the laddangs in common, it is about fixty to eighty. The fawoors are generally fuppofed to yield an increafe of an'hundred for one, and in fome of the northern parts (at Soofco) an hundred and twenty. Thefe returns are very extraordinary, compared with the produce of our fields in Europe, which, I believe, feldom exceeds fifteen, and is often under ten. What is this difproportion owing to ? Perhaps to the difference of grrun, as rice may be in it's nature extremely prolific : perhaps to the more genial influence of a warmer climate : perhaps the earth, by an exceflive cultivation, lofes by degrees her fecundity. An attention to the obfer-vations and reports of travellers, would feem to give countenance to this fuppoiition. Peru, whieh may be called new land, is faid to yield four or five hundred for one. Babylon, anciently, two to three hundred. Lybia an hundred and fifty. Egypt an hundred. Yet of the two latter, modern naturalifls inform us, the one produces, at this day, but ten to twelve, and the other from four to ten, for one. The Peruvian account 1 fufpect of exaggeration, or that it is the refult of fome particular and partial experiment, as it is well known what a furprizing crop may be procured from a fmall quantity of grain, fown fcparatcb/, and carefully weeded. The other accounts are probably juft, but the falling ofF in thefe countries, as well as the difference between the European and eaftern produce, I attribute, more than to any other caufe,. to the different ftyle of cultivation. With us the faying of labor and promoting of expedition, are the chief objects, and in order to effect thefe .thefe, the grain is almoft univcrfally fcattered in the furrows, except where the drill has been introduced. The Sumatrans, who do not calculate their own or their domeftic's labor on thefe occafions, make holes in the ground, as I have defcribed, and drop into each a few grains; or by a procefs ftill more tedious, raife the feed in beds, and afterwards plant it out. Mr. Charles Miller, in a paper publiihed in the Phil. Trans, has ftiewn us the wonderful effects of tranfplantation. How far it might be worth the Englifh farmer's while, to beftow more labor in the bufinefs of lowing his grain, in hopes of an increafe of produce, I am not competent, nor is it to my prefent purpofe, to form a judgment. Pollibly, as the advantage might be found to lie rather in the quantity of grain faved in the fowing, than gained in the reaping, it would not anfwer the purpofe; for although half the quantity of fed, bears reciprocally the fame proportion to the ufual produce, that double the latter does to the ufual allowance of feed, yet in point of profit it is quite another matter. In order to encreafe this, it is of much more importance to augment the produce from a given quantity of land, than to diminifh the grain neceffary to fow it. fertility of foil Not withftan ding the received opinion of the fertility of the Malay iflands, countenanced by the authority of Le Poivre and other celebrated writers, and ftill more by the extraordinary produce of grain, as above-mentioned, I cannot help faying, that I think the foil of Sumatra is in general rather fteril, than rich. It is almoft every where a ftiff, red clay, burned nearly to the ftate of a brick, where it is expofed to the influence of the fun. The fmall proportion of the whole which is cultivated, is cither ground from which old woods have been recently cleared, whofe leaves had formed a bed of vegetable earth, fome inches deep; or clfe fwamps, into which the fcanty mould of the neighbouring hills, has been wafhed by the annual torrents of rain, in confequence of their low fituation. It is true that on many parts of the coaft, there are, between the cliffs and the beach, fmall plains of a fandy foil, probably left by the fea, and more or lefs mixed with earth in proportion to the time they have remained uncovered by the waters; and fuch are found to prove the moft favorable fpots for raifing the productions of of the weftern world. But thefe are partial and unfatisfaclory proofs of fertility. The great increafe from the feed, is, as I have fuggefted, more probably owing to the mode of fowing, than to fuperior richnefs of the land, and would not appear if the European method of feathering it were followed. Although in Manna they have got into the practice of tilling the ground, and derive from thence a produce of thirty for one, in open plains, it muft be obferved, that this is ftill new land, though not juft then cleared for the puq>ofe, and the fame fpot is doubtlefs not worked a fecond time till it has lain fallow. Every perfon who has attempted to make, on Sumatra, a garden of any kind, muft well know how ineffectual a labour it would prove, to attempt turning up with the fpade a piece of ground adopted at random. It becomes neceffary for this purpofe, to form an artificial foil, of dung, allies, rubbifh, and fuch other materials as can be procured. From fuch alone he can expect to raife the fmalleft fupply of vegetables for the table. I have feen many extenfive plantations of coco-nut, penang, and coffee-trees, laid out at a confiderable expence, by different gentlemen, and not one do I recollect to have fucceeded; owing to the barrennefs of the country. Thefe difappointments have induced the Europeans almoft entirely to neglect agriculture. The more induftrious Chinefe colonifts who work the ground with indefatigable pains, and dung high, are rather more fuccefsful; yet have I heard one of the moft able cultivators among this people *, who, by the dint of labor and perfeverance, had railed a delightful garden near Fort Marlborough, defigned for profit as well as pleafure, declare, that his heart was almoft broke in fti'tiggling again!! nature; the foil being fo ungrateful, that inftcad of obtaining a return for his trouble and expence, the undertaking was likely to render him a bankrupt; and which he would inevitably have been but for amftance afforded him by the India Company. The natives, it is true, without much or any cultivation, raife fome ufeful trees and plants, but they are in very fmall quantities, and immediately about their villages, where * Key Soon : his taftc in pardoning was exquifite, and his affiduity unremitting. Some particular plants, efpecially the tea, he ufed to tell me he confidered as his children : his firft care in the morning, and laft at night was to tend and chcrifh them. T the the earth is fertilized in fpitc of their indolence, by the common fweep-ings of their houfes and ftrcets, and the mere vicinity of their buildings, I have often had occafion to obfcrve, in young plantations, that thofe few trees which furrounded the houfe of the owner, or the hut of the Jceeper, considerably over-topped their brethren of the fame age. Every perfon at firft fight, and on a fuperficial view of the Malay countries, pronounces them the favorites of nature, where fhe has lavifhed all her bounties with a profufion unknown in other regions, and laments the infatuation of the people, who neglect to cultivate the fineft foil in the world. But I have fcarcely known one, who, after a few years refidence, has not entirely altered his opinion. Certain it is, that in point of external appearance, the Malay iflands, and Sumatra among the reft, may challenge the world to a comparifon. There indeed nature has been extravagant, bellowing on many parts of the country, where human foot fcarce ever trod, all that is adapted to raife the fentiment of fublimity, in minds fufceptible of the impreflion. But how rarely are thofe minds to be found ; and yet it is alone " For fuch the rivers dafh their foaming tides, The mountain fwells, the vale fublides, The ftately wood detains the wand'ring light, And the rough, barren rock grows pregnant with delight.*' Even where there are inhabitants, to how little purpofe has fhe been thus profufe in ornament! In pafiing through fome places, where my fancy has been charmed with more beautiful and truly picturefque fecnes, than I remember ever to have met with before, I could not avoid regretting that a country fo captivating to the eye, fhould be allotted to a race of people who feem totally infenfible of it's beauties. After treading out the grain, which is equivalent to threfhing, the next ftep is to winnow it, which is done prccifely in the fame manner as pra&ifed by us. Advantage being taken of a windy day, it is poured out from the fieve or fan; the chaff difperfing, whilft the heavier grain falls to the ground. This mode feems to have been univerfal in all ages ages and countries. The next procefs is that of clearing the grain from Modeofcfcar-, . . . 7 ing hulk from the hulk, by which, from paddee, it becomes rice. This is done in the grain. the Lejfcongy or large wooden mortar, where it is pounded, by one or more perfons, with heavy peftles, of wood, alfo, called AHoo, till the outer coat is feparated; after which it is again fanned. This bufinefs is likewife, in fome places, performed with a machine ; which is no more than a hollow cylinder of heavy wood, turned back and forwards, horizontally, by two handles, on a folid cylinder of the fame diameter, and at the fame time prelfed down, to encreafe the friction. The grain is put into the hollow cylinder, which anfwers the purpofe of a hopper, at the fame time that it performs the bufinefs of the upper millftone in our mills. A fpindle runs up from the center of the lower piece of wood, which ferves as an axis for the upper to turn on. The rice is now in a (late for fale, exportation, or laying up. It will Rice as an ar-not keep above twelve months, particularly the fawoor rice, which be- merce?f C°m" gins to mew figns of decay after fix. At Natal they have a practice of putting a quantity of the leaves of a flirub called Lagoondee, amongft their rice, in granaries or boats holds, which having a ftrong antifeptic virtue, deftroys the weevils that ufually breed in it. In Bengal, I am told they kiln-dry the rice intended for exportation, owing to which, or fome other procefs, it will continue good for feveral years, and is on that account made ufe of for garrifons in the Malay countries. In the ftate of paddee it will keep long without damaging, which induces the country people to lay it up in the ftieaf; clearing it of the hulk; or beating it out, as it is termed; from time to time, as wanted for ufe. By this operation it lofes one half of it's quantity in meafurement, two bamboos of paddee yielding but one of rice. To render it perfectly clean for eating, a circumftance they are particularly attentive to, it is put a fecond time into a leffoong of fmaller fize, and being fufficiently pounded, without breaking the grains, it is again winnowed, by toffing it in a flat fieve, till the pure and fpotlefs grain is dextcroufly feperated from the bran. They next wafh it in cold water, and then proceed to boil it, in the manner before defcribed. The The price of this neceffary of life, differs throughout the iiland, according to the general demand at the place where it is purchafed, and the circumftances of the feafon. At a northern port called Soofoo, it is feldom under thirty bamboos (gallons) the Spaniih dollar. In the fouthern diftricts, where the cultivation is more confined, and the foil lefs productive, it varies from twelve to four bamboos, according as the harveft is more or lefs plentiful, or the market better or worfe fupplied with imported rice. The Coco-nut tree may be efteemed the next important object of cultivation, from the ufes to which it's produce is applied by the natives of India though on Sumatra it is not converted to fuch a variety of purpofes, as in thofe iflands where nature has been lefs bountiful in other gifts. It's value here confifts principally in the kernel of the nut, of which the confumption is prodigious, being a principal ingredient in all their difhes. The ftem is in but little eftimation for building, where the fineft timber fo much abounds. The hufk is not twifted into ropes, called coyar, as on the other fide of India, rattans and ejoo being ufed for that purpofe. The fhell is but little employed as a domeftic utenfil, the lower clafs of the people preferring the bamboo and the laboo, and the better fort being poftelfed of coarfe earthen ware. The filaments which fur round the ftem are probably manufactured into cloth in thofe countries alone, where cotton is not produced, which is a material infinitely preferable : befides, that certain kinds of trees, as before obferved, afford, in their foft and pliable bark, a fpecies of cloth ready woven to their hands. Of the coconut, however, they make oil for the hair, and for burning in lamps ; though, in the interior country, the light moft commonly ufed, is from the dammar or turpentine, of which links are formed. Toddy, a liquor efteemed for various purpofes, and particularly in the manufacture of arrack, is drawn from this, as well a* other fpecies of the palm : from the head they procure a kind of cab* bage ; and of the fibres of the leaves they compofe their brooms. Every doofoon or village is furrounded with a number of coconut trees, where the foil and air will fuffer them to grow, and near the bazars, or fea* port port towns, where the concourfe of inhabitants is much greater, there are always large plantations of them, to fupply the extraordinary demand. This tree, in all it's fpecies, ftages and parts, has been fo elaborately, minutely and juftly defcribed by many writers, efpecially the celebrated Rumphius in his Hortus Amboinienfis, that it would be mere repetition in me to attempt a fcientific account of it. I fhall therefore only add a few detached obfervations on it's growth. It thrives beft in a low fancly foil, near the fea, where it will produce fruit in four or five years. In clayey ground it feldom bears under feven to ten years. As you recede from the coaft the growth is proportionably flow, owing to the greater degree of cold in the hills, which is it's fevereft enemy; and it muft attain there nearly it's full height before it is productive, whereas in the plains, a boy can generally reach it's firft fruit from the ground. Here, faid a dupatty, if I plant a coconut or dooreen tree, I may expect to reap the fruit of it, but in Laboon (an inland diftrict) I fhould only plant for my great grand children. This very tedious growth may feem exaggerated, but it was repeatedly afferted to be, duo, teego gc.ylair orang (two or three generations) before the coconut trees arrived at complete maturity ; and in fome parts of the ifland, where the land is particularly high, I have been allured that neither thofe, the betel nut, or pepper vines, will produce fruit at all. It has been remarked by fome writer, that the great palm tree (phcenix, or palma daflylifera) and the coconut tree, are never found to flourifh in the fame country. However this may hold good as a general aiTertion, it is a fact that not one tree of that fpecies grows on the ifland of Sumatra, although the coconut and many other varieties of the genus abound there. All the fmall iflands which lie off the coaft are fkirted, near the fea beach, with coconut-trees growing fo thick together that they almoft choke each other, whilft the interior parts are entirely free from them. This beyond a doubt, is occafioned by the accidental floating of the nuts U to 74 4 U S A T R A. to the more, where they are planted by the hand of nature, moot forth, and bear fruit; which falling, as it comes to maturity, fprings up in like manner, and caufes a fucceffive reproduction*. Some of thefe iflands, particularly Poolo Mcgo, one of the fonthernmoft, are uninhabited, except by rats and fquirrels, who feaft without controul upon the coconuts, unlets when difturbed by the crews of veffels from Sumatra, which go thither occasionally, to collect loadings for market. The lea-coconuts, which are known to be the production of iflands that lie north-eaft of Madagafcar, are fometimes floated as far as the Malay coaits, where they are fuppofed to be natives of the ocean, and were held in high veneration for their miraculous effects in medicine, till a large cargoc of them was a few years fince brought to Bencoolen by a French fhip, when their character fell with their price. Betel nut, and Of the Penang or betel nut tree, which in growth and appearance is blesoriomef. not tinlike the coconut, the natives make large plantations, as well as of ^ ufc" the Seeree, a creeping plant, whofe leaf, of a flrong aromatic flavor, they eat with the betel nut and other additions : a practice which I fhall hereafter defcribe. Chili or cayenne pepper, which is much ufed in their curries and with every article of their food, always con'ftitutes a part of their irregular and inartificial gardens. Turmeric (curcuma') a yellow root well known in our fhops, is likewife univerfally cultivated. It is of two kinds, the one called cooniet n.era, for domeftic ufc, being alfo an ingredient in their curries, pilaws and fundry dime's: the other, cooniet lummoo, is an excellent yellow dye, and is fometimes employed in medicine. The coriander and cardamum plants grow in the country in great abundance. The latter is called py'the natives'pooajhiMo* There are many fpecies of the pooah, the commoner! of which has extraordinary large leaves, like the plantain, and poffeffes an aromatic quality, not mi- * A few coconuts have heen driven by the fea to fome parts of the coaft of Madagafcar, where they are not indigenous, as I was allured by a native, who told me their language had no name for them Rumphiu., fays they are called Voaniou (booa nior) a corruption of the Sumatran name. They feem to have been little if at all known to the ancients, though faid by Theophraftes to have been produced in Egypt.. "J like like that of the bay. Ginger is planted in fmall quantities. It is called fepnddayi which name occafions me to remark, that in the Malay language, they ufe the word " pudday" to cxprefs that pungent, acrid quality in pepper and other fpices, which we vaguely denote by the word " hot", which has another fignification totally different. A dim high feafoned, may, according to our mode of expreffion, be at the fame time hot and cold. Coftus arahicus and amomum zenimbet are cultivated for medicinal purpofes, as is alfo the galangak. Small plantations of tobacco, of the fame fpecies with the Virginia, are to be meet with every where in the country, but the people are not expert in the method of curing it, elfe there is no doubt but it might be brought to great perfection, and by encreafing the quantity, rendered a confiderable object of trade. It is cut, whilft green, into fine lhreds and afterwards dried in the fun. Benjan (fefamttm ) is fown largely, efpecially in the Paf-fummah country, for the oil it produces, which is ufed in burning only. The palma Chrifti (jarak) from whence the caftor oil, fo much prized, is extracted, grows wild in abundance. The natives are fond of the fugar cane, which they cut into joints, and chew as a delicacy, but they rarely exprefs, or manufacture its juice. Their fugar or jaggree* is made from a liquor yielded by the Amu, a. fprcics of palm. They plant the kratcu> mulberry, but of a drawf kind, for the ufe of the filk worms which they rear, but not to any great extent, and the raw filk produced from them feems of an indifferent quality. The filk is in general white inftead of yellow, and the filaments appear coarfe, but this may be partly occafioned by the method of loofening them from the bags, which is by fteeping them in hot water. The famples I have feen were in large flat cakes which would require much trouble to wind off. Calooee is a fpecies of nettle, of which excellent twine, not inferior to ours, is made. It grows to the height of about four feet, without branches, the ftem being imperfectly ligneous.. It is cut down, dried and * If the ancients were acquainted with fugar, it was produced from fome fpecies of the palm, as the fugar canes were not brought into the Mediterrancnan from the eaft, 'till a fhott time be« fore the difcovery of the palfage to India by the Cape : The word faccbarum is conjectured to be derived from jaggree, which the French pronounce fchagaree. beaten beaten; after which its rind is (tripped off, and twilled as we do hemp. Twine is alfo made of the bark of a fhrub called Endeeloo. The cannabis or hemp, called ganjo by the Malays, is cultivated in quantities, not for the purpofe of making rope, which they never think of applying it to, but for fmoking, and in that ftate it is called bang, and has an intoxicating quality. Palafs is a fhrub, with a blollbm much refembling our hawthorn in appearance and fmell. Its leaf has an extraordinary roughnefs, on which account it is employed to give the lafl fine polifh to their carvings in wood and ivory, particularly the heads and fheaths of their creefes or daggers, which they are remarkably curious in. The leaf of the Seepeet alfo having the fame quality, is put to the fame ufe. A twine is made in the Lampoon country of the bark of the Bagoo trees beat out like hemp., for the construction of large hilling nets. The younger leaves of this tree are efteemed delicate in curries. On the ifland of Neas they make a twine of the Baroo tree, which they afterwards weave into coarfe cloth for bags. A kind of thread for fewing is procured by ftripping filaments from the midribs of the leaves, and the trunk of the Pcfang or plantain, and I understand that it is in fome parts worked in the loom. Maroongaye : the root of this fhurb, which grows high, with pinnated leaves, has perfectly the appearance, flavor and pungency of horferadifh, and is ufed in the fame manner. Kent: this is a fhrub with a fmall, light green leaf, which yields an expreffed juice of a red color, with which the natives tinge the nails of their hands and feet. Cachanggoring : thefe are the granulofe roots of an herb, which re-fembles the clover, but that the leaves are double only inftead of treble, and affording, like that, the richeft pasture for cattle. The bloffom is papilionaceous and yellow. The chachang (which is like-wife the general name for pulfe) are always eaten fried, from whence the epithet of goring, and prove an agreeable carminative. The natives plant yams of different kinds and remarkably fine; fweet potatoes, which thofe who are ufed to grow are very fond of; pulfe of various forts, particularly a fpecies of French bean, that grows high, and lafts for feveral years: the brinja/s (of which the egg plant is one fpecies) were probably introduced from China, but are much eaten by the natives, fplit and fried. Their attention to their gardens, however, is very very limited, owing to the liberality with which nature, unfoli-cited, administers to their wants. Maize (jaggong), though very generally planted here, is not cultivated in quantities, as an effential article of food. The ears are plucked whilft green, and being ftightly roaftcd, are eaten as a delicacy. Pacoo beendoo refembles a young dwarf coconut tree, and is probably of that fpecies. The ftem is ihort and knobby, and the lower parts of each branch prickly. The young ftioot? are much efteemed in curries. It produces a cabbage like that of the coconut and neebong, which is a fine culinary vegetable. Its flower is yellow. Though ranked by the Malays, and by Rumphius, in the clafs of ferns, it has no obvious affinity to them. The neebong or cabbage tree, a fpecies of palm, growrs wild in too great abundance to require being cultivated. The pith of the head of the tree is the part eaten. The ftem, which is tall and ftreight, like the coconut, is much ufed for pofts of flight houfes,. being of a remarkably hard texture on the outer part. Within fide it is quite foft, and therefore, being hollowed out, it is often ufed as gutters or channels to convey water. Anon : This is a tree of the palm kind alfo, and of much importance, as the natives procure from it Sago, (but there is alfo another fago tree more productive) ; toddy or palm wine,, of the firft quality; fugar or jaggree, and ejoo. The leaves are long and narrow, and though naturally tending to a point, are never found perfect, but always jagged at. the end. The fruit grows in bunches of thirty and forty together, on-firings three or four feet long. One of thefe firings being cut off, the part of the fhoot remaining is tied up, and then beaten ; afterwards ah incifion in it is made, and a veffcl clofely fattened, ufually of bamboo, into which the toddy (netroo) diftills. The ejoo, exactly refembling coarfe, black horfe hair, and ufed like it, among other purpofes, for making ropes, and mixing with mortar, encompaffes the ftem, and is feemingly bound on by thicker fibres or twigs, of which the Malay* make pens for writing. Indigo (taroom) being the principal dye-ftuff employed by the natives^ Dye-fiu«"> that fhrub is always found among their plantations, but they do not ma- X nufacture nufacture it into a folic! fubftance, as is done elfewhcre in the Eaft. and Weft Indies. They leave the (talks and branches for fome days in water to foak and macerate, then boil it, and work with their hands fome chitnam (quick lime) among it, with leaves of the facoo [abba (a fpecies of fern) for fixing the color. They then drain it off, and ufe it in the liquid ftate. There is another kind of indigo (tarroom akkar) which appears to be peculiar to this country, as I fhewed fome of the leaves to botanifts of the moft extenfive knowledge, who informed me that they were totally unacquainted with it. The common kind is known to have fmall, pinnated leaves, growing on ftalks imperfectly ligneous, about five feet high. The tarroom akkar, on the contrary, is a vine or creeping plant, with leaves four or five inches long, in fhape like a laurel, but finer, and of a dark green. It poifeffes the fame qualities, and produces the fame color with the other fort: they are prepared in the fame manner, and ufed indifcriminately, no preference being given by the natives to one above the other, except that the akkar, by reafon of the largenefs of the foliage, yields a greater proportion of fediment. I conceive that it muft be a valuable plant, and have written to my friends on Sumatra to tranfmit me fpecimens of the flowers and feed, that it's identity and clafs may be accurately afcertained. Sapparig (fapan or Brafil wood). The heart of this being cut into chips, ftecped for a confiderable time in water, and then boiled, is ufed for dying here, as in other countries. The cloth or thread is repeatedly dipped in this water, and hung to dry between each wetting, till it is brought to the fhade required. To fix the color, taway (allum) is added in boiling. Maccodoo (morlnda citrifolia). A tree, the outward parts of the root of which, being dried, pounded, and boiled in water, afford a red dye; for fixing which, the afhes yielded by the ftalks of the fruit and midribs of the leaves of the coconut, are employed. Sometimes the bark of the befappang tree is mixed with the roots of the macoodoa. Chepudda S U M A T R A. % Chepudda (jack tree). The roots are cut into chips, and when boiled in water produce a yellow dye. A little of the cooniet (turmeric) is mixed with it, to strengthen the tint, and allurri, to fix l& tli?«ju „'/:HYiy H S^ill efi^fiO .IJBii *1Q 29." <-oho jIOj filfW Ot-iy/OO fix f fflf•c.-'t* Cadarang is ufed as the jack tree. Thefe yellow dyes do not hold well, and it is therefore neccfTary, that the operation of keeping and drying mould be frequently repeated.- A black dye is made from the coat of the manguflecn fruit, and bark of the katappihg or walnut. With this, the blue cloth from the weft of India, is rendered black, as ufually worn by the Malays of Menangcabow. It is fteeped in mud to fix the color. A fhrub called kattam by the Moofee people, and by the Malays, timboo akkar, yields alfo when boiled, a black dye, which, it is thought, if it could be manufactured like indigo, might turn to valuable account, as a vegetable black dye is faid to be much wanted. Ocbar is a red wood which is ufed for tanning hfhing nets. It much refembles the logwood of Honduras, and might probably be employed for the fame purpofes. Caffoomboo. This is the bixa, from which in the Weft Indies, the ar-notto, a valuable dye, is procured. I brought home with me, and fhewed to the late Dr. Solander, fome of the feed veffels and leaves, who affured me it was the true arnotto : yet the natives of Sumatra fay that it is only an inferior kind, and that the beft fort comes from Java. They call theirs caffoomboo ayer, which addition (ignifies water, and is ufed in other instances to exprefs a baftard fpecies; or perhaps it may only denote it's growing in marfhy places. Of the Javan, or genuine fort, as they call it, the flowers are faid to be ufed, and the color it gives is a fhade of pink. In the Sumatran fpecies, the feeds afford the dye, which is a yellowifh fcarlet. The former is, according to Rumphius, the flowers of the carthamus indicus, and in a Batavian catalogue, I obferve that a diftinction is made between " caffoomboo," which they call u car- *' thamus/* 8o S U M A T R A. " thamus," and caffoomboo klirtg" (Teling or Coromandel) which they term " biota". The leaf of the tree is four inches in length, broad at the bafe, and tending to a (harp point. The capfule, about an inch in length, is covered with foft prickles or hair, opens like a bivalve ihell, and contains in it's cavities a dozen or more feeds, about the fize of raifin ftones, furrounded thick with a reddifh farina, which feems the only part that conftitutes the dye. The Sumatrans are acquainted with no purple dye-ftuff, nor apparent* ly are any of the Indian nations. Fruits, Fruits, Flozuers, Medicinal Shrubs and Herbs. ATURE, fays a celebrated writer, feems to have taken a plea- ■ fure in affembling in the Malay iflands, her moft favorite productions"— and with truth I think it may be affirmed, that no country upon earth can boaft an equal abundance and variety of indigenous fruits; for though the whole of the following lift cannot be reckoned as fuch, yet there is every reafon to conclude that by far the greater part may, as the natives can hardly be fufpected of having taken much pains to import exotics, who never appear to beftow the fmalleft labor, in improving, or even cultivating, thofe.which they poffefs. The larger number grow wild, and the reft are planted in a carelefs, irregular manner, without any inclofure, about the fkirts of their villages. The Mangufieen (mangees) has, by general confent, obtained the preeminence amongft Indian fruits, in the opinion of Europeans. It is the pride of the Malay iflands, and perhaps the moft delicate fruit in the world ; but not rich or lufcious. It is a drupe, confifting of a foft, fucculent, and thick rind, encompafTing kernels which are covered with a juicy, and perfectly white fubftance, which is the part eaten, or fucked rather, as it diffolves in the mouth. They are extremely innocent in their qualities, and may be eaten in any quantity without danger of a forfeit, or other bad effects. The returns of its feafon are very irregular. ( The Dcorean. This is the favorite of the natives, who live almoft wholly upon it, during the time it continues in feafon. It is a rich fruit, but ftrong in the tafte, offenfivc in the fmcll to thofe who are not accuf-tomedto it, and of a very heating quality. The tree is large and lofty ; the leaves are fmall in proportion, but in themfelves long and pointed. The blolfoms grow in clufters, on the ftem and larger branches. 1 he petals are five, of a ycllowifh white, furrounding five bunches of ftami-na, each bunch containing about twelve, and each ftamen having four Y anthers. anthers. The pointal is knobbed at top. When the ftamina and petals fall, the empalement refembles a fungus, and is nearly the fhape of a Scots bonnet. The fruit is not unlike the bread fruit, but larger and rougher on the out fide. o The jack (choopadd). This is diftinguilhed Into the choopada cotan, and nanko. The former is fcarce and efteemed preferable. The leaves are fmooth, pointed, rare. The nanko, or common fort, has roundifh .leaves, refembling thofe of the cafliew tree. In both forts, the fruit grows from the ftem, and is very large, weighing fometimes half an hundred weight. The outer coat is rough, containing a number of feeds or kernels, (which when roafted eat like chcfnuts), inclofed in a flefhy fubftance, of a rich, and to llrangers, too ftrong fmcll and flavor, but which gains upon the tafte. As the fruit ripens, the natives cover it with mats or the like, to preferve it from injury by the birds. Of the juice of this tree they make bird lime, and the root yields a dye fluff. SockcoiL Calawe;: Two fpecies of the bread fruit tree. The former has no kernels, and is the genuine fort. It is propagated by cuttings of the roots. Though pretty common, it is faid not to be a native of the ifland, as the calawee certainly is, the bark of which affords the inhabitants their cloth. They cut the bread fruit in fliccs, and eat it boiled or fried, with fugar, efteemimg it much. I have frequently tailed of it. The leaves of both forts are deeply indented, like thofe of the fig, but confiderably longer. Billimhing. Of this there are two forts, called jocroo and bejfee. The leaves of the latter are fmall and pinnated, of a fap green : thofe of the former grow promifcuoufly, and are of a filver green. The fruit of both is pentagonal, containing five flattifh feeds, and extremely acid. The bloffom refembles the flower we call London pride. Cheremin. This jrcfembles the billimbing beifee, in having the leaves pointed and pinnated alternate. The fruit is acid, and of a fmall roundifh, irregular lar fhape, growing in cluflers clofe to the branch, and containing each a fingle feed. Lanfai. The tree which bears this fruit is large; the leaves are of a lightifh green and fomewhat pointed. The fruit is fmall, oval, of a light brown ; divides into five cloves, flcfhy, and of an agreeable tafte; but the fkin contains a clammy juice, extremely bitter, and which is apt to taint the fruit, if not opened with care. Ayer ayer. This is not unlike the lanfai. The Cboopa is alfo nearly allied to it. Brangan. This fruit, the produce of a large tree, ftrongly refembles the Chefnut, and is I think a fpecies of it. They grow fometimes one, two, and three in a hulk. Jerring. This alfo feems a fpecies of the chef-nut, but is larger and more irregularly fhaped. The tree is fmaller than the former. Tappoos. This has likewtfe a diftant refemblance to the chefnut; has three nuts always in one hulk, forming in fhape an oblong fpheroid. If eaten unboiled, it is faid to inebriate. The tree is large. Cameeting or booa cray. This much refembles a walnut, in the flavor and coniiftence of the fruit; but the fliell is harder, and it is not divided into lobes in the fame manner, nor does the •fhell open, being all of one piece. The natives of the hills make ufe of it for their curries, in parts where the coconut will not produce fruit. Katapptng. This fruit, the produce of a large tree, is extremely like the almond, both in the outer hufk and the kernel within, excepting that the latter, inftead of fplitting into two, as an almond readily does, is folded up ss it were, and opens fomewhat like a rofe bud, but continuous and not in diftinct: pieces. Sala. The pulp of this fruit is fweetifh, acidulous, and of a pleafant flavor. The outer coat, in fhape like a fig, is covered with fcales, or the appearance of bafket work. When ripe it is of a dark brown. It enclofes enclofes fometimes one, two, and three kernels, of a peculiar horny fub-fiance. The tree is low and thorny. Jamboo mera or jamboo cling. This fruit is in fhape like a pear or cone. The outer fkin, which is very fine, is of a beautiful red, and the infide perfectly white. When ripe it is delicious eating, and has more fub-fiance than the generality of India fruits. In fmell it refembles the rofe, and the tafte partakes flightly of that flavor. There is one fpecies of it, which is called the rofe-water jamboo. Nothing can be more beautiful than the bloffoms, the numerous flamina of which are of a bright pink color. The tree, which grows in a handfome, regular, conical fhape, has large, deep green, and pointed leaves. Jamboo ayer, is a delicate and beautiful fruit in appearance, being a mixture of white and pink. It is fmaller than the jamboo mera, and not equal in its flavor, which is a faint agreeable acid. The leaf is a deep green, pointed and unequal. Rambootan. The flavor of this fruit is a rich and pleafant acid. It is red, and covered with foft fpines or hair, from whence its name. In appearance it is not unlike the arbutus, but larger, brighter red, and more hirfuted. Eefides thofe which I have attempted to give fome defcription of, the following fine fruits are in great abundance, and to perfons who have been in any part of India, in general well known. The Mango, by many efteemed an unrivalled fruit, is richer, but of a lefs delicate and elegant flavor than the mangufteen. The Plantain, pefang, or Indian fig, of which there are counted upwards of twelve varieties, including the banana. 1'he Pine-apple Qnanay). Thefe grow in great plenty without the fmalleft degree of culture, further than flicking the plants in the ground. Some think them inferior to thofe produced in Europe, but probably becaufe their price is no more than two or three pence. With the fame attention, they would doubtlefs, be much fuperior, and their variety is very great. Oranges (leemou) of every fpecies are in extreme perfection. The Pumplenofe, or Shaddock (fo called in the Weft Indies from S 0 M A T R A, 85 from the name of the captain who carried them thither) is here very fine, and diftingniihed into the white and red forts. Limes and lemons are abundant. The Guava or jamboo protoocal, as the Malays call it, is well known in the weft of India, for a flavor which fome admire, and others equally diflike. The infide pulp of the red fort is fometimes mixed with cream by the Europeans, to imitate ftrawberrics, as We are naturally partial to what refembles the produce of our own country. Many I have known, amidft a profufion of the richeft eaftern fruits, to figh for an Englifh codling or goofeberry. Cuftard apple, (feeree cayoo), derives it's name from the likenefs which it's white and rich pulp bears to a cuftard, and it is accordingly eaten with a fpoon. The Pomegranate (nulleemou) requires no comment. The Papa (cakekee) is a large, fubftantial, and wholefome fruit, but not very highly flavored. The pulp is yellow, and the feeds, which are about the fize of a grain of pepper, have a hot tafte like creffes. The Cafhew apple and nut (jambooeerong) are well known for the ftrong acidity of the former, and the cauftic quality of the oil contained in the latter, from tafting which the inexperienced often fuffcr. Rock or mufk melons are not common, but the water melons are in great plenty. Tamarinds (ajjam), which are the produce of a large and noble tree, with fmall pinnated leaves, fupply a grateful relief in fevers, which too frequently require it. The natives preferve them with fait, and ufe them as -an acid ingredient in their curries, and other difhes. It may be remarked, that in general they diflike fweets, and always prefer fruits whilft green; excepting perhaps the doorean and jack; to the fame in their ripe ftate: the pine apple they eat with fait. Grape vines are planted with fuccefs by the Europeans, but are not cultivated by the people of the country. There is found in the woods a fpecies of wild grape, called pringat; and alfo a fruit that refembles the ftrawberry. The following fruits growing moftly wild in the country, are not equally known with thofe already enumerated, yet many of them boaft an exquifite flavor. Boca candees (booa fignifying fruit, is always prefixed to the particular name) malacco, tampooee, rotan, neepab, rcocum, % rumpunniy rumpunni, kuddooee, muncoodoo, fuccoodoodoo, keetapon, embachang, tais, Uffay, aman* Some of them however are little fuperior to our common berries, but probably might be improved by culture. and as many ftamina, It is a long tube, growing from a calyx covered with purple hair. Weftcoaft' creeper. I know not the country name. A beautiful little, crimfon, monopetaious flower, divided into five angular fegments. ft has five ftamina of unequal heights, purple, and one ftyle, white, with a biform, rough ftigma. The plant is a luxuriant creeper, with a crinated or hairlike leaf. The flower clofes at funfet. The fcorpion flower is Angular and remarkable. In it's fliape it very much refembles the infect from which it takes it's namev and the exr tremity of the tail has a ftrong fmell of mufk. The foregoing is but an imperfect account of the flowers which arc of the growth of Sumatra. Befide thofe, there are abundance, of A a which. 9o S U if A T R A. which it is difficult to determine, whether they are indigenous or exotics : fuch as the rofe, or boongo mowar, which is always fmall, of a deep crimfon color, and probably transplanted from the weft of India: the globe amaranthus, which is found in great plenty in the Batta country, where ftrangers have very rarely penetrated : various kinds of pinks: the jeftamine: holyhock; with many others which feem to have had their origin from China. The Sumatrans have a degree of botanical knowledge that furprizes an European. They are in general, and at a very early age, acquainted, not only with the names, but the qualities and properties of every fhrub an'd herb, amongft that exuberant variety with which thefe iflands are clothed. They diftinguifh the fexes of many plants and trees; (thepapa or ca-kekee for inftance) ; and divide feveral of the genera into as many different fpecies as our profelfors. Of the pacoo or fern, I have had Specimens brought me of twelve varieties, which they told me were not the whole, and to each there is a diftincl: name. The fhrubs and herbs employed medicinally are as follow. Scarce any of them are cultivated, being culled from the woods or plains as they happen to be wanted. Lagoondce. This fhrub grows to the height of five or fix feet. The flower is fmall, monopetaious, divided into five fegments, labiated; grows in the manner of London-pride, with fix or feven on each peduncle; the color light blue; has four ftamina, and one ftyle. The leaves are fpear-fhaped; three on one common footftalk, and that in the middle being longeft, it has the appearance of a haftated leaf: deep green on the inftde and whitifh on the back. The leaves have a ftrong, aromatic flavor, their tafte fomewhat refembles that of the black currant, but is bitter and pungent. It is efteemed a fine antifeptic, and employed in fevers, in the ftead of jefuit's bark. The natives alfo put it into granaries, and among cargoes of rice, to prevent the destruction of the grain by weevils. Katoopong, Katoopong. Refembles the nettle in growth; it's fruit, the blackberry. The leaf, being chewed, is ufed in drelling fmall, freih wounds. Secup, Bears the refemblance of a wild fig, in leaf and fruit. It is applied to the Neas fcnrf or leprofy, when not inveterate. Succoodcodoo. Has the appearance of a wild rofe. A decoction of it's leaves is ufed for curing a diforder in the fole of the foot, refembling the ringworm, called mal-toos. Padoovrooang. An herb with a pointed, ferrated leaf, bitter almofl as rue. An infufion of it is taken for the relief of diforders in the bowels. Caboo. The bark and root are applied to cure the cccdees or itch, rubbing it on the part affected. Marampooyan. The young fhoots of thiSj are rubbed over the body and limbs after violent fatigue, having a rcfrefhing, and corroborating quality. Make make. Plant with a white, umbellated bloffom. The leaf is applied to reduce fwellings. Chappo. Wild fage. It refembles the fage of Europe, in color, tafle, fmell and virtues, but grows to the height of fix feet, and has a large, long and jagged leaf, with a bloffom refembling that of groundfil. Mur-rcehongan. A vine. The leaves broad, roundilh and fmooth. The juice of the flalk is applied to cure excoriations of the tongue. Amps ampi. A vine, with leaves refembling the box, and a fmall flofculous flower. It is ufed as a medicine in fevers. Cadoo. An herb. The leaf in fliape and tafle refembles the betel. It is burned to preferve children newly born from the influence of evil fpirits (Jin). Goombay. A fhrub with monopetaious, flellated, purple flowers, growing in tufts. The leaves are ufed in diforders of the bowels. 9"aboolan boocan. A fhrub with a femi-flofculous flower, applied to the cure of fore eyes. Cachang parang, A bean, the pods of which are of a huge fize : the beans are of a fine crimfon. Ufed in pluretic cafes. Scepeet. A fhrub with a large oval leaf, rough to the touch and rigid. An infufion of it is drank in iliac affections. Daoun fcdingin. Leaf of a remarkable cold quality. It is applied to the forehead, to cure the head-ach, and fometimes in hot fevers. Long pepper is ufed for medicinal purpofes. Turmeric alfo, mixed with rice, reduced to powder, and then formed into a pafle, is much ufed outwardly, in cafes of colds, and pains in the bones; and chunam, or or quicklime, is likewife commonly rubbed on parts of the body affected with pain. In the cure of the bofs, or cooroo; which is an obstruction of the fpleen, forming a hard lump in the fide, and giving rife to a fpecies of fever, called dummum ccoroo; a decoction of the following plants is externally applied: feepeet toongeol; madang tando ■> attee ayer ; tappar bejfee\ pacoo teang; tappar badda; labban ; pefang rooco; and pacoo lameedsen* A juice extracted from the Malabattaye akkar, is taken inwardly. In the cure of the pooroo, or ringworm, they apply the galengang, an herbaceous fhrub, with large, pinnated leaves, and a yellow bloffom. In the more inveterate cafes, barangan; which is a fpecies of colored ar-fenic or orpiment, and a ftrong poifon; is ufed. The white milky juice that flows from the fudufudu, or Euphor-bium, when an incifion is made, the natives value highly as a medicine. The leaf of the tree is prefent death to fheep and goats. Animals». Animals—Beajls—Birds—Reptiles—InfeEls. X HE animal kingdom mould claim attention, but the quadrupeds Animals, of the ifland being the fame as are found elfewhere throughout the eaft, already well defcribed, and not prefenting any new fpecies that I am acquainted with, I fhall do little more than limply furnilh a lift of thofe which have occurred to my notice; adding a few obfervations, either here, or in the future courfe of the work, on fuch as may appear to require it. The carbozv, or Malay buffaloe, being an animal particularly belonging to thefe parts, and more Serviceable to the country people than any other, I fhall enter into fome detail of its qualities and ufes. Horfe : cooda. The breed is fmall ; well made, and hardy. Cow : Bcafta* fcppee. Small breed. Buffaloe : carbow. A particular defcription will follow. Sheep: beeree-beeree. Small breed, introduced probably from Bengal. Goat: cambing. Befide the domeftic fpecies, which is in general fmall, and of a light brown color, there is the combing cotan, or goat of the woods. One which 1 faw was three feet in height, and four feet in the length of the body. It had Something of the gazelle in its appearance, and, excepting the horns, which were about fix inches long, and turned back with an arch, it did not much refemble the common goat. The hinder parts were fhaped like thofe of a bear, the rump Hoping round off from the back. The tail was very fmall, and ended in a point. The legs clumfy. The hair, along the ridge of the back, riling coarfe and ftrong, almoft like briftles. No beard. Over the fhoulder was a large Spreading tuft of greyifti hair : The reft of the hair black throughout. The fcrotum globular. Its difpofition feemed wild and fierce, and it is faid by the natives to be remarkably fwift. Hog : babee. That breed which we call Chinefe. Dog: angin: cocyoo. Curs with erect ears. Cat; cochin. All their tails imperfect and nobbed at the end, as if cut, or broken off. Rat: teccoofe. Elephant: gaja. Spoken of in another part. Rhinoceros : bttddah. Hippopotamus : coodo-ayer. Tiger: reemow : machang. Spoken of in another part. Bear ; brwrong. Small B b and and black; devours the hearts of the coconut trees. Otter : angin-ayer. Sloth. Stinkard: tekggo. Porcupine: la da. Armadillo: tangeeiing. It perfectly refembles the animal of America. Very rare, and made great account of by the natives; the fcalcs being fuppofed medicinal. Deer : ro'fo: kefjang. There are variety of the deer fpecies; of which fome are very large. Wild hog : babec oota:ig. Hog deer : babee roofo. Small and delicate animal; one of thofe which produce the bezoar. Monkey : mocnhi: brco: ficrmang. Prodigious variety of this genus. Pole cat : mocjang. Tiger cat: ccchin-rcemow. Civet cat : The natives take the civet from the vagina of thefe, as they require it for ufe. Squirrel : tcopye. Small, dark fpecies. Bat: boorong teecooje. Many of confiderable fize, which pals in large flocks from one country to another ; hanging at times, by hundreds, on trees. Some perfectly refem-ble foxes, in fliape and color; but thefe cannot fly far. The buffaloe (catbow), which conflitutes a principal part of the food of the Sumatrans, is the only animal employed in their domeftic labors. The inland people, where the country is tolerably clear, avail them-felve of their ftrength, to draw timber felled in the woods : the Malays, and other people on the coaft, train them to the draft, and fometimes to the plough. Though apparently of a dull, obftinate, capricious nature, the carbow acquires by habit a furprizing docility, and is taught to lift the fhafts of the cart with its horns, and place the yoke, which is fixed to thofe, acrofs its neck ; needing no further harnefs than a breaft band,, and a firing which is made to pais through the cartilage of the noftrils. Thev are alfo, for the fervice of the Europeans, trained to carry burthens fufpended from each fide of a pack faddlc, in roads or paths where the ufe of carriages is impracticable. It is extremely flow, but fteady in its work. The labor it performs, falls fliort of what might be expected from its fize, and apparent Strength, the leaf! extraordinary fatigue particularly during the heat of the day, being Sufficient to put a period to its life, which is at all times precarious. The owners frequently experience the lofs of large herds, in a fliort fpace of time, by an epidemic tiiftcmper, called beondooj/g, that feizes them fuddenly, fwells their bodies,. dies, and gives way to no remedy yet difcovered. The moft part of the milk and butter required by the Europeans ; the natives ufing neither; is Supplied by them ; and the milk is richer than what is there produced tfy the cow; but not in the fame quantity. Though we have given to the carbow, the name of buffaloe, it is an animal very different from that known in the fouthern parts of Europe, by the fame appellation, from the hide of which the buff leather is fuppofed to be manufactured. This, from the defcription given in fome of our books of natural hiftory, refembles what we call in India, the Madagafcar bull; efpecially in the flefhy protuberance riling from the neck^ and extending over the fhoulder. The carbow is a beaft of greater and more equal bulk, in the extent of the barrel. The legs are fhorter than thofe of the ox ; the hoofs larger ; the horns, which ufually turn backward, but fometimes point forward, are always in the plane of the forehead, differing in that refpect from thofe of all other cattle. Excepting near to the extremities, the horns are rather fquare than round ; contain much folid fubftance, and are valuable in manufacture. The tail hangs down to the middle joint of the leg only, is fmall, and terminates in a bunch of hair, which is very rare in all parts of the body; fcarcely fervingto cover the hide. The neck is thick and finewy, nearly round, but fomewhat flatted at top; and has little or no dewlap dependant from it. The organ of generation in the male, has an appearance, as if the extremity were cut off. It is not a falacious animal. The female goes nine months with calf, which it fuckles during fix, from four teats. When crofting a river, it exhibits the lingular fight, of carrying tthe young one on its back. It has a weak cry, in a fharp tone, very unlike the lowing of oxen. The luxury of the carbow confifts in rolling itfelf in a muddy pool, which it forms in any fpot, for its convenience, during the rainy weather. This it enjoys in a high degree, dexteroufly throwing with its horn, the water andllime, when not of afufficient depth to cover it, over, its back and fides. Their blood perhaps is of a hot temperature, owing to which which, this indulgence, quite neceflary to their health, may be rendered fo defireable to them ; and the mud which encrufts on their body, preserves them from the attack of infects, which otherwife prove very trou-blefome. The natives light fires for them at night, in order that the fmoke may have the fame effect, and they have, of their own accord, the fagacity to lay themfelves down to leeward, that they may enjoy the full benefit of it. They are diftinguifhed into two forts; the white and black. Both are equally employed in work, but the former is feldom killed for food. Some of the people fay, that this exemption is owing to its being efteemed facred., but I was affured by a learned padre, that it was neither forbidden by the JCoraan, or any religious injunction, and that the Malays eat it, at times, without fcruple ; efteeming it however, very inferior to the black buffaloe. The Rajangs alio have no general exception to it. Some of them eat it; and fome refufe, on the fame account that induced theRechabites to drink no wine, and to live in tents; a vow of their forefathers: whilft others are deterred by the accounts of the ill effects that have attended it ; the body being obferved to break out afterwards in blotches. Poflibly the whitenefs of the buffaloe, may be owing to fome fpecies of diforder, as is the cafe with thofe people called white negroes.. It is faid not to be properly a wild animal of the country, though abounding in every part; which the name of carhowgellan (ftray buffaloes), given to thofe found in the woods, feems to confirm. Moft probably they were at firft wild, but were afterwards, from their ufe in labor and food* all catched, and domefticatcd by degrees, or killed in the attempts to take them. When they now collect in the woods, they are faid to be ftray cattle; as the people of a conquered province, attempting to recover their natural liberties, are fly led rebels. They are gregarious, and commonly found in numbers together, being then, lefs dangerous to paffengers, than when met wiih fingly. Like the turkey, they have an antipathy to a red color. When wild, they run extremely fwift, keeping pace pace with the fpeed of a common horfe. Upon an attack, or alarm, they fly for a fliort diftance, and then fuddenly face about, and draw up in battle array, with furprifing quicknefs and regularity ; their horns being laid back, and their muzzles projecting. Upon the nearer approach of the danger that preffes on them, they make a fecond flight, and a fecond time halt, and form : and this excellent mode of retreat; which but few nations of the human race, have attained to fuch a degree of difcipline, as to adopt; they continue till they gain a neighbouring wood. Their principal foe, next to man, is the tiger; but only the weaker fort, and the females, fall a certain prey to this ravagcr : the flurdy male buffaloe can fupport the firft vigorous ftroke from the tiger's paw, on which the fate of the battle ufually turns. Of Birds there is a much greater variety than of beads. To enumerate Birds, the different fpecies is quite beyond my power. The moil obvious are as follows: but I do not offer this lift, as containing a tenth part of what might be found on the ifland, by a perfon who fhould confine his refcarches to this fubject. The cco-ow, or famous Sumatran or Argos pheafant, of which no complete fpecimen has been hitherto feen in Europe, is a bird of uncommon beauty ; the plumage being perhaps the moft rich, without any degree of gaudinefs, of all the feathered race. It is found extremely difficult to be kept alive, for any confiderable time after catching it in the woods. I have never known it effected for above a month. It has an antipathy to the light. When kept in a darkened place, it appears at its eafe, and fometimes makes ufe of the note or call, from which it takes its name, and which is rather plaintive, than harfli like the peacock's. In the open day it is quite moped and inanimate. The head is not equal in beauty to the reft of the bird. The flcfh, of which I have eaten, perfectly refembles that of common pheafants, but it is of much larger lize. Thefe alfo abound in the woods. There There is a great variety of the Itork kind; fome of prodigious fize, and otherwife curious; as the boorong cambing, and boorong-oolar. Of doves there are are two fpecies; which have many varieties; the one brown, called ballum, and the other green, called pooni. The pooni-jamboo is a very beautiful bird. It is fmaller than the ufual fize of doves: the back, wings, and tail are green: the breafl and crop are white, but the front of the latter has a light fhade of pink: the forepart of the head is of a deep pink, refembling the bloffom of the jamboo fruit, from whence it's name: the white of the breafl is continued in a narrow ftreak; having the green on one fide and pink on the other; half round the eye, which is large, full, and yellow; of which color is alfo the beak. They will live upon boiled rice, and paddee; but their favorite food, when wild, is the berry of the rum-poo/ri; doubtlefs therefore fo called.. Of the parrot kind are many fpecies \ as the kaykay, cocatoa ; parrot quet, and loory. There arc alfo, the kite; crow (gagha) ; plover (che-rooling) ; fnipe; quail (cocyoo) \ wildduck; teal (bek.bee); water-hen; lark; fea-lark; curlew; domeflic hen (yam), fome with black bones,, and fome of the fort we call Freezland or negro fowls; hen of the woods (ayam baroogo) ; the jago breed of fowls, which abound in the fouthera end of Sumatra, and weflern of Java, are remarkably large : I have feen a cock peck off of a common dining table: when fatigued, they fit down on the firft joint of the leg, and are then taller than the common fowls. It is ftrange if the fame country,. Bantam, produces like-wife the diminutive breed that goes by that name. Paddee birds (boo-rcng peepee),, Something like our fparrows, are in great plenty, and de-llroy the grain. The dial (mocri) has a pretty, but fhort note; there being no bird on the ifland which fiugi. The minor (tecong) has the faculty of imitating human fpeech, in greater perfection than any other of the feathered tribe: there are both black, and yellow of them. Owls, particularly the great horned one; ftarling; kingfifher; fwallow (lyang); ty\ga«g, or rhinoceros bird: this is chiefly remarkable for what is called the horn, which reaches half way down the bill, and then turns up : the length of the bill, of one I meafured, was ten inches and an half; naif; the breadth, including the horn, fix and an half; length, from beak to tail, four feet; wings, four feet, fix inches; height one foot; length of neck, one foot: the beak is whitilh; the horn, yellow and red; the body black; tail white and ringed with black; tump, and feathers on the legs, down to the heel, white: claws, three before and one behind: the iris, red. In a hen chick, there was no appearance of a horn, and the iris was whitifh. They eat either boiled rice, or tender flefh meat. Of reptiles there is fome variety. The lizard fpecies are in abun- Rq>uic*, dance; from the cckay, which is ten or twelve inches long, and makes a very lingular noife, to the fmalleft houfe lizard, of which 1 have feen fome fcarce half an* inch in length. They are produced from eggs, about the fize of a wren's. A remarkable circumfiance reflecting them,, which I do not find mentioned in the accounts of any writer, is, that on a flight ftroke, and fometimes through fear alone, they lofe their tails; which foon begin to grow again. The tail may be feparated, with the fmalleft force, and without any lofs of blood, or evident pain to the animal, at any of the vertebra?. The grafs lizard is a fpecies between thofe two. There is, I believe, no clafs of living creatures, in which the gradations may be traced with fuch minutenefs and regularity, as in this. From the fmall houfe lizard, abovementioned, to the largeft aligator or crocodile,, a chain may be obferved of innumerable links, of which the remoter! will have a ftriking refemblance to each other, and feem, at fT-rft view, to differ only in bulk. The houfe lizard is the largeft animal that can walk in an inverted fituation : one of thefe, of fize Sufficient to fwailow a cockroach, runs on the cieling of a room, and in that pofture, feizes it's prey with the utmoft facility. This they are enabled to do, from the rugofc make of their feet, with which they adhere ftrongly to the fmootheft furface: fometimes however, on Springing too eagerly at a fly, they loSe their hold, and fall to the ground. They are always cold to the touch, and yet the tranfparency of the bodies of fome of them, Ihew us that their fluids have ai brifk a circulation as in other animals: in none that I have feen, is the periltaltic motion tion fo obvious as in thefe. The female carries two eggs at a time, one in the lower, and one in the upper part of the abdomen, on oppofite fides. They are called by the Malays " cbeecbah" from the noife they make. The cameleon, and the flying lizard are alfo found on Sumatra. The former, including the tail, are about a foot and a half long; green, with brown fpots, as I have them preferved. When feen alive in the woods, they are generally green; but not from the reflection of the trees, as fome have fuppofed; and when caught, they ufually turn brown ; feemingly the effect of fear; as men become pale. Like others of the genus, they feed on flies, which the large fize of their mouths is well adapted for catching. They have five long toes, armed with {harp claws, on the fore and hind feet. Along the fpine, from the head to the middle of the back, little membranes ftand up, like the teeth of a faw. The flying lizards are about eight inches long. The membrane which conflitutes the wings, and which does not extend from, and connect with, the fore and hind leg, as in the bat fpecies, is about two or three inches in length. They have flapped ears, and a kind of bag, or al-phorges, under the jaws. In other refpects they much refemble the cameleon in appearance. They do not take diftant flights but merely from tree to tree, or from one bough to another. The country people take them in fpringes fattened to the items. With frogs and toads the fwamps every where abound. Thefe fall a prey to the fnakes, which are found here of all fizes-, though the largeft I ever happened to fee, was no more than twelve feet long. This was killed in a hen-houfe, where it was devouring the poultry. It is very furprizing, but no lefs true, that they will fwallow animals of three or four times their own apparent bulk or circumference j having in their jaws or throat, a compreflive force, that reduces the prey to a convenient dimenfion. I have feen a fmall make, with the hind legs of a frog flicking out of it's mouth, each of them nearly equal to the fmaller jsarts of it's own body, which in the thickeft was not more than a man's little little finger. The ftories told, of their Swallowing deer and buffaloes, in Ceylon and Java, almoft choke my belief, but I really cannot take upon me to pronounce them falfe. If a fnake of three or four inches diameter, can gorge a fowl of fix or eight inches, I fee not but that a fnake of thirty feet in length, and proportionate bulk and ftrcngth, might fwallow almoft any bead; after having fmafhed the bones, which they are faid to do by twining round the animal. I imagine that the bite of very few of the makes of Sumatra is mortal, as I have never met with a well authenticated inftance of any perfon fuffering from them, though they arc very numerous, and frequently found in the houfes. The hooded fnake is feen in the country, but is not common. Infects, the ifland may literally be faid to fvvann with. I doubt if there is any part of the world, where greater variety is to be found; but this branch of natural knowledge has of late years become fo extremely comprehenfive, that I cannot take upon me to fay there are many new and undefcribed fpecies. It is probable however that there are a few; but in order to afcertain thefe, it is neceffary to have an accurate knowledge of thofe already claffed, which I do not pretend to. I fhall only make fome few remarks upon the ant fpecies, the multitudes of which overrun the country, and it's varieties are not lefs extraordinary than it's numbers. The white ant, or termes, I had intended a defcription of, with an account of it's deftructive effects, but this fubject has lately been fo elaborately treated by Mr. Smeathman *, who had an opportunity of obferving them in Africa, that I purpofely omit it as Superfluous. Of the formic , the following diftinctions are the moft obvious. The great red ant, called by the Malays " crango this is about three fourths of art inch long bites feverely, and ufually leaves it's head, as a bee it's fling, in the wound: it is found moftly on trees and bufhes, and forms it's neft, by fattening together, with a glutinous matter, a collection of the leaves of a bough, as they grow. The common red ant, refembling our piffmire. The minute red ant, much fmaller than the former. There * Sec Philofophical Tranfa&ions for the year 1781, D d are are alfo, the large black ant, not equal in fize to the crango, but with a head of extraordinary bulk ; the common black ant; and the minute black ant. Thefe I fay are the moft itriking discriminations; but the claffes are in fact:, by many times more numerous, not only in the various gradations of fize, but in a circumttance which I do not recollect: to have been attended to by any naturalift; and that is, the difference with which they affect the talte, when put into the mouth; which often happens unintentionally, and gave me the firft occafion of noticing this lingular mark of variety. Some are hot and acrid, fome bitter, and fome four as verjuice. Perhaps this will be attributed to the different foods they have accidentally devoured; but I never found one which tailed fweet, though I have caught them in the fact: of robbing a fugar or honey pot. Each fpecies of ant is a declared enemy of the other, and never fuffers a divided empire. Where one party effects a fettlement, the other is expelled; and in general they are powerful in proportion to their bulk; except the white ant, which is beaten from the field by others of inferior fize; and for this reafon it is a common expedient to ftrew fugar on the floor of a warehoufe, in order to allure the formica? to the fpot, who do not fail to combat and overcome the ravaging, but unwarlike termetes. Produilicns Productions of the if and conftdered as articles of commerce. Pepper trade. Cultivation of pepper. Camphire. Benjamin. Caf-fia, &c, (3 F thofe productions of Sumatra which are regarded as articles of commerce, the molt important and molt abundant is pepper. This is Pepper* the object of the Eaft India company's trade thither, and this alone they keep exclufively in their own hands; their fervants, and merchants under their protection, being free to deal in every other commodity the country affords. Many of the chief inhabitants in different parts of the ifland, having, Eftabliflvmem as is elfewhere related, invited the Englifh to form fettlements in their refpective diltricts, factories were accordingly eftablifhed, and a permanency and regularity thus given to the trade, which was very uncertain whilft it depended upon the fuccefs of occafional voyages to the coaft: difappointments enfuing not only from failure of adequate quantities of pepper tofurnifh cargoes when required, but alfo from the caprices and chicanery of the princes or chiefs with whom the difpofal of it lay, Thefe inconveniences were obviated when the agents of the company were enabled by their refidence on the fpot, to infpect the ftate of the plantations, fecure the collection of the produce, and make an eftimate of the tonnage ncceffary to tranfmit it to Europe. In order to bind the native chiefs to the obfervance of their original promifes and profemons, and to eftablifh a plaufible claim in oppofition to the attempts of rival European powers to interfere in the trade of the country, contracts, attended with much form and folemnity, were entered into with the former ; by which they engaged to oblige all their dependants to cultivate pepper, and to fecure to us the exclufive pur-chafe of it; in return for which they were to be protected from their enemies, enemies, Supported in the rights of Sovereignty, and to be paid a certain allowance, or cuftom, on the produce of their refpcctivc territories. The price for many years paid for the pepper, was ten Spanifh Dollars, or fifty fhillings per bahar of five hundred weight. By a late rcfo-lution of the Company, with a view to the encouragement of the planters, it has been encrcafed to fifteen dollars. The cuftoms or duty to the chiefs, varying in different districts according to Specific agreements, may be reckoned on an average, at one dollar and an half per bahar. This low price at which the natives Submit to cultivate pepper for us, and which does not produce annually, to each man, more than eight dollars, according to the old rate of purchafe ; and the complete monopoly we have obtained of it, from Moco Moco northward, to Flat Point Southward ; as well as the quiet and peaceable demeanor of the people under fuch reftrictions, is doubtlefs in a principal degree owing to the peculiar manner in which this part of the ifland is cut off from all communication with ftrangers, (who might infph-e the people with ideas of profit and of refiftance), by the furfs which rage along the fouth-weft coaft, and almoft block up the rivers. The general want of anchorage too, for fo many leagues to the northward of the Straits of Sunda, has in all ages deterred the Chinefe and other eaftern merchants, from attempting to eftablifh an intercourfe that muft have been attended with imminent rifk, to unfkilful navigators. Indeed I underftand it to be a tradition among thofe who border on the fea coafts, that it is not many hundred years fince thefe parts began to be inhabited, and they all fpeak of their defcent as derived from the more inland country.* Thus it appears that thofe natural obftructions which we are ufed to lament as the greateft detriment to our trade, are in fact advantages to which it in a great meafure owes its exiftence. In the northern countries of the * Beaulicu, who vifited Sumatra in 162a, ahat the fouthern pait of the weft coaft was then woody and uninhabited ; and though this was doubtlefs not ftri&Iy true, yet it fhews the ideas entertained on the fubjecl: by the Malays, of whom he made his enquiries, and proves how little communication there was with fbc fouthern people. ifland^ iiland, where the people are numerous and their ports good, they are found to be independant alfo, and refufe to cultivate plantations, upon any other terms, than thofe on which they can difpofe of the produce of them to private traders. The pepper plant being Scientifically arranged in our catalogues, and F-PPer accurately defcribed by good writers, it is almofl unneceffary for me to fay, that it is a vine, or creeping plant, with a ligneous ftalk, and dark green leaves, heart fhaped, pointed, not poignant to the tafte, and having but little or no fmell. The bloffom is fmall and white, and the fruit hangs in bunches refembling thofe of the currant tree, but longer and lefs pliant. It is four or five months in coming to maturity. The berries are at firft green, turning to a bright red when ripe and in perfection, and foon fall off, if not gathered in proper time. As the whole clufter docs not ripen at once, part of the berries would be loft in waiting for the latter ones: it is therefore neceffary to pluck the bunch, as foon as its firft berries ripen ; and it is even ufual to gather them green, when they attain to their full growth. Small bafkets flung over the fhoulder, and a triangular ladder are ufed in collecting the fruit; which, when gathered, is fpread out upon mats, or Smooth fpots of clean, hard ground, without the garden.- It there foon dries, and lofes its color, becoming black and fhrivelled, as we fee it in Europe. That which is gathered at a proper age, will fhrivel leaft : if plucked too foon, before the berry has acquired the due degree of hardnefs, it will in a Short time, by removal from place to place, become mere dull. When Spread to dry, the berries in a few days begin to loofen from the ftalks : it is then rubbed by hand, to clear it from thefe latter ; and when thoroughly dry, it undergoes a kind of winnowing, to render it perfectly clean. As there will ftill, however, be light pepper among it, the planter being willing to throw away as little as pollible, it muft again be garbled at the fcale, by machines for that purpofe. A common trial of its goodnefs, is by rubbing it hard between both hands : if this produces little or no effect on it, the pepper is found ; but if it has been gathered too young, or has been Suffered to lie too long upon the earth, in moift weather, E e a great a great part of it will be reduced to dull. Pepper which has fallen to the ground over-ripe, and been gathered from thence, will be known by being deprived of its outer coat. It is in this {late, an inferior kind of white pepper. Cultivation of In the cultivation of pepper, the firft circumftance that, claims at- pepper. . 1 tention, and on which indeed the whole depends, is the choice of proper ground. The experiments hitherto made by Europeans, have not been Sufficiently accurate, to determine the particular foil that fuits it beft; but it appears to thrive with nearly equal vigour in all the different kinds, between the two extremes; of fand, which prevails through the low country near the. fea coall; and of the barren, yellow clay, of which is formed the greater part of the rifing grounds, as they approach the hills. The latter indeed, at greater or lefs depth, conftitutes generally* the bafis e*en of the beft foils; but when covered by a coat of mould, not lefs then a foot deep, it is Sufficiently fertile for every purpofe of this cultivation. The level ground, along the banks of rivers, if not fo \ow as to be flooded by the frefhes; or wn then, if the water does not remain upon it above a day; affords in general the moft eligible fpots,. both in point of fertility, and the convenience of water carriage for the produce. Declivities, unlefs very gentle, are to be avoided; as the mould, loofend by culture, is liable in fuch fituations, to be Swept away by the heavy rains. Even plains, when covered by long grafs only, will not be found to anfwer, without the afliftance of the plough, and of manure; their long expofure to the fun, cxhaufting the fource of their fertility. How far the produce in general might be encrcafed by the introduction of thefe improvements in agriculture, I cannot take upon, me to fay, but I fear, that from the natural indolence of the people, and their averfenefs from the bufinefs of pepper planting, owing in great meafure to the fmall returns it yields them, they will never be prevailed upon to take more pains with it than they now do. The planter, therefore, depending more upon the natural quality of the foil, than on any improvement it may receive from his labor, will find none to fuit his purpofe better than that covered with old woods; whofe rotting trunks trunks, and falling leaves, enfure to him a degree of fertility, fuperior to any that is likely to be given to other ground, by a people, with whom agriculture is in its infancy. Such fpots are generally chofen by the induftrious among them for their laddangs (paddee or rice plantations) ; and though the labor that attends them is confiderable, and it may be prefumcd, that their fertility can fcarcely be fo foon exhaufted, it is very feldom that they feek from the fame ground, a fecond crop of grain. Allured by the certainty of confiderable produce from a virgin foil, and having land, for the moft. part at will, they renew their labor annually, and defert the plantations of the preceding year. Such deferred plantations, however, are often favorable for pepper gardens; and young woods, of even three or four years growth {balookar'), frequently cover ground of this nature, equal to any that is to be met with. Upon the whole, where variety of fituations admits of choice, the preference is to be given, to level grounds; moderately elevated; covered with wood; as near as may be to the banks of rivers or rivulets; and the furface of whofe foil is a dark mould of proper depth. This is to be cleared as for a laddang; the underwood being firft cut down, and left fome days to wither, before the larger trees are felled. When completely dry, and after fome continuance of fair weather, the whole is burned; and if effectually done, little remains to render the fpot as clear as is requifite. The garden ground is then marked out, in regular fquares of fix feet or five Malay covits, the intended diftance of the plants of which there are ufually a thou fand in each garden. The next bufinefs is to plant the chinkareens. Thefe are to ferve as props to the pepper vines, (as the Romans planted elms for their grapes), and are cuttings of a tree of that name, put in the ground feveral months before the pepper, that the fhoot may be ftrong enough to fupport the plant, when it comes to twine round it. Sometimes the chinkareens are chofen fix feet long, and the vine is then planted the fame feafon, or as foon as the former is fuppofed to have taken root: but the principal objections to this method ai*ey that in this ftate, they are very liable to fail, and require renewal, to the prejudice of the garden; that their fhoots are not fo vigorous as thofe of the the fliort cuttings; and that they frequently grow crooked. The circumftances which render the chinkareen particularly proper for this purpofe, are, it's eafinefs and quicknefs of growth; and the little thorns or fpines with which it is armed, enabling the vine more firmly to adhere to it. Some, however, prefer the bitter chinkareen, (with a brownifh red flower), though fmooth, to the prickly (bearing a white), becaufe the elephant, which often proves destructive to the gardens, avoids the former, on account of its difagreeable tafte, though it is not deterred by the fpines, from devouring the other fpecies. Thefe, however, are more generally in ufe. When the chinkareen has been fome months planted, the moft promising, perpendicular flioot, is to be rcferved for growth, and the reft to be lopped off; and when it has attained to the height of two, or at moft, two fathoms and a half, it is to be headed or topped j no further height being required. It has been often doubted, whether the growth and produce of the pepper vine, is not conliderably injured by the chinkareen, which muft rob it of it's proper nourilhment, by exhaufting the earth. On this principle, the vine, in other of the eaftern iflands, and particularly at Borneo Proper, is Supported by poles, that do not vegetate, as are hops in England. Yet it is by no means clear to me, that the Sumatran method is fo disadvantageous as it may feem. By reafon of the pepper vine lafting many years, whilft the poles, expofed to the fun and rain, and loaded with a confiderable weight, cannot be fuppofed to laft above two feaSons; there muft be a frequent fluffing; which, notwithftanding the utmoft care, muft tear the plants, and often deftroy them. Befides, it may perhaps be the cafe, that the fhelter from the violent rays of the fun, afforded by the branches of the chinkareen, to the plants; and which, during the dry monfoon, is of the utmoft confequence; may go near to counterbalance the injury occafioned by their roots; not to infill: on the opinion of a celebrated writer; that trees, acting as Syphons, derive from the air, and cranfmit to the earth, as much of the principle of of vegetation, as are expended in their nourifhment. I believe it is not obferved, that ground, covered with large trees, or other perennials, is much impoverifhed by them; which perhaps may only be the cafe with annuals. Of this however I do not pretend to judge. The chinkareens are planted one fathom, or one fathom and a quarter, afunder, that they may not impede each other's growth, or keep too much of the air from the vines. The boughs are carefully lopt from the ftem, and the top cut in fuch a manner, as to make it fpread in an umbell, for the purpofe of more effectually fhading the garden. The proper feafon for lopping them, is during the rainy months, or November, December, and January, which, befide the view to their fhooting forth again towards the dry feafon, prevents the plants from being injured by the dropping from the branches. Great aflidnity is required of the planters, to keep the gardens from being overrun with weeds and fhrubs, which would foon choke the plants. Thefe they remove with the prang (bill) and hoe; taking care not to injure the roots of the pepper: yet, in the hot months of June, July, and Auguft, they fuffer the ground to remain covered with lallang (long grafs), as it contributes to mitigate the effects of the violent heat upon the earth, and preferves the dews, that at this time fall copioufly, a longer time on the ground; which tends much to encourage the growth of the young vines, and thofe newly turned down. The plants of the pepper are moft commonly taken from the fhoots that run along the earth, from the foot of an old vine; and as thefe, from almoft every knot or joint, ftrike roots into the ground, and fhoot up perpendicularly, a fingle joint, in this ftate, is a fufhcient plant for propagation. It requires at firft fome little affiftance, to train it to the chinkareen; but it will foon fecure it's hold, by the fibres that fpread from the joints of it's ftem and branches. Two vines are ufually planted to one chinkareen. Thefe are fuffercd to grow for three years, with only a little occafional attention; by f f which iio S U M A T R A. which time they attain, according as the foil is fertile, the height of eight to twelve feet, and begin to fhew their fruit. Then the operation of turning down, is performed; for which, moderate rainy weather is neceflary. They are cut off about three feet from the ground, and being loofened from the prop, are bent into the earth, in fuch a manner, that the upper end returns to the roots; the vine lying horizontally, and forming a kind of circle. This, by laying as it wtre a new foundation, is fuppofed to give frefh vigor to the plants, and they bear plentifully the enfuing feafon; whereas, if permitted to run up in the natural way, they would exhauft themfelves in leaves, and produce but little fruit. The garden fhould be turned down at the feafon, when the cluflers begin to ripen ; and there is faid to be a great nicety in hitting the exact time ; for if it be done too foon, the vines fometimes do * not bear for three years afterwards,, like frefh plants; and on the other hand alfo, the produce is retarded, when they omit to turn them down till after the fruit is gathered; which, avarice of prcfent, at the expence of future advantage, fometimes inclines them to. It is not very material how many flems the vine may have, in its firft growth, but after turning down, two only, (or if very ftrong, one) mufl be fuffered to rife, and cling to the chinkareen : more are Superfluous,, and only weaken the whole. The furplus number may however be advantageoufly ufed,, by being cut off at the root, on turning down* and transplanted either to the chinkareens, whoSe vines have failed, or to others, encreafing the garden. With thefe offsets, whole gardens may be at once planted, and the ftem thus removed will bear as foon, or nearly fo, as that from which it has been taken. The chinkareen intended to receive them muft, of courfe, be proportionabjy large. Where the plants or offsets of this kind (called lado angore), can be procured in plenty, from gardens that are turning down, they are fometimes planted of the full fize, two fathoms; by which means, fruit may be obtained, at fartheft, by the fecond feafon.. The luxuriant fide-fhoots from the vines, are to be plucked off; as we.lL as thofe that creep along the ground, unlefs where they may be required for plants;, and if the head of the vine becomes too bulhy, it muft be pruned away. Befidcs Betides the method already defcribed, of turning down vines, the planters fometimes practice the following. The original vine, when cut fliort, is not bent into the earth, but two or three of the beft fhoots from it are turned down, and let to fpring up at fome diftance; being ftill brought back, and trained to the fame chinkareen. By this means the nouriftiment is collected from a more extenfive circuit of earth. Sometimes the gardens are Suffered to grow without turning down at all; but as the produce is fuppofed to be confiderably injured by the neglect, and doubtlefs with reafon, the contrary is enjoined by the ftricteft orders. When the vines originally planted to any of the chinkareens, are obferved to fail or mifs; inftead of replacing them with new plants, they conduct one of the fhoots, or fuccours, from a neighbouring vine, to the fpot, through a trench made in the ground, and there fuffer it to rife up anew; often at the diftance of twelve or fourteen feet from the parent ftock. This practice of turning down the vines, which appears very Angular, and certainly contributes to the duration, as well as Strength of the plant,, yet probably may amount to nothing more than a fubftitute for transplantation . The people of Europe obferving that plants often fail to thrive, when permitted to grow up in the fame beds where they were firft fet, found it expedient to remove them, at a certain period of their growth, to frefh fituations. The Sumatrans obferving the fame failure,, in the firft cafe, had recourfe to the fame alternative ; but effected it in a different, and perhaps more advantageous mode. It fhould be remarked that attempts have been made to propagate the pepper by cuttings, or layers, called charrang, inftead of the ufual method; which at firft feemed to promife great fuccefs ; but it was found that thefe did not continue to Bear, for an equal number of years; which was a powerful argument for discontinuing the experiment.. The The vines, as has been obferved, generally begin to bear in three years from the time of planting ; but their produce is retarded for one, or per-,haps two years, by the procefs of turning them down. This afterwards (continues to encrcafe, till the feventh or eighth year, when the garden is efteemed in prime ; and that ftate it maintains, according to the good-nefs of the foil, for one, two or three years, when it gradually declines, till it grows too old to bear. Fruit has been gathered from fome at the age ,of twenty years; but fuch inftances are very uncommon, A man and woman, if induftrious, may with eafe look after a garden of a thoufand vines; befides railing paddee fufficient for their fubfift-ence : or one hard working man can perform it. In order to lighten the talk, a crop of grain is commonly, and may without detriment, be raifed from the garden ground in the firft feafon. When cleared, juft before they fow the paddee, the fliort chinkareens are to be planted ; and when it is reaped, and the ftalks of it cleared away, thefe are of proper age to receive the vines. By thus uniting the objects of his culture, the planter may have a garden formed, without any other, (for a feafon) than the ufual labor neceffary for railing provisions for his family. The pepper gardens are planted in even rows, running parrallel and at right angles with each other. Their appearance is very beautiful, and rendered more ftriking by the contrail: they exhibit to the wild fcenes of nature which furround them. In highly cultivated countries, fuch as England, where landed property is all lined out, and bounded and interfered with walls and hedges, we endeavour to give our gardens and pleafure grounds, the charm of variety and novelty, by imitating the wildnelfes of nature 411 ftudied irregularities. Winding walks, hanging woods, craggy rocks, falls of water, arc all looked upon as improvements; and the ftately avenues, the canals, and lawns of our anceftors, which afforded the beauty of contrail, in ruder times, are now exploded. Thefe different taftes are not merely the effect of caprice, nor entirely of refinement, but refult from the change of circumftances, A man who fliould attempt to exhibit on Sumatra, the modern, or irregular ftyle of laying laying oift grounds, would attract but little attention, as the unimproved fcencs, adjoining on every fide, would probably eclipfe his labors. Could he, on the contrary, raife up, amidft thefe magnificent wilds, one of the antiquated parterres, with its canals and fountains, whofe Symmetry he has learned to defpifc; his work would produce admiration and delight. A pepper garden cultivated in England, would not, in point of external appearance, be considered as an object of extraordinary beauty, and would be particularly found fault with for its uniformity ; yet, in Sumatra, I never entered one, after travelling many miles, as is ufually the cafe, through the woods, that I did not find myfelf affected with a ftrong fenfation of pleafure. Perhaps the fimple view of human induftry, fo fcantily prefented in that ifland, might contribute to this pleafure, by awakening thofe focial feelings that nature has infpircd us with, and which make our breafts glow on the perception of whatever indicates the happinefs of our fellow creatures. Once In every year, a furvey of all the pepper plantations is taken by the Company's European fervants, relident at the various fettlements, in the neighbourhood of which that article is cultivated. The number of vines in each particular garden is counted; accurate obfervation is made of its ftate and condition; orders are given, where neceflary, for further care, for completion of Stipulated quantity, renewals, changes of fituation for better foil; and rewards and punifhmcnts are diftributed to the planters, as they appear, from the degree of their induftry or re-miflhefs, deferving of either. Memorandums of all thefe are noted in the furvey-book, which, befide giving prefent information to the chief, and to the governor and council, to whom a copy is tranfmitted, ferves as a guide and check for the furvey of the Succeeding year. An ab-ftract of the form of the book is as follows. It is divided into Sundry colums, containing, the name of the village; the names of the planters; the number of chinkareens planted; the number of vines juft planted; of young vines, not in a bearing ftate, three claffes or years; of young vines not in a bearing ftate, three claffes; of vines in prime; of thofe on decline; of thofe that are old, but ftill productive;-the total number; and laftly the quantity of pepper received G g durin during the year. A fpace is left for occasional remarks, and at the con-clufion is fubjoincd a comparifon of the totals of each colum, for the whole diftrict or refidency,. with thofe of the preceding year. This bufinefs, the reader will perceive to be attended with confiderable trouble, excluiive of the actual fatigue of the Surveys, which from the* nature of the country, muft neceffartly be performed on foot, in a-climate not very favourable to fuch excursions. The journeys in few places can be performed in lefs than, a month, and often require a much, longer time. The inhabitants, by the original contracts of the head men with the1 company, are obliged to plant a certain number of vines: each family one thoufand, and each young unmarried man, five hundred; and in order to keep up the fuvccftion of produce; fo foon as their gardens attain to their prime ftate, they are ordered to prepare others, that may begin to bear, as the old ones fall off; but as this can feldom be enforced, till the decline becomes evident, and as young gardens are liable to various accidents, which older ones are exempt from, the fucceflion is rendered, incomplete, and the confequence is, that the annual produce of each diftrict fluctuates, and is greater or lefs, in the proportion of the quantity of bearing vines to the whole number. To enter minutely into the detail of this bufinefs, will not afford much information or entertain-*-ment to the generality of readers, who will however'be furprized to hear that pepper planting, though fcarcely an art,, fo little fkill appears to be employed in its cultivation, is ncverthelefs a very abftrufe Science. The profoundeft investigations of very able heads have been bellowed on this fubject, which took their rife from the c.enfures naturally expreffed by the Directors at home to the Servants abroad, for a fuppofed mismanagement, when the inveftment, as it is termed, of pepper, decrcaf-ed in comparifon with preceding years, and which the unfavorable, nefs of feafons did not by any means account for Satisfactorily. To obviate Such charges, it became neceflary for the gentlemen who Superintended the bufinefs,. to pay attention to, and explain the efficient caufes which unavoidably occafioned this fluctuation, and to eftablifh general principles principles of calculation, by wlvch to determine at any time,-the probable future produce of the different residencies. Thefe will depend upon a knowledge of the medium produce of a determinate number of vines, and the medium number to which this produce is to be applied; both of which are to be afcertained only from a comprehensive view of the fubjecl;, and a nice difcrimination. Nothing general can be determined from detached inftances. It is not the produce of one particular plantation, in one particular ft.ige of bearing, and in one particular feafon ; but the mean produce of all the various claffes of bearing vines collectively, drawn from the experience of feveral years, that can alone be depended on in calculations of this nature. So in regard to the medium number of vines prefumed to exist at any residency in a future year, to which the medium produce of a certain number, one thoufand forinilancc; Is to be applied, the quantity of young" vines of the firft, fecond and third year, mull not be indifcriminately advanced, in their whole extent, to the next annual llagc, but a judicious allowance, founded on experience muft be made, for the accidents to which, in fpite of a refidcnt's utmoft care, they will be expofed. Some are loft by neglect or death of the owner-, fome are destroyed by inundations, others by elephants and wild buffaloes, and fome by unfavorable feafons; and from thefe feveral considerations, the number of vines will ever be found confiderably decreafed, by the time they have arrived at a bearing ftate. Another important object of conrdcration, in thefe matters, is the comparative ftate of a refidency at any particular period, with what may be jultly considered as its medium ftate. There muft exift a determinate proportion, between any number of bearing vines, and fuch a number of young as are neceflary to replace them when they go off and keep up a regular fucceflion. This will depend in generd upon the length of time before they reach a bearing ftate, and during which they afterwards*..continue in it. If this certain proportion happens at any time to be difturbed, the produce muft become irregular. Thus, if at any period, the number of bearing vines fhall be found to exceed their juft proportion to the total number, the produce, at fuch period, is to be confidcred as above the mean, and a fubfequent decreafe may be with certainty predicted, and vice lice vena. If then this proportion can be known, and the (late of population in a reftdency afcertained, it becomes eafy to determine the true medium number of bearing vines in that residency. There are, agreeably to the form of the furvey book, eleven ftages or claffes of vines, each advanced one year. Of thefe claffes, fix are bearing, and five young. If therefore the gardens were not liable to accidents, but paffed on from column to column undiminiftied, the true proportion of the bearing vines to the young, would be as fix to five, or to the total, as fix to eleven. But the various contingencies above hinted at, muft tend to reduce this proportion ; while on the other hand, if any of the gardens ihould continue longer than is neceflary to pafs through all the ftages on the furvey book, or ihould remain more than one year in a prime ftate, thefe circumftances would tend to encreafe the proportion. What then is the true medium proportion, can only be determined from experience, and by comparing the ftate of a residency at various fucceflive periods. In order to afcertain this point, a very ingenious gentleman, and able fervant of the Eaft India Company * ; to whom I am indebted for the moft part of what I have laid before the reader on this fubject; drew out, in the year 1777, a general comparative view of Manna residency, from the furveys of twelve years, annexing the produce of each year. From the statement it appeared, that the proportion of the bearing vines to the whole number, in that diftriet, was no more than 5,1 to 11, inftead of 6 to 11, which would be the proportion if not reduced by accidents: and further, that when the whole produce of the twelve years was diffufed over the whole number of bearing vines during that period, the produce of one thoufand vines came out to be four hundred and fifty three pounds, which muft therefore be eftimated as the medium produce of that reiklency. The fame principle of,calculation being applied to the other residencies, it appeared, that the mean annual produce of one thoufand vines, in all the various ftages of bearing, taken collectively throughout the country, deduced from the experience of twelve years, was four hundred and * Mr. John Crifp. four four pounds. It likewife became evident from the llatcments drawn otit by that gentleman, that the medium annual produce of the company's fettlements on the weft coaft of Sumatra, ought to be eftimated at twelve Hundred tons, of flxteen hundred weight; which is corroborated by art average of the actual receipts for any confiderable number of years. Thus much will be fufficient to give the reader an idea of pepper-planting, as a fcience. How far, in a commercial light, this produce anfwers the Company's views in Supporting the fettlements, is foreign from my purpofe to difcufs, though it is a fubjecl: on which not a little might be faid. It is the hiftory of the ifland, and it's inhabitants, and not of the European interests, that I attempt to lay before the public. The natives diftinguifti three fpecies of pepper, which arc called at different places by different names. At Laye, in the Rajang country, they term them lado Cawoor, lado Manna, and lado Jambee, from the parts where each fort is fuppofed to prevail, or from whence it was firft brought to them. The lado Cawoor, or Lampoon pepper, is the ftrong* eft plant, and bears the largeft leaf and fruit; is flower in coming to perfection than the fecond, but of much longer duration. The leaf and fruit of lado Manna are fomewhat fmaller, and its peculiarity, that it bears foon and in large quantities, but feldom pafles the third or fourth years crop. The Jambee, which has defervedly fallen into great difrcpute, is of the fmalleft leaf and fruit, very fhort lived, and not without difficulty trained to the chinkareen. In fome places to the Southward they diftinguifh two kinds only, lado Soodool and lado Jambee. Lado Jooloor and lado angore are not distinctions of fpecies ; the former denoting the young fhoots of pepper commonly planted, in opposition to the latter, which is the term for planting by flips. White pepper is manufactured by stripping the outer hulk or coat from the ripe and perfect grains. This was for centuries fuppofed in Europe to have been the produce of a different plant, and to poflefs qua-iities fuperior to the common fort; on the ftrength of which idea, it ufed to fell for fome time, at the India fales, for treble the price of the black. But it loft this advantage as foon as it came to be known, that the fecret depended merely on the art of blanching the common pepper. For this purpofe it is fteeped for a certain time ; about a fortnight; in water, in pits dog for the occasion in the banks of rivers, and fometimes in fwamps and ftagnant pools; till by fwelling it burfts its tegument, from which it is afterwards carefully fepcrated by drying it in the fun and rubbing it between the hands. It has been much difputed, and is ftill undetermined, to which fort the preference ought to be given. The white pepper has this fuperiority, that it can be made of no other than the beft and foundeft grains, taken at the propereft ftate of maturity : but on the other hand it is argued, that by being fuffcrcd to ftecp the neceflary time in water, its ftrength is confidcrably diminiflied, and that the outer hulk which is loft by the procefs, has a peculiar flavor distinct from that of the heart, and though not fo poignant, more aromatic. The white pepper Hands the Company in about three times the price of the black; owing to the encouragement they were obliged to give the planters to induce them to deviate from their accuftomed tract:; but having been fold a few years ago at an equal, and 1 believe one feafon at an inferior rate, orders were fent out for restraining the manufacture to a very fmall quantity. The feafon of the pepper vines bearing, as well as that of moft other fruits on Sumatra, is fubjecl: to great irregularities, owing perhaps to the uncertainty of the monfoons, whieh arc not there fo strictly periodical, as on the other fide of India. Generally fpcaking, however, the pepper produces two crops in the year ; one called the greater crop, (joopool augoong) about the month of September, the other called the leffer or half crop (booa kilo) about the month of March. Sometimes in particular districts, they will be employed in gathering it in fmall quantities, during the whole year round ; bloffoms and ripe fruit appearing together on the fame vine; whilft perhaps in others, the produce is that year confined to one crop. In Laye residency, the principal harvest of pepper, in the year 1766, was gathered between the months of February and May, in, 1767 S U M A T R AJ no 1767 and 1768, about September and October; in 1772, between June and August, and for the four fuccecding years was feldom received earlier than November and December. Long continued droughts, which fometimes happen, flop the vegetation of the vines, and retard the produce. This was particularly experienced in the year 1775, when for a period of about eight months, fcarcely a fhower of rain, fell to moiften the earth. The vines were deprived of their foliage ; many gardens perifh-ed, and a general deflruction was expected. But this apparent calamity was attended with a confequence not forefeen, though analogous to the ufual operations of nature in that climate. The natives, when they would force a tree that is backward, to produce fruit, strip it of it's leaves, by which means the nutritive juices are referved for that more important ufe, and the bloffoms foon begin to fhew themfelves in abundance. A fimilar effect was difplayed in the pepper gardens, by the inclemency of the feafon. The vines, as foon as the rains began to defcend, threw out bloffoms in a profufion unknown before; old gardens which had been unprolific for two or three years began to bear; and accordingly the crop of 1776,7 confiderably furpaffed that of many proceeding years.. The pepper is moftly brought down from the country on rafts (rache) which are fometimes compofed of rough timbers, but ufually of large bamboos; with a platform of the fame, fplit, to keep the cargo dry. They are fleered at both head and flern, in the more rapid rivers, with a kind of rudder, or fkull rather, having a broad blade, fixed in a fork or crutch. Thofe who fleer are obliged to exert the whole flrength of the body, in thofe places efpecially where the fall of the water is fleep,, and the courfe winding. But the purchafe of the fkull is of fo great power, that they can move the raft bodily acrofs the river, when both ends are acted upon at the fame time. But notwithstanding their great dexterity, and their judgment in chufing the channel, they are liable to meet with obstruction in large trees and rocks, which, from the violence of the stream, overfet, and fometimes dafh their raft to pieces. i20 S U MA T R A. It is a generally received opinion, that pepper does not fuftain any da* mage by an immerfion in fea water; a circumstance that attends perhaps a fourth part of the whole quantity ftiippcd from the coaft. The furf, through which it is carried in an open boat, called a fampan Ion-chore, renders fuch accidents unavoidable. This boat which carries one or two tons, being hauled up on the beach, and there loaded, is fhoved off, with a few people in her, by a number collected for that purpofe, who watch the opportunity of a lull, or temporary intermiflion of the fwell. A tombcngo.i, or country veffel, built to contain from ten to twenty tons, lies at anchor without, to receive the cargoes from the fampans. At many places, where the qualloes, or mouths of the rivers, are tolerably practicable, the pepper is fent out at once in the tombon-gons, over the bar ; but this; owing to the common fhallownefs of „the water, and violence of the furfs; is attended with confiderable rifk. Thus the pepper is conveyed, either to the warehoufes at the Presidency, or to the {Europe.fliip lying there to receive it. .camphire. Among the other commodities of the ifland, a confpicuous place belongs to the camphire. This, diftinguifhed among us, by the epithet of native camphire, and called by the Malays, Capoor Barroos, is a production for which Sumatra, as well as Borneo, has in all ages been much celebrated; the Arabians being, at a very early period, acquainted with its virtues. Chymifts have entertained opinions extremely difcordant, in regard both to the nature and properties of camphire; and even at this day it feems to be but imperfectly known. I fhall not attempt to decide whether it be a refin or not; though the circumftance of its being foluble in fpirits and not in water, would feem to entitle it to that clafs; nor fhall I pretend to determine whether its qualities, as a medicine, are hot or cold. My province is to mention fuch particulars of its hiftory as have come within the fcope of my own obfervation, leaving to others to fpeculate upon it's ufes. The The champhire tree is a native of the northern parts of the ifland onty, growing, without cultivation, in the woods which lie near to the fea eoaft, and is equal in height and bulk to the largeft timber trees, being frequently found upwards of fifteen feet in circumference. The leaf is fmall, of a roundifh oval, ending in a long point or tail; the fibres running all parrallel and nearly ftreight. The wood is in much efteem for carpenter's purpofes, being eafy to work, Jight, durable, and not liable to be injured by infects, particularly by the coombang, a fpecies of bee which from its faculty of boring timber, for its neft, is called in com-' mon, the carpenter. The camphire being of a dry nature does not exfude from the tres,. or manifeft any appearance on the outride. The natives, from long experience, know whether any is contained within, by ftriking it with a flick. In that cafe they cut it down and fplit it with wedges into fmall pieces, finding the camphire in the interftices, in the ftate of a concrete cryftilazation. Some have alferted that it is from the old trees alone that this fubftance is procured, and that in the young trees it is in a fluid ftate, called meenia capoor, or camphire oil; but this, I have good authority to pronounce a miftake. The fame kind of tree that produces the fluid, does not produce the dry, transparent, and fleaky fubftance, nor ever would. They are readily diftinguilhed by the natives. Many of the trees, however, produce neither the one nor the other. The native camphire is purchafed on the fpot, at the rate of fix Spanifh dollars the pound, or eight dollars the catty, for the beft fort; which fells at the China market, for about twelve or fifteen hundred dollar* the pec'1 of an hundred catties, or one hundred, thirty three pounds and a third. The traders difiinguiih ufually, three different degrees of quality in it, by the names of head, belly and foot, according to its purity and whitenefs, which depend upon its being more or lefs free from particles of the wood, r.nd other heterogeneous matter, that mix with it in collecting, after the firft large pieces are picked out. Some add a.fourth fort, of extraordinary fihenefs, of which afew pounds only I i arc 122 SUM A T R A. are imported to Canton, in the year, and fell there at -the rate of wo •thoufand dollars the pecul*. The Chinefe prepare, as is generally fuppofed, a factitious fubftance re* fembling this native camphire, and impregnated with its virtues, by the admixture of a fmall quantity of the genuine; which they fell to the Dutch for thirty or forty dollars the pecul, who afterwards refine it to \ht ftate in which we fee it in our ihops, where it is fold for eight millings the pound weight. This appears an extraordinary circumftance, that any article could poflibly be fo adulterated.; and at the fame time bear the likenefs, and retain the qualities of its original; as that the dealers ihould be able, with profit to themfelves, to fell it again for the fiftieth part of the price they gave. But upon enquiry from an ingenious gentleman long rcfident in China, I learned that the Chinefe, or more properly, the Japan camphire, is not a factitious fubftance, but the pure produce of a tree which grows in abundance in the latter country, different entirely from that of Sumatra, and well known to our botanists by the name of Laurus Camphora*: that they never mix the native fort (as we term it) with the Japan, but purchafe the former for their own ufe, at the above extravagant price, from an idea, fuperftitious probably, of its efficacy, and export the latter, as a drug they hold in no eftimation. Thus, we buy the leaves of their tea plant, at a high rate, and neglect herbs, the produce of our own foil, poffefting at leaft equal virtues. It is known, that the camphire termed factitious, will evaporate till it wholly difappears, and at all periods of its diminution, retain its full ftrength, which do not feem the properties of an adulterated or compounded body. Kemfer fays that it is prepared from a dtcoclion of the wood and roots of the tree, cut into fmall pieces. The native fort, * See Price Currents of the China Market. Camphire was purchafe] on Sumatra by Beaulieu, m 162*, at the rate of fifteen Spanifh dollars for twenty eight ounces, which differs but little from the modern price. * Specimens of the Leaves of the Japan Camphire tree, and thofe of the Sumatran or Bor-;ncan Camphire, may be feen in a plate in Vakntim Eipna Simflicium, Page 488. Tab. 7. though though doubtlefs from its volatility it muff, be fubject to fome decreafe, does not appear to lofe much in quantity itorn being kept, as I have particular experience of. What I had of the Chinefe fort is long fmce evaporated. I know not what fuperiority in the materia medica, is. allowed to the capoor barroos, in point of efficacy: it is pombly <.onfiderablc, though certainly not in the proportion of fifty to one. Perhaps it may not have had a fair trial, being rarely brought to Europe but as acuri-ofity. The camphire oil before mentioned, is a valuable domeftic medicine, and much ufed by the Sumatrans, in mains, fwellings, and inflammations, the particles, from their extreme fubtilty, readily entering the pores. It is not manufactured, undergoes no preparation, and though termed an oil, is rather a liquid and volatile refin, diltilling from one fpecies of the camphire tree, without any oleaginous quality. To procure it, they proceed in the following manner. They make a tranfverfe incifion into the tree, to the depth of fome inches, and then cut Hoping downwards from above the notch, till they leave a flat, horizontal Superficies. This they hollow out, till it is of a capacity to receive about a quart. They then put into the hollow, a bit of lighted reed, and let it remain for about ten minutes, which acting as a ftimulus, draws the fluid to that part. In the fpace of a night, the liquor fills the receptacle prepared for it, and the tree continues to yield a leffer quantity, for three fucceflive nights, when fire muft be again applied; but on a few repetitions it is exhaufted. An oil not much unlike that from the camphire, is procured from another tree, by the fame method. It is called meenia cayoo or wood oil, and is ufed to rub on timber expofed to the weather, to preferve it from decay; and it is alfo boiled with the dammar to pay the bottoms of fhips and boats. Benjamin or benzoin (caminyari), called a gum, though from it's Solubility in Spirits it would feem more properly a refin, is produced from a tree which grows in great abundance in the northern parts of the ifland, particularly in the Batta country, and met with, though rarely rarely, to the fouthward of the line, where, from natural inferiority, or want of ikill in collecting it, the fmall quantity produced is black and of little value. The tree does not grow to any confiderable fize, and is never ufed as timber. The feeds are round, of a brown color, and about the fize of a moderate bolus. The leaves are rough, crifp, inclining to curl at the point, and yield a very ftrong fcent, refembling that of turpentine, more than of their proper gum. In fome places, near the fea coaft, the natives cultivate large plantations of it, as the quicknefs of it's growth affords them a probability of reaping the advantage of their induftry, which they could fcarcely expect from the camphire tree, and I believe that none of them are fo provident as to look forward to the benefit of pofterity. The feeds or nuts are fown in the paddee fields, and afterwards require no other cultivation than to clear away the fhrubs from about them. When the trees are grown fo big, as to have trunks of fix or eight inches in diameter, hv ifions are then made in the bark, from whence afterwards the gum exfudes, which is carefully pared off with a knife. The pureft of the gum, coming firft from the tree, is white, foft and fragrant, and is called heacl benjamin, according to the ufual diftinction of the qualities of drugs in India. The inferior forts, which, in the operation, are more or lefs mixed with the parings, and perhaps other juices of the tree, are darker colored, and harder ; particularly the foot, which is very foul. The trees will feldom bear a rcpetion of thofe incifions more than ten or twelve years. The head is fubdivided into Europe and India head, of which the firft is fuperior, and is the only fort adapted to that market: the other, with moft of the belly, goes to Arabia, the Gnlph of Perfia, and fome places in India, where it is burned, as in the Malay iflands, to perfume the houfes, ex-pell troublefome infects, and obviate the pernicious effects of un-wholefome air, or noxious exhalations. It is brought down from the country in tompangs or large cakes, covered with matting. Ih order to pack it in chefts, it is neceflary to foften with boiling water, the coarfer forts; the head benjamin is broken into pieces, and expofed to the heat of the fun, which proves fufficient to run it down. The greatest part of the quantity brought to England, is exported from thence thence again to the Roman catholic countries, where it is burnt as in-cenfe in their religious rites. The remainder is chiefly employed in medicine, being much elleemed as an expectorant and styptic, and con-ilitutes the bafis of that valuable balfam, diftinguiflied by the name of Turlington, whofe very falutary effects, particularly in the cure of green and other wounds, is well known to gentlemen abroad, who cannot always obtain afliftance from the faculty, and to which I can bear myfelf, the ampleil teftimony.. It is alfo employed, if I am not mitinformed, in the composition of court flicking plailler. There is reafon to regret that its virtues have not been more carefully explored, as there is the ilrongcll prefumption of its potTcfling as powerful and falubrious qualities, as any vegetable production in the materia medica. I have not a doubt but that fome physician of genius, aflifted by the ikill of an able chymift, will one day bring this article, as well as camphire, which has been too much, though not equally negketed, into the repute they feem fo eminently to deferve. * There are two other fpecies of Benjamin; the one diftinguiflied by the epithet of fcented (dodang) from its peculiar fragrance ; and the other, a wild fort (roxemalla) of little value, and not considered as an object of commerce. Caflia (cooleet m.mces). This is a coarfe fpecies of cinnamon, well caffia. known in Europe, which flourilhes chiefly as well as the two foregoing articles, in the northern part of the ifland; but with this difference, that the camphire and benjamin grow only near the coaft, whereas the caflia is.a native of the central parts of the country. It is moftly procured in thofe districts which He inland" of Ta-ppancoly, but is alfo found in Moofce, where Palembang river takes its rife. The leaves are about four inches long, narrower than the bay, (to which tribe it belongs) and more pointed ; deep green ; fmooth furface, and plain edge. The principal fibres take their rife from the peduncle. The young leaves are moftly of reddiih hue. The bloflbms grow fix in number upon ilender foot-ftalks, clofe to the bottom of the leaf. They are monopetaious, fmall, white, stellated in fix points. The ftamina are fix, with one style, growing from the germcn, which ftands up in three browniih fegments, re- K k fembling 126 S U M A T R A. fembling a cup. The trees grow from fifty to fixty feet high, with large, Spreading, horizontal branches, almoft as low as the earth. The root is ■faid to contain much camphire, that m?.j be obtained by boiling or other proceffes unknown on Sumatra. No pains is beftowed on'the cultivation of the cafria. The bark, which is the part in ufe, is commonly ta--ken from fuch of the trees as are a foot or eighteen inches diameter, for when they arc younger, it is faid to be fo thin, as toloofc all it's qualities very foon. The difference of foil and fituation alters considerably the value of the bark. Thofe trees which grow in a high rocky foil, have red fhoots, and the bark is fuperior to that which is produced in a rnoifl clay, where the fhoots are green. I have been affured by a perfon of extenfive knowledge, that the caffia produced on Sumatra, is from the fame tree which yields the true cinnamon, and that the apparent difference a rifes from the lefs judicious manner of quilling it. Perhaps the younger and more tender branches fhould be preferred ; perhaps the age -of the tree, or the feafon of the year ought to be more nicely attended to ; and laflly I have known it to be fuggefled, that the mucilaginous flime which adheres to the infide of the frefh peeled rind, does, when not carefully wiped off, injure the flavor of the caffia, and render it inferior to that of the cinnamon. I am informed that it has been purchafed by Dutch merchants at our India fales, where it fometimes fold to much lofs, and afterwards by them {hipped for Spain, as cinnamon, being packed in boxes which had come from Ceylon with that article. Rattans (rotan) furnifh annually many large cargoes, chiefly from the eaftern fide of the ifland, where the Dutch buy them to fend to Europe; and the country traders, for the weflern parts of India. Canes alfo, of various kinds, are procured in the ports which open to the ftraits of Malacca. ^ In almofl every part of the country two fpecies of cotton are cultivated, namely, the annual fort (goffypium herbaceum), and the fhrub cotton (goffypium ar ore m). The cotton procured from both appears to be of very good quality, and might, with encouragement, be procured in any any quantities; but the natives raife no more than is necelTary for their own domeftic manufactures. The filk cotton (bombax cciba) is alfo to be met with in every village. This is, to appearance, one of the moll beautiful raw materials the hand of nature has prefented. It's finenefs, glofs, and delicate foftnefs, render it, to the light and touch, much fuperior to the labor of the filkworm; but owing to the fhortnefs and brtt-tlenefs of the flaple, it is efteemed unfit for the reel and loom, and is only applied to the unworthy purpofe of fluffing pillows and mattrafles. Poflibly it has not undergone a fair trial in the hands of our ingenious artifts, and we may yet fee it converted into a valuable manufacture. It growrs in pods, from four to fix inches long, which burft open when ripe. The feeds entirely refemble the black pepper, but are without tafte. The tree is remarkable, from the branches growing out perfectly ftrcight and horizontal, and being always three, forming equal angles, at the fame height: the diminutive fhoots likewife grow flat; and the feveral gradations of branches obferve the fame regularity to the top. Some travellers have called it the umbrella tree, but the piece of furniture called a dumb waiter, exhibits a more ftriking picture of it. The penang or betel nut, before mentioned, is a confiderable article Betel Nut. of traffick to the coaft of Coromandel or Telinga, particularly from Acheen. The coffee trees are univcrfally planted, but the fruit produced here coffee, is not excellent in quality, which is probably owing entirely to the want of fkill in the management of them. The plants arc difpofed too clofe to each other, and are fo much overfhaded by other trees, that the fun cannot penetrate to the fruit; owing to which the juices are not well ripened, and the berries, which become large, do not acquire a proper flavor. Add to this, that the berries are gathered whilft red, which is before they have arrived at a due degree of maturity, and which the Arabs always permit them to attain to, efteemingit effcntialto the good-nefs of the coffee. As the tree is of the fame fpecies with that cultivated in Arabia, there is little doubt but with proper care, this article might might be produced of a quality equal, perhaps fuperior, to that im* ported from the Weft Indies; though probably the heavy rains on Su* matra, may prevent it's attaining to the perfection of the coffee of Mocha *. Turpentine, The dammar is a fpecies of turpentine, and ufed for the fame purpofes to which that and pitch are applied. It is exported in large quantities to Bengal and clfewhcre. It exfudes, or flows rather, fpontaneoufty, from the tree in fuch plenty, that there is no need of making incifions to procure it. The natives gather it in lumps from the ground, where it has fallen, or collect; it from the ihores of bays and rivers, whither it has floated. It hangs from the bough of the tree which produces it, in large pieces, and hardening in the air it becomes brittle, and is blown off by the firft high wind. When a quantity of it has fallen in the fame place, it appears like a rock, and thence, they fay, it is called dammar battoo; by which name it is diftinguiflied from the dammar cruyen* This is another fpecies of turpentine, yielded by a tree growing in Lampoon called crtiyen, the wood of which is white and porous. It differs from the common fort, or dammar battoo, in being foft and whitifh, having the confiftence, and fomewhat the appearance of putty. It is in much efti-mation for paying the bottoms of veffels, for which ufe, it ought to be mixed with fome of the hard kind, to give it firmnefs and duration, of which it corrects the brittlenefs. The natives, in common, do not boil it, but rub or ffnear it on with their hands; a practice which is probably derived from indolence. To procure it, an incifion is made' in the tree. G«ra« There is a gum produced abundantly from a tree called Paty, which much refembles gum arabic, and as they belong to the fame genus of plants it is not improbable, that this might anfwer equally well, for * This obfervation on the growth of the coffee, as well as many others on the vegetable production of the ifland, 1 am indebted for to the letters of Mr. Charles Miller, entered on the Company's records at Bencoolen, every every purpofe the other is applied to. There is Hkewife a gum which I have feen in fmall quantities, brought from the country, called am-pallou, which I believe to be gum lacca, refembling it in hardnefs and color. The forefts contain a great variety of valuable fpecies of wood, which Variety 0* though not in general considered by the natives as objects of trade, are employed as fuch in other countries and might perhaps in this, be turned to account, if properly attended to. Ebony trees (jooar) are in the Ehon*» grcatt ft plenty. Safafras (cay00 gaddees), or a tree poffeffmg its flavor, qualities and virtues; but liker to the elm, than the fir, which that of South America is faid to rcfemble; grows in great abundance, and is ufed in medicine, as a fweetener of the blood. The fpruce pines which Pme* Captain Cook mentions to have met with indifferent iflands of the South Sea, particularly at that which he named the ifle of Pines, appear from the defcription and the plate, to be exactly the fame with the arou of Sumatra, which we have been ufed to call the baftard pine, without reflecting on the probability of its yielding the fpruce. I have before remarked of this tree, that it delights in' a low, fandy foil, and is ever the firft that grows on land relinquifhed by the fea: by what means propagated, I know not, unlefs the cones float on the water, and are driven on the beach by the tide. On the weft coaft of Sumatra, there' are no arou trees to be met with to the Southward of Allafs, except near Sip-o-in bay, where the river is called Wye arou. Sandal wood (chendatia), c . , alfo the celebrated eagle or aloes wood (garoo), are the produce of „ , 1 Eagle or Aloes this ifland, and have been much boafted of by the early writers; but I fufpect that they have, fince thofe days, loft much of their reputation, as well as the different kinds of bezoars, procured from the bodies of various animals, which are now Suffered to live unmolefted. For fliip-building there is much excellent timber, and fome which is found by experience to refill the worm, but the fhallowneSs of the rivers and dangerous furfs, will ever prevent its being made ufe of for that important purpofe. Teak (jattee), the pride of the eaftern forefts, though Tc,k 'growing in abundance to the north and fouth of the ifland, at Pegu and L 1 Java, Java, is there fcarce to be met with, except where it has been recently-planted*. This wood is in many refpects preferable to oak, working more kindly, and equal, at leaft, in point of duration; many (hips built of it at Bombay, continuing to fwim for fo many years, that none can recollect: the period at which they were launched. Its appearance is fb.tcly; the leaves are broad and large, and yield when prefTed a red juice. The ranges or manchineel, well known in the Weft Indies, is found here, and proves ufeful from its quality of refitting the deftruCtivc ravages of the termes or white ant. The iron wood (cayoo tray) is from its extraordinary hardnefs, applicable to many ufeful purpofes. Maranti maracoiiy and mitrbow, are in much eftimation for building. Camooning: the appearance of this tree is very beautiful, refembling in its leaves the larger myrtle, with a white flower. The wood, which is light ^colored, clofe, and finely veined, takes an exquifite polilh, and is ufed for the iheaths of crecfes. There is alfo a red grained fpecies inferior to this. Langfanni has alfo a beautiful grain and is ufed for cabinet and .carved work. The foregoing is but a very imperfect view of the treafures of forefts, that feem to poifefs an inexhauftable fund of variety, but of which it muft be owned, that the greater number of the fpecies of wood, from their porous nature, and pronenefs to decay, are of very little value, and fcarcely admit of feafoning, ere they are rotten. Before I quit the fubject I cannot avoid mentioning a tree, which though of no ufe, and not peculiar to the ifland, deferves, for its extreme Angularity, that it Ihould not be paffed over in filence. I mean that which is, by the En-Banyan-trea. gUlh in the Weft of India, termed the banyan tree; by the Portugueze, arbor de rails, and by the Malays called jawee jawee. It polfelfes the uncommon property of dropping roots or fibres from certain parts of its * Mr. John Marfden, when refident of Laye, in the year 1776, fowed fome feeds of the Teak tree iand distributed a quantity amongft the inhabitants of his diftrict. The former at leaft, throve exceedingly, as if in their natural foil. Mr. Robert Hay had a plantation of them near Bencoolen, but'the fituation feemed unfavorable. At Pegu it is faid to be called tccam, fro™ whence the name of teak. Machined. ,Iron-\vo<$<3. boughs S U M A T R A. 13I .boughs, which, when they touch the earth, become new items, and go on encreafmg to fuch an extent, that fome have meafured in circumference of the branches, upwards of a thoufand feet, and have been faid to afford fhelter to a troop of node*. Thefe fibres, that look like ropes attached to the branches, when they meet with any obstruction in their defcent, conform themfelves to the fhape of the refilling body, and thus ■occasion many curious metamorphofes. I recollect: feeing them stand in the perfect: fhape of a gate, long after the original pofts, and crofs piece, had decayed and difappeared; and I have been told of their lining the internal circumference of a large brick well; like the worm in a distiller's tub; there exhibiting the view of a tree turned infide out, the branches pointing to the center, instead of growing from it. It is nor. more extraordinary in its manner of growth, than whimsical and fantastic in its choice of situations. From the fide of a wall or the top of a houfe, it feems to fpring Spontaneous. Even from the fmooth periphery of a wooden pillar, turned and painted, I have feen it ihoot forth as if the vegetative juices of the feafoned timber, had renewed their circulation, and begun to produce leaves afrefli. I have feen it flourifh in the center of a hollow tree, of a very different fpecies, which however still retained its verdure, its branches encompaffing thofe of the jawee jawee, whilst its decayed trunk enclofed the item, which was vifiblc, at interstices, from nearly the level of the plain on which they grew. This, in truth, appeared fo Striking a curiofity, that I have often repaired to the fpot, to contemplate the Angularity of it. How the feed, from which it is produced, happens to occupy stations feemingly f0 unnatural, is not eafily determined. Some have imagined the berries carried thither by the wind, and others, with more appearance of truth, by the birds; which, cleansing their bills where they light, or attempt to light, leave, in thofe places, the feeds, adhering by the vifcous mat* * The following is an account of the dimenfions of a remarkable Banyan tree, near Manjee, twenty miles weft of Patna in Bengal. Diameter 363 to 375 feet. Circumference of the Shadow at noon, 1116 feet. Circumference of the feveral ftems, in number fifty or fixty, 921 feet. Under this tree fat a naked Fakir, who had occupied that fituation for twenty five years ; but he did not continue there the whole year through, for his vow obliged him to lie, during the four cold months, up to his neck in the waters of the river Ganges. ter ter which furrounds them. However this be, the jawee jawee, without earth or water, deriving from the genial atmofphere it's principle of nouriftiment, proves in it's encreafing growth, highly deftructive to the building that harbours it. The fibrous roots, which at firft arc extremely fine, penetrate moft, common cements, and overcoming, as their fize enlarges, the powerfulleft refiftance, fplit, with the force of the mechanic wedge, the moft fubftantial brickwork. When the confiftence is fuch as not to admit the infinuation of the fibres, the root extends itfelf along the outfide, and to an extraordinary length, bearing, not unfre-■quently, to the ftem, the proportion of eight to one, when young. I have meafured the former fixty inches, when the latter, to the extremity of the leaf, which took up a third part, was no more than eight inches. I have alfo feen it wave it's boughs at the height of two hundred feet, of which the roots, if wc may term them fuch, occupied at lcaft one hundred; forming, by their clofe combination, the appearance of a venerable gothic pillar. It flood near the plains of Crocup, but like other monuments of antiquity, it had it's period of exiftence, and is now no more* GM, S- U M' A T R A. \3$ Gold, Tin, and other Metals—Bees-nvax—Ivory—Birds-ne/1—* Import Trade. 33ESIDE thofe articles of trade afforded by the vegetable kingdom Gold Sumatra, produces many others, and among the chief of thefe is Gold. This valuable metal is found moftly in the central parts of the ifland; none, except very rarely, being obferved to the fouthward of Lcemocn, a branch of Jambee river, or to the northward of Nalaboo, from whence Acheen is principally fupplied. Menangcabow has always been efteemed the richeft feat of it; which probably induced the Dutch to eftablifli their head factory at Padang, in it's neighbourhood. The Malays are fettled in, or about, all the diftricts where gold is collected, and as far as my knowledge and enquiries have extended, they appear to be; particularly at Leemoon, Batang ajjy, and Pacallang Jamboo, where colonies of them are eftabliihed; the only perfons who dig for and collect it-, the original inhabitants, whom they diftinguifh by the name of crang doojoon, or villagers, confining their attention to the railing of provifions, with which they fupply the Malays who fearch for the metal. The earth taken up from the beds of the rivers, Supplies them with Manner of the greater proportion of what they procure, being for that purpofe well procuring it. wafhed and fifted, till the pure grains are feperated and cleanfed from the particles of mud and ftone. They occasionally loofen the earth of the adjacent banks, and often divert the courfe of rivulets, which hteih up the country are little torrents, through ground newly opened for that purpofe. In fome parts they dig into the earth in pursuit of the, gold, which however can fcarcely deferve the appellation of mining, as they do not venture at any confiderable excavation. Some of their pits are defcribed as being of great depth, but this is probably exaggeration, for their ignorance of the ufe of windlaffes and other machines, muft necef-farily keep them near the furface. The gold being found in a complete M m metallic metallic ftate, does not undergo any procefs of refining, purifying, or fe-parating, except from the white rock or marble it fometimes adheres to. They Amply beat .and wafti it, and fell it in the lumps or duft in which they find it. Some of the former have been known to weigh as heavy as fix or feven ounces, without mixture ; but they are often joined with an equal 'bulk of marble, and thefe pieces being admired by the Europeans, fell for the fame price, by weight, as if they were all pure gold. In moft of the Specimens of this fort which I have feen, the gold might more properly be faid to enclofe the rock, than the latter to contain the gold* It does not pafs through any third hand, before it reaches the Europeans. Of thofe who dig for it, the moft intelligent (diftinguiflied by the name offGudqgar, or trader) aretriuled by the reft, with what they collect, who carry it to Jambee, Prdembcwg or the Weft coaft, and bartar it for opium and the fine goods of Bengal anil Madrafs, with which they return, loaded, to their country. From Palembang and Jambec, they have the convenience of water carriage for a confiderable part of the way, but it is tedious, being againft the ftream. From other places they carry their returns on their backs, to the weight, commonly of eighty pounds, through woods, over rivers, and acrofs mountains. They generally travel in parties of one hundred or more, and have frequent occafion to defend their property againft the fpirit of plunder and extortion, which prevails among the poorer nations, whofe diftricts they are obliged to pafs* When brought to our fettlements, it is purchafed at the high rate of three pounds, five Shillings Sterling the ounce; f0 that on exportation fo Europe, it Scarcely affords a profit even to the original buyer; and others who employ it as a remittance incur a lofs, aSter the India Company's duties, and other incidental charges are deducted*. It has often been thought Surprizing, that the Europeans fettled on the ifland, have * Beauiieu, in 1622, fays that gold was purchafed at Acheen for the price it bore in France 5 viwt-in fome parts of the ifland thirty five per cent, cheaper. mot not found it worth their pains, to work, in a proper manner, the mines with which the country does certainly abound; but calculation and ex- value of perience appear to have taught them, that it is not a fcheme likely to be Mmes* attended with fuccefs, owing, among other caufes, to the dearnefs of labor, and the neceffity of keeping up a force in diftant parts of the country, for the protection of the miners. Europeans cannot poflibly "work in this climate, and the natives are unfit for the laborious exertion It would require, to render the undertaking profitable. The. Dutch have at different periods made attempts of this nature. They fent out, many years fince, a Saxon mineralogift to work a mine at Sil* kda, but no profit accrued from it-, and in latter times they fet about, working a vein that ran clofe to their fettlement of Padang, but not finding returns adequate to the expence, their Company ordered it to be let to farm, when in a few years, it fell into fuch low repute, as to be at length difpofed of at a rent of two Spanifh dollars, by public auction *. The whole quantity of gold procured at the ports on the Weft-coaft3 may be eftimated at about ten thoufand ounces annually, of which Padang alone has been ufed to draw to it (before its late capture by the Englifh) at leaft one third part-f-. What quantity finds its way to Palem-bang and other places on the eaftern fide of the ifland, it is not in my power to compute, but I think it cannot be lefs than the former. * The Englifh Company having intelligence of a mine difcovered near Fort Marlborough, or* dered it to be worked; but it never came to any thing. f The following is an extract of a letter from Mr. James Moore, a fervant of the Company, dated from Padang, in 1778. " They have lately opened a vein of gold in the country inland of Padang; from which the Governor at one time received an hundred and fifty tial (about two hundred ounces). He has procured a map to be made of a particular part of the gold country, which points out the different places where they work for il: and alfo the fituation of twenty one Malay forts, that are all inhabited and in repair. Thefe diftrias are extremely populous, compared to the more fouthern part of the ifland. They collect, and export annually to Batavia, about two thoufand five hundred rials of gold from this place : the quantity never exceeds three thoufand rials* nor falls fhort of two." I am affured that the quantity of gold procured at Paclang ufed to be much greater, but that through the maladminiftration of a former governor, of the name of Palm, the country was thrown into confufion, and the traders induced to form connexions on the eaftern fide of the ifland, whither a-large proportion of the gold has fines been annually diverted, Gold inferior gold. Gold of a very inferior touch, called mas mocdo, or young gold, is found in the fame countries where the other is produced, and fells for about twenty five or thirty per cent lefs value. From its palenefs, it would feem to contain a mixture of filver, but the grains refill the force of aqua fortis, being attended with no effervefcence. The people of India fuppofe the difference to proceed from an original, effential inferiority in the quality of the metal: but I believe that our chymifts allow of no difparity of this kind, nor any but what proceeds from the greater or lefs quantity of alloy. In Lampoon, a very little gold is now and then difcovered, but of this latter kind, the mas moodo, only. Mode of Before the gold dull is weighed for fale; in order to eleanfe it from ckari ng the ^ impurities, and heterogeneous mixtures, whether natural or fraudulent; a ikilful perfon, called a Pandi, is employed; who by the fliarp-jiefs of his eye alone, is able to effect this to a furprizing degree of nicety; owing to long experience and practice. No Englifhman but one, a Mr. Saul, was ever known to attain to this art. The dull is fpread out on a kind of wooden platter, and the bafe particles ilanchong) are touched out, and put afide, one by one, with an inftrument which the Pandi holds in his hand, made of linen cloth rolled up to a point. If the honefty of thefe gold cleaners can be depended upon, their dexterity is almoft infallible; and as fome fecurity for the former, it is ufual to pour the parcels when cleanfed, into a veffel of aqua fortis, which is a powerful teft of their accuracy. In thofe parts where gold is much tra-ficked in, it is generally employed as currency, every man carries his fcales about him, and purchafes are made with, it, fo low as to the weight of a grain Gold weights, or two of paddee.- Various berries are alfo ufed as weights, particularly a little red fpecies, with a black fpot, which we call India peas. The moft; eftablifhed weight in trade, is the tial or tad, which differs however in the northern and fouthern parts of the ifland, being at Natal twenty fc>ur penny weights, nine grains, and at Padang,Bencoolen and elfe where, twenty fix penny weights, twelve grains. At Achvtn the Buncal, of one ounce, ten penny weight and twenty one grains, is the ftandard. The Spanifh Coins. dollars are every where current, and where the gold duft is not in circulation, the following diminutions are for the moft part adopted ; the the foocoo, an imaginary money, equal to the fourth part of a dollar; the o ang or fanam; larger than thofe of Madras, but coined there ; being the twenty fourth part of a dollar; of thefe there are likewife double and treble pieces; and laftly the kepping or copper cafh, of which one hundred conftitute a Spanifh dollar; which is always valued on the Weft coaft at five Shillings fterling. I do not know that gold, or any other metal, is coined by any native power on the ifland; though it is faid to have been formerly done at Acheen and Pedir. Tin (timar); copper (tombago); iron (bejfee); have been already Tin, fpoken of in the beginning of this work. The tin is a very confiderable article of trade, and many cargoes of it are yearly carried to China; for the moft part in tompangs or fmall pieces, and fometimes in flabs. The mines, which are faid to be moftly on Banca, and to have been accidentally difcovered there in 1710 by the burning of a houfe; are worked by a colony of Chinefe, under the direction of the Dutch at Palembang, who endeavour to monopolize the trade; but the enterpriz-ing fpirit of private merchants, finds means to elude the vigilance of their cruizers, and the commerce is largely participated by them. The copper, which feems of good quality, is chiefly collected in the neigh- Coppe] bourhood of Nalaboo. The Malays are fond of mixing this metal with gold, in equal quantities, making what they term fooajjb, which is much ufed for buttons, beetle boxes, and heads of creefes. Sulphur, (May- SulpIw rang); arfenic, (barrangan) and faltpetre (meffeeoo moonta) are alfo the SaltPe1 produce of Sumatra. In the country of Cattown, near the head of Oori river, there are caves, from the foil found in which, the faltpetre is procured. Some few of our Company's fervants have penetrated a confiderable way into them. Mr. Whalfeldt advanced into one, feven hundred and forty three feet, when his lights were extinguiftied by the damp vapor. In a fecond he advanced fix hundred feet, through a narrow paflage, about three feet wide, and five in height, when an opening in a rock led to a fpacious place, forty feet high.* Thefe caves are the habi- f Mr. Chriftopher Terry and Mr. Charles Miller vifited the fame cave, N n tation ration of innumerable birds, of the fwallow kind, which he perceived to abound the more, the farther he proceeded. Their nefts arc formed about the upper parts of the cave, and it is their dung limply, that forms the foil (in many places from four to fix feet deep, and from fifteen to twenty broad), which affords the nitre. A cubic foot of this earth, meafuring feven bamboos or gallons, produced on boiling feven pounds, fourteen ounces of faltpetre; and a fecond experiment gave a ninth part more. This I afterwards Saw refined to a high degree of piv-rity; but I conceive that it's value would not repay the expence of the procefs. Bees wax, Bees wax is a commodity of great importance in all the eaftern iflands, and is from them exported to China, Bengal, and other parts of the continent. No pains is taken with the bees, which are left to fettle where they lift, and are never collected in hives. The quality of the honey, is much inferior to what we have in England.. jw The forefts abounding with elephants (gaja), ivory is of courfe in plenty, and is carried both to China and Europe. Excepting a few of thefe, kept for ftate by the King of Acheen, they are not tamed in any Elephant. Part °^ trie "land. As they are gregarious, and ufually traverfe the country in large troops together, they prove highly deftructive to the plantations of the natives, obliterating the traces of cultivation, by merely walking through the grounds; but they are alfo fond of the produce of their gardens, particularly of plantain trees and the fugar cane, which they devour with eagernefs. This indulgence of appetite often proves fatal to them, for the owners knowing their attachment to thefe vegetables, have a practice of poifoning Some part of the plantation, by fplitting the canes and putting harrangan into the clift; which the animal unwarily eats of and dies. Not being by nature carniverous, the elephants are not fierce, and feldom attack a man, but when fired at, or otherwife provoked. The rhinoceros (budda) is alfo a native of thefe woods,, and his horn is efteemed an antidote againft poifon. I cannot vouch for the ftoriestold of their mutual antipathy, and the defperate encounters between thefe two enormous beads. The The birds neft, fo much celebrated as a peculiar delicacy of the table, Birds NeAs, efpecially among the Chinefe, is found in different parts, but in the great-eft abundance about Croee, near the fouth end of the ifland. Four miles up the river of that name, is a large cave, where the birds, called lay-ong layong, and which appear to be the common martin, build in vaft numbers. The nefts are diftinguiflied into white and black, of which the firft are by far the more fcarce and valuable,* being found in the proportion of one only to twenty five. The white fort fells in China, at the rate of a thoufand to fifteen hundred Spanifh ^dollars the pecul; the black is ufually difpofed of at Bata-via for about twenty dollars the fame weight, where I underftand it is chiefly converted into glue, of which it makes a very fuperior kind. The difference between the two, has by fome been fuppofed to be owing to the mixture of the feathers of the bird, with the vifcous fubftance, of which the nefts are formed; and this they deduce from the experiment, of fteeping the black nefts for a fhort time in hot water, when they are faid to become, in a great degree, white. Among the natives I have heard a few affert, that they are the work of a different fpecies of bird. It was fuggefted to me, that the white might probably be the recent nefts of the feafon in which they were taken, and the black, fuch as had been ufed for a number of years fucceflively. This opinion appearing plaufible, I was particular in my enquiries as to that point, and learned what feemed much to corroborate it. When the natives prepare to take the nefts, they enter the caves with torches, and forming ladders according to the ufual mode, of a fingle bamboo notched, they afcend and pull down the nefts, which adhere in numbers together, from the fide and top of the rock. They informed me, that the more frequently and regularly the cave is ftript, the greater proportion of white nefts they arc fure to find, and that on this experience they often make a practice of beating down and deftroying the old nefts, in larger quantities than they * I had an opportuity of giving to the Britifh Mufeum, fome of thefe white nefts, with iggs in them. Thofe found in the Saltpetre caves before mentioned, are probably of the fame fpecies.. of bird. trouble trouble themfelves to carry away, in order that they may find white nefts the next feafon in their room. The birds, during the building time, arc feen in large flocks on the beach, collecting in their bills the foam which is thrown up by the furf, of which there is little doubt but they conftruct their nefts; after it has under* gone, perhaps, a preparation, from a commixture with their Saliva, or other fecretion, with which nature has provided them for that purpofe. The fooallo, or fea Aug, is alfo an article of trade, to China and Bata-via; being employed, as the birds neft and vermicelli, for enriching foups, among a luxurious people. Import Trade. The general articles of import trade, are the following. From the coaft of Coromandel, fait; long cloth, blue and white; chintz, and a variety of other cotton goods: from Bengal, opium and taffetas: from China, coarfe porcelain; fome tobacco; quallies or iron pans, and a number of fmall mifcellaneous commodities: from the eaftern iflands, Bug-guefs clouting, a courfe, ftriped, cotton manufacture, much worn; guns called rantakkers ; creefes and other weapons; filken creefe belts-, toodo'igs or hats; fait of a large grain; and fometimes rice, efpecially from the ifland of Bally: from Europe, filver; iron; fteel; lead; cutlery and other hardware; brafs wire; and fcarlet cloth. It is not within my plan to enlarge upon this fubject, or to enter into a detail of the markets and prices of the various articles, which, as in all countries where commerce is in it's infancy or decline, are extremely fluctuating. The different fpecies of goods above enumerated, come, for the moft part, under confideration in other places of the work, as they happen to be connected with the account of the natives who purchafe them. Arts S U M A T R A, T4S Arts and Manufactures.—Art of Medicine.—Sciences.—-Arithmetic: Geography; Aflronomy: Mufic, &c. I SHALL now take a view of thofe arts and manufactures which the Sumatrans are fkilled in, and which are not merely domeftic, but con- A and M , tributing rather to the conveniences, and in fome inftances to the lux- nuft&ures. uries, than to the necefTaries of life. I muff remind the reader that my obfervations on this fubject, are moftly drawn from the Rejangs, or thofe people of the ifland, who are upon their level of improvement. We meet with accounts in old writers, of great founderies of cannon in the dominion of Acheen, and it is certain, that fire arms, as well as creefes, are at this day manufactured in the country of Mcnangcabvw; but my prefent defcription does not go to thofe fuperior exertions of art, which certainly do not appear among thofe people of the ifland whofe manners, more efpecially, I am attempting to delineate. What follows would feem an exception, however, from this limitation. There is no manufacture in that part of the world; and perhaps I might be juftified in faying, in any part of the world; that has been more admired and celebrated, than the fine gold and filver fillagree of Sumatra. This however is, ftrictly fpeak-ing, the work of the Malay, and not of the original inhabitants; but as it F;llagr8Cii is in univerfal ufe and wear throughout the country, and as the goldfmiths are fettled every where along the coaft, I cannot be guilty of much irregularity in defcribing here the procefs of their art. There is no circumftance that renders the fillagree a matter of greater curiofity, than the coarfenefs of the tools employed in the workmanfhip, and which, in the hands of an European, would not be thought Sufficiently perfect for the moft ordinary purpofes. They are rudely and in-artificially formed, by the goldfmith (pandi), from any old iron he can pick up. When you engage one of them to execute a piece of WorJj| his firft requeft is ufually for a piece of iron hoop, to make his wiredrawing instrument: an old hammer head, ftuck in a block, ferves for O o an an anvil j and I have feen a pair of compares, eompofed of two old nails tied together at one end. The gold is melted in a piece of a preeoo or earthen rice pot, or fometimes in a crucible of their own make, of ordinary clay. In general they ufe no bellows, but blow the fire with their mouths, through a joint of bamboo, and if the quantity of metal to be melted is confiderable, three or four perfons lit round their furnace ; which is an old broken qualke or iron pot; and blow together. At Padang alone,, where the manufacture is more confiderable, they have adopted the Chinefe bellows* Their method of drawing the wire, differs but little from that ufed by European workmen. When drawn to a Sufficient fincnefs, they flatten it, by beating it on their anvil; and when flattened they give it a twift, like that in the whalebone handle of a punchladle, by rubbing, it on a block of wood, with a flat flick. After twilling they again beat it on the anvil, and by thefe means it becomes flat wire with indented edges. With a pair of nippers they fold down the end of this wire, and thus form a leaf, or element of a flower in their work, which is cut off. The end. is again folded and cut off, till they have got a Sufficient number of leaves, which are all laid on fingly. Patterns of the flowers or foliage, in which there is not very much variety, are prepared on paper, of the lize of the gold plate on which the fillagree is to be laid. According to this, they begin to dif-pofc on the plate, the larger compartments of the foliage, for which they ufe plain flat wire of a larger fize, and fill them up with the leaves before mentioned., To fix their work they employ a glutinous fubftance, made of the red berry called booa /ago, ground to a pulp, on a rough ftone. This pulp they place on a young coconut, about the fize of a walnut, the top and bottom being cut off. I at firft imagined that caprice alone might have directed them to the ufe of the coconut for this purpofe: but I have fince reflected on the probability of the juice of the young fruit being neceflary to keep the pulp moift, which would otherwife fpeedily become dry and unfit for the work. After that the leaves have been all placed in order, and ftuck on,, bit by bit, a folder is prepared of gold filings and borax, moiftened with water, which they ftrew over the plate, and then putting it in the fire for a fhort time, the the whole becomes united. This kind of work on a gold plate, they call ca rang papan: when the work is open, they call it carrang troufe. In executing the latter, the foliage is laid out on a card, or foft kind of wood, and (tuck on, as before defcribed with the fago berry; and the work, when finiihed, being ftrewed over their folder, is put into the fire, when the card or foft wood burning away, the gold remains connected. If the piece be large, they folder it at feveral times. In the manufacture of badjoo buttons, they firft make the lower part flat, and having a mould formed of a piece of buffaloe's horn, indented to feveral fizes, each like one half of a bullet mould, they lay their work over one of thefe holes, and with a horn punch, they prefs it into the form of the button. After this they complete the upper part. When the fillagree is finiihed, they cleanfe it, by boiling it in water, with common fait and allum, or fometimes lime juice; and in order to give it that fine purple color which they call fapo, they boil it in water with brimllone. The manner of making the little balls, with which their works are fometimes ornamented, is as follows. They take a pie:e of charcoal, and having cut it flat and fmooth, they make in it a fmall hole, which they fill with gold dull, and this melted in the fire, becomes a little ball. They are very inexpert at finifhing and polifhing the plain parts, hinges, fcrews, and the like,, being in this as much excelled by the European artifts, as thefe fall fhort of them, in the finenefs and minutenefs of the foliage.. The Chinefe alfo make fillagree,, moftly of filver, which looks elegant, but wants likewife, the extraordinary delicacy of the Malay worx. The price of the workmanfhip depends upon the difficulty or uncommonnefs of the pattern. In fome articles of ufual demand, it does not exceed one third of the value of the gold; but in matters of fancy, it is generally equal to it. The manufacture is not now held in very high efti-mation in England, where coftlinefs is not fo much the object of luxury, as variety; but in the revolution of tafte, it may probably be again fought after and admired as fafhionable. But little fkill is fhewn amongft the country people in forging iron. Iron Manu, They make nails however, though not much ufed by them in building, fa urc$* Wooden pins being generally fubftituted ; alfo various kinds of tools, as the the prang or 'bill, the bxnchce, r embay, Ulliong and papal ed, which are different fpecies of adzes, the capa or ax and the pancoor or hoe. Their fire is made with charcoal ; the foflil coal which the country produces being rarely, if ever; employed, except by the Europeans.'* Their bellows are thus conftruc~ted. Two bamboos of about four inches -diameter and five feet in length, ftand perpendicularly, near the fire; open at the upper end, and ftopt below. About an inch or two from the bottom, a fmall joint of bamboo is inferted into each, which ferve as nozles, pointing to, and meeting at the fire. To produce a ftream ,of air, bunches of feathers or other foft fubftance, being fattened to long handles, are worked up and down in the upright tubes, like the pifton of a pump. Thefe when pufhed downwards, force the air through the fmall horizontal tubes ; and by raifing and finking each alternately, a continual current or blaft is kept up; for which purpofe a boy is ufually placed on a high feat or ftand. The progrefs they have made in carpenter's work has been already pointed out, where their buildings were defcribed. They are ignorant of the ufe of the law, excepting where we have introduced it among them. Trees are felled by chopping at the ftems, and in procuring boards, they arc confined to thofe, the direction of whofe grain, or other qualities, admit of their being eaiily fplit afunder. In this refpect the maranti and maraccoly have the preference. The tree, being ftrippeel of its branches and its bark, is cut into the length required, and by the help of wedges, fplit into boards. Thefe being of irregular thicknefs, are ufually dubbed upon the fpot. The tool ufed for this purpofe is the rcmbay, the corners of which turn up towards the workmen, to prevent their catching in the board ; but this feems an unnecaffary precaution. Moft of their fmaller work, and particularly on the bamboo, is performed with the papateel, which refembles in fliape, as much as in name, the patoopatoo of the New Zelanders, but has the vaft Superiority of * And not by them of late years, yet the report made of it in 1719 was, that it gave a furer heat than the caal from England: the bed of it (though defcribed rather as a large rock above ground) lies four days journey up Bencoolen river, from whence quantities are warned down by the floods. being Carpenter's work. Tools. Being made of iron. The blade, being fattened to the handle with a curious kind of bafket work of* fplit rattans, is fo contrived as to turn in it, and by that means can be employed either as an adze or fmall hatchet. Their houfes are generally built: with the afliftance of this fimple inftru-mcnt alone. The biltiong is no other than a large papateel,. with a handle of two or three feet in length, turning like that, in its focket.. The chief cement they ufe, is made of the curd of the buffaloe milk, Cements called prackee. It is to be obferved that butter is made (for the ufe of Europeans only*) not as with us, by churning, but by letting the milk ftand till the butter forms of itfelf on the top. It is then taken off with a fpoon, ftirred about with the fame in a flat veffel, and well wafli-ed in two or three waters. The thick four milk left at the bottom, when the butter or cream is removed, is what I term the curd. This muft be well fquezeed, formed into cakes and left to dry, when it will' grow nearly as hard as flint. For ufe, you muft fcrape fome of it off, mix it with quick lime and moiften it with milk. I think that there is no ftronger cement in the world, and it is found to hold, particularly in a hot and damp climate, much better than glue; proving alfo effectual in mending china ware. The vifcous juice of a particular berry, is likewife ufed in the country as a cement. Painting and drawing they are quite ftrangers to. In carving, both Dcflgninj in wood and ivory, they are curious and fanciful, but their defigns are always grotefque and out of nature. The handles of the creefes arc the moft common fubjeds of their ingenuity in this art, which ufually exhibit the head and back of a bird, with the folded arms of a human creature, not unlike the reprefentation of one of the Egyptian deities. In cane and bafket work they are particularly neat and expert; as well as in \ mats, of which fome kinds are much prized. # The words ufed by the Malays, for butter and cheefe, are Menteiga and Queijo, which are jaire Portuguefe. P p Silk Looms. g.^ and cotton c]ot}lS) 0f varied colors, manufactured by themfelves, are worn by the natives in all parts of the country; efpecially by the women. Some of their work is very fine, and the patterns prettily fancied. Their loom or apparatus for weaving {tiinnone) is extremely defective, and renders their progrefs tedious. One end of the warp being made faft to a frame, the whole is kept tight, and the web flretched out by means of a fpecies of yoke, which fallens behind the body, as the perfon weaving fits down. Every fecond of the longitudinal threads, paffes Separately through a fet of reeds, like the teeth of a comb, and the alternate ones through another fet. Thefe are forced home at each return of the fhuttle, rendering the warp clofe and even. The alternate threads of the warpcrofs each other, up and down, to admit the fhuttle, not from the extremities, as in our looms, nor effected by the feet, but by turning edge ways two flat flicks which pafs through. The fhuttle (toorah) is a hollow reed, about Sixteen inches long, generally ornamented on the outfide, and clofed at one end, having in it a fmall bit of (lick, on which is rolled the woof or fhoot. The filk clouts have ufually a gold head. They ufe Sometimes another kind of loom, ftill more fimple than this, being no more than a frame in which the warp is fixed, and the woof darned with a long, fmall pointed fhuttle. They make ufe of a machine for Spinning the cotton very like ours. The women are expert at embroidery, the gold and filver thread for which, is procured from China, as well as their needles. For common work, their thread is the poky before mentioned, or filaments of the pefang (mufaj. JEawhenwa** .Different kinds of earthenware, I have elfewhere obferved, are ma-factured on the ifland. Perfumes. They have a practice of perfuming their hair with oil of benjamin, which they diflill themfelves from the gum, by a procefs doubtlefs of their own invention. In procuring it, apreeoo, or earthen rice pot, covered clofe, is ufed for a retort. A fmall bamboo is inferted in the fide o£ the veffel, and well luted with clay and afhes, from which the oil drops drops as j^t comes over. Along with the benjamin they put into the retort, a mixture of fugar cane and other articles, that contribute little or nothing to the quantity or quality of the diftillation; but no liqtiid is added. This empyreumatic oil is valued among them at a high price, and can only be ufed by the fuperior rank of people. The oil in general ufc is that of the coconut, which is procured in the on. following manner. The flefhy part being fcraped out of the nut, which for this ufe mult be old, is expofed for fome time to the heat of the fun. It is then put into a mat bag, and placed in the prefs (campauhan) between two Hoping timbers, which are fixed together in a focket in the lower part of the frame, and forced towards each other by wedges in a groove at top, comprelfing, by this means, the pnlp of the nut, which yields an oil, that falls into a trough made for its reception below. In the farther parts of the country, this oil alfo, owing to the Scarcity of coconuts, is dear, and not fo much ufed for burning as the dammar or rofin, which is always at hand. When travelling at night they make ufe of torches or Torches, links, called fooloo, the common fort of which are nothing more than dried bamboos of a convenient length, beaten at the joints, till fplit in every part; without the addition of any refinous or other inflammable fubftance. A fuperior kind is made by filling with dammar a young bamboo, about a cubit long, well dried, and the outer fkin taken off. Thefe torches are carried with a view, chiefly, to frighten away the carried to tigers, which are alarmed at the appearance of fire; and for the fame the^m' reafon it is common to make a blaze with wood, in different parts round their villages. The tigers prove to the inhabitants, both in their journeys and even their domeftic occupations, moft fatal and deftructive enemies. The number of people annually flain by thefe rapacious tyrants of the woods, is almoft incredible. I have known inftances of whole villages being depopulated by them. Yet, from a fuperftitious prejudice, it is with difficulty they are prevailed upon, by a large reward which the India Company offers, to ufe methods of deftroying them; till they have fuftained fome particular injury in their own family or kin- dred« thefe animal- dred. Their traps, of which they can make variety, are very ingeniously contrived. Sometimes they arc in th$ nature of ftrong cages, with falling doors, into which the beaft is enticed by a goat or dog enclofed asa bait ; fometimes they manage that a large timber fhall fall, in a groove, acrofs his back : fometimes he is noofed about the loins with ftrong rattans ; fometimes is led to afcend a plank, nearly balanced, which turning when he is paft the center, lets him fall upon fharp flakes prepared below. In-fiances have occurred of a tiger being caught by one of the former modes, which had many marks in his body of the partial fuccefs of this laft expedient. The efcapes, at times, made from them by the natives are truly furprizing, but thefe accounts in general carry too romantic an air to admit of being repeated as fads. The fize and Strength of the fpecies which prevails on this ifland is prodigious. They are faid to break with a ftroke of their fore paw, the leg of a horfe or a buffaloe; and the largeft prey they kill is without difficulty dragged by them into the woods. This they ufually perform on the fecond night, being fuppofed, on the firft, to gratify themfelves with fucking the blood only. Time is by this delay afforded to prepare for their destruction ; and to the methods already enumerated, befide fhooting them, I fhould add that of placing a veffel of water, ftiongly impregnated with arfenic, near the carcafe, which is fattened to a tree to prevent its being carried off. The tiger having filiated himfelf with the fiefh, is prompted to affuage his thirft, with the tempting liquor at hand, and perifhes in the indulgence. Their chief fubfiftence is moft probably, the unfortunate monkeys with which the woods abound. They are de cribed as alluring them to their fate, by a fafcinating power, fimilar to what has been fuppofed of the fnake, and I am not incredulous enough to treat the idea with contempt, having myfelf obferved that when an aligator or crocadile, in a river, comes under an overhanging bough of a tree, the monkies, in a ftate of alarm and deftraction, crowd to the extremity, and chattering and trembling, approach nearer and nearer to the amphibious monfter that waits to devour them as they drop, which their fright and number ren-And of aliga- ders almoft unavoidable. Thefe aligators likewife occafion the lofs of many inhabitants, frequently destroying the people as they bathe in the i river^. river, according to their regular cuftom, and which the perpetual evidence of the rifk attending it, cannot deter them from. A fuperftitious idea of their fandtity alfo, preferves them from molcftation, although, with a hook of Sufficient Strength, they may be taken without much difficulty. A mufket ball appears to have no effect upon their impenetrable hides. Bcfides the common methods of taking fifli; of which the feas that Fifhing. wafti the coafts of Sumatra afford an extraordinary variety and abundance; the natives employ a mode, unpractifed, I apprehend, in any part of Europe. They fteep the root of a certain creeping plant, called toobo, of ftrong narcotic qualities, in the water where the fifti are obferved, which produces fuch an effect, that they become intoxicated and to appearance dead, float on the furface of the water, and are taken with the hand. This is generally made ufe of in the bafons of water, formed by the ledges of coral rock, which, having no outlet, arc left full when the tide has ebbed.* Birds, particularly the plover (cherooling) and quails (pooyoo), are caught by fnares or fpringes laid for them in the grafs. su-d catching, Thefe are of ejoo, which refembles horfehair, many fathoms in length, and difpofed in fuch a manner that their feet get entangled ; for which purpofe they are gently drove towards the fnares. In fome parts of the country they make ufe of clafp nets. I never obferved a Sumatran to fire a fhot at a bird, though many of them, as well as the more eaftern people, have a remarkable fine aim ; but the mode of letting off the matchlocks, which are the pieces moft habitual to them, precludes the poflibility of fhooting flying. Gunpowder is manufactured in various Gunpowder, parts of the ifland, but lefs in the country I am more particularly fpeak- * In Captain Cook's fecond voyage is a plate reprefenting a plant ufed for the fame purpofe at Otaheitc, which is the exact delineation of one whofe appearance 1 am well accruainted with on Sumatra, and which abounds in many parts of the fea beach; but though its qualities be fimilar to thofe of the toabo, the latter is a different plant, being a vine or creeper. In South America alfo, we are informed, the inhabitants procure fifli after this extraordinary manner, employing three different kind of plants; but whether any of them be the fame with that of Otaheite or Sumatra, I am ignorant. Q^q ing \ ingof, and to the fouthward in general, than amongft the people of Menangcabow, the Battas and Achencfe, whofe frequent wars demand large Supplies. It is made, as with us, of proportions of charcoal, iulphur and nitre, but the compofition is very imperfec~r.lv granulated, being often haftily prepared, in fmall quantities, for immediate ufe. The laft article, though found in greateft quantity in the faltpetre-caves before fpoken of, is moft commonly procured from goat's dung, which is always to be had in plenty. The Jaggree ok country fugar is ufually made from the juice of the attou, a fpecies of palm tree, extracted in the manner already defcribed. In fome places, but rarely, they prefs the fugar cane for this purpofe, in a mill, the rollers of which are worked by the end lefs fcrew, inftead of coggs; one of the two, which is longer than the other, having a bar through it that is turned by the hand. The ^juice is limply boiled till a confidence is formed, but fcarcely at all granulated, being little more than a thick fyrup. This is made into cakes, fpread upon leaves to dry, and afterwards lapt up in oopte or the inner bark of the penaug tree. This jaggree, befide its ordinary ufes as fugar, being mixed with lime, makes a fine cement for building, and an exquifite plafter for walls, which in fome parts of India equals marble in appearance. The liquor of the anou, called necroo or toddy, is drunk whilft frefh, and proves an agreeable beverage, It is alfo made ufe of in a fermented ftate, to effect which a compofition is employed called raggce; and a quantity of rice being at the fame time fteeped in it, the liquor then becomes intoxicating, and is called brum. This is in fad the bafis of the Spirit called arrack, but the Sumatrans have not the art of diftilling it.* The Malays, when re- * Many attempts have been made by the Englifh to bring to perfection the manufacture of fugar and arrack from the canes : but the expences, particularly of the (laves, were always found to exceed the advantages. Within thefe few years, that the plantations and works were committed to the management of Mr. Henry Botham ; it has manifeftly appeared that the end is to be obtained, by employing the Chinefe in the works of the field, and allowing them a proportion of the produce, for their labor. The manufacture had arrived at a confiderable extent, when the breaking out of the war gave a check to it's progrefs : but the path is pointed out, and it is worth purfuing with vigor The turns of money thrown into Batavia for arrack and fugar have been immenfe. ftrained {trained from the ufe of opium, are apt to have recourfe to this liquor-, T but among the country people inebriation is perfectly rare. Salt is here, as in moft' other countries, an article of general confump- Salr-tion. The demand for it is moftly fupplied by cargoes imported, but they alfo manufacture it themfelves.* The method is tedious. They kindle a fire clofe to the fea beach, and pour upon it fea water, by degrees. When this has been continued for a certain time the water evaporating, and the fait being precipitated among the afhes, they gather thefe in bafkets, or in funnels made of the bark or leaves of trees, and again pour fea water on them, till the particles of fait are well feparated, and pafs, with the water, into a veffel placed below to receive them. This water, now ftrongly impregnated, is boiled till the fait adheres in a thick cruft to the bottom and fides of the veffel. In burning a fquare fathom of firewood, a fkilful perfon procures about live gallons of fait. What is thus made, has fo confiderable a mixture of the fait of the wood, that it foon diffolves, and cannot be carried far into the country. The coarfeft grain is preferred. The art of medicine, among the Sumatrans, confifts almofl entirely 4rt of mcdi* CI 11C in the application of fimples, in the virtues of which they are furpriz-ingly fkilled Every old man and woman is a phyfician; their rewards depending upon their fuccefs; but they generally procure a fmall fum in advance, under the pretext of purehafing charms-f. The mode of practice * In one of the earlieft letters from Bencoolen, to the Prcfidcncy of Matlrafs, it is mentioned that Salt could not be difpofed of as an article of trade. t Charms are there worn about the necks of children, as in Europe. I know not what they arecornpofed of, nor is it of much conference, being merely inipofitions of the Malay priefts. A charm aguinftan ague I once accidentally met with, which from circumftances I conclude to be a tranflation of fuch as are employed by the Portuguefe Chriftians in India. Though not properly belonging to my fubjecl:, I will prelent it to the reader. " (Sign of the crofs). When Chrift faw the crofs, he trembled and fhaked j and they faid unto him, haft thou an ague ? and he faid unto them, T have neither ague nor fever ; and whofoever bears thefe words, either in Writing or in mind, fhall never be troubled with ague or fever. So help thy fervants, O Lord, who rice is either by administering the juices of certain trees and herbs inwardly, or by applying outwardly a poultice of leaves chopped fmall, upon the breaft or part effect ed, renewing it as foon as it becomes dry. For internal pains, they rub oil on a large leaf of a ftimulant quality, and heating it before the fire, clap it on the body of the patient, as a blifter, which produces very powerful effects. Phlebotomy they never ufe, yet the people of the neighbouring iiland of Neas, are famous for their Ikill in cupping, which they practice in a manner peculiar to themfelves. In fevers they give a decoction of the herb lakoon, and bathe the patient, for two or three mornings, in warm water. If this does not prove effectual, they pour over him, during the paroxyfm, a quantity of cold water, rendered more chilly by the daoun fedingin, which, from the Hidden revulfion it caufes, brings on a copious perforation. Pains and fwellings in the limbs, are likewife cured by Sweating; but for this purpofe, they either cover themfelves over with mats, and fit in the fun-fhine at noon, or if the operation be performed within doors, a lamp, and fometimes a pot of boiling herbs, is enclofed in the covering with them. There are two fpecies of leprofy known in theSe parts. The milder Sort, or impetigo \ as I apprehend it to be; is very common among the inhabitants of Neas; great numbers of whom are covered with a white fcurS or Scales, that render them loath fome to the light. But this dif-temper, though difagreeable from the violent itching and other inconveniences with which it is attended, does not appear immediately to affect the health; flaves in that Situation being daily bought and fold for field and other out-door work. It is communicated from parents to their who put their truft in thee V From the many folds that appear in the original, I have reafon to apprehend that it had been worn, and by fome Englishman, whom frequent ficknefs and the fond, love of life, had rendered weak and fuperftitious enough to try the effects of this barbarous and ridiculous quackery. offspring} offspring, but though hereditary, it is not contagious. I have fometimes been induced to think it nothing more than a confirmed ftage of the ferpigo or ringworm, or it may be the fame with what is elfewhere termed the Jhingles* I have known a Neas man who has effected a temporary removal of this fcurf, by the frequent application of fuch herbs as are ufed to cure the ringworm, and fometimes by rubbing gunpowder and ftrong acids to his fkin; but it always returned after fome time. The other fpecies, with which the country people are in fome inftances affected, is doubtlefs the ekphant'wjis, from the defcription given of its dreadful fymptoms *, the fkin coming off in flakes, and the ftefh falling from the bones, as in the lues venerea. This diforder being efteemed highly infectious, the unhappy wretch who labors under it, is driven from the village he belonged to, into the woods, where victuals are left for him, from time to time, by his relations. A prang and a knife are Hkewife delivered to him, that he may build himfelf a hut, which is generally erected near to fome river, continual bathing being fuppofed to have fome effect in removing the diforder, or alleviating the mifery of the patient. Few inftances of recovery have been known. There is a defeafe called the nambee which bears fome affinity to this, attacking the feet chiefly, the flefh of which it eats away. As none but the loweft clafs of people feem to fuffer from this complaint, 1 imagine it proceeds in a great degree from want of cleanlinefs. The fmall pox fometimes vifits the ifland and makes terrible ravages. It is regarded as a plague, and drives from the country thoufands whom the infection fpares. Their method of flopping its progrefs; for they do not attempt a cure; is by converting into an hofpital or receptacle for the reft, that village where lie the greateft number of fick, whither they fend all who are attacked by the diforder, from the country round. The moft effectual methods are purfued to prevent any perfon's efcape from this village, which is burnt to the ground as foon as the infection has fpent itfelf, or devoured all the victims thus offered to it. Inoculation feems to be an idea not thought of, and as it could not be univerfal, it might be a dangerous experiment for Europeans to introduce it par- R r tiafly, Venereal dif- eafe. tially, in a country where the diforder makes its appearance at diftant intervals only unlefs thofe periods could be feized, and the attempts made, when and where there might be well founded apprehenfion of its being communicated in the natural way. A diftemper much refembling the fmall pox, and in its firft ftages miftaken for it, is not uncommon. It caufes an alarm, but does not prove mortal, and is probably what we term the chicken pox. The venereal difeafe, though common in the Malay bazars, is in the inland country almoft unknown. A man returning to his village, with the infection, is ftiunned by the inhabitants as an unclean and interdicted perfon. The Malays cure it with the decoction of a china root, called by them gadcong, which caufes a Salivation. infanity. When a man is by ficknefs, or otherwife, deprived of his reafon, or when fubject to convulfion fits, they imagine him polfeffed by an evil fpirit, and their ceremony of exorcifm, is by putting the unfortunate wretch into a hut, which they fet fire to about his ears, Suffering him to make his efcape through the flames in the beft manner he can. The fright, which would go nigh to deftroy the intellects of a reafonable man, may perhaps have, under contrary circumftances, an oppofite effect. Sciences. The fkill of the Sumatrans in any of the Sciences, is, as may be pre* Arithmetic. Sumed, very limited. Some, however, I have met with, who, in arithmetic, could multiply and divide, by a Single multiplier or divifor, feveral places of figures. Tens of thoufands (laxa) are the higheft clafs of numbers the Malay language has a name for. In counting over a quantity of fmall articles, each tenth, and afterwards each hundredth piece, is put afide;. which method is juft confonant with the progrefs of Scientific numeration, and probably was the origin of it. When they may have occafion to recollect at a diftance of time, the Sale of any commodities they are carrying to market, or the like, the country people often aflift their memory, by tying knots on a firing, which is produced when they want to Specify the number. The Peruvian quips were, I fuppofe, an improvement upon this fimple invention. They They eftimate the quantity of moft fpecies of merchandize by what Meafures. we call dry meafure, the ufe of weights being apparently introduced among them by foreigners; for the pecul and cattee are ufed only on the fea coaft, and places which the Malays frequent*. The cool ah ox bamboo, containing very nearly a gallon, is the general ftandard of meafure among the Rejangs: of thefe eight hundred make a coy an : the choopa is one quarter of a bamboo. By the bamboo almoft all articles, even elephants teeth, are bought and fold; but by a bamboo of ivoryr they mean fo much as is equal in weight to a bamboo of rice. This ftill includes the idea of weight, but is not attended with their principal objection to that mode of ascertaining quantity, which arifes, as they fay, from the impoffibility of juding, by the eye of the juftnefs of artificial weights, owing to the various materials of which they may be compofed, and which measurement is not liable to. The meafures of length here, as perhaps originally among every people upon earth, are taken, from the dimenfions of the human body. The aeu figures of fpeech a, plied to the occurrences of life. Some that they rehearfc, in a kind of recitative, at their bimbang* or feafts, are hiftorical love talcs, like our old Englifli ballads, but often extempore. An ex^ ample of the former fpecies is as follows. Apo goono paJTang palette, Callo tetdah dangan foomioonia ? Apo goono lermine matto, , Callo teeda dangan foongoonia? What fignifles attempting to light a lamp, If the wick be wanting ? What fignifies making love with the eyes, If nothing in earneft be intended ? It muft be obferved however, that it often proves a very difficult matter to trace the connexion between the figurative and the literal fenfe of the ftanza. The effentials in the compofition of the pantoon; for fuch thefe little pieces are called; the longer being called dendang; are the ryth-mus and the figure, particularly the latter, which they confider as the life and fpirit of the poetry. I had a proof of this in an attempt which I made, to impofe a pantoon of my own compoting, on the natives, as a work of their countrymen. The fubjecl: was a dialogue between a lover, and a rich, coy miftrefs: The expreffions were proper to the occafion, and in fome degree chara&eriftic. It pafTed with feveral, but an old lady who was a more difecrning critic than the others, remarked that it was " catto catto fajo"—mere converfation ; meaning that it was deflitute of the quaint and figurative exprefiions which adorn their own poetry. Their language, in common fpeaking, is proverbial and fen-tentious. If a young woman prove with child before marriage, they observe it is, douloo booa, cadeean boongo'—lf the fruit before the flower." Hearing of a perfon's death, they fay," nen mattee, mattee; nencedoop, becrajo : callo fampi-la janjeenia, apo boolee booat r"—" thofe who are dead, are dead ; thofe who furvive muft work : if his allotted time was expired, what refource is there ?*" * The ** apo boolee booa?"1 is a phrafe they always make ufe of, to expreft their fenfe of ine-viability, and has more force than any tranfiation of it I can employ. Their 5 U M A T R A, Their writing is in the Arabic character, very little corrupted, owing Arabic cha-to which, and the adoption of their religion from the fame quarter, a Malay*.**b great number of Arabic words are incorporated with the Malay. The Portuguefe too have furnilhed them with many terms, chiefly for fuch ideas as they have acquired fince the period of European difcoveries to the eaftward. They write on paper, ufing ink of their own compofition, with pens made of the twig of the Anou tree. I could never discover that the Malays had any original written characters, peculiar to themfelves, before they acquired thofe now in ufe ; but it is poflible that fuch might have been loft; a fate that may hereafter attend thofe of Sumatra, on which the Arabic daily makes encroachments. Yet I have had frequent occafion to obferve the Malay language written by inland people, in the country character; which would indicate that the fpeech is likely to perifh firft. Their books are for the moft part, either tranf-fcripts from the Alcoran (koraan) or legendary tales (kabar); of little merit as compofitions. The pureft, or moft efteemed Malay is faid, and with great appearance of reafon, to be fpoken at Malacca. It differs from the dialect ufed on Sumatra chiefly in this, that words, in the latter, made to terminate in " O," are, in the former, founded as ending in (i A." Thus they pronounce teda (pepper^ inftead of ladfl. Thofe words which end with a " K" in writing, are, on Sumatra, always fbftened in Speaking, by omitting it; as H table bunnia" f* many compliments," Sor u tabtek bunniak;" but the Malaccans; and especially the more eaftern people, who fpeak very broad ; give them generally the full found. The per-fonal pronouns alfo differ materially in the refpective countries. Attempts have been made to compofe a Grammar of the Malay tongue, upon the principles on which thofe of the European languages are formed. But the abfurdity of fuch productions is obvious. Where there is no inflexion of either nouns or verbs, there can be no cafes, de-clenfions, moods, or conjugations. All this is performed by the addition T t of of certain words expreftive of a determinate meaning, which Ihould not be confidered as mere auxiliaries, or as particles fubferviem to other words. Thus, in the inftance of Rooma, a houfe; " derr^e pada rooma" figni-fies " from a houfe"; but it would be talking without ufe or meaning, to fay that decree pada is the fign of the ablative cafe of that noun, for then every proportion fhould equally require an appropriate cafe, and as well as " of" «v to" and "from," we fhould have a cafe for " deatas roomd*—iC on top of the houfe". So of verbs: " callo fayo boolee gellan"—-** if I could walk :" this may be termed the preter-imperfect. tenfe of the fubjundive or potential mood, of the verb gellan- whereas it is in fact a fentence, of which gellan, boolee, &c* are conftituent words.* It is improper, I fay, to talk of the cafe of a noun, which does not change its termination, or the mood of a verb, which does not alter its form. An ufeful fet of observations might be collected, for fpeak-ing the language with correctneSs and propriety, but they muft be as different from the artificial and technical rules of our grammarians, as the drefs of an European lady,, from the Simplicity of a Malay habit.. Interior peo- Befide the Malay there are a variety of languages fpoken on Sumatra, ^s^ffeTenr which, however, have not only a manifeft affinity among themfelves,-from the Ma- ^Q t0 tnat general language which is found to prevail in, and to be indigenous to ali the iflands of the eaftern fea; from Madagafcar to the remoteft of Captain Cooke's difcoverics; comprehending a wider extent than the Roman, or any other tongue, has yet boafted. Indisputable examples of this connexion and Similarity, I have exhibited in a paper which the Society of Antiquaries have done me the honor to pu-blifh in their Archaiologia. In different places it has been more or lefs * Bowrey, who has written on this fubjecl:, conftkutes his future tenfe, of the word (t maOC*' thus, " camet maoo bacba," which is, " we chufe, or are inclined to read," To form the Paffive Toice, he fays the particle u for" is to be prefixed, but he is miftakan, for " I fend this letter5' is expreffed in Malay, by "fayo ber-kerim foorat irztiee." Thefe endeavors to fquare every thing to our own local and partial ideas, puts me in mind of fome vocabularies I have feen, in which the country Titles were thus explained—Pangeran—^ Duke : Dattoo—m Earl: Dupatiy— a Lord Mayor. mixed S U M A T R A. r65 mixed and corrupted, but between the moft difiimilar branches, an evident famenefs of many radical words is apparent; and in fome, very diftant from each other in point of fituation ; as for inftance the Philippines and Madagafcar; the deviation of the words Is fcarcely more than is obferved in the dialects of neighbouring provinces of the fame kingdom.* The principal internal languages of Sumatra, are the Rejang and the t. r vrr -it <• They have p«- Batta, whofe difference is marked, not fo much by the want of corret- cuiiar writing pondence in the terms, as by the circumftance of their being each ex- chald£tel,:' preffed in a diftinct and peculiar written character. This I conceive to be extraordinary, and perhaps lingular, in the hiftory of human improvement; that two divifions of people on the fame ifland, with equal claims to originality, in ftages of civilization nearly equal, and fpeaking languages derived from the fame fource, Ihould write in characters effenti-ally different from, each other, and from the reft of the world. What corroborates the evidence of the alphabets being feparate and unconnected inventions, is, that the order of the letters is not the fame; as will appear by an inflection of the fpecimens I have fubjoined for the gratification of the curious-f-. The Achenefe making ufe of the Arabic character, their language has the lefs claim to originality. The Lampoon, as a dialect, is fufheiently diftinct from all the others, but a few of the letters of the alphabet, particularly the firft and fecond, are ex'-preffed by characters manifeftly the fame with the Rejang, though the major part feem entirely unlike. Perhaps, as the Greeks are faidto have. * I am engaged in an attempt to render this comparifon of languages more extenfive, and as far as poffibie, to bring fpecimens of all thofe fpoken in the known world, into cn« point of view. t See the following plate. The Javanefe, and all other eaftern writing, that I have examined, differ as much from thefe, as the Rejang from the Batta. The fpecimen of a Ja r,T, A V A vV it ft /W /ft r /t/ytt fa An c/ta //tft H w I* M k /SrV A 0 /Yt OOft ////ft ///Art //////ft f/t? /tf/ft ///ft ft //,„'/■ 0/ {/>//////////< //tt/t 4r. O t /////-/ 0/ _ff/f/.iC — __//////:> of ////.if 1 /<^t//////.> ft/t yot'//'//e// /y ft /'ttr/f/y of o//y//.> f/tt' ttf/ft/f/ft/to// &j////• //,/, ft///.)////'////// /////■/:// /t//._J/to.it //■///// /r//>//y yter/////t//y /o //t//}//'■> t/f>//ft/ft./ //•//// t/tff/tyf.i //f _//■/•///////////>// f/t>//t............................................ft fo ft// /ff///r//ft o/'f/'/to ////>/>//'// t/t/t//yet ft //> ft// t ('/t//tt/ty r/t/tftyfJ......................W fo fttty /fyooft^-oo/ta_________....................fo ar itt//>//'ft//___...............______.............fo t'f /ft ////rr/fi ft //iffc/ta .........................-........fo fty A /ft %/■//// />„///// A////• *£-//■/' A*//ty 'f>/y//ty £/<>/< AC// £ /< -~J//_/';//t/y f(/'f /tft 1 /amnefans...................................& 0* C /tifcf/t /ty................................._____fo / L /afot>/f>fy//f/'......................_______......fo t///> "//•yot/tft/t/t />//i/f//y, fftr/t fo/1 //t' //if/j/y/ftf/ /yi/'f.u/i/t/iy tt ,>y//ft//f —////■ ///t/t//y /.> f/-///// ////■ /ff/ /to://///> ///f r/y/t/ . Batta //ff <^ //ft Jus .> y/tt/t //ft ///ff 'Ms fo - //ft /a/// I ,, M IP ■■(■> ON o Off //'ft ./ft ffff Of) /tt/r ffff ff _y <9 yut ///ft f/n /M/Z< r/f/ a. /Yf ff ///ft /,« irXtarr^bn Sm//,.' 5 U M A T R A* Comparative fiate of the Sumatrans in civil fociety—Difference of Character between the Malay and other inhabitants. Government—Titles and power of the chiefs among the Rejangs. Influ^ £nce of the Europeans—Government in Pajfummah. (CONSIDERED as a people occupying a certain rank in the fcale jj£mp of civil fociety, it is not eafy to determine the proper fituation of the inhabitants of this ifland. Though far diftant from that point to which the polifhed ftates of Europe have afpired, they yet look down, with an interval almoft as great, on the favage tribes of Africa and America. Perhaps if we diftinguifh mankind fummarily into five claffes; but of which each would admit of numberlefs fubdivifions; we might aflign a third place, to the more civilized Sumatrans, and a fourth, to the remainder. In the firft clafs, I fhould of courfe include fome of the republics of ancient Greece, in the days of their fplendor; the Romans, for fome time before and after the Auguftine age ,• France, England, and other refined nations of Europe, in the latter centuries, and perhaps China. The fecond might comprehend the great Afiatic empires at the period of their profperity; Perfia, the Mogul, the Turkifh, with fome European kingdoms. In the third clafs, along with the Sumatrans, Xoloans, and a few other ftates of the eaftern archipelago, I Ihould rank the nations on the northern coaft of Africa, and the more polifhed Arabs. The fourth clafs, with the lefs civilized Sumatrans, will take in the people of the new difcovered iflands in the South Sea; perhaps the celebrated Mexican and Peruvian empires; the Tartar hoards, and all thofe focieties of people in various parts of the globe, who, poffefting perfonal property, and acknowledging fome fpecies of eftablifhed fubor-dination, rife one ftep above the Carribs, the New Hollanders, the Laplanders, Laplanders, and the Hottentots, who exhibit a picture of mankind in it's rudeft and moft humiliating afpect.* Few improve- As mankind are by nature fo prone to imitation, it may feem fur- ments adopted ' * from the Eu- prizing that thefe people have not derived a greater ftiare of improvement, in manners and arts, from their long connexion with Europeans, particularly with the Englifli, who have now been fettled among them for an hundred years. Though ftrongly attached to their own habits, they are neverthelefs fenfible of their inferiority, and readily admit the preference which our attainments in fcience, and efpecially in mechanics, intitle us to. I have heard, a man exclaim, after contemplating the ftructure and ufes of a houfe clock, " Is it not fitting that fuch as we, fhould be flaves to people who have the ingenuity to invent, and the fkill to conftrucl:, fo wonderful a machine as this?" " The fun," he added, (< is a machine of this nature. But who winds it up, faid his companion ? Who but Allah, replied he". Caufes of this. Some probable caufes of this backwardnefs maybe fuggefted. We carry on few or no fpecies of manufacture at our fettlements: every thing is imported ready wrought to it's higheft perfection: the natives have no opportunity of examining the firft procefs, or the progrefs of the work» Abundantly fupplied with every article of convenience from Europe, and prejudiced in their favor becaufe from thence, we make but little ufe of the raw materials Sumatra affords. We do not fpin it's cotton-; we do not rear it's ftlk-worms; we do not fmelt it's metals; we do not even hew itrs ftone: neglecting thefe,, it is in vain we would exhibit to the people for their improvement in the arts, our rich brocades*, our time-pieces, or difplay to them,, in drawings, the elegance * There are three fcales, pointed out by different writers (Le Poivre, Robertfon, and Richard-fbn) by which to meafure and afcertain the ftate of civilization any people have arrived at: the one is the degree of perfection of their agricultuicj another, their progrefs in the art of numeration; and a third the number of abflract- terms in their language. Forming a judgment by thefe tefts, the reader will be able to determine with what fhare of propiiety I have aflignsd the above ranks to the Sumatrans. of of our architecture. Our manners likcwife are little calculated to excite their approval and imitation. Not to in ft ft on the li-centioufnefs that has at times been imputed to our communities; the pleafures of the table; emulation in wine; boifterous mirth; juvenile frolics, and puerile amufements, which do not pafs without ferious, perhaps contemptuous, animadverfion—fetting thefe afide, it appears to me, that even our beil models are but ill adapted for the imitation of a rude, incurious, and unambitious people. Their fenfes, not their reafon, fhould be acted on, to roufe them from their lethargy; their imaginations muft be warmed; a fpirit of enthufiafrn muft pervade and animate them, before they will exchange the pleafures of indolence for thofe of induftry. The phil'ofophical influence that prevails, and characterifcs the prefent age, in the weftern world, is unfavorable to the producing thefe effects. A modern man of fenfe and manners, de-fpifes, or endeavours to defpife, ceremony, parade, attendance, fuper-fluous and fplendid ornaments in his drefs or furniture : preferring eafe and convenience, to cumbrous pomp, the perfon firft in rank is no longer diftinguiflied by his apparel, his equipage, or his number of fervants, from thofe inferior to him; and though po(Telling real power, is divefted of almoft every external mark of it. Even our religious worfhip partakes of the fame fimplicity. It is far from my intention to condemn or depreciate thefe manners, considered in a general fcale of eftimation. Probably, in proportion as the prejudices of fenfe are diilipated by the light of reafon, we advance towards the higheft degree of perfection our natures are capable of. Poffibly perfection may confiit in a certain medium which we have already got beyond; but certainly all this refinement is utterly incomprehenfible to an uncivilized mind, which cannot difcriminate the ideas of humility and meannefs. We appear to the Sumatrans to have degenerated from the more fplendid virtues of our predeceifors. Even the richnefs of their laced fuits, end the gravity of their perukes, attracted a degree of admiration ; and I have heard the difufe of the large hoops worn by the ladies, pathetically lamented. The quick, and to them Inexplicable, revolutions of our falhions, are fubject of much aftonifhment, and they naturally conclude, that thofe X x modes modes can have but little intrinfic merit which we are To ready to change; or at leafi that our caprice renders us very incompetent to be the guides of their improvement. Indeed, in matters of this kind, it is not to be fuppofed that an imitation ihould take place, owing to the total incongruity of manners in other refpects, and the diflimilarity of natural and local circumftances. But perhaps I am fuperfluoufty inveftigating minute and partial caufes of an effect, which one general one may be thought fufheient to produce. Under the frigid, and more efpecially the torrid zone, the inhabitants will naturally preferve an uninterrupted fimilarity and confiftency of manners, from the uniform influence of their climate. In the temperate zones, where this influence is equivocal, the manners will be fluctuating*, and dependant rather on moral than on phyiical caufes. Difference m The Malay and native Sumatran differ more in the features of their charaaer be- m[nr\ than in thofe of their perfon. Although we know not that this tvvecn the Ma- 1 ° lavs and other ifland, in the revolutions of human grandeur ever made a diftinguifhed figure in the hiftory of the world, (for the Achenefe, though powerful in the fixteenth century, were very low in point of civilization), yet the Malay inhabitants have an appearance of degeneracy, and this renders their character totally different from that which we conceive of a favage; however juftly their ferocious fpirit of plunder on the eaftern coaft, may have drawn upon them that name. They feem rather to be finking into obfeurity, though with opportunities of improvement, than emerging from thence, to a ftate of civil or political importance. They retain a ftrong fhare of pride, but not of that laudable kind which reftrains men from the commiflion of mean and fraudulent actions. They poffefs much low cunning and plaufible duplicity, and know how to diffemble the ftrongeft paflkms and moft inveterate antipathy, beneath the utmoft com pofu re of features, till the opportunity of gratifying their refentment offers. Veracity, gratitude, and integrity are not to be found in the lift of their virtues, and their minds are almoft totally ftrangersto the fentiments of honor and infamy. They are jealous and vindictive. Their courage is defultory, the effect of a momentary en- thufiafm* thufiafm, which enables them to perform deeds of incredible defperation 5 bur they are Grangers to that fteady magnanimity, that cool heroic re-folution in battle, which conftitutes in our idea the perfection of this quality, and renders it a virtue.* Yet it muft be obferved, that from an apathy almoft paradoxical, they fuffer under fcntence of death, in cafes where no indignant paflions could operate to buoy up the mind to a contempt of punifhment, with aftonifhing compofure and indifference; uttering little more on thefe occafions, than a proverbial faying, common among them, expreftlve of the inevitability of fate—?f apo boolee bcoat" ? To this ftoicifm, their belief in predeftination, and very imperfect idea of a future, eternal exiftence, doubtlefs contribute. Some writer has remarked, that a refemblance is ufually found, between the difpofition and qualities of the beafts proper to any country, and thofe of the indigenous inhabitants of the human fpecies, where an intercourfe with foreigners has- not deftroyed the genuinenefs of their character. The Malay may be compared to the buffaloe and the tiger. In his domeftic. ftate, he is indolent, ftubborn, and voluptuous as the former, and in his adventurous life, he is inliduous, blood-thirfty and rapacious as the latter. Thus the Arab is faid to refemble his camel, and . the placid Gentoo his cow.. The original Sumatran, though he partakes in fome degree of the Chara&erof, Malay vices, and partly from the contagion of example, polfelfes many native Sa»a* ii i r ■ tran- cxcluiive virtues ; but they are more properly ot the negative than the pofitive kind. He is mild, peaceable,.and forbearing, unlefs his anger be roufed by violent provocation, when he is implacable in his refent-ments. He is temperate and fober, being equally abftemious in meat and drink. The diet of the natives is moftly vegetable ; water is their only beverage; and though they will kill a fowl or a goat for a ftranger, whom perhaps they never faw before, nor ever expect to fee again, they * In the hiftory of the Portuguefe wars in this part of the eaft, there appears fome exception %9 this remark, and particularly in the character gf Lac/manna, who was truly a great man and moft contaminate warrior* axe. are rarely guilty of that extravagance for themfelves ; nor even at their feftivals (bimbang) where there is a plenty of meat, do they eat much of any thing but rice. Their hofpitality is extreme, and bounded by their ability alone. Their manners are fimple; they are generally, except among the chiefs, devoid of the Malay cunning and chicane ; yet endued with a quicknefs of apprehenfion, and on many occafions difcovering a confiderable degree of penetration and fagacity. In reflect to women, they are remarkably continent, without any ftiare of infenfibility. They are modeft ; particularly guarded in their expreflions ; courteous in their behaviour; grave in their deportment, being feldom or never excited to laughter ; and patient to a great degree. On the other hand they are litigious ; indolent; addicted to gaming; difhoneft in their dealings with'Grangers, which they efteem no moral defect:; fufpicious; regardlefs of truth ; mean in their transactions; fervile; though cleanly in their perfons, dirty in their apparel which they never warn. They are carelcfs and improvident of the future, becaufe their wants are few, for though poor, they are not ncceffitous; nature fupplying with extraordinary facility, whatever fhe has made requifite for their exiftence Science and the arts have not, by extending their views, contributed to enlarge the circle of their defires; and the various refinements of luxury, which in poliihcd focictics become ncceifarics of life, are totally unknown to them.* Government. Having endeavoured to trace the character of thefe people, with as much fidelity and accuracy as poftible, I fhall now proceed to give an account of their government, laws, cuftoms, and manners; and in order to convey to the reader, the cleared ideas in my power, I fhall de-velopc the various circumftances in fuch order and connexion, as fhall • The people from Macaffar and Bqggwfi who come annually in their praivt to trade at Su-nntrn, are looked up to by the inhabitants, as their fuperiors in manners. The Malays affeft to copy their ityie of drefs, and frequent allulions to the feats and atchievements of thefe people arc made in their fongs. Their reputation for courage, which certainly furpaihV that of all orher people in the eaftern feas, acquires them this flattering diftinction. They'll fo derive part of the refpecf paid them, from the richnefs ofthe cargoes they import, and the fpirit with which they fpend the produce in gaming, cock-fighting, and opium fmoakirg, appear appear beft to anfvver this intent, without confining myfelf, in every inftance, to a rigid and fcrupulous arrangement into diftinct. heads. The inhabitants of the Rejang country live in villages or doofoons, fmo^thT' each under the government of a magiftrate ftyled Dupatty. His depen- Reiai^s» dants are termed Ana-booa,* and in number feldom exceed one hundred, A certain proportion of the dupatties belonging to each river ; the villages being always Iituated by the water fide are chofen to meet in a legiflative or judicial capacity, at the qualloe or river's mouth, and thefe are diftinguiflied by the name of Proatteen. The Pawcran or Pan?cr™ " ^ or chief, prince of the country, prefides over the whole. I would point out in what confifts the fealty of a dupatty to a pangeran, and of his anahooa to him, but fo very little is to be obferved in either cafe, that it is not an eafy matter to defcribe it. Almoft without arts, and with but little induftry, the ftate of property is nearly equal among all the inhabitants, and the chiefs fcarcely differ but in title, from the bulk of the people. Their authority is no more than nominal, being without that coercive His authority, power, neceflary to make themfelves feared and implicitly obeyed. This is the natural refult of poverty among nations habituated to peace ; where the two great political engines of intereft and military force are wanting. Their government is founded in opinion, and the fubmiflion of the people is voluntary. The domeftic rule of a private family, beyond a doubt, fuggefted firft the idea of government in fociety, and this people having made but fmall advances in civil policy, theirs retains a ftrong refemblance of its original. It is connected alfo with the principle of the feudal fyftem, into which it would probably fettle, fhould it attain to a greater degree of refinement. All the other governments throughout the ifland, are likewife a mixture of the patriarchal and feudal; and it may be obferved, that where a jpirit of conqueft has reduced the inha- * Apparently a figurative exprefhon, from fruit hanging on a tree. f The names which we ufually apply to countries or diftri£ts, belong pToperly to the rivers; and it is, with the natives, more common to fay, the people of fuch a^river, than of fuch a country. Kivcrs in Europe divide provinces, but in India they are confidered as running through the center of them. Y y bitants bitants under the fubjection of another power, or has added foreign diftridts to their dominion, there the feudal maxims prevail: where the natives, from fituation or difpofition, have long remained undifturbed by revolutions, there the fimplicity of patriarchal rule obtains ; which is not only the firft, and natural form of government, of all rude nations riling from imperceptible beginnings, but is perhaps alfo the higheft ftate of perfection they can ultimately arrive at. It is not in this art alone that we perceive the next ftep from confummate refinement, leading to fimplicity. The foundation of right to government among thefe people, feems,.. Much limited. as I fa\d, to be the general eonfent. If a chief exerts an undue authority, or departs from their long eftablifhed cuftonis and ufages, they conceive themfelves at liberty to relinquifh their allegiance. A commanding afpect, an infinuating manner, a ready fluency in difcourfe, and a penetration and fagacity in unravelling the little intricacies of their disputes,, are qualities which feldom fail to procure to their poifeffor, re-fpect and influence, fometimes perhaps fuperior to that of an acknowledged chief. The pangeran indeed claims defpotic fway, and as far as he can find the means, fcruples not to exert it; but his revenues-being infufficient to enable him to keep up any force, for carrying his mandates into execution, his actual powers arc very limited, and he has feldom found himfelf able to punifh a turbulent fubject, any otherwife than by private affafiination. In appointing the heads of doofoons, he does little more than confirm the choice already made among the inhabitants, and W|s he arbitrarily to name a perfon of a different tribe, or from another place,, he would not be obeyed. He levies no tax nor has any revenue, (what he derives from the India Company being out of the queftion) or emolument from his fubjects, other than what accrues to him from the determination of caufes. Appeals lie to him in all cafes, and none of the inferior courts, or affemblies of proatteens, are competent for life and death. But all punifliments being, by the laws of the country, commutable for fines, and the appeals being attended with expence and lofs of time, the parties generally abide by the firft decifion. Thofe doofoons doofoons which, are Iituated neareft to the residence of the pangeran, at Soongey-lamo, acknowledge fomewhat more of fubordination than the diftant ones, which, even in cafe of war, eft;eem themfelves at liberty to aflift or not, as they think proper, without being liable to confequences. In anfwer to a queftion on this point," we are his fubjects not his fiaves," replied one of the proatteens. But from the pangeran you hear a tale widely different. He has been known to fay, in a political converfation ; " fuch and fuch doofoons, there will be no trouble with : they are my powder and motexplaining himfelf by adding, that he could difpofe of the inhabitants, as his anceftors had done, to purchafe ammunition in time of war* The father of Pangeran Munco Raja (whofe name is i preferved from [jjjjpjj of tbe oblivion by the part he took in the expulfion of the Englifh from Fort geran in Re-Marlborough in the year 1719) was the firft who bore the title of pan- ]a"S* geran of Soongey4am0. He had before been limply Beginda Sebyam. Till about an hundred years ago, the fouthern coaft of Sumatra, as far as Oori river, was dependant on the king of Bantam, whofe Jennang (lieu-' tenant or deputy) came yearly to Silebar or Bencoolen, collected the pepper, and filled up the vacancies, by nominating, or rather confirming in their election, the proatteens. Soon after that time; theEnglilh having eftablifhed a fettlement at Bencoolen; the jennang informed the chiefs that he fhould vifit them no more, and railing the two head men of Soongey-lamo and Soongey etam,* to the dignity of pangeran, gave into their hands the government of the country, and withdrew his mafterY claim. Such is the account given by the prefent poffeffors, of the origin of their titles, which nearly correfponds with the recorded transactions-of the period. It followed naturally that the pangeran fhould lay claim to the abfolute authority of the king whom he reprefented, and that the proatteens Ihould ftill conlider him but as one of themfelves, and pay him little more than nominal obedience. He had no power to enforce » The latter is chief of the Lemba country, in the neighbourhood of Bencoolen river j mi '•vhich however, the former poffeflcs fome villages, and is chief of the Rejang tribes. his. KIs plea, and they retain their privileges, taking no oath of allegiance* nor fubmitting to be bound by any pofitive engagement. They fpeak of him however with refpect, and in any moderate requifition, that does not affect, their addat or cuftoms, they are ready enough to aid him, (tolong, as they exprefs it) but rather as matter of favor, than acknowledged obligation. The exemption the Dupatties contend for, from abfolute fubjection, they allow in turn to their ana-boons, whom they govern by the influence of opinion only. The refpect paid to a Dupatty, is little more than as to an Elder of a family held in efteem, and this the old men of the doo-foon fhare with him; fitting by his fide in judgment on the little differences that arife among themfelves. If they cannot determine the caufe, or the difpute be with one of a feparate village, the proatteens of the fame tribe that live adjacent, meet for the purpofe. From thefe litigations arife fome fmall emoluments to the dupatty, whofe dignity, in other refpecta, is rather an expence than an advantage. In the erection of public works, fuch as their Balli or town hall, he contributes a larger fhare of materials. He receives and entertains all ftrangers; his dependants furnifhing their quotas of provifion, on particular occafions; and their hofpitality is fuch, that food and lodging are never refufed to thofe who alk it. Succeffionof Though the rank of dupatty be not ftrictiy hereditary, the fon, when age, and capable, generally fucceeds the father, at his deceafe; if too young, the father's brother, or fuch one of the family as appears moft qualified, affumes the poft; not as a regent, but in his own right; and the minor comes in perhaps at the next vacancy. Tribes. The Rejangs are diftinguiflied into tribes, the defendants of a dif- ferent pooyang or anceftor. Of thefe there are four principal tribes, Joor-callang, Benmannie, ^eloopo and 1 oobye j faid to derive their origin from four brothers, and to have been united from time immemorial in a league offenfive and defenfive; the permanency however of this bond, may be conjectured /sumatra. 179 conjectured to have been owing to the expediency refulting from their fituation, rather than their confanguinity, or any formal compact. There are alfo feveral inferior tribes. Each river or diftrict, (for it is by the rivers the parts of the country are diftinguiflied) and indeed each doofoon, is independent of, though not unconnected with, it's neighbours; acting in concert, only by fpe-cific confent. On every river there is at leaft one Pambarab or fuperior proatteen, who differs from the reft, in the right of prefiding at thofe fuits and feftivals, in which two or more doofoons have a common concern, with a larger allotment of fines and provifton.* If more tribes than one are fettled on the fame river, each has ufually it's pambarab, who is chofen by the refpedtive proatteens : thefe are chofen in like manner by the dupatties, but with the concurrence of the elders of the doofoon. If the choice difpleafes any of the inhabitants, they agree among themfelves what chief they will follow, and remove to his doofoon. There is no reftraint or compulfion in the cafe. Sometimes a few families feparate themfelves, and elect a chief, but without contefting the right of him whom they leave. The chiefs do not however affume the title of dupatty, without being confirmed by the pangeran, or by the Company's Refident, who in truth exercifes many of the functions of fovereignty. The fyftem of government among the people near the fea coaft, who, influence of towards the fouthern extreme of the ifland, are the planters of pepper, theIndiaCom" is much influenced by the power of the Europeans, who are virtually the lords paramount. The advantages derived to the fubject from their fway, both in a political and civil fenfe, are infinitely greater than perfons at a diftance are ufually inclined to fuppofe. Oppreflions may be fometimes complained of at the hands of individuals, but, to the honor of the Company's fervice let me add, they have been very rare, and * The moft diftinguiflied of the heroes of the Iliad were ferved at table with a larger proportion of chine* Zz of pany. of inconfiderable magnitude. Where a degree of difcretionary power is intruded to fingle perfons, abufes will, in the nature of things, arife in fome inftances; cafes may occur, in which the private pafhons of the Refident, will interfere with his public duty; but the door has ever been open for rcdrefs, and examples have been made. To deftroy this influence and authority in order to prevent thefe confequences, were to cut off a limb in order to remove a partial complaint. By the Company's power, the diftrictsover which it extends, are preferved in uninterrupted peace. How invaluable a blefting this, let Poland, let America, let other defolated countries fpeak. Were it not for this power, every doofoon of every river, would be at war with it's neighbour. The natives themfelves allow it, and it was evinced, even in the fliort fpace of time the Englifh were abfent from the coaft, in the former war with France. Hoftilities of diftrid againft diftrict, fo frequent among the independent nations to the northward, are, in the Company's jurifdictlon, things unheard of; and. thofe difmal cataftrophes, which, in all the Malay iflands, are wont to attend on-private feuds, but very rarely happen. i( I tell you honeftly" faid a dupatty, much irritated againft one of his neighbours, " that it is only you," pointing to the Refidcnt of Laye, " that prevent my plunging this weapon into his breaft." The Rcfident is alfo confir dered as the protector of the people, from the injuftice and oppreflion of the chiefs. This oppreflion, though not carried on in the way of open force, which the ill-defined nature of their authority would not fupport, is fcarcely lefs grievous to the fufferer. Expounders of the law, and deeply verfed in the chicanery of it, they are ever lying in wait to take advantage of the necefli ous and ignorant, till they have ftripped them of their property, their family, and their liberty. To prevent thefe practices; the partial adminiftration of juftice in confequence of bribes; the fubornation of witneffes;. and the like iniquities, a contif nual exertion of the Relident's attention and authority is required j and as that authority is accidentally relaxed, the country falls into confufion.. It It is true, that this interference is not ftridly confonant with the fpirit of the original contracts, entered into by the Company with the native chiefs, who, in coniideration of protection from their enemies; regular purchafe of the produce of their country; and a gratuity to themfelves, proportioned to the quantity of that produce undertake, on their part, to oblige their dependants to plant pepper; to refrain from the ufe of opium, the practice of gaming, and other vicious exceffes; and to punifh them in cafe of non-compliance. But however prudent or equal thefe contracts might have been at the time their form was eftablifhed, a change of circumftances; the gradual and neceflary increafe of the Company's fway, which the peace and good of the country required; the tacit confent of the chiefs themfelves, (among whom the oldeft living has never been ufed to regard the Company,, who have conferred on them their refpeclive dignities, as their equals, or as trading in their diftricts upon fufferancc) has long antiquated them; and cuftom and experience have introduced in their room, an influence on one fide, and a fubordination on the other, more confiftcnt with the power of the Company, and more fuitable to the benefits derived from tha moderate and humane extrcife of that power; Prefcription has given it's fanction to this change, and the people have fubmittcd to it without murmuring; as it was introduced, not fuddenly, but with the natural courfe of events, and bettered the condition of the whole, while it tended to curb the rapacity of the fcw\ Then- let not fliort fighted.or deilgning perfons, upon falfc principles of juftice, or ill-di-gcfted notions of liberty, rafhly endeavour to overturn a fchcme of government, doubtlefs not perfect, but which fcems beft adapted to the circumftances it has refpect to, and attended with the feweft disadvantages. Let them not vainly exert themfelves to procure rcdrefs of imaginary grievances, for perfons who complain not, or to infufe a fpirit of freedom and independence, in a climate where nature apparently never intended they fhould flourifh, and which, if obtained, would inevitably be attended with effects, that all their advantages would badly tompen-fate. Tn Government Jn Paflummah, which nearly borders upon Rejang, to the fouthward, n a umma . ^ere appears fome difference in the mode of government, though the fame fpirit pervades both; the chiefs being equally without a regular coercive power, and the people equally free in the choice of whom they will ferve. This is an extenfive, and, comparatively, populous country, bounded on the northweft by that of Lamattang, and on the foutheaft by that of Lampoon,; the river of Padang-gochie marking the divifion from the latter, near the fea coaft. It is diftinguiflied into Paffummah lebbar, or the broad, which lies inland, extending to within a day's journey of Mocaro Moolang, on Palembang river; and Paflummah ooloo Manna, which is on the weftern fide of the range of hills, whither the inhabitants are faid to have moftly removed, in order to avoid the government of the Dutch. Paffummah is governed by four pangerans, who are perfectly independent of each other, but they acknowledge a kind of fovercignty in the Sultan of Palembang, from whom they hold a chop (warrant) and receive a faling (invcftiture), on their acceflion.* This fubordination is the confequence of the king of Bamtam's former influence over this part of the ifland, Palembang being a port at that time dependant on him, and ftill on the Dutch, whofe inftrument the fultan is; and the people are for the greater part Javans.-f There is an inferior pangeran in almoft every doofoon ; that title being nearly as common in Paffummah, as dupatty towards the fea coaft; who are chofen by the inhabitants of the doofoon, and confirmed by the fuperior pangeran, whom they aflift in the determination of caufes. In the low country, where the pepper planters refide, whofe race is mixed with colonifts from Rejang and a place * The Grand Signior in like manner fends a veft and turban to his great vaflals. t " A king of Bantam, in 1596, fell before Palinban, a rebel town of Sumatra which he was befieging ; and the fiege was raifed thereupon." Navigations aux Ind. Ori. 1609. Pangeran is properly a Javanefe title, introduced on Sumatra, and prevailing only in the fouthern pnrt. called called Hadjee, the title of Calippab is found. Each of thefe prefide over various tribes, which have been collected at different times, and have ranged themfelves, fome under one, and fome under another chief; having alfo their fuperior proatteen, or pambarab, as to the northward. On the rivers of Peeno, Manna and Bankannon, are two calippahs refpec-tively, fome of whom are alfo pangerans, which laft feems to be here rather a title of honor, or family diftinction, than of magiftracy. They are independent of each other, owning no fuperior; and their number;, according to the ideas of the people, cannot be ihereafed. Laws and cufloms—Mode of deciding Caufes—~Code of Laws. Laws or cuftoms. fVlERE is no word in the languages of the ifland which properly and ftrictly Signifies Law; nor is there any perfon or clafs of perfons, among the Rejangs, regularly invefted with a legijlative power. They are governed in their various difputes, by a fet of long eftablifhed cuftoms (addat), handed down to them from their anceftors, the authority of which is founded on ufage and general confent. The chiefs, in pronouncing their decisions, are not heard to fay, " fo the law directs" but, (£ fuch is the cuftom.'* It is true, that if any cafe arifes, for which there is no precedent on record (of memory), they deliberate and agree on fome mode, that .fhall ferve as a rule in future Similar circumftances. If the affair be trifling, this is feldom objected to, but when it is a matter of confequence, the pangeran, or calippah, confults with the proatteens, or lower order of chiefs, who frequently delire time to conlider of it, and confult with the inhabitants of their doofoon. When the point is thus determined, the people voluntarily fubmit to obferve it as an ef-tablilhed cuftom; but they do not acknowledge a right in the chiefs, to conftitute what laws they think proper, or to repeal or alter their ancient ufages, which they are extremely tenacious and jealous of. It is notwithstanding true, that by the influence of the Europeans, they have at times been prevailed on, to fubmit to innovations in their addat; but, except when they perceived a manifeft advantage from the change, they have generally feized an opportunity of reverting to the old mode. Mode of dc- bft caufes, both civil and criminal, are determined by the feveral ciding caufes. chiefs of the diftrict, aflemblcd together, at ftated times, for the purpofe of diftributing juftice. Thefe meetings are called bccharro (which Signifies alfo to difcourfe or debate), and among us, by an cafy corruption, bechars. Their manner of fettling their litigations, in points of property, is rather a fpecies of arbitration, each party previoufly binding himfelf to to fubmit to the decifion, than through a coercive power pofleffed by the court, for the redrefs of wrongs. The want of a written criterion of the laws, and the imperfect {lability of traditionary ufage, muft frequently in the intricacies of their fuits, give rife to contradictory deciiions; particularly as the interefts and paflions of the chiefs are but too often concerned in the determination of the caufes that come before them. This evil had long been perceived by the Engltfh Refidents, who, in the countries where we are fettled, prefide * at the bechars, and being inftigated by the fplendid example of the Governor-general of Bengal, under whofe direction a code of the laws of that empire was compiled, it was refolved, that the fervants of the Company at each of the fubordinates, Ihould, with the afliftance of the CodeofUtwt, ableft and moft experienced of the natives, attempt to reduce to writing, and form a fyftem of the ufages of the country people, in their refpec-tive refidencies. This was accordingly executed in fome inftances, and a tranflation of that compiled in the reiidency of Laye; coming into my pofiethon, I infert it here, in the original form, as being attended with more authority and precifion, than any account furniftied from my own memorandums, could pretend to. Rejang Laws. " The laws and cuftoms of the Rejangs, hitherto preferved by trait dition, are now, after being difcufled, amended, and ratify ed in an (l affembly of the pangeran, pambarabs and proatteens, committed to " writing, in order that they may not be liable to alteration ; that juf-" tice may be regularly and impartially adminiftered; that thofe de-QC fcrving death or fine may meet their reward; that caufes may be « brought before the proper judges, and due amends made for defaults; " that the compenfation for murder may be fully paid; that property ** maybe equitably divided; that what is borrowed maybe reftored; *( that gifts may become the undoubted property of the receiver; that ? debts may be paid, and credits received, agreeably to the cuftoms '< that " that have been ever in force, beneath the heavens and on the face " of the earth. By the obfervance of the laws, a country is made to «* fiouriih, and where they are neglected or violateda ruin, enfues. "Bechars. u The plaintiff and defendants firft ftate to the bench the general circumftances of the cafe. If their accounts differ, and they confent to refer the matter to the decifion of the proatteens, each party is to give a token, to the value of a foocoo, that he will abide by it, and to find fecurit/ for the chogo, a fum ftated to them, fuppofed to exceed the utmoft probable damages. dollars dollars J* If the chogo do not exceed 30 the beo or fee paid by each is 14. Ditto 30 to 50 ditto — 2f Ditto 50 to 100 ditto —- 5 Ditto 100 and upwards ditto — 9 *• All chiefs of doofoons, or independent tallongs, are entitled to a feat on the bench upon trials. *' If the pangeran fits on the bechar, he is entitled to one half of all beo, and of fuch fines, or {bares of fines,, as fall to the chiefs; the pambarabs and other proatteens dividing the remainder. t( If the pangeran be not prefent, the pambarabs have one third, and the other proatteens two thirds of the foregoing. Though a fingle pambarab only fit, he is equally entitled to the above one third. Of the other proatteens, five are requifite to make a quorum. * No bechar, the chogo of which exceeds five dollars, to be held by the proatteens, except in the prefence of the Company's Refident, or his afliftant (reprefenting the pangeran). " If a perfon malicioufly brings a falfe accufation, and- it is proved fuch, he is liable to pay a fum equal to that which the defendant would have incurred, had his defign Succeeded; which fum is to be divided between the defendant, and the other proatteens, half and half. « The s U m. A T R A. mf " The fine for bearing falfe witnefs, is twenty dollars and a buffaloe, f The punifhrnent of perjury is left to the fuperior powers (orang aloos), Evidence here is not delivered on previous oath. "Inheritance. " If the father leaves a will, or declares before witneifes his intentions Laws of inhe^ , ritance. relative to his effects or eftate, his pleafure is to be followed in the diftribution of them. " If he dies inteftate, and without declaring his intentions, the male children inherit, fhare and fhare alike, except that the houfe and pefakko (effects on which, from various caufes, fuperflitious value is placed) devolve invariably to the eldeft. u The mother (if by joojoor) and the daughters, are dependant on the fons. " If a man, married by femundo, dies, leaving children, the effects remain to the wife and children. If the woman dies, the effects remain to the hufband and children. If either dies, leaving no children, the family of the deceafed is entitled to half the effects. "Outlawry. " Any perfon unwilling to be anfwcrable for the debts or actions of his Of outlawry, fon, or other relation under his charge, may outlaw him, by which he, from that period, relinquifhes all family connexion with him, and is no longer refponfible for his conduct. " The outlaw to be delivered up to the Refident or pangeran, accompanied with his writ of outlawry, in duplicate, one copy to be lodged with the Refident, and one with the outlaw's pambarab. The perfon who outlaws muft pay all debts to that day. " On amendment the outlaw may be recalled to his family, they paying fuch debts as he may have contracted whilft outlawed, and redeeming his writ by payment of ten dollars and a goat, to be divided among the pangeran and pambarabs. Bbb If * If an outlaw commits murder he is to fuffer death. f* If murdered, a bangoon, or compenfation, of fifty dollars, is to be paid for him to the pangeran. 99 If an outlaw wounds a perfon, he becomes a Have to the Company or pangeran for three years. If he abfeonds, and is afterwards killed, no bangoon is to be paid for him. (e If an outlaw wounds a perfon, and is killed in the fcuffle, no bangoon is to be paid for him. " If the relations harbour an outlaw, they are held willing to redeem hunf and become anfwerable for his debts. " Theft. Theft. " A perfon convicted of theft, pays double the value of the goods ftolen, with a fine of twenty dollars and a buffaloe, if they exceed the value of five dollars: if under five dollars, the fine is five dollars and a goat; the value of the goods ftill doubled. {f All thefts under five dollars, and all difputes for property, or offences to that amount, may be compromifed by the proatteens whofe dependants are concerned. " Neither affertion, nor oath of the profecutor, are fufficient for conviction, without token (cheeno) of the robbery, viz. fome article recovered of the goods ftolen; or evidence fufficient. " If any perfon, having permiffion to pafs the night in the houfe of another, fhall leave it before day-break, without giving notice to the family, he fhall be held accountable for any thing that may be that night miffing. 99 If a perfon paliing the night in the houfe of another, does not commit his effects to the charge of the owner of it, the latter is not ac# countable, if they are ftolen during the night. If he has given them in charge, and the Granger's effects, only, are loft during the night, the owner of the houfe becomes accountable. If effects both of the owner owner and lodger are ftolen, each is to make oath to the other that he is not concerned in the robbery, and the parties put up with their lofs, or retrieve it as they can. " Oaths are ufually made on the koraan, or at the grave of an anceftor, as the Mahometan religion prevails more or lefs. The party intended to be fatisfied by the oath, generally prefcribes the mode and purport of it. "Bangoon. Dollars. (( The bangoon or compenfation for the murder of a pambarab is 500 Rangoon or compenfation Ditto — '•— of an inferior proattun 250 for murder. Ditto — — of a common perfon—man or boy 80 Ditto — — Ditto — woman or girl 150 Ditto of the legitimate children or wife of a pambarab 250 Exclulive of the above, a fine of fifty dollars and a buffaloe, as tip-pong boomce (expiation), is to be paid on the murder of a pambarab ; of twenty dollars and a buffaloe, on the murder of any other; which goes to the pambarab and proatteens. " The bangoon of an outlaw is fifty dollars, without tippong boomee. ** No bangoon is to be paid for a perfon killed in the commiflion of a robbery. *' The bangoon of pambarabs and proatteens1 is to be divided between the pangeran and pambarabs; one half; and the family of the de-ccafed; the other half. u The bangoon of private perfons is to be paid to their families; deducting the addat oolajfan of ten per cent, to the pambarabs and proatteens. u If a man kills his flave, he pays half his price, as bangoon, to the pangeran, and the tippong boomee to the proatteens. *< If a man kills his wife by joojoor, he pays her bangoon to the proatteens, or to her family, according as the tallee kocloo fubfifts or not. " If " If a man kills or wounds his wife by femundo, he pays the fame as for a ftranger. " If a man wounds his wife by joojoor^ (lightly, he pays one tial or two dollars. " If a man wounds his wife by joojoor, with a weapon, and an apparent •intention of killing her, he pays a fine of twenty dollars. u If the tallee kooko (tie of rclationfhip) is broken, the wife's family can no longer claim bangoon or fine : they revert to the proatteens. *' If a pambarab wounds his wife by joojoor, he pays five dollars and a goat. (( If a pambarab's daughter, married by joojoor, is wounded by her hufband, he pays five dollars and a goat. u For a wound occafioning the lofs of an eye or limb, or imminent danger of death, half the bangoon is to be paid. " For a wound on the head, the pampay or compenfation is twenty dollars. " For other wounds, the pampay from twenty dollars upwards. " If a perfon is carried off and fold beyond the hills, the offender, if convicted, mull: pay the bangoon. If the perfon has been recovered previous to the trial, the offender pays half the bangoon. " If a man kills his brother, he pays to the proatteens the tippong boomee. " If a wife kills her hufband fhe muft fuffer death. " If a wife by femundo wounds her hufband, her relations muft pay, what they would receive, if he wounded her. Debts and Credits. JDcbts. Ci Ori the death of a perfon in debt (unlefs he die an outlaw, or married by ambel ana) his neareft relation becomes accountable to the creditors. '' « Of " Of a perfon married by ambel ana, the family he married into, is an-fwerable for debts contracted during the marriage : fuch as were previous to it, his relations muft pay. " A father or head of a family has hitherto been in all cafes liable to the debts of his fons, or younger relations under his care; but to prevent as much as pofliblc his fuffering by. their extravagance, it k now refolved. " That if a young, unmarried man (boojong) borrow money, or pur-chafe goods, without the concurrence of his father, or of the head of his family, the parent fhall not be anfwerable for the debt. Should the fon ufe his father's name in borrowing, it fhall be at the lender's rifk, if the father difavow it. " If any perfon gives credit to. the debtor of another (publicly known as fuch; mengeering or ba-bla) the latter creditor can neither difturb the debtor for the fum, nor oblige the former to pay it. He muft either pay the firft debt, (memboolattee, confolidate), or let his claim lie over till the debtor finds means to difcharge it. " Intereft of money has hitherto been three fanams per dollar per month, or one hundred and fifty per cent, per annum. It is now reduced to one fanam, or fifty per cent, per annum, and no perfon is to receive more, under penalty of fine according to the circumftances of the cafe. *f No more than double the principal can in any caie be recovered at law.. A perfon lending money at intereft, and letting it lie over beyond two years, loofes the furplus. « No pepper planter to be taken mcngeering, under penalty of forty dollars. k " A planter in debt may engage in any work for hire that does not interfere with the care of his garden, but muft on no account mengeering, even though his creditor offer, to become anfwerable for the care of his garden, U. If a debtor mengeering abfcond from his mafter without leave of ab-fence, he is liable to an increafe of debt, at the rate of three famams C c e per per day. Females have been hitherto charged fix fartams, but are now put upon a footing the fame as the men. " If a debtor mengcering, without fecurity, runs away, his debt is liable to be doubled, if he is abfent above a week. c< If a man takes a perfon mengeering, without fecurity for the debt, Ihould the debtor die in that predicament, the creditor lofes his money, having no claim on the relations for it. " If a perfon takes up money, under promife of mengeering, at a certain period, fhould he not perform his agreement, he mull pay intereft for the money, at one fanam per dollar per month. " If a perfon, fecurity for another, is obliged to pay the debt, he is entitled to demand double from the debtor : but this claim to be moderated according to circumftances. <' If a perfon fues for a debt which is denied, the onus probandi lies with the plaintiff. If he fails in proof, the defendant, on making oath to the juftnefs of his denial, fhall be acquitted, * If a debtor taking care of a pepper garden, or one that gives half produce to his creditor (ba-bla), neglects it, the perfon in whofe debt he is, muft hire a man to do the neceffary work; and the hire fo paid fhall be added to the debt. Previous notice fhall however be given to the debtor, that he may, if he pleafcs, avoid the payment of the hire, by doing the work himfelf. " If a perfon"s Have, or debtor mengeering, be carried off, and fold beyond the hills, the offender is liable to the bangoon, if a debtor, or to his price, if a flave. Should the perfon be recovered, the offender is liable to a fine of forty dollars, of which the perfon that recovers him has half, and the owner, or creditor, the remainder. If the offender be not fecured, the reward fhall be only live dollars to the perfon that brings the flave, and three dollars, the debtor, if on this ide the hills: if from beyond the hills, the reward is doubled. «« Marriage " Marriage, c; The modes of marriage prevailing hitherto, have been principally by Lavvs regar^ joojoor, or amlel ana; the Malay femundo being little ufed. The ob- lI>s Maj,wse» vious ill confequences of the two former, from the debt or flavery they entailed upon the man that married, and the endlefs lawfuits that they gave rife to, have at length induced the chiefs, to concur in their being, as far as poffible, laid aiide; adopting in lieu of them, the femundo malayo, or maredceko ; which they now flrongly recommend to their dependants, as free frorii the incumbrances of the other modes, and tending, by facilitating marriage, and the confequent in-creafe of population, to promote the welfare of their country. Unwilling however to abolifh arbitrarily a favorite cuftom of their ancestors, marriage by joojoor is ftill permitted to take place, but under fuch reftrictions as will, it is hoped, effectually counteract: it's hitherto pernicious confequences. Marriage by ambel ana, which rendered a man and his defcendants the property of the family he married into, is now prohibited, and none permitted for the future, but by femundo, or joojoor fubjedt to the following regulations. ** The joojoor of a virgin (gaddees) has been hitherto one hundred and twenty dollars: the addat annexed to it, tool is tangeel, fifteen dollars; oopa daoun code, fix dollars, and tallee koclo, five dollars; ** The jeojeor of a widow, eighty dollars, without the addat; unlefs her children by the former marriage went with her, in which Cafe the joojoor gaddees was paid in full. w It is now determined that on a man's giving his daughter in marriage, by joojoor, for the future, there fhall in lieu of the above, be fixed a fum not exceeding one hundred and fifty dollars, to be in l»ull for joojoor and all addat whatever. That this fum fhall, when the marriage takes place, be paid upon the fpot; that if credit is given for the whole or any part, it fhall not be recoverable by courfe of law; and as the fum includes the tallee koolo, or bond of relation-fhip, the wife thereby becomes the abfolute property of the hufband. The marriage by joojoor being thus rendered equivalent to actual fale, fale, and the difficulty enhanced by the neceffity of paying the full price upon the fpot, it is probable that the cuftom will in a great meafure ceafe, and though not pofitively, be virtually abolifhed. Nor can a lawfuit follow from any future joojoor. The addat, or cuftom, of the femundo malayo or maredeeko, to be paid by the hufband to the wife's family upon the marriage taking place, is fixed at twenty dollars and a buffaloe, for fuch as can afford it i and at ten dollars and a goat, for the poorer clafs of people. Whatever may be acquired by either party during the fubfiftence of the marriage, becomes joint property, and they are jointly liable to debts incurred, if by mutual confent. Should either contract debts without the knowledge and confent of the other, the party that contracts, muft alone bear them, in cafe of a divorce.. If either party infift, or both agree in it, a divorce muft follow. No other power can feparate them. The effects, debts, and credits in all cafes to be equally divided. If the man infills upon the divorce, he pays a charre of twenty dollars to the wife's family, if he obtained her a virgin; if a widow, ten dollars. If the woman infills on the divorce, no charro is to be paid. If both agree in it, the man pays half the charro* If a man married by femundo dies—Vide " Inheritance." If a man carries off a woman with her confent, and is willing either to pay her price at once by joojoor, or marry her by femundo, as the father or relations pleafe, they cannot reclaim the woman, and the marriage takes place. If a man carries off a girl underage (which is determined by her not having her ears bored, and teeth bled—booloom betenday, bedabong) though with her own confent, he pays, exclufive of the addat joojoor,. or jemundo, twenty dollars, if fhe be the daughter of a pambarab; and ten dollars for the daughter of any other, whether the marriage takes place or not. «- If « If a refow, or perfon without property and character, carries off a woman (though with her own confent) and can neither pay the joojoor, nor addat femundo, the marriage mail not take place, hut the man be fined five dollars and a goat for mifdemeanor. If fhe be under age, his fine ten dollars and a goat. " If a man has but one daughter, whom to keep her near him, he wifhes to give in marriage by fmundo; fhould a man carry her off, he fhall not be allowed to keep her by joojoor, though he offer the money upon the fpot. If he refufes to marry her' by femundo, no marriage takes place, and he incurs a fine to the father of ten dollars and a goat. M If a man carries off a woman under pretence of marriage, he muft lodge her immediately with fome reputable family. If he carries her elfewhere, for a fingle night,-he incurs a fine of fifty dollars, payable to her parents or relations. u If a man carries off a virgin againft her inclination (me-ooke) he incurs a fine of twenty dollars and a buffaloe : if a widow, ten dollars and a goat, and the marriage does not take place. If he commits a rape, and the parents do not chufe to give her to him in marriage, he incurs a fine of twenty dollars. The addat feebaye, or cuftom of giving one woman in exchange for another taken in marriage; a modification of the joojocr is ftill admitted off; but if the one be not deemed an equivalent for the other, the neceflary compenfation (as the pangalappang, for nonage) muft be paid upon the fpot, or it is not recoverable by courfe of law. If a virgin is carried off (te-larree gedd&es) and another is given in exchange for her, by addat feebaye, twelve dollars muft be paid with the latter, as addat ka fala* " A man married by ambl ana, may redeem himfelf and family, on payment of the joojoor and addat of a virgin beforementioned. " The charro of a joojocr marriage is twenty five dollars. If the joojoor be not yet paid in full, and the man infills on a divorce,, he receives D d d back back what he has paid, lefs twenty five dollars. If the woman in* fills, no charro can be claimed by her relations. If the tallee kooloo is pootoos (broken) the wife is the hufband's property, and he may fell her if he pleafes. ' '' Cl If a man compells a female debtor of his to cohabit with him, her debt, if the fact be proved, is thereby difcharged, if forty dollars and upwards: if under forty, the debt is clear, and he pays the difference. If fhe accufes her mailer, falfely, of this offence, her debt is doubled. If he cohabits with her by her confent, her parents may compell him to marry her, either by joojoor, or femundo, as they pleafe. *f If an unmarried woman proves with child, the man againft whom the fact is proved, mull marry her; and they pay to the proatteens a joint fine of twenty dollars and a buffaloe. This fine, if the parties agree to it, may be levied in the country by the neighbouring proatteens (without bringing it before the regular court.) 4e If a woman proves with child by a relation within the prohibited degrees, they pay to the proatteens a joint fine of twice fifty dollars, and two buffaloes; (hoocttm duo aucoop). t( A marriage muff not take place between relations, within the third degree, or toovgal nanay. But there are exceptions for the defcendants of females, who pamng into other families become as flrangers. Of two brothers, the children may not intermarry. A fitter's fon may marry a brother's daughter; but a brother's fon may not marry a liner's daughter. ** If relations within the prohibited degrees intermarry, they incur a fine of twice fifty dollars and two buffaloes, and the marriage is not valid- *< On the death of a man married by joojoor or purchafe, any of his brothers; the elded in preference, if he pleafes; may fucceed to his bed. If no brother chufes it, they may give the woman in marriage to any relation on the father's fide, without addat; the perfon who ♦marries her replacing the deceafed (mangabalko). If no relation takes her her, and me is given in marriage to a ftranger, he may either be adopted into the family, to replace the deceafed; without addat; or he may pay her joojoor, or take her by femundo, as her relations pleafe. te If a perfon lies with a man's wife, by force, he is deferving of death, but may redeem his head by payment of the bangoon, eighty dollars, to be divided between the hufband and proatteens, P If a man furprizcs his wife in the act of adultery, he may put both man and woman to death upon the fpot, without being liable to any bangoon. If he kills the man and fpares his wife, he muft redeem her life, by payment of fifty dollars to the proatteens. If the hufband fpares the offender, or has only information of the fact from other perfons, he may not afterwards kill him, but has his remedy at law, the fine for adultery being fifty dollars, to be divided between the hufband and the proatteens. If he divorces his wife on this account, he pays no charro. tc If a younger fifter be firft married, the hufband pays fix dollars, addat pelalloo, for pafling over the elder. (f Gaming. " All gaming, except cock-fighting at ftated periods, is abfolutely pro- Lawrefpeaiiig hibited. The fine for each offence is fifty dollars. The perfon in Sam,n2* whofe houfe it is carried on, if with his knowledge, is equally liable to the fine, with the gamefters. A proatteen knowing of gaming in his doofoon, and concealing it, incurs a fine of twenty dollars. One half of the fines go to the informer; the other to the Company, to be diftributed among the induftrious planters, at the yearly payment of the cuftoms. "Opium Farm. M The fine for retailing of opium by any other than the farmer, is fifty Opiurn. dollars for each offence : one half to the farmer, and the other to the informer. " The " The executive power for enforcing obedience to thefe laws and cuftoms, and for preferving the peace of the country, is, with the concurrence of the pangeran and proatteens, vefted in the Company's Refident. f< Done at Laye, in the month Rabioel-Achir, in the year of Hegira 1193, anfwering to April 1779. JOHN MARS DEN, Refident.* Remarks Remarks on, and elucidation of the various laws and cuftoms—Modes of Pleading—Nature of Evidence—Oaths—Inheritance—Outlawry_Theft—Murder, mid compenfation for it—Account of a p?eucj—Debts—Slavery. TT*H E foregoing fyftem of the addat, or cuftoms of the country, being Rfn,arks on digefted for the ufe of the natives, or of perfons well acquainted with ^evt)lc^°,ns their manners in general, and being defigned, not for an illuftration of the cuftoms, but limply as a ftandard of right, the feweft and con-cifeft terms pomble have been made ufe of, and many parts muft nc-ceffarily be obfcure to the bulk of readers. I fhall therefore revert to thofe particulars that may require explanation, and endeavor to throw a light upon the fpirit and operation of fuch of their laws efpecially, as feem moft to clafh with our ideas of distributive juftice. This comment is the more requifite, as it appears that fome of their regulations, which were judged to be inconfiftent with the profperity of the people, were altered and amended, through the more enlightened reafon of the gentleman who acted as the reprefentative of the Englifh company. I muft endeavour to recall the idea of the original inftitutions. The plaintiff and defendant ufually plead their own caufe, but if Modeofpka^ circumftances render them unequal to it, they are allowed to pinjam ing" mooloot, (borrow a mouth). Their advocate may be a proatteen, or any other perfon indifferently, nor is there any ftated compenfation for the affiftance, though, if the caufe be gained, a gratuity is generally given, and too apt to be rapacioufly exacted by the proatteens from their clients, when their conduct is not attentively watched. The pro-atteen alfo who is fecurity for the damages, receives privately fome con-fideration; but none is openly allowed of. Evidence is ufed among thefe people in a manner very different from Evidence, the forms of our courts of juftice. They never admit it on both fides of E c e the the queftion; nor does the witnefs firft make a general oath to fpeak the truth, and nothing but the truth. When a fact is to be eftablifhed, either on the part of the plantiff, or of the defendant, he is afked if he can produce any evidence to the truth of what he afferts. On anfwering in the affirmative, he is directed to mention the perfon. This witnefs muft not be a relation, a party concerned, nor even belonging to the fame doofoon. He muft be a refponfible man,, having a family and a determinate place of refidence. Thus qualified, his evidence may be admitted. The fact to be proved is mentioned to him before he is fworn. If he confirms the alTertion, it remains for him and the party concerned, to make oath to the truth of it; and thus the fact is eftablifhed. They have a fettled rule in refpect to the party that is to give in evidence. For inftance; A. .fues B. for a debt: B. denies the debt: A is now to bring evidence to the debt, or on failure thereof, it remains with B. to clear himfelf of the debt, by fwearing himfelf not indebted. Had B. acknowledged that fuch a debt had formerly fubfifted, but was fince paid, it would be incumbent on B. to prove the payment by evidence, or on failure it would reft with A. to confirm the debt's being ftill due, by his oath. This is an invariable mode, obferved in all cafes of property. As their manner of giving evidence differs from ours, fo alfo does the nature of an oath among them differ from our icfca of it. In many cafes it is requifite that they fhould fwear to what it is not poffiblc, in the nature of things, they fhould know to be true. A. fues B. for a debt due from the father or grandfather of B. to the father or grandfather of A. The original parties are dead,, and no witnefs of the tranfaction fur-vives. How is the matter to be decided ?■ It remains with B. to make oath, that his father or grandfather never was indebted to A's; or that if he was indebted, the debt had been paid. This, among us, would be efteemed a very ftrangc method of deciding caufes; but among thefe people, fomething of the kind is abfolutely neceflary. As they have no fort of written accounts, nor any thing like records or regifters among them, it would be utterly impoflible, for the plaintiff to eftablifh the debt, by a pofitive proof, fn a multitude of cafes; and was the fuit to to be difmiffed at once, as with us, for want of fuch proof, numbers of innocent perfons would lofe the debts really due to them, through the knavery of the perfons indebted, who would fcarce ever fail to deny a debt. On the fide of the defendant again ; if he was uot permitted to clear himfelf of the debt by oath ; but that it rcftcd with the plaintiff only, to eftablifh the fact by his fingle oath; there would be a fet of unprincipled fellows daily fwearing debts againft perfons who never were indebted to any of their generation. In fuch fuits; and there are many of them; it requires no fmall difcernmcnt to difcover, by the attendant circumftances, where the truth lies; but this may be done, in moft inftances, by a perfon who is ufed to their manners, and has a perfonal knowledge of the parties concerned. But what they mean by their oath, in thofe cafes, where it is impoilible they fhould be acquainted with the facts-they defign to prove, is no more than this; that they are fo convinced of the truth of the matter, as to be willing to fubject themfelves to thepajoo foompah (deftructive confequences of perjury), if what they affert is believed by them to be falfe. The form of words ufed, is nearly as follows. " If what I now declare, namely" (here the fact is recited) ** is truly and really fo, may I be free-; and clear from my oath : if what I affert is wittingly falfe, may my oath be the caufe of my de-ftruction." But it may eafily be fuppofed, that where the punifhment for a falfe oath, refts altogether with the invifible powers, where no direct infamy, no corporal punifhment is annexed to the perjury, there cannot be wanting many, who would maccan Jocmp^h (fwallow an oath), and willingly incur the pajoo, in order to acquire a little of their neighbour's cafh. Although an oath, as being an appeal to the fuperior powers, is fuppo- Oaths, fed to come within their cognizance alone, and that it is contrary to the fpirit of their cuftoms, to punifli by human means, a perjury, even if it wrere clearly detected ; yet fo far prevalent is the opinion of their inter-pofition in human affairs, that it is very feldom any man of fubftance, or who has a family that he fears may fuffer by it, will venture to fore- fwear fwear himfelf: nor are there wanting apparent examples to confirm them in this notion. Any accident that happens to a man, who has been known to take a falfe oath, or to his children or grand children, is carefully recorded in memory, and attributed to this fole caufe. .Dupatty Goonong Ceyhng and his family, have afforded an inftance that is often quoted among the Rejangs, and has evidently had great weight. It was notorious, that he had about the year 1770, taken, in the moft folemn manner, a falfe oath. He had at that time five fons grown up to manhood. One of them, foon after, in a fcuffle with fome brtggneffes (country foldiers) was wounded, and died. The Dupatty, the next year, loft his life in the iflue of a disturbance he had raifed in the diftricTt. Two of the fons died afterwards, within a week of each other: Mas Caddah, the fourth, is blind ; and Trema/t, the fifth, lame. All this is attributed to, and firmly believed to be the confequence of the father's perjury. In adminiftering an oath, if the matter litigated reflects the property of the grandfather, all the collateral branches of the family defcended from him, are underftood to be included in its operation : if the father's effects only are concerned, or the tranfaction happened in his life time, his defendants are included: if the affair regards only the prefent parties, and originated with them, they and their immediate defcendants only, are-comprehended in the confequences of the oath. Thefe oaths they accordingly call focmpah feping addo naynay, or feping addo bapa; and if any.fingle one of thefe defcendants refufc to join in the oath, it vitiates the whole; that is, it has the fame effect, as if the party himfelf refufed to fwear : a cafe that not unfrequently occurs. It may be obferved that the fpirit of this cuftom, tends to the requiring a weight of evidence, and an increafe of the importance of the oath, in proportion as the diftance of time renders the fact to be-eftablifhed, lefs capable of proof in the ordinary way. Sometimes the difficulty of the cafe alone, will induce the court to .infift on adminiftering the oath to the relations of the parties, although they are no ways concerned in the tranfaction. I recollect an inftance where SUMATRA. , 203 where three people were profecuted for a theft. There was no pofiti'vc proof againft them, yet the circumftances were fo ftrong, that it appeared proper to put them to the teft of one of thefe collateral oaths. They Were all willing, and two of them fwore. When it came to the turn of the third, he could not perfuade his relations to join with him, and he was accordingly brought in for the whole amount of the goods ftolen., and penalties annexed. Thefe cuftoms bear a ftrong refemblance to the rules of proof eftablifhed among our anceftors the Anglo Saxons, who were likewife obliged, in the cafe of oaths taken for the purpofe of exculpation, to produce a certain number of compurgators; but as thefe might be any indifferent perfons, who would take upon them to bear teftimony to the truth of what their neighbour fwore, from an opinion of his veracity, there feems to be more refinement, and * more knowledge of human nature in the Sumatran practice. The idea-of devoting to destruction, by a wilful perjury, not himfelf only, but all, even the remoteft branches of a family which conftitutes his greatcft pride, and of which the deceafed heads are regarded with the veneration that was paid to the dii lares-of the ancients, has doubtlefs reftrained many a man from taking-a. falfe oath, who, without much compunction, would fuffer thirty or an hundred compurgators of the former defcription, to take their chance of that fate. Their ftrongeft prejudices are here, converted to the moft beneficial purpofes.. The place of greater! folemnity for administering an oath, is the r c . . . ° * Ceremony or r^ammat or burying ground of their anceftors; and feveral fuperftttious "kiaganoath. ceremonies are obferved on the occafion. The people near the fea coaft in general, by long intercourfe with the Malays, have an idea of the Koraan, and ufually employ this in fwearing, which the priefts do not fail to make them pay for 5 but the inland people keep, laid up in their houfes, certain old reliques, called in Rejang, pejakko, and in Paffummah, faffea.v, which they produce when an oath is to be taken. Tire perfon who has loft his caufe, and with whom it commonly lies to bind F f f hi* his adverfary by an oath, often deflres two or three days time, to get ready his fwearing apparatus (foompatan). Some of thefe are looked upon as more facred, and of greater efficacy than others. They confift of an old nifty creefe, a broken gun barrel, or any ancient trumpery, to which chance or caprice has annexed an idea of extraordinary virtue. Thefe they generally dip in water, which.the perfon who fwears, drinks off, after having pronounced the form of words before mentioned.* The pangeran of Soongcy-lamo has by him certain copper bullets, which had been fteeped in water, drunk by the Soongey etam chiefs, when they bound themfelves never to moleft his diftricts: which they have only done fince, as often as they could venture it with fafety, from the relaxation of our government. But thefe were political oaths. The moft ordinary foompatan is a creefe, and on the blade of this, they fometimes drop lime juice, which occafions a ftain on the lips of the perfon performing the ceremony; a circumftance that may not improbably be fuppofed to make an impreftion on a weak and guilty mind. Such would fancy that the external ftain conveyed to the beholders, an image of the internal. At Manna the foompatan moft refpected is a gun barrel. When produced to be fworn on, it is carried to the fpot in ftate, under an umbrella, and wrapt in filk. This parade has an advantageous effect, by influencing the mind of the party, with an high idea of the importance and folemnity of the bufinefs. In England, the familiarity of the object, and the fummary method of adminiftering oaths, are well known to diminifh from their weight, and to render them, too often nugatory. They fometimes fwcar by the earth, laying their hands upon it, and wilhing that it may never produce aught for their nourifhment, if they fpeak faliely. In all thefe ceremonies, they burn on the fpot, a little gum benjamin ; " Et acerra tburis plena, pojptufque carbo in cefpite vivo." It is a ftriking circumftance, that practices which boaft fo little of -reafon in their foundation ; which are in fact fo whimfical and childifh; -* The form of taking an oath among the people of Madagafcar, very nearly refembles the ceremonies ufed by the Sumatrans. There is * ftrong firnilarity in the articles they fwear on, and in the circumftance of their drinking the coafecrated water. fhould S U M A T R A. ihould yet be common to nations, the moll remote in fituation, climate, language, complexion, character, and every thing that can diftinguifh one race of people from another. Formed of like materials, and furnifhed With like original fentiments, the uncivilized tribes of Europe and of India, trembled from the fame apprehenfions, excited by fimilar ideas, at a time when they were ignorant, or even denied the poflibility of each others exiftence. Mutual wrong, and animofuy, attended with difputes and accufations, are not by nature confined to either defcription of people. Each, in doubtful litigations^ might feek to prove their innocence, by braving, on the juftice of their caufe, thofe objects which in-fpired amongft their countrymen, the greateft terror. The Sumatran impreffed with an idea of invifible powers, but not of his own immortality, regards with awe the fuppofed inftruments of their agency, and fwears on creefes, bullets and gun barrels; weapons of perfonal deftruc-tion. The German Chriftian of the feven th century, more indifferent to the perils of this life, but not lefs fuperftitious, fwore on bits of rotten wood, and rufty nails, which he was taught to revere, as poffefling efficacy to fecure him from eternal perdition. When a man dies, his effects, in common courfe, defcend to his male inheritance, children in equal fhares; but if one among them is remarkable for his abilites above the reft, though not the eldeft, he ufually obtains the largeft porportion, and becomes the head of the toongooan or houfe; the others voluntarily yielding him the fuperiority. A pangeran of Manna left feveral children : none of them fucceeded to the title, but a name of diftinction was given to one of the younger, who was looked upon as chief of the family, after the father's deceafe. Upon afking the eldeft, how it happened that the name of diftinction palled over him, and was conferred on his younger brother, he anfwered with great naivete, w be-caufe I am accounted weak and fill^^-'* If no male childern are left, and a daughter only remains, they contrive to get her married by the mode of ambel ana, and thus the toongooan of the father continues. An equal diftribution of property among children is more natural, and conformable to juftice, than vefting the whole in the eldeft fon, as prevails throughout throughout moft part of Europe; but where wealth confifts In landed eftate, the latter mode, befide favoring the pride of family, is attended with feweft inconveniencies. The property of the Sumatrans being perfonal merely, this reafon does not operate with them. Land is fo abundant in proportion to the population, that they fcarcely confider it as the fubjecl; of right, any more than the elements of air and water; excepting fo far as in fpeculation, the prince lays claim to the whole. The ground however, on which a man plants or builds, with the confent of his neighbours, becomes a fpecies of nominal property, and is transferable; but as it colts him nothing, befide his labor, it is only the produce which is efteemed of value, and the compenfation he receives is for this alone. A temporary ufufruct is accordingly all that they attend to, and the price, in cafe of fale, is generally afcertained by the coconut, doorean, and other fruit trees, that have been planted on it; the buildings being for the moft part but little durable. Whilft any of thofe fubfift, the defcendants of the planter may claim the ground, though it has been for years abandoned. If they are cut down he may recover damages, but if they have difappeared in the courfe of nature, the land reverts to the public. They have a cuftom of keeping by them, a fum of money, as a re>-fource againft extremity of diftrefs, and which common exigencies do not call forth. This is a refined antidote againft defpair, becaufe, whilft it remains poflible to avoid encrcoaching on that trcafure, their affairs are not at the worft, and the idea of the little hoard ferves to buoy up their fpirits, and encourage them to ftruggle with wretchednefs. It ufu> ally therefore continues inviolate, and defcends to the heir, or is loft to" him by the fudden exit of the parent. From their apprehenfion of difhonefty, and infecurity of their houfes, their money is for the moft part concealed in the ground, the cavity of an old beam, or other fecret place, and a man, on his death bed, has commonly fome important difcovery of this nature to make to his affembled relations. The The practice of outlawing (Jeppay je fcoray) an individual of a family outlawry., by the head of it, has it's foundation in the cuftom which obliges all the branches to be refponfible for the debts contracted by any one of the kindred. When an extravagant and unprincipled fpendthrift is running a career that appears likely to involve his family in ruinous confequences, they have the right of diffolving the connexion, and clearing themfelves of further refponfibility, by this public act, which, as the writ expreffes it, fends forth the out call:, as a deer into the woods, no longer to be confidered as enjoying the priviledges of fociety. This character is what they term reefozv, though it is fometimes applied to perfons not abfolutely outlawed, but of debauched and irregular manners. In the Saxon laws we find a ftrong refemblence to this cuftom ; the kindred of a murderer being exempt from the feud, if they abandoned him to his fate. They bound themfelves in this cafe neither to con-verfe with him, or to furnifh him with meat or other neceflaries. This is precifely the Sumatran outlawry, in. which it is always particulary fpecified (befide what relates to common debts) that if the outlaw kills a perfon, they will not pay the compenfation, nor claim it if he is killed. But the writ muft have been iffued before the event, and they cannot free themfelves by a fubfequent procefs,, as it would feem the Saxons might. If an outlaw commits murder,.the friends of the deceafed may take perfonal revenge on him, and are not liable to be called to an ac. count for it ; but if fuch be killed, otherwife than in fatisfaction for murder, although his family have no claim, the prince of the country jg entitled to a certain compenfation, all outlaws being nominally his pro^ perty, like other wild animals. In cafes of theft, the fwearing a robbery againft a perfon fufpected, is of Proof Jn care no effect, and juftly, for were it otherwife, nothing would be more com- of Thcft; mon than the profecution of innocent perfons. The proper proofs are cither, feizure of the perfon in the fact, before witneffes, or difcovery of the goods ftolen, in polfelhon of one who can give no iatisfactory account-how he came by them. As it frequently happens that a man finds part G g g on% 208 S U M A T R A, only of what he had loft, it remains with him, when the robbery is proved, to afcertain the whole amount, by oath, which in that point is held fufficient. Compenfation It feems ftrange to thofe who are accuftomed to the feverity of penal orMurder. jawg^ acC0rding to which the punifhment moftly exceeds by many degrees the offence, how a fociety can exift, in which the greateft of all % crimes is, agreeably to eftablifhed cuftom, expiated by the payment of a certain fum of money ; a fum not proportioned to the rank and ability of the murderer, nor to the premeditation, or other aggravating circumftances of the fact, but regulated only by the quality of the perfon murdered. The practice had doubtlefs its fource in the imbecility of government, which being unable to enforce the law of retaliation ; the moft obvious rule of punifhment; had recourfe to a milder fcheme of retribution, as being preferable to abfolute indemnity. The latter it was competent to carry into execution, becaufe the guilty perfons readily fubmit to a penalty, which effectually relieves them from the burthen of anxiety for the confequences of their action. Inftances occur in the hiftory of all ftates, particularly thofe which fuffer from internal weak-nefs, of iniquities going unpunifhed, owing to the rigor of the pains denounced againft them by the laws, which defeats its own purpofe. The original mode of avenging a murder, was probably by the arm of the perfon neareft in confanguinity, or friendfhip, to the deceafed ; but this was evidently deftructive of the public tranquility, becaufe that the wrong became progreflivc, each act of fatisfaction, or juftice as it was called, being the fource of a new revenge, till the feud became general in the community; and fome method would naturally be fuggefted to put a flop to fuch confufion. The moft direct ftep is to veil: in the magiftrate or the law, the rights of the injured party, and to ami them with a vindictive power; which principle, the policy of more civilized focieties has refined to that of making examples in terrorem, with a view of preventing future, not of revenging paft crimes. But this requires a firm-nefs of authority to which the Sumatran governments are ftrangers. They are without coercive power, and the fubrniffion of the people, is little little other than voluntary ; efpecially of the men of influence, who are held in fubjection rather by the fenfe of general utility, planted in the breafts of mankind ; attachment to their family and connexions ; and veneration for the fpot in which their anceftors were interred, than by the apprchenfion of any fuperior authority. Thefe confederations, however, they would readily forego, renounce their fealty, and quit their country, if in any cafe they were in danger of paying with life, the forfeit of their crimes : to lefler punifhments thofe ties induce them to fubmit; and to ftrengthenthis hold, their cuftoms wifely enjoin, that every the remoteft branch of the family, mail be refponfible for the payment of their judgement, and other debts ; and in cafes of murder, the bangoon, or compenfation, may be levied on the inhabitants of the village the culprit belonged to, if it happen that neither he, nor any of his relations can be found. The equality of punifhment, which allows to the rich man the faculty of committing, with fmall inconvenience, crimes that bring utter de-flruction on the poor man, and his family, and which is in fact the greateft inequality, originates certainly from the intereftcd defign of thofe through whofe influence the regulation'came to be adopted. It's view was to eftablifh a fubordination of perfons. In Europe, the abfolute diftinction between rich and poor, though too fenfibly felt, is not infilled upon in fpeculation, but rather denied or explained away in general rcafoning. Among the Sumatrans it is coolly acknowledged, and a man without property, family, or connexions, never, in the partiality of felftove, confiders his own life as being of equal value with that of a man of fubftance. A maxim, though not the practice, of their law, fays, " that he who is able to pay the bangoon for murder, muft fatisfy the relations of the deceafed; he who is unable, muft fuffer death." But the avarice of the relations prefers felling the body of the delinquent for what his flavery will fetch them, to the fatisfaction of feeing the murder revenged by the public execution of a culprit of that mean defcription. Capital punifhments are therefore almoft totally out of ufe among them \ and it is only par la hi du plus fort, that the Europeans take take the liberty of hanging a notorious criminal, now and then ; whom, however, their own chiefs always condemn, and formally fentence. u&ment PU" Corporal punifhment of any kind, is rare. The chain, and a fort of flocks, made of the penang tree, are adopted from us; the word " pajfoong" now commonly ufed to denote the latter, originally fignify-ing, and being ftill frequently applied to confinement in general. A kind of cage made ufe of in the country, is probably their own invention. " How do you fecure a prifoner, (a man was afked) without employing a chain or our ftocks?" " We pen him up, faid he, as we would a bear." The cage is made of bomboos laid horizontally, in a fquare, piled alternately, fecured by timbers at the corners, and ftrong-ly covered in at top. To lead a runaway, they fallen a rattan round his neck, and pafs it through a bamboo fomewhat longer than his arms, which are made fall to it at their full extent. If the offender is of a def-perate character, they bind him hands and feet, and fling him on a pole. When they would convey a perfon, from accident or otherwife unable to walk, they make a palanquin by fplitting a large bamboo near the middle of its length, where they contrive to keep it open, fo that the cavity forms a bed ; the ends being preferved whole, to reft upon their moulders-. The cuftom of exacting the bangoon for murder, feems only d'cfigned with a view of making a compenfation to the injured family, and not of punifhing the offender. The word fignifies i{ awaking" or*1 railing up," and the deceafed is fuppofed to be replaced, or railed again to his family, in the payment of a fum proportioned to his rank, or equivalent to his or her perfonal value. The price of a female flave is generally more than that of a male, and therefore, I heard a chief fay, is the ban* goon of a woman more than that of a man. It is upon this, principle that their laws take no cognizance of the diftinction between a wilful murder, and what we term manflaughter. The lofs is the fame to the family and therefore the compenfations are alike. A dupatty of Laye% m an ill hour, ftept unwarily acrofs the mouth of a cannon, at the inftant it it was firing for a falute, and was killed by the explofion; upon which his relations immediately fued the ferjeant of the country guard, who applied the match, for the recovery of the bangoon ; but they were caff, and upon thefe grounds ; that the dupatty was inftrumental in his own death; and that the Company's fervants being amenable to other laws for their crimes, were not, by eftablifhed cuftom, fubject to the bangoon, or other penalties inflicted by the native chiefs, for accidents refusing from the execution of their duty. The tippong boomee, expiation,, or purification of the earth from the ftain it has received, was however gratuitoufly paid. No plea was fet up, that the action was unpremeditated, and the event chance medley. The amount of the bangoon, inr the countries.fouth ward of Rejang, is* fixt at eighty eight dollars and eight fanams; and the tippong loomee3, called there baffmg loora, is twenty eight dollars; befide finding a buffaloe and rice. There is alfo the palantan or beto, of fourteen dollars,, paid both by. the profecutor and profccuted,, where there have been killed or wounded on both fides: but if a man kills another who makes no. refiftance, the whole palantan, or twenty-eight dollars, is paid by the murderer. The introduction of this cuftom is beyond the extent of Sumatran. tradition, and has no connexion with, or dependance on Mahometanifm,, being eftablifhed amongft the moft inland people from time immemoriaL In early ages it was by no means confined to that part of the world. The, bangoon is perfectly the fame as the compenfation for murder, in the rude, jnftitutions of our Saxon anceftors, and other northern nations. It is, the eric of Ireland, and the aponai of the Greeks. In the compartments of the fliield of Achilles, Homer defcxibes the adjudgement of a fine for homicide. It would feem then to be a natural ftep in the advances from anarchy to fettled government, and can only take place in fuch fo-cieties as have already a ftrong idea of the value of perfonal property,, efteeming it's poffeftion of the next importance to that of life, and pla- H h h clno- cing it in competition with the ftrongeft paflion that feizes the human foul. ' ' • ■ '•' ' "■ i : ■ •rvps^. .jj-jaVv' jijd ; nooonficfSffl "Jo ytjvodsi atb i6i ripjjscn *jd3 boilqtifc The compenfation is fo regularly eftablifhed among the Sumatrans, that any other fat is fact ion is feldom demanded. In the firft heat of re-fentment, retaliation is fometimes attempted, but the fpirit foon evaporates, and application is ufually made, upon the immediate difcovery of the fact, to the chiefs of the country, for the exertion of their influence, to oblige the criminal to pay the bangoon. His death is then not thought of, unlefs he is unable, and his family unwilling, to raife the eftablifhed fum. Inftances, it is true, occur, in which the profecutor knowing the European law in fuch cafe, w^ill, from motives of revenge, urge to the Refident the propriety of executing the offender, rather than receive the bangoon ; but if the latter is ready to pay it, it is contrary to their laws to proceed further. The degree of fatisfadtion that attends the payment of the bangoon, is generally confidered as abfolute to the parties concerned : they receive it as full compenfation, and pretend to no farther claim upon the murderer and his family. Slight provocations however have been fometimes known to renew the feud, and there are not wanting inftances of a fon's revenging his father's murder, and willingly refunding the bangoon. When, in an affray, there happen to be feveral perfons killed on both fides, the bufinefs of juftice is only to ftate the reciprocal loffes, in the form of an account current, and order the balance to be difcharged, if the numbers be unequal. The following is a relation of the circumftances of one of thofe bloody feuds, which happened whilft I was on the ifland; but which become every year more rare, where our influence extends. Raddten Seeban was the head- of a tribe in the diftrict of Manna, of which Pangeran, Rajah Calippah was the Calippah or official chief; though by the cuftoms of the country he had no right of fovereiynty over him. The Pangeran not allowing him an adequate fhare of fines, and other advantages annexed to his rank, was the foundation of a jea-loufy and illwill between them, which an event that happened a few years years fince, raifed to the higheft pitch of family feud. Lejfoct, a younger brother of the Pangeran, had a wife who was very handfome, and whom Raddeen Seeban had endeavored to procure, whilft a virgin, for bis younger brother, who was in love with her: but the pangeran had found means to circumvent him, and obtained the girl for Lejffoot. However, itfeems the lady herfelf had conceived a violent liking for the brother of Raddeen Seeban, who found means to enjoy her after fhe was married, or was violently fufpefted fo to have done. The confequence was, that Lejffoot killed him, to revenge the dilhonor of his bed. Upon this the families were prefently up in arms, but the Englifh Refident interfering, preferved the peace of the country, and fettled the affair agreeably to the cuftoms of the place, by bangoon and fine. But this did not prove fufficient to extinguifh. the fury which raged in the hearts of Raddeen Seebarfs family, whofe relation was murdered. It only ferved to delay their revenge, 'till a proper opportunity offered of gratifying it. The people of the country being called together on a particular occafion, the two inimical families were affemblcd, at the fame time, in Manna bazar. Two younger brothers (they had been five in all) of Raddeen Seeban, going to the cockpit, faw Raja Moodo, the next brother of the pangeran, and Leffhot his younger brother, in the open part 'of a houfe which they paffed. They quickly returned, drew their creefes, andjtttacked the pangaran's brothers, calling to them, ** if they were men to defend themfelves." The challenge was inftantly accepted. Lejfoot, the unfortunate hufband, fell, but the ag-greffors were both killed by Raja Moodo, who was himfelf much wounded. The affair was almoft over before the fcuffle was perceived. The bodies were lying on the ground, and Raja Moodo was fupporting himfelf againft a tree which flood near the fpot, when Raddeen Seeban, who was in a houfe on the oppofite fide of the bazar at the time the affray happened, being made acquainted with the circumftances, came over the way, with his lance in his hand. He paffed on the contrary fide of the tree, and did not fee Raja Moodo, but began to flab with his weapon the dead body of Leffhot, in excefsof rage, on feeing the bloody remains of his two brothers. Juft then, Raja Moodo, who was half dead, but had his creefe in his hand, ftill unfeen by Raddeen Seeban, crawled a ftep or two and ftuck 214 S U M A T R A, iluck the creefe into his fide, faying %t Mattee cdow"—" die wretch" ! Raddeen Seeban fpoke not a word, but put his hand on the wound, and walked acrofs to the houfe from whence he came, at the door of which he dropped down, and exp;red. Such was the cataftrophe. Raja Moodo furvived his wounds, but being much deformed by them, lives a melancholy example of the effects of thefe barbarous feuds. Law refpeft- The law which renders all the members of a family reciprocally ing debts. bound for the fecurity of each others debts, forms a ftrong connexion among them, and occafions the elder branches to be particularly watchful of the conduct: of thofe, for whofe imprudence they muft be anfwerable. When a debtor is unable to. pay what he owes, and has no relation or friends capable of doing it for him-, or when the children of a deceafed perfon do not find property enough to difcharge the debts of their parent,, they are forced to the ftate which is called mengeering : that is, they become a fpecies ofbondftaves to the creditor, who allows them fubfiftance, and cloathing, but does not appropriate the produce of their labor, to the diminution of their debt. Their condition is better than that of pure flavery, in this, that the creditor cannot ftrike them, and they can change their mafters, by prevailing on another perfon to, pay their debt, and accept of their labor on the fame terms. Of courfe they may procure their liberty, if they can by any means provide a fum equal to their debt; whereas a flave, though polfefling ever fo large property, has not the right of purchafing his liberty. If however, the creditor fhall demand formally the amount of his debt, from a perfon men^oering, at three feveral times, allowing a certain number of days between each demand, and the latter is not able toperfuade any one to redeem him, he becomes, by the cuftom of the country, a pure flave; upon the creditor's giving notice to the chief, of the tranfaction.. This is the refource he has-againft the lazinefs or untoward behaviour of his debtor, who might, in the ftate of mengeering, be only a burthen to him. If the children of a deceafed debtor are too young to be of fervice, the charge of their maintenance tenance is wadded to the debt. This opens a door for many iniquitous practices, and it is in the rigorous, and frequently unjuft exertion oi thefe rights, which a creditor has over his debtor, that the chiefs arc enabled to opprefs the lower clafs of people, and which the Englifh re-fidents find it neceflary to be moft watchful to reftrain them from abufing. When a man of one diftrict or country, has a debt owing to him from the inhabitant of a neighbouring country, which he cannot recover payment of, an ufual refource ' is to feizc on one or more of his children, and carry them off; which they call andac. The daughter of a Rejang dupatty was carried off in this manner by the Laboon people. Not hearing for fome time from her father, fhe fent him cuttings of her hair and nails, by which fhe intimated a refolution of deftroying herfelf, if not foon rcleafcd. The right of flavery is eftablifhed in Sumatra, as it is throughout the eaft, and has been all over the world; yet but few inftances occur of the country people actually having flaves, though they are common enough in the Malay, or fea port towns. Their domefticks and laborers are either dependant relations, or the orang mengeering above defcribed, who are emphatically ftyled debtors.* The fimple manners of the people require that their fervants fhould live, in a great meafure on a foot of equality with the reft of the family, which is inconfiftent with the authority neceflary to be maintained over flaves, who have no principle to reftrain them but that of perfonal fearf, and know that their * The Malay terms, orang bemtang, and orang mengeering, can only be rendered by the Enghlh word debtor; though they apply to perfons in very different circumftances : the epithets of folvent, and infolvent, would give fome idea of the diftinction. f I do not mean to alTert, that all men in the condition of flaves are devoid of principle: I have experienced the contrary, and found in them affe£tion and ftric* honcfty: but that thera does not rcfult from their fituation, as flaves, any principle of moral re£tituJe; whereas every other condition of fociety has annexed to it, ideas of duty and mutual obligation, arifmg from a fenfe of general utility. That fublime fpecies of morality derived from the injunctions of religion^ it is almoft univerfally their fate to be likewifc Grangers to; becaufe flavery is fovrnd inconfiftent with the fpirit of the gofpd, not merely as inculcating philanthropy, but infpiiing a principle of equality amongft mankind. I i i civil civil condition cannot be altered for the worfe. There is this advantage alfo, that when a debtor abfconds, they have recourfe to his relations for the amount of his debt, who, if unable to pay it, muft mengecring in,his room; whereas, when a ilave makes his efcape, the law can give no redrefs, and his value is loft to the owner. Thefe people, moreover, are from habit, backward to ftrike, and the ftate of flavery unhappily requires the frequent infli&ion of punifhment in that mode. A flave cannot poffefs, independently, any property; yrt it rarely happens that a mafter is found mean and fordid enough, to defpoil them of the fruits of their induftry; and their liberty is generally granted them, when in a condition to purchafe it, though they cannot demand it of right. It is nothing uncommon for thofe belonging to the Europeans, to poffefs flaves of their own, and to acquire confiderable fubftance. Their condition is here, for the moft part, lefs unhappy than that of perfons in other fituations of life. I am far from wifhing to diminifh from the horror that fhould ever accompany the general idea of this ftate,. which I am convinced is not neceflary among mankind; but I canno help remarking, as an extraordinary fad:, that if there is one clafs of people eminently happy above all others upon earth, it is the body of Caffrcs, or negro flaves belonging to the India Company at Bencoolen. They are well clothed and fed, and fupplied with a proper allowance of liquor; their work is by no means fevcre ; the perfons appointed as their immediate overfeers, are chofen, for their merit, from amongft themfelves; they have no occafion of care or anxiety for the paft or future, and are naturally of a lively and open temper. The contemplation of the effects which fuch advantages produce, muft afford the higheft gratification to a benevolent mind. They are feen perpetually laughing or finging, and fince the period they were firft carried thither, from different parts of Africa and Madagafcar, to the prefent hour, not fo much as the rumor of diftur-bance, or difcontent has ever been known to proceed from them. They hold the natives of the ifland in contempt, have a degree of antipathy towards them, and enjoy any mifchicf they can do them ; and thefe in their turn regard the Gaffres as devils half humanized* The SUM A T R A. ai- The practice faid to prevail elfewhere, of men felling themfelves for fiaves, is repugnant to the ideas of the Sumatrans, as it feems to reafon. It is an abfurdity to barter any thing valuable, much more civil exiftence. for a fum which, by the very act of receiving, becomes again the property of the buyer. Yet, if a man runs in debt, without a profpect of paying, he does virtually the fame thing, and this, in cafes of diftrefs5 is not uncommon; in order to relieve perhaps a beloved wife, or favorite child, from fimilar bondage. A man has even .been known to apply in confidence to a friend, to fell him to a third perfon, concealing from the purchafer the nature of the tranfaction, till the money was appropriated. Ignorant ftragglers are often picked up in the country, by lawlefs knaves in power, and fold beyond the hills. Thefe have fometimes procured their liberty again, and profecuting their kidnappers, have recovered large damages. In the diftrict of Jl'as, a cuftom prevails, by which, if a man has been fold to the hill people, however unfairly, he is reftricted on h;s return, from affociating with his countrymen, as their equal, unlefs he brings with him a fum of money, and pays a fine for his re-enfranchifement, to his calippah or chief. This regulation has taken its rife from an idea of contamination, among the people, and from art and avarice :\mong the chiefs. Modes « 18 S V M A T R A. JlW^r of Marriage, and cuftoms relative thereto— Feflhals— Polygamy. fiuencing the By much the greater number of the legal difputes, among thefe people, teT^fome t'f their fource in the intricacy attending their marriage contracts. In their marriage moft uncivilized countries, thefe matters are very fimple, the dictates of cuftoms. nature being obeyed, or the calls of appetite fatisfied, with little ceremony, or form of convention; but with the Sumatrans, the difficulties both precedent and fubfequent, arc encreafed to a degree unknown even in the moft refined ftates. To remedy thefe inconveniences, which might be fuppofed to deter men from engaging in marriage, was the view of fhe Refident of Laye, beforementioned, who prevailed upon them to Amplify their engagements, as the means of preventing litigation between families, and of encreafmg the population of the country. How far his liberal views will be anfwered, by having thus influenced the people to change their cuftoms; whether they will not foon rclapfe into the ancient track; and whether, in fact, the caufe that he fuppofes, did actually contribute to retard population, I fhall not pretend to determine ; but as the laft is a point on which a difference of opinion prevails, I fhall take the liberty of quoting here, the fentiments of another fervant of the Company, who pofleffes an underftanding highly enlightened.* Reafons again ft ** This part of the ifland is in a low ftate of population, but it is an er-'ms alteratlon* ror to afcribe this to the mode of obtaining wives by purchafe. The circumftance of children conftituting part of the property of the parents, proves a moft powerful incentive to matrimony, and there is not perhaps any country on the face of the earth, where marriage is more general than here, inftances of perfons of either fex pafling their lives in a ftate of «ellbacy, being extremely rare. The neceffity of purchaling, does * Mr. John Crifp. not not prove fuch an obftacle to matrimony as is fuppofed. Was it indeed true that every man was obliged to remain fingle, till he had accumulated, from the produce of his pepper garden, a fum adequate to the purchafe of a wife, married pairs would truly be fcarce. But the people have other refources ; there are few families who are not in poifefHon of fome fmall fubftance; they breed goats and buffaloes, and in general keep in referve fome fmall fum for particular purpofes. The purchafe money of the daughters ferves alfo to provide wives for the fons. Certain it is, that the fathers are rarely at a lofs for money to procure them wives, fo foon as they become marriageable. In the diftricts under my charge are about eight thoufand inhabitants, among whom, I do not conceive it would be poflible to find ten inftances of men of the age of thirty years unmarried. We muft then feek for other caufes of the paucity of inhabitants, and indeed they are fufficiently obvious; among thefe, we may reckon that the women are by nature unprolific, and ceafe geftation at an early age; that almoft totally unikilled in the medical art, numbers fall victims to the endemic difeafes of a climate, nearly as fatal to its indigenous inhabitants, as to the ftrangcrs who fettle among them: to which we may add, that the indolence and inactivity of the natives, tend to relax and enervate the bodily frame, and to abridge the natural period of their lives." The modes of marriage, according to the original inftitutions of thefe Modes of people, are by joojoor, by ambel ana, or by femundo. The joojoor fs a na§e' certain fum of money, given by one man to another, as a confideration for the perfon of his daughter, whofe fituation, in this cafe, differs not much from that of a ftave to the man fhe marries, and to his family. His abfolute property in her depends however upon fome nice circumftances. Befide the bat ang joojoor (or main fum), there are certain appendages or branches; one of which, the tallee koolo of five dollars, is ufually, from motives of delicacy, or friendfhip, left unpaid, and fo long as that is the cafe, a relationlhip is underftood to fubfift between the two families, and the parents of the woman have a right to interfere on occafions of ill treatment; the hufband is alfo liable to be fined for wounding her; Kkk with with other limitations of abfolute right. When that fum is finally paid, which feldom happens but in cafes of violent quarrel, the tallee koolo (tie of relationfhip) is faid to be pootoofe, (broken), and the woman becomes to all intents the flave of her lord. She has then no title to claim a divorce in any predicament; and he may fell her, making only the firft offer to her relations. The other appendages, as already mentioned, are the toolis tangel, the derivation of which I cannot fatisfa&orily trace; and the oopa daoun codo, which is a confideration for the expence of the marriage feaft, paid to the girl's parent, who provides it. But fometimes it is depofited at the wedding, when a diftribution is made of it amongft the old people prefent. The words allude to the leaf in which the rice is ferved up. Thefe branches are feldom paid or claimed, before the ba-tang (ftem) is defrayed, of which a large proportion, as fifty, eighty, and fometimes an hundred and four dollars, is laid down at the time of marriage; and untill the firft mentioned of thefe fums, at leaft, is produced, the man cannot take his wife home. In this cafe he commonly mengeering joojoor, continues a debtor with the family, till he can raife money fufficient to redeem himfelf; and after this, long credit is ufually given for the remainder. Years often elapfe, if the families continue on good terms, without the debt being demanded; particularly when an hundred and four dollars have been paid; unlefs diftrefs obliges them to it. Sometimes it remains unadjufted to the fecond and third generation, and it is not uncommon to fee a man fuing for the joojoor of the filter of his grandfather.. Thefe debts conftitute in fact the chief part of their fubftance, and a perfon is efteemed rich who has feveral of them due to him, for his daughters, lifters, aunts, and great aunts. Debts of this nature are looked upon as facred, and are fcarce ever loft. In Paffummah, if the race of a man is extinct, and fome of thefe remain unpaid, the doofoon or village to which the family belonged, muft make it good to the creditor; but this is not infilled upon amongft the Rejangs. In lieu of paying the joojoor, a barter- tranfaction, called fehaye, fometimes takes place, where one gaddees (virgin) is given in exchange for another; and it is not unufual to borrow a girl for this purpofe> from a friend SUMATRA. 22l, friend or relation, the borrower binding himfelf to replace her, or pay her joojoor when required. A man who has a fon and daughter, gives the latter in exchange for a wife to the former. The perfon who receives her, difpofes of her as his own child, or marries her himfelf. A brother will give his lifter in exchange for a wife, or in default of fuch, procure a coufin for the purpofe. If the girl given in exchange be under age, a-certain allowance per annum is made, till fhe becomes marriageable. Beguppoke is a mode of marriage differing a little from the common joojoor, and probably only taking place, where a parent wants to get off a child laboring under fome defect. A certain fum is in this cafe fixed, below the ufual cuftom, which, when paid, is in full for her value, without any appendages. In other cafes likewife, the joojoor is fometimes lcffened, and fometimes encreafed, by mutual agreement; but on trials it is always eftimated at an hundred and twenty dollars. If a wife dies foon after marriage, or at any time without children, the full joojoor cannot be claimed; it is reduced to eighty dollars; but fhould more than that have been laid down in the interim, there is no refunding. The joojoor of a widow, which is generally eighty dollars, without appendages, is again reduced upon a third marriage, allowance being made for delapidation. A widow, being with child, cannot marry again till fhe is delivered, without incurring a penalty. In divorces it is the fame. If there be no appearance of pregnancy, fhe muft yet abftain from making another choice, during the period of three montns and ten days.. When the relations and friends of the man go in form to the parents of the girl, to fettle the terms of the marriage, they pay at that time the addat befafala, or earneft, of fix dollars generally ; and thefe kill a goat or a few fowls to entertain them. It is ufually fome fpace of time (except in cafes of telarree gaddees, or elopement) after the payment of the befa/ala, before the wedding takes place; but, when the father has received that, he cannot give his daughter to any other perfon, without incurring a fine; which the young lady fometimes renders him liable to ; for whilft the old folk are planning a match by patootan, or regular agreement between families, it frequently happens that Mifs difappears with with a more favored fwain, and fecures a match of her own choice. This practice, fly led telarree gaddees, is not the leaft common way of determining a marriage, and from a fpirit of indulgence and humanity, which few codes can boall, has the fanction of the laws. The father has only the power left, of dictating the mode of marriage, but cannot take his daughter away, if the lover is willing to comply with the cuftom in fuch cafes. The girl muft be lodged, unviolated, in the houfe of fome refpectable family, till the relations are advifed of the enlevement, and fettle the terms. If however, upon immediate purfuit, they are overtaken on the road, fhe may be forced back, but not after fhe has taken fanctuary. By the Mofaic law, if a man left a widow, without children, his brother was to marry her. Among the Sumatrans, with or without children, the brother, or neareft male relation of the deceafed, unmarried, (the father excepted) takes the widow. This is practifed both by Malays and country people. The brother, in taking the widow to himfelf, becomes anfwerable for what may remain due of her purchafe money, and in every refpect reprefents the deceafed. This is phrafed teecar, bantal'nia—placing himfelf on his mat and pillow. Chaftity of the Chaftity prevails more perhaps among thefe than any other people, v.omen. jt -s f0 materially the intereft of the parents to preferve the virtue of their daughters unfullied; as they conftitute the chief of their fubftance; that they are particularly watchful in this refpect. But as marriages in general do not take place fo early, as the forwardnefs of nature, in that climate, would admit, it will fometimes happen, notwithftanding their precaution, that a young woman not chufing to wait her father's pleafure, taftes the fruit by Health. When this is difcovered he can oblige the man to marry her, and pay the joojoor-, or if he chufes to keep his daughter, the feducer muft make good the difference he has occafioned in her value, and alfo pay the fine, called tippong boomee, for removing the ftain from the earth. Proftitution for hire is, I think, unknown in the country, and confined to the more polite Malay bazars, where where there is ufually a concourfe of failors and others, who have no honeft fettlement of their own, and are therefore upon the town. In thefe, vice generally reigns in a degree proportioned to the number and variety of people of different nations, who inhabit the place, or occafi-onally refort thither. From the fcenes which thefe fea-ports prefent, travellers too commonly form their judgment, and imprudently take upon them to draw, for the information of the world, a picture of the manners of a people. The different fpecies of horrid and difguftful crimes, which are emphatically denominated, againft,nature, are unknown on Sumatra; nor have any of their languages terms to exprefs fuch ideas. Inccft, or the intermarriage of perfons within a certain degree of con-fanguinity; which is perhaps (at leaft after the firft degree) rather an offence againft the inftitutions of human prudence, than a natural crime; is forbidden by their cuftoms, and punifhable by fine : yet the guilt is often expiated by a ceremony, and the marriages, in many inftances, confirmed. Adultery is punifhable by fine; but the crime is rare, and fuits on the Adultery, fubject ftill lefs frequent. The hufband, it is probable, either conceals his fhame, or revenges it with his own hand. If a man would divorce a wife he has married by joojoor, he may claim back what he has paid in part, lefs twenty five dollars, the addat charro, for the damage he has done her; but if he has paid the joojoor in full, the relations may chufe whether they will receive her or not; if not, he may fell her. If a man has paid part of a joojoor, but cannot raife the remainder, though repeatedly dunned for it, the parents of the girl may obtain a divorce; but if it is not with the hufband's concurrence, they lofe the advantage of the charro, and muft refund all they have received. A woman married by joojoor muft bring with her, effects K> the amount of ten dollars, or if not, it is deducted from the joojoor; L 1 1 if Divorces- if fhe brings more, the hufband is accountable for the difference. The original ceremony of divorce confifts in cutting a rattan cane in two, in prefence of the parties, their relations, and the chiefs of the country. Second mode ■ ^ the mode of marriage by ambel ana, the father of a virgin makes ©f marriage, cnoice 0f pome young man for her hufband, generally from an inferior family, which renounces all further right to, or intereft in him, and he is taken into the houfe of his father in law, who kills a buffaloe on the occafion, and receives twrcnty dollars from the fon's relations. After this, the boor no bye *nya (the good and bad of him) is vefted w the wife's family. If he murders or robs, they pay the bangoon, or the fine. If he is murdered, they receive the bangoon. They are liable to any debts he may contract after marriage; thofe prior to it remaining with his parents. He lives in the family, in a ftate between that of a fon, and a. debtor. He partakes as a fon of what the houfe affords, but has no property in himfelf. His rice plantation, the produce of his pepper garden, with every thing that he can gain or earn, belong to the family. He is liabk to be divorced at their pleafure, and though he has children, muft leave all, and return naked as he came. The family fometimes indulge him with leave to remove to a houfe of his own, and take his wife with him; but he, his children, and effects, arc ftill their property. If he has not daughters by the marriage, he may redeem himfelf and wife, by paying her joojoor; but if there are daughters before they are emancipated, the difficulty is enhanced, becaufe the family are equally entitled to their value. It is common, however, when they are upon good terms, to releafe him, on the payment of one joojoor, or at moft with the addition of an, addat of fifty dollars. With this addition, he may infift upon a releafe, whilft his daughters are not marriageable. If the family have paid any debts for him, he muft alfo make them good.. Should he contract more than they approve of,, and they fear his adding to them, they procure a divorce, and fend him back to his parents; but muft pay his debts, to- that time. If he is a notorious fpendthrift, they outlaw him. Inftead of taking out a wit, they have only to prefent one to the proatteens and pambarab. This is is called booang fooray. They limit, banifh him from home, and if they receive him again, or aflift him with the fmalleft fum, they are liable to all his debts. On the prodigal fon's return, and promi-fes of amendment, this writ may be redeemed, on payment of live dollars to the proatteens, and fatisfying the creditors. The writ of outlawry is infcribed on a piece of bamboo. This kind of marriage is productive of much confulion, for till the time it takes place, the young man belongs to one doofoon and family, and afterwards to another, and as they have no records to refer to, there is great Uncertainty in fettling the time when debts were contracted, and the like. Sometimes the redemption of the family, and their return to the former doofoon, take place in the fecond or third generation ; and in many cafes it is doubtful whether they ever took place or not; the two parties contradicting each other, and perhaps no evidence to refer to. Hence arife various and intricate bechars* Befide the modes of marriage above defcribed, a third form, cal- Third» °,rMa; 0 lay mode of led Semundo, has been adopted from the Malays, and thence termed marriage, femundo Malayo, or maredeeko (free). This marriage is a regular treaty between the parties, on the foot of equality. The addat paid the girls friends, has ufually been twelve dollars. The agreement ftipulates, that all effects, gains, or earnings, are to be equally the property of both, and in cafe of divorce by mutual confent, the ftock, debts, and credits are to be equally divided. If the man only, infifts on the divorce, he gives the woman her half of the effects, and lofes the twelve dollars he has paid. If the woman only, claims the divorce, fhe forfeits her right to the proportion of the effects, but is entitled to keep her teecar, bantal, and dundun (parapharnalia), and her relations are liable to pay back the twelve dollars ; but it is feldom demanded. This mode, doubtlefs rhoft conformable to Our ideas of conjugal right and felicity, is that which the chiefs of the Rejang country have formally confented to efta-bliflr throughout their jurifdiction, and to their orders, the influence of the Malay padres will contribute to give efficacy. It will not be improper here to mark the cuftoms of the people of „ . 0. V- Cuftoms rela- Pafftmmab, in regard to their marriage contracts, which though pervaded tive to mani- . ' age in Palfum- entirely mah. .entirely by the fame fpirit, differ from thofe eftablifhed among!* the Rejangs, in feveral particulars. The marriage by joojocr is there termed koolo. When the parties are determined in their regards, the father of the young man, or the boojong himfelf, goes to the houfe of the father of the woman, carrying with him forty, fifty dollars, or more. On opening his defign he tenders this money as a prefent, and the others acceptance of it is a token that he is inclined to forward the match. This is the bufinefs of the firft vifit. The money thus dcpofited is 'called puggatan, and when the marriage is agreed upon, it is confulcred as an equivalent for the drefs, and ornaments which the bride carries with her. It lies often in the hands of the girls father, three, fix, or twelve months, before the marriage is confum-mated. He fometimes fends for more, and is never refufed ; but it would be deemed fcandalous for him to liften to any other propofals, whilft he thus continues dallam rajjdn (in treaty) with the former perfon. The purchafe money confifts of three diftindt fums. The ooroop niaozv (price of life), forty dollars ; a creefe with a gold head and filver fhcath, valued at ten dollars; and the foudo con hike, or pootoofe koolo (conclu-fion of the bargain), twenty dollars. Thefe are generally made diftinct: payments. The koolo marriage may be dilfolved at the pleafure of either of the parties. If the woman infills on feparating, the children, if any, remain with the father. If the hufband fues for the divorce, the children are divided. In thefe cafes the purchafe money is returned; an exact eftimation is made of the value of the woman's trinkets, and what are not reftored, muft be made good by the hufband. Sometimes a deduction is made from the purchafe money, according to the circumftances of the affair. All this is fettled by the chiefs affemblcd, if the parties cannot agree upon the terms amongft themfelves. In the ambel ana marriage, when the father refolves to difmifs the hufband of his daughter, and fend him back to his doofoon, the fum for which SUMATRA. -o27 which he can redeem his wife and family, is an hundred dollars; and if he can raife that, and the woman is willing to go with him, the father cannot refufe them ; and now the affair is changed into a koolo marriage ; the man returns to his former toongooan (fettlement or family), and becomes of more confequence in fociety. Thefe people are not ftrangers to that fentiment which we call a regard to family. There are fome families among them more efteemed than others, though not graced with any title or employment in the ftate. The origin of this diftinction, it is difficult to trace, but I am inclined to think that it arifes from a fucceflion of men of abilities. Every one has a regard to his race, and the probability of its being extinct, is efteemed a great unhappinefs. This is what they call toongooan pootoofi, and the expreffion is ufed by the loweft member of the community. To have a wife, a family, collateral relations, and a fettled place of refidence, is to have a toongooan, and this they are anxious to fupport and perpetuate. It is with this view, that when a fingle female only remains of a family, they marry her by ambel ana; in which mode the hufband's confequence is loft in the wife's, and in her children the toongooan of her father is continued. They find her a hufband that will menegga toongooan, or as it is exprcffed amongft the Rejangs, menegga rooma, fet up the houfe again. The femundo marriage is little known in Paffummah. I recollect that a pangeran of Manna having a fon by a femundo marriage with a Malay Woman, fhe refufed, upon the father's death, to let the boy fucceed to his dignities, and at the fame time become anfwerable for his debts, and carried him with her from the country ; which was productive of much confuiion. Nor did it appear that the laws of the country could compel the child to be refponfible for his father's engagements. When a young woman is difcovered to be with child before marriage, fhe, or more properly, her father, is fined forty dollars, or in failure of payment the girl becomes a flave. The man is fined thirty dollars. This is called gaway panjingan. The woman's fine goes to the calippah, and the man's to the inferior proatteens. The offending parties are likewife M m m obliged obliged to give between them, a buffaloe and rice, to remove the ftain, which ceremony is here called hajfmg loora. If the woman does not dif-cover by whom fhe is become pregnant, fhe muft pay the whole fine. This regulation has much feverity, and falls particularly hard on the girl's father, who not only has his daughter fpoiled, but muft alfo pay largely for her frailty To the northward, the offence *u not punifhed with fo much rigor, yet the inftances are there Qad to be rarer, and marriage is more ufually the confequence In other refpe&s the cuftoms of Paffummah and Rejang are the fame, in thefe matters. Rites of mar- The rites of marriage,, neeka, (from the Arabian word) confift limply mge' in joining the hands of the parties, and pronouncing them man and wife, without much ceremony, excepting the entertainment which is given on the occafion. This is performed by one of the fathers, or the chief of the doofoon, according to the original cuftoms of the country, but where Mahometanifm has found its way, a padre or immum executes the bufinefs. Courtfhip. But lift*e aPParent courtfhip precedes their marriages. Their manners do not admit of it. The boojong and gaddees (youths of each fex) being carefully kept afunder, and the latter feldom truftVd from under the wing of their mothers. Betides, courtfhip, with us, includes the idea of humble entreaty on the man's fide, and favor and condefcention on the part of the woman, who beftows perfon and property, for love. The Sumatran, on the contrary, when he fixes his choice, and pays all that he is worth, for the objefr, of it, may naturally confider the obligation on his fide. But ftill they are not without gallantry. They preferve a degree of delicacy and refped towards the fex, which might juftify their retorting on many of the polifhed nations of antiquity, the ephithet of barbarians. The opportunities which the young people have, of feeing and converting with each other, are at the bimbangs, or public feftivals, held at the batti, or town hall of the doofoon. On thefe occafions the unmarried people meet together, and dance and fing in company, ft may be fuppofed that the young ladies cannot be long without their particular ticular admirers* The men, when determined in their regards, generally* employ an old woman as their agent, by whom they make known their fentiments, and fend prefents to the female of their choice. The parents then interfere, and the preliminaries being fettled, a bimbang takes place. At thefe feftivals, a goat, a buffaloe, or feveral, according to the MamageMi-. rank of the parties, are killed, for to entertain, not only the relations and invited gueffs, but all the inhabitants of the neighbouring country who chufe to repair to them. The greater the concourfe, the more is the credit of the holt, who is generally, on thefe occafions, the father of the girl; but the different branches of the family, and frequently all the people of the doofoon, contribute.a quota of rice. The youiig women proceed in a body to the upper end of the balli, °rJer dMeru where there is a part divided off for them, by a curtain. The floor is fpread with their beft mats, and the fides and ceiling of that extremity of the building, are hung with pieces of chintz, palampores, and the like. They do not always make their appearance before dinner; that time, with part of the afternoon, previous to a fecond or third meal, being appropriated to cock-fighting, and other diverfions peculiar to the men. Whilft the young are thus employed, the old men confult together upon any affair that may be at the time in agitation ; fuch as repairing a public building, or making reprifals upon the cattle of a neighbouring people. The bimbangs are often given on occafions of bufinefs only, and as they are apt to be productive of cabals, the Europeans require that they fhall not be held without their knowledge and approbation. To give authority to their contracts and other deeds, whether of a public or private nature, they always make a bunb ng. Writings, fay they, may be altered or counterfeited, but the memory of what is tranfacted and concluded in the prefence of a thoufand witnefles, muft remain facred. Sometimes in token of the final determination of an affair, they cut a.notch in a:poft, before the chiefs; which they call ta-cqq cayoo. In the evening, their foftrr amufements take place; of which the ' Amufemeni. dances are the principal, Theie are performed either fingly, or by two of dancing,. women, 230 S U M A T R A. women, two men, or with both mixed. Their motions and attitudes are uftiitty flow, and too much forced to be graceful; approaching often to the lafcivious, and not unfrequently the ludicrous. This is, I believe, the general opinion formed of them by Europeans, but it may be the effect of prejudice. Certain 1 am, that our ufual dances are, in their judgment, to the full as ridiculous. The minuets they compare to the fighting of two gamecocks, alternately approaching and receding. Our country dances they efteem too violent and confufed, without fhewing grace or agility. The ftage dances, I have not a doubt, would pleafe them. Part of the female drefs, called the fahidang, which is ufually of filk, with a gold head, is tied round the waift, and the ends of this, they, at times, extend behind them with their hands. They bend forward as they dance, and ufually carry a fan, which they clofe and ftrike fmartly againft their elbows, at particular cadences. They keep time well, and the partners preferve a confiftency with each other, though the figure and fteps are ad libitum. A brifker movement is fometimes adopted, which proves more conformable to the tafte of the Englifh fpectators. Dancing is not the only amufement on thefe occafions. A gaddees fometimes rifes, and leaning her face on her arm, fupporting herfelf againft a pillar, or the fhoulder of one of her companions, with her and raging, back to the audience, begins a tender fong. She is foon taken up, and anfwered, by one of the boojongs in company, whofe greateft pretentions to gallantry and fafhion, are founded on an adroitnefs at this polite accom-plifhment. The uniform fubject, on fuch occafions, is love, and as the words are extempore, there are numbcrlcfs degrees of merit in the compofition, which is fometimes furprizingly well turned, quaint, and even witty. There are alfo characters of humor amongft the men, who, by buffoonery, mimickry, punning, repartee, and fatire, (rather of the Sardonic kind) are able to keep the company in laughter, at intervals, during the courfe of a night's entertainment. The aflembly feldom breaks up before day light, and thefe bimbangs arc often continued for feveral days together, till their ftock of provifions is exhauftcd. The young men frequent frequent them in order to look out for wives, and the lalfcs of courfe fet themfelves off to the beft advantage. They wear their beft filken DrefJh' dreffes, of their own weaving; as many ornaments of fillagree as they poffefs ; filver rings upon their arms and legs, andearingsof a particular conftruction. Their hair is varioufly adorned with flowers, and perfumed with oil of benjamin. Civet is alfo in repute, but more ufed by the men. To render their fkin fine, fmooth, and foft, they make ufe cofmetic ufed, of a white cofmetic called poopoor. The mode of preparing it is as fob preparing iu lows. The bafis is fine rice, which is a long time fteeped in water, then dried, reduced to a powder, and by wetting made into a pafte. They mix with this, ginger; and the leaf of a plant called deelttm (patch leaf), which gives it it's peculiar fmell, and alfo, as is fuppofed, a cooling quality. They add like wife the flowers of the jagong (maize) ; cayco .bendano (fandal wood) ; and the feeds of a plant called there capay antco, (fairy cotton) which is the abel mofc, or mufk feed. All thefe ir> gredients. after being well mixed together, are made up into little balls* and when they would apply the cofmetic, thefe are diluted with a drop of water, rubbed between the hands, and then on the face, neck, and ihoulders.. They have an apprehenfion, probably well founded, that a too abundant or frequent application, will, by Hopping the ports of the fkin, bring on a fever. It is ufed, with good effect, to remove that troublefome complaint, fo well known to Europeans in India, by the name of the prickly heat; but it is not always fate for ftningers thus ro check the operations of nature, in a warm climate. The Sumatran girls, as well as our Englifh maidens, entertain a favorable opinion of the virtues of morning dew, as a beautifier, and believe that by rubbing it to the roots of the hair, it will ftrengthen and thicken it. With this view they take pains to catch it before fun-rile, in veffels, as it falls. ut nurnagc*. If a wedding is the occafion of the bimbang, the couple are married, Co fuTimmion perhaps the fecond or third day; but it may be two or three more ere the hufband can get poffeflion of his bride; the old matrons making ic a rule to prevent him, as long as pofiible, and the bride herfelf holding N n n, jt it as a point of honor, to defend to extremity that jewel, which flic would yet be difappointed in preferving.* They fit up in ftate, at night, on raife ! cufhions, in their beft cloaths and trinkets. They are fometimes loaded on the occafion, with all the finery of their relations, or even the whole doofoon; and carefully eafed of it when the ceremony is over. But this is not the cafe with the children of perfons of rank. I remember being prefent at the marriage of a young woman, whofe beauty would not have difgraced any country, with a fon of Raddeen, prince of Madura, to whom the Englifh gave protection from the power of the Dutch, after his father had fallen a facrifice.-f' She was decked in unborrowed plumes. Her drefs was eminently calculated to do juftice to a fine perfon; her hair, in which confifts their chief pride^ was dif-pofed with extreme grace ,• and an uncommon elegance and tafte were difplayed, in the workmanfhip and adjuftment of her ornaments. It muft be confeffed, however, that this tafte is by no means general, efpecially amongft the country people. Simplicity, fo effential to the idea, is the characteriftic of a rude and quite uncivilized people; and is again adopted by men in their higheft ftate of refinement. The Sumatrans ftand removed from both thefe extremes. Rich and fplendid articles of drefs and furniture (though not often procured) are the objects of their vanity and ambition. The bimbangs are conducted with great decorum and regularity-The old women are very attentive to the conduct of the girls, and the male relations are highly jealous of any infults that may be fhewn them. A lad, at one of thefe entertainments, afked another his opinion of a gaddees who was then dancing. " If fhe was plated with gold, replied he, I would not take her for my concubine, much lefs for my wife." A brother of the girl happened to be within hearing, and called him to !' It is recorded, that the jealoufy between the Englifh and Dutch at Bantam, arofe from a preference fhewn to the former by the King, at a feftival which he gave upon obtaining a victory of this nature, which his bride had long difputed with him. f The circumftances of this difgraceful affair, arc preferved in a book entitled " A Voyage to the Eaft Indies in 1747 and 1748." account account for the reflection thrown on his fitter. Creefes were drawn, but the byftanders prevented mifchief. The brother appeared the next day, to take the law of the defamer, but the gentleman, being of the reefow eaft, had abfeonded, and was not to be found. The cuftoms of the Sumatrans permit their having as many wives by Number wives. joojoor, as they can compafs the purchafe of, or afford to maintain j but it is extremely rare that an inftance occurs of their having more than one, and that only among a few of the chiefs. This continence they in fome meafure owe to their poverty. The dictates of frugality are more powerful with them, than the irregular calls of appetite, and make them decline an indulgence, that their law does not reftrain them from. In talking of polygamy, they allow it to be the priviledge of the rich, but regard it as a refinement which the poor Rejangs cannot pretend to. Some 3roung reefows have been known to take wives in different places, but the father of the firft, as foon as he hears of the fecond marriage, procures a divorce. A man married by femundo cannot take a fecond wife, without repudiating the firft, for this obvious reafon, that two or more perfons could not be equally entitled to the half of his effects. Montefquieu infers, that the law which permits polygamy, is phyfi- ^ ^ cally conformable to the climate of Alia. The feafon of female beauty, Polygamy* precedes that of their reafon, and from its prematurity foon decays. The empire of their charms is fhort. It is therefore natural, the pre-fident obferves, that a man fhould leave one wife to take another : that he fhould feek a renovation of thofe charms which had withered in his pofleflion. But are thefe the real circumftances of polygamy ? furely not. It implies the cotemporary enjoyment of women in the fame predicament; and I fhould confider it as a vice, that has its fource in the influence of a warm atmofphere, upon the paftions of men, which, like the cravings of other difordered appetites, make them mifcalculate their wants. It is probably the fame influence, on lefs rigid nerves, that renders their thirft of revenge fo much more violent, than among northern nations; but we are not therefore to pronounce murder to be phyfically conform- conformable to a fouthern climate. Far be it from my intention however, to put thefe paffions on a level; I only mean to ihew that the president's reafoning proves too much. It muft further be considered, that the genial warmth which expands the defires of the men, and prompts a more unlimited exertion of their faculties, does not infpire their constitutions with proportionate vigor, that on the contrary, renders them, in this refpect, inferior to the inhabitants of the temperate zone; whilft it equally influences the defires of the oppofite fex,. without being found to diminifh from their capacity of enjoyment. From which I would draw this conclufion, that if nature intended that one woman only Ihould be the companion of one man, in the colder regions of the earth, it appears alfo intended, a fori tori, that the fame law ihould be obferved in the hotter ; inferring nature's defign, not from the defires, but from the abilities with which fhe has endowed mankind. Montefquieu has further fuggefted, that the inequality in the comparative numbers of each fex, born in Afia; which is reprefented to be greatly fuperior on the female fide; may have a relation to the law that allows polygamy. But there is ftrong reafon to deny the reality of this fuppofed excefs. The Japan account, taken from Keemfcr, which makes them to be in the proportion of twenty two to eighteen, is very inconclufive, as the numbering of the inhabitants of a great city, can furnifh no proper teft; and the account of births at Bantam, which ftates the number of girls to be ten, to one boy, is not only manifeftly abfurd, but pofitively falfe. I can take upon me to affert, that the proportion of the fexes, throughout Sumatra, does not fenfibly differ from that afcertained in Europe ; nor could I ever learn from the inhabitants of the many eaftern iflands whom I have converfed with, that they were confcious of any difpropordon in this refpect. Connexion But from whatever fource we derive polygamy, its prevalence feems gr^andplrl to ^c univerfally attended with the practice of giving a valuable con-chafe of wives. fKlcration for the woman, inftead of receiving a dowry with her. This is a natural confequence. Where each man endeavors to engrofs feveral, the the demand for the commodity, as a merchant would exprefs it, is en-creafed, and the price of courfe enhanced. In Europe on the contrary, where the demand is fmall; whether owing to the paucity of males from continual diminution ; their coldnefs of conflitution, which fuffers- them to play rather with the fentimental, than act from the animal paflion; their corruption of manners, leading them to promifcuous concubinage ; or in fine, the extravagant luxury of the times, which renders a family an infupportable burthen ;—whatever may be the caufe, it becomes neceflary, in order to counteract it, and produce an additional incitement to the marriage ftate, that a premium be given with the females. We find in the hiftory of the earlieft ages of the world, that where a plurality of women was allowed of, by law or cuftom, they were obtained by money or fervice. The form of marriage by $emm;dof among the Malays, which admits but of one partner, requires no fum to be paid by the hufband to the relations of the wife, except a trifle, by way of token* or to defray the expences of the wedding feaft. The circumftance of the Rejangs confining themfelves to one,, and at the fame time giving a price for their wives, would feem an exception to the general rule laid down ; but this is an accidental, and perhaps temporary reftraint, arifing, it may be, from the European influence, which tends to make them regular and induftrious, but keeps them poor : affords the means of fubhftence to all, but the opportunity of acquiring riches to few or none. In their genuine itate, war and plunder caufed a rapid fluctation of property ; the little wealth now among them, derived moftly from the India Company's expenditure, circulates through the country in an equal ftream, returning chiefly, !ike the water exhaled in vapors from the fea, to its original fource. The cuftom of giving joojoors, had moft probably, its foundation in polygamy; and the fuperftructure fubfilis, though its balls has partly mouldered away : but being lcarcely tenantable, the inhabitants are inclined to quit, and fuffer it to fall to the ground. Moderation in point of women dellroying their principle, the joojoors appear to be devoid of policy. Open a new fpring of luxury, and polygamy now confined to a few individuals amongft the chiefs, will fpread throughout the people. Beauty will be in high requeft ; each fair one will be fought O o o for for by many competitors; and the payment of the joojoor be again efteemed a teafona'ble equivalent for poffeftion. Their acknowledging the cuftom, under the prefent circumftances, to be a prejudicial one ; fo contrary to the fpirit of eaftern manners, which is ever marked with a blind veneration for the eftablilhments of antiquity; contributes to ftrengthen confiderably the opinion I have advanced. Gaming. Throughout every rank of the people there prevails a ftrong fpirit of gaming, which is a vice that readily infinuatcs itfelf into minds naturally averfe from the avocations of induftry. The thoughts of man are active, and where the fphcre is circumfcribcd, they rulh into thofe channels which convey them with the moft rapidity. Gaming being in general e fedentaryoccupation, is more adapted to a warm climate, where bodily exertion is, in very few inftances, considered as an amufement. A corn-Dice, mon fpecies of gambling is with dice, (dadoo*) but thefe, throughout the pepper diftricls, are rigoroufty forbid; becaufe it is not only the child, but the parent of idlenefs, and by the event of play, often throws Cock fighting, whole villages into confufion. Cock fighting they arc ftill more paf-fionately addicted to, and it is indulged to them under certain regulations. Where they are perfectly independent, their propensity to it is fo great, that it refembles rather a ferious occupation, than a fport. You feldom meet a man travelling in the country, without a cock under his arm, and fometimes fifty in a company, when there is a bimbang in one of the neighbouring villages. A country man coming down, on any occasion, to the quallce, or mouth of the river, if he boafts the leaft degree of fpirit, muft not be unprovided with this token of it. They often game high at their meetings; particularly when a fuper-ftitious faith in the invincibility of their bird, has been ftrengthened by paft fuccefs.. An hundred Spanifh dollars is no very uncommon rifk, and inftances have occurred of a father's flaking his children or ' wife, and a fon, his mother or fifters, on the iffue of a battle; when a * There is reafon to conclude, from the name, that Dice were introduced in tills part of the world by the Portuguefe. ' run run of ill luck has stripped them of property, and rendered them dcf-perate. Quarrels, attended with dreadful confequences., have often arifen on thefe occafions. By their cuftoms, there are four umpires appointed to determine on all Rules of cock-difputed points in the courfe of the battles and from their decifion l"s* there, lies no appeal; except the Gothic appeal to the fword. A perfon losing, and who has not the ability to pay, is immediately profcribed; departs wiih difgrace, and is never again fuffered to appear at the galan-gang. This cannot with propriety be tranflated, a cock-pit, as it is generally a fpot on the level ground, or a ftage erected, and covered in. It is enclofed with a railing which keeps off the fpectators; none but the handlers and heelers being admitted within fide. A man who has an high opinion of, and regard for his cock, will not fight him under a certain number of dollars, which he places in order on the floor: his poorer adverfary is perhaps unable to depofit above one half : the ftanders by make up the fum, and receive their dividends in proportion, if fuc-cefsful. A father, at his death-bed, has been known to deiire his fon, to take the firft opportunity of matching a certain cock, for a fum equal to his whole property, under a blind conviction of it's being betioah, or , invulnerable. Cocks of the fame color are never matched, but a grey againft a pile, Matches* a yellow againft a red, or the like. This might have been originally designed to prevent difputes, or knavifh impositions. The Malay breed of cocks is much efteemed by connoifteurs who have had an opportunity of trying them. Great pains is taken in the rearing and feeding ; thejf are frequently handled, and accustomed to fpar in public, in order to prevent any ihynefs. Contrary to our laws, the owner is allowed to take up, and handle his cock, during the battle ; to clear his eye of a feather, or his mouth of blood. When a cock is killed, or runs, the other mull have fufficient fpirit and vigor left, to peck at him three times, on his being held to him for that purpofe, or it becomes a drawn battle; and fometimes an experienced cocker will place the head of his vanquished bird, in fuch an uncouth pofture, as to terrify the other, and render him unable unable to give this proof of victory. The cocks are never trimmed, but matched in full feather. The artificial fpur ufed in Sumatra, refembles in fliape the blade of a fcimitar, and proves a more deftructive weapon than the European fpur. It has no focket, but is tied to the leg, and in the pofition of it, the nicety of the match is regulated. As in horfe racing, weight is proportioned to inchesy fo in cocking, a bird of fuperior weight and fize, is brought to an equality with his adverfary, by fixing the ffeel fpur fo many fcales of the leg above the natural fpur, and thus obliging him to fight with a degree of difadvantage. It rarely happens that both cocks furvive the combat. In the northern parts of the ifland, where gold duff is the common medium of gambling, as well as of trade, fo much is accidentally dropt in weighing and delivering, that at fome cockpits, where the refort of people is great, the fweepings are faid.; probably with exaggaration; to be worth upwards of a thoufand dollars per annum to the owner of the ground; befide his profit of two fanams (five pence) for each battle. Quail fighting, Jn fome places they match quails, in the manner of cocks. Thefe fight with great inveteracy, and endeavour to feize each other by the tono-ue. The Achenefe bring alfo into combat the dial bird, (moori) which refembles a fmall magpye,.but has an agreeable, though imperfect note. They fometimes engage one another on the wing, and drop to the ground in the ftruggle. Fencing. They have other diversions of a more innocent nature. Matches of fencing, or a fpecies of tournament, are exhibited on particular days; as at the breaking up of their annual faff, or month of ramadan, called there the pooaffo. On thefe occafions they practice ff range attitudes, with violent contortions of the body, and often work themfelves up to a degree of frenzy; when the old men ftep in, and carry them off. Thefe ex-ercifes, in fome circumftances refemble the idea which the ancients have given us of the pyrric or war dance ; the combatants moving at a diftance from each other, in cadence, and making many turns and fprings, un-ncceffary in the reprefentation of a real combat. This entertainment is is more common among the Malays, than in the country. The chief weapons of offence ufed by thefe people, are the coojcor or lance, and the creefe. This laft is properly Malay, but in all parts of the ifland, they have a weapon equivalent; though in general lefs curious in their ftruc-ture, wanting that waving in the blade, for which the creefe is remarkable, and approaching nearer to daggers or knives. Among their exercifes we never obferve jumping or running. They fmile at the Europeans, who, in their excurfions, take fo many unnecef-fary leaps. The cuftom of going barefoot, may be a principal impediment to this practice, in a country overrun with thorny fhrubs; and where no fences render it a matter of expediency. They have a diverfion fimilar to that defcribed by Homer, as practifed ^Am^^uSf amongft the Phceecians, which confifts in toiling an elaftic, wicker ball, from one to the other, in a large party. They arrive to a great degree of dexterity in the fport, receiving it, with equal facility, on the foot or hand, the heel or the toe; from whence it is thrown either perpendicularly into the air, and caught again, or. obliquely to fome other perfon of the company, who ftand in an extended circle. It is to be remarked that the Sumatrans are, in general, very expert in the ufe of their feet, employing them, as their hands, to lift any thing, not heavy, from the ground, between the great and fecond toe, or by a contraction of the whole foot.. The Sumatrans, and more particularly the Malays, are much at- Smokmg of tached, in common with many other eaftern people, to the cuftom of °i>mrn* fmoking opium. The poppy which produces it, not growing on the iiland, it is annually imported from Bengal in confiderable quantities, in chefls containing an hundred and forty pounds each. It is made up in cakes of five or fix pound weight, and packed with dried leaves; in which fin ■ tion it will continue good and valuable for two years, but after that period grows hard, and diminifhes confiderably in value. It is of a darkeir P p p color, color, and has lefs strength than the Turkey opium. About an hundred and fifty chefts are consumed annually on the Weil coaft, where it is purchafed, on an average, at three hundred dollars the cheft, and fold again at five or fix. But on occafion of extraordinary fcarcity I have Jtnown it to fell for it's weight in filver, and a fingle cheft to fetch upwards of three thoufand dollars. The method of preparing it for ufe is as follows. The raw opium is firft boiled or fcethed in a copper vetfel; then ftrained through a cloth? to free it from impurities; and then a fecond time boiled. The leaf of the bacooj fhred fine, is mixed with it, in a quantity fufficient to abforb the whole; and it is afterwards made up into fmall pills, about the fize of a pea, for fmoking. One of thefe being put into the fmall tube that projects from the fide of the opium pipe, that tube is applied to a lamp, and the pill being lighted, is confumed at one whiff, or inflation of the lungs. The fmoke is never emitcd by the mouth; it ufually receives vent through the nostrils, and fometimes, by adepts, through the paffagc of the ears and eyes. This preparation of the opium is called mud da t, and is often adulterated in the procefs, by mixing jaggree, or pine fugar, with it; as is the raw opium, by incorporating with it, the fruit of the pifang or plantain. Effc&s of The ufe of opium among thefe people, as that of intoxicating liquors Opium. among other nations, is a fpecies of luxury, which all ranks adopt according to their ability, and which, when once become habitual, it is .almost impofliblc to fhake off. Being however, like other luxuries, expensive, few only, among the lower clafs of people, can compafs the regular enjoyment of it*, even where it's ufe is not restrained, as it is among the pepper planters, to the times of their feftivals. That the practice of opium fmoking muft be in fome degree prejudicial to the health, is highly probable; yet I am inclined to think that effects have been attributed to it, much more pernicious to the constitution, than it is in reality the caufe of. The Bugguefs foldiers, and others in the Malay bazars, whom we fee moft attached to it, and who ufe it to excefs, commonly appear emaciated; emaciated; but they are in other refpects abandoned and debauched. The Leemoon and Batang djfy gold traders, on the contrary, who are an active, laborious, people, but yet indulge as freely in opium as any others whatever, are, notwithstanding, the molt healthy and vigorous people to be met with on the ifland. It has been ufual alfo to attribute to the practice, destructive confequences of another nature; from the frenzy it has been fuppofed to excite in thofe who take it in quantities. But this mould probably rank with the many errors that mankind have been led into, by travellers addicted to the marvellous ; and there is every reafon to believe, that the furious quarrels, defperate aflaflinations, and fmguinary attacks, which the ufe of opium is faid to give birth to, are idle notions, originally adopted through ignorance, and since maintained, from the mere want of investigation, without having any foiid foundation. That thofe defperate acts of indiscriminate murder, called by us, mucks, and by the natives, mongamo, do actually take place, and in fome parts of the eaft, frequently, (on Java in particular) is not to be controverted; but it is not equally evident that they proceed from any intoxication, except that of their unruly paflions. Too often they are occasioned by excefs of cruelty and injuftice in their oppreffors. On the Weft coaft of Sumatra about twenty thoufand pounds weight of this drug, are confumed annually, yet inftances of this crime do not happen, (at least within the fcope of our knowledge) above once in two or three years. During my residence there I had an opportunity of being an eye witnefs but to one muck. The flave of a Portuguezc woman, a man of the ifland of Neas, who in all probability had never handled an opium pipe in his life, being treated by his miftrefs with extreme feverity, for a trifling offence, vowed he would have revenge, if fhe attempted to Strike him again; and ran down the steps of the houfe, with a knife in each hand, as it was faid. She cried out, mongamo! The civil guard was called, who having the power, in thefe cafes, of exercifing fum-mary juftice, fired half a dozen rounds, into an outhoufe, where the unfortunate wretch had fheltered himfelf, on their approach ; and from whence he was at length dragged, covered with wounds. Many other mucks mucks might perhaps be found, upon fcrutiny, of the nature of the foregoing, where a man of ftrong feelings was driven, by excefs of injury, to domeftic rebellion. It is true that the Malays, when, in a ftate of war, they are bent on any daring enterprize, fortify themfelves with a few whiffs of opium, to render them infenfible to danger; as the people of another nation are faid to take a dram ; but it muft be obferved that, the refolution for the act, precedes, and is not the effect of the intoxication. They take the fame precaution, previous to being led to public execution, but on thefe occafions ihew greater ligns of ftupidity, than frenzy. Upon the whole, it may be reafonably concluded, that the fanguinary achievements, for which the Malays have been famous, or infamous rather, in hiftory, are more juftly derived from the natural ferocity of their difpofition, than from the qualities of any drug whatever. The pretext of the foldiers of the country guard, for ufing opium, is, that it may render them watchful on their nightly pofts : we, on the contrary, administer it to procure fleep ; and according to the quantity it has either eifect. The delirium it produces is known to be fo very pleafing, that Pope has fuppofed this to have been dcfigned by Homer, when he defcribes the delicious draught prepared by Helen, called Nepenthe, which exhilerated the fpirits, and banifhed from the mind the recollection of woe. It is remarkable that at Batavia ; where the affaflins juft now defcribed, when taken alive, are broken on the wheel, with every aggravation of punifhment that the moft rigorous juftice can inflict; the mucks yet happen in great frequency ; whilft at Bencoolen, where they are executed in the moft fimple and expeditious manner, the offence is extremely rare. Kxceffes of feverity in punifhment may deter men from deliberate, and intereft ed acts of villany, but they add fuel to the atrocious enthufiafm of defperadots. A further proof of the influence that mild government vemurerl. & nas upon the manners of people, is, that the piratical adventures, fo common on the eaftern coaft of the iiland, are unknown on the weftern. Par from our having appreheniions of the Malays, the guards at the fmaller Englilh English fettlements, are almoft entirely compofed of them, with a mixture of Bujrguefs or Macaffar people. Europeans, attended by Malays only, are continually travelling through the country. They are the only perfons employed in carrying treafure to diftant places; in the capacity of fecretaries for the country correfpondence as civil officers, in feizing delinquents, among the planters, and elfewhere; and as matters and fupercargoes of the tombongons, praws, and other fmall coaft ing veffel s.-So great is the effect which habit has upon a national character efteemed the moft treacherous and fanguinarv. a q 4- it up with a flice of the penang nut. Some add to thefe, gambeer, which is the leaf of a particular tree, chopped, boiled, and made up into little balls; and tobacco, which is fhred fine for the purpofe, and carried between the lip, and upper row of teeth. From the maftication of the fill! three, proceeds ajuice which tinges thefaliva of a bright red, and which the leaf and nut, without the chunam, will not yield. This hue being communicated to the mouth and lips, is efteemed ornamental • and an agreeable flavor is imparted to the breath. The juice is ufually, though not always, fwallowed by the chewers of betel. We might reafonably fuppofe that its active qualities would injure the coats of the ftomach, but experience feems to difprove fuch a confequence. It is common to fee the teeth of elderly perfons ftand loofe in the gums, which is probably the effect of this cuftom, but I clo not think that it affects the foundnefs of the teeth themfelves. Children begin to chew betel very young, and yet their teeth are always beautifully white, till pains are taken to disfigure them, by filing, and staining them black. To perfons unhabituated to the compofition, it caufes a ftrong giddinefs, aftrin-ges and excoriates the tongue and fauces, and destroys for a time the faculty of tafte. During the pooaffo, or fait of Ramadan, the Mahometans among them, abftain from the ufe of betel, whilft the fun continues above the horizon ; but excepting at this feafon, it is the conftant luxury of bothfexes, from an early period of childhood, till, becoming toothlefs, they are reduced to the neceffity of having the ingredients previoufly reduced to a pafte for them, that without further effort the betel may diffolve in the mouth. Along with the betel, and generally in the chunam, is the mode of conveying philtres, or love charms. How far they prove effectual I cannot take upon me to fay, but fuppofe that they are of the nature of our ftimulant medicines, and that the direction of the paffion is of courfe indifcriminate. The practice of adminiftering poi-fon in this manner, is not followed in latter times ; but that the idea is not fo far eradicated, as entirely to prevent lufpicion, appears from this circumftance ; that the gueft, though taking a leaf from the betel fervice of his entertainer, not unfrequently applies to it his own chunam, and never omits to pafs the former between his thumb and fore finger, in order order to wipe off any extraneous matter. This miftruftful procedure is fo common as not to give offence. Tobacco. Befide the mode beforementioned of enjoying the flavor of tobacco, it is alfo fmoked by the natives, and for this ufe, after fliredding it fine, whilft green, and drying it well, it is rolled up in leaves of the neepa tree (a fpecies of palm), and it is in that form called roko. The rokos are carried in the betel-box, or more commonly under the daytar or handerchief which, in imitation of a turban, furrounds the head. Much tobacco is likewife imported from China, and fells at a high price. It feems to poffefs a greater pungency than the Sumatran plant. Emblematic pitfents. The cuftom of fending emblematical prefents, In order to make known, in a covert manner, the birth, progrefs, or change of certain affections of the mind, prevails here, as in fome other parts of the eaft; but the fentiments of the correfpondents are not conveyed in the elegant manner, which fome writers have defcribed, as prevailing in Turkey and elfewhere, by means of flowers, of different hues, varioufly combined in nofegays. Small parcels of fait, cayenne pepper, betel, and the like, are here employed, which, among adepts, are known to denote love, jealoufy, re-fentment, hatred, and other ftrong feelings. Oratory. The Sumatrans in general are good fpeakers. The gift of oratory Teems natural to them. I knew many among them, whofe harangues I have liftened to with pleafure and admiration. This may be accounted for, perhaps,, from the constitution of their government, which being far removed from defpotifm, feems to admit, in fome degree, every member of the fociety, to a fhare in the public deliberations. Where perfonal endowments, as has been obferved, will often raife a private man to a fhare of importance in the community, fuperior to that of a nominal chief, there is abundant inducement for the acquisition of thefe valuable talents. The forms of their judicial proceedings, likewife, where there are no eftablifhed advocates, and each man depends upon his own, or his friend's abilities, for the management of his caufe, muft doubtlefs S U M A T R A. Zim doubtlefs contribute to this habitual eloquence. We may add to thefe conjectures, the nature of their domestic manners, which introduce the fons, at an early period of life, into the bufinefs of the family, and the counfels of their elders. There is little to be perceived among them, of that paflion for childifh fports which marks the character of our boys, from the feventh to the fourteenth year. On Sumatra you will obferve infants, not exceeding the former age, full dreffed, and armed with a creefe, feated in the circle of the old men of the doofoon, and attending to their debates with a gravity of countenance not furpaffed by their grandfathers. Thus initiated, they are qualified to deliver an opinion in public, at a time of life, when an Englim fchoolboy could fcarce return an anfwer to a quef-tion, beyond the limits of his grammar or fyntax, which he has learned by rote. It is not a little unaccountable, that this people, who hold the art of fpeaking in fuch high elteem, and evidently pique themfelves on the attainment of it, Ihould yet take fo much pains to deftroy the organs of fpeech, in filing down, and otherwife disfiguring their teeth j and likewife adopt the uncouth practice of filling their mouths with betel, whenever they prepare to hold forth. We mult conclude, that it is not upon the graces of elocution they value an orator, but his artful ana judicious management of the fubject matter; together with a copi-oufnefs of phrafe, a perfpicuity of thought, an advantageous arrangement, and a readinefs, efpecially, at unravelling the difficulties and intricacies of their fuits. The curfe entailed on women in the article of child-bearing, does child-bearing, not fall fo heavy in this, as in the northern countries. Their pregnancy, fcarcely at any period prevents their attendance on the ordinary domestic duties; and ufually within a few hours after their delivery, they walk to the bathing place, at a fmall distance from the houfe. The prefence of a femme fage is often esteemed fuperfluous. This facility of parturition may probably be owing to the relaxation of the frame, from the warmth of the climate; to which caufe alfo, may be attributed the paucity of " children borne by the Sumatran women, and the early decay of their beauty and strength. They have the tokens of old age, at a feafon of R r r life life when European women have not palled their prime. The early-communication between the fexes, may poflibly contribute to fhortere both their lives and Itature. They are like the fruits of the country, foon ripe, and foon decayed. They bear children before fifteen, are generally paft it at thirtv, and grey-headed and fhrivelled at forty. I do not recollect hearing of any woman who had fix children, except the wife of Raddeen of Madura, who had more, and lhe, contrary to the univerfal cuftom, did not give fuck to hers. Treatment of Mothers carry the children, not on the arm, as our nurfes do, but children. ftraddling on the hip, and ufually fupported by a cloth, which tics in a knot on the oppofite fhoulder. This practice, I have been told, is common in fome parts of Wales. It is much fafer than the other method, lefs tirefome to the nurfe, and the child has the advantage of fitting in a lefs conltrained poflure: but the defensive armour of flays, and offen-five weapons called pins, might be fome objection to the general introduction of the fafhion in England. The children are nurfed but little; not confined by any fwathing or bandages; and being fuffered to roll about the floor, foon learn to walk and ihift for themfelves. When era* dies are ufed, they fvving fufpended from the ceiling of the rooms. Age of the The country people can very feldom give an account of their age, pcope* being entirely without any fpecies of chronology. Among thofe who profefs themfelves Mahometans, to very few is the number of the Hegira known j and even of thofe who in their writings make ufe of it, not one in ten can pronounce in what year of it they were born. After a few tactun paddee (harvefls) are elapfed, they are bewildered in regard to the date of an event, and only guefs at it from fome cotemporary circumftances of notoriety; as the appointment of a particular dupatty; the incursion of a certain enemy, or the like. As far as can be judged from obfervation, it would feem, that few attain to the age of fifty, and Sixty years is extreme long life. Names. The children, among the Rejangs, have generally a name given them by their parents, foon after their birth, which is called " name dagging" The SUMATRA. 24c/ The galar {cognomen), another fpecies of name : or title, as we improperly tranflate it; is beftowed at a fubfequent, but not at any determinate period : fometimes, as the lads rife to manhood, at an entertainment given by the parent, on fome particular occafion; and often at their marriage. It is generally conferred by the old men of the neighbouring villages* when alfembled; but inftances occur of its being, irregularly, affumed by the perfons themfelves; and fome never obtain any galar. It is alfo not unufual, at a convention held on bufinefs of importance, to change the galar of one or two of the principal perfonages, to others of fuperior eftimation; though it is not eafy to difcover in what this preeminence confifts; the appellations being entirely arbitrary, at the fancy of the conferers: perhaps in the loftier found, or more pompous allufion in the fenfe, which latter is fometimes carried to an extraordinary pitch of bombaft, as in the inftances of ** Poongooncbongboomeeor ** Shaker of the world;" the title of- a pangeran of Manna. But a climax,is not a!-» ways perceptible in the change. The father, in many parts of the country, and particularly in Pajjum- PaAer nam^ mah, is diftinguilhed by the name of his-firft child; as « Pa-Laddc*n," frornim chlld-or " Pa-Rindoo ;" (" Pa" for " bapa," fignifying " the father of") and lofes in this acquired, his own proper name. This is n lingular cuftom, and furely lefs conformable to the order of nature, than that which names the fon from the father. There, it is not ufual to give them a galar, on their marriage, as with the Rejangs, among whom the filionomic is not fo common, though fometimes adopted, and perhaps joined with the galar; as Raddeen-pa-Chirano. The women never change the name given them at the time of their birth; yet frequently they are called, through courtefy, from their eldeft child,. " Ma.fi anno," the mother of fuch an one;" but rather as a polite defcription, than a name. The word or particle Se," is always prefixed to proper names of perfons, where the name confifts of but a fingle word; as & Bintang; but not Se Mallim Malleeo. A Sumatran ever fcrupuloufiy abftains from pronouncing; his own name; TT r * - . . , "Slitatc topro* not, as I underftand, from any motive of fuperftition, but merely as a bounce their 7 t own uamc. punclilio punctilio in manners. It occafions him infinite embarraffmcnt, when a itranger, unacquainted with their cufloms, requires it of him. As foon as he recovers from his confufion, he folicits the interpofition of his neighbour. He is never addrefied; except in the cafe of a fuperior die-Addrefs in the tating to his dependant; in the fecond perfon, but always in the third; third perton. 1 . ■ n t r ^ i r ufing his name, or title, inftead of the pronoun; and when thele are unknown, a general title of refpect: is fubfiituted, and they fay, for inftance, " apo orang cayo poonia fooco?" 11 what is his honor's pleafure" for " what is your, or your honor's pleafure." When criminals, or other ignominious perfons, are fpoken to, they make ufe of pronouns perfonal, both mafculine and feminine (" cng" " caow") particularly expreflive of contempt. The idea of difrefpect annexed to the ufe of the fecond perfon, in difcourfe, though difficult to be accounted for, feems pretty general in the world. The Europeans, to avoid the fuppofed indecorum, exchange the Angular number for the plural; but I think, with lefs propriety of effect: than the Afiatic mode; if to take off from the bluntnefs of addrefs, be the object aimed at. Circumcifion, *t/he D0Vg are circumcifed, where Mahometanifm prevails, between the fixth and tenth year. The ceremony is called booang maJoo (calting away their fhame), and a bimbang is ufually given on the occafion; as well as at the ceremony of boring their daughters ears, and filing their teeth, (before defcribed), which takes place at about the fame age; and before which is performed, they cannot, with propriety, be married. Funerals At their funerals, the corpfe is carried to the place of interment, on a broad plank, which is kept for the public fervice of the doofoon, and lalts for many generations. It is conftantly rubbed with lime, either to prefer ve it from decay, or to keep it pure. No coffin is made ufe of; the body being limply wrapped in white cloth, particularly of the fort .called bummumi* In forming the grave, after digging to a convenient depth, they make a cavity in the fide, at bottom, of fufficient dimen-fions to contain the body ; by which means the earth literally lies light upon it; and this cavity, after ftrewing flowers in it, they flop up by two boards, boards, fattened angularly to each other, fo that the one is on the top of the corpfe, whilft the other defends it on the open fide; the edge refting on the bottom of the grave. The outer hole is then filled up with earth ; and little white flags, or ftreamers, are ftuck in order around. They likewife plant a fhrub, bearing a white flower, called ccombang-anoojoor, and in fome places, wild marjoram. The women who attend the funeral make a hideous noife, not much unlike the Irifh howl. On the third and feventh day, the relations perform a ceremony at the grave, called condonee; and at the end of twelve months, the ceremony of tegga battoo, or fettingup a few long, eliptical ftones, at the head and foot; which being fcarce in fome parts of the country, bear a confiderable price. On this occafion, they kill and feaft on a buffaloe, and leave the head to decay on the fpot, as a token of the honor they have done the deceafed, in eating to his memory. The burying places are called crammat. They are held in extraordinary reverence, and the leaft diftur-bance or violation of the ground, though all traces of the graves be obliterated, is regarded as an unpardonable facrilege. In works defcriptive of the manners of people little known to the RellS'on* world, the account of their religion, ufually conftitutes an article of the firft: importance. Mine will labor under the contrary difadvantage. The ancient and genuine religion of the Rejangs; if in fad: they ever had any ; is fcarcely now to be traced; and what principally adds to its obfcurity, and the difficulty of getting information on the fubjecl:, js, that even thofe among them who have not been initiated in the principles of Mahometanifm, yet regard thofe who have, as perfons advanced a ftep in knowledge beyond them, and therefore hefitate to own circumftantially, that they remain ftill unenlightened. Ceremonies are fafcinating to mankind, and without comprehending with what views they were inftituted, the profanum vulgus naturally give them credit for fomething myfterious and above their capacities; and accordingly pay them a tribute of refpecl:. With Mahometanifm, a more extenfive field of literature (I fpeak in comparifon) is opened to it's converts, and fome additional notions of fcience are conveyed. Thefe help to give it importance; though it muft be confeffed they are not the moft pure tenets S s s of of that religion, which have found their way to Sumatra; nor are even the ceremonial parts very fcrupuloufly adhered to. Many who profefs to follow it, give themfelves not the leaft concern about it's injunctions, or even know what they require. A Malay at Manna, upbraided a countryman, with the total ignorance of religion, his nation labored under. " You pay a veneration to the tombs of your anceftors: what foundation have you for fuppofing that your dead anceftors can lend you afliftance ?" "It may be true; anfwered the other; but what foundation have you, for expecting afliftance from Allah and Mahomet ?" Are you not aware ; replied the Malay; that it is written in a Book: have you not heard of the Koraan ?" The native of Paffummah, with con-fcious inferiority, fubmitted to the force of this argument. If by religion is meant a public or private form of worfhip, of any kind; and if prayers, proceflions, meetings, offerings, images, or priefts, are any of them neceflary to conftitute it, I can pronounce that the Rejangs are totally without religion, and cannot, with propriety, be even termed Pagans, if that, as I apprehend, conveys the idea of miftaken worfhip. They neither worftiip God, devil, nor idol. They are not, however, without fuperftitious beliefs of many kinds, and have certainly a confufcd notion; though perhaps derived from their intercourfe with other people; of fome fpecies of fuperior beings, who have the power of rendering themfelves vifible or invilible, at pleafure. Thefe they call " orang aloos" " fine, or impalpable men," and regard them as poffefling the faculty of doing them good or evil; deprecating their wrath, as the fenfe of prefent misfortunes, or apprehenfion of future,, prevails in their minds. But when they fpeak particularly of them, they call them by the appellations of " malaykat", and ff jinn," which are the angels, and evil fpirits of the Arabians, and the idea may probably have been borrowed, at the fame time with the names. Thefe are the powers they alfa refer to, in an oath. I have heard a dupatty fay, " my grandfather, took an oath that he would not demand the joojoor of that woman, and imprecated a curfe on any of his defcendants that fhould do it; I never, have, nor could I without Jala, kapada malaykat—an offence fence againft the angels." Thus they fay alfo, « de tolong nebbee, malay. *atH the prophet and angels amfting." This is pure Mahometanifm. The clearest proof that they never )n& xicv b*ui t~9usi* iJsw v.^i^n^ j.sv vaaj 1*112 ol ; •jj-):.? curioufly made of rattans ; and for marks of diftinction they have garlands compofed of feathers. Their weapons are bows and arrows, and a large thick knife. In fome refpefts they rcfemblc the favages of North America, for their greatcft ambition is to drink out of the fkulls of their enemies, after having fcalped them. They live moftly on fruits, and roots, in the woods, and when they meet with any game they make a feaft, and after tiring themfelves with dancing, flcep together In heaps, like brutes, in the open air. They have neither letters, laws, nor other government, than that every family is fubjecl to it's head, and their only care is to defend their diftridls, about which they have frequent and bloody wars. Formerly, as natural lords of the country, they obliged the people who fettled in the low lands, to pay them a tribute for the ufe of the woods-and rivers. In different parts of the ifland they have different names, but the Spaniards in general call them Negritos del mcnte, fome of them being as black as the natives of Guinea, particularly in the JJla de Segros. ft is believed that they were the original inhabitants of the iflands, but it is a matter of fome difficulty to difcover from whence this raco, fo different in color and cuftoms from all the neighbouring people, could proceed ; if it is npt allowed that their different aliment, and being continually expofed to the weather, would produce this effect. The more civilized nations before defcribed, whom the Spaniards call the Indians, are a tobuft, well made people, fair, but inclined to copper color, with fhttiih nofes, black eyes and hair, vcrfion SUM A T R A. 260 vernon of the fpectators, and mortification of the pretender to fuperior gifts, who vowed revenge, and would have taken it, had not means been ufed to keep him at a diftance. But a fingle detect ion of cbarlatancriey is not effectual to deftroy a prevalent fuperftition. Thefe impoftors are ufually found among the Malays, and not the more fimple country people^ No attempts, I have reafon to think, have ever been made by mif- No M^ona. fionaries, or others, to convert the inhabitants of the iiland to Chrifti- ries" anity, and I have much doubt, whether the moft zealous and able would meet with any permanent fuceeis in this pious work. Of the many thou fand s baptized in the eaftern iflands, by the celebrated Francis Xa-wr, in the fixteenth century, not one of their defcendants are now found to retain a ray of the light imparted to them; and probably, as it was novelty only, and not conviction, that induced the original converts to embrace a new faith, the impreffion lafted no longer than the fentiment which recommended it, and difappeared as rapidly as the itinerant apoftle. Portugueze and Chriftians are confounded, in the Malay language under the fame general name, the former being called " orang Zesani,' by corruption for " Nazerani." This neglect of millions to .Sumatra, is one caufe that the country has been fo little known to the civilized world. ; the The country of Lampoon and its inhabitants—Language—-Government—Wars—Peculiar cufloms—Religion. HaVING thus far fpoken of the manners and cuftoms of the Rejangs more efpecially, and adverted, as occafion ferved, to thofe of the Paf-ftmtmah people, who nearly refemble them, I (hall now prefent a curfory view of thofe circumftances in which the inhabitants of the Lampoon country differ from them; though this diflimilitude is not very con-derable. Limits of the By the Lampoon country is underftood, a portion of the fouthern ex-imitrj.a treme of the ifland, beginning, on the weft coaft, at the river of Padang-goochie, which divides it from Paffummah, and extending acrofs as far Palembang, on the north eaft fide, at which laft place the fettlers are moftly Javans. On the fouth and eaft fides, it is walhed by the fea, having feveral ports in the ftraits of Sunda, particularly Keyfers and Lampoon bays; and the great river, Tallong bouang, runs through the heart of it, rifing from a confiderable lake (ranou) between the ranges of mountains. That divifion of Lampoon which is included by Padang-goo-chie, and a place called Naffall, is diftinguiflied by the name of Briuran3 and from thence fouthward to Flat-point, by that of Laout-cawoor ; although Cawoor, properly fo called, lies in the northern divifion. Inhabitants. The country of Lampoon is beft inhabited in the central and mountainous parts, where the people live independent, and in fome meafure fecure from the inroads of their eaftern neighbours, the Javans, who, from about Palembang and the ftraits, frequently attempt to moleft them. It is probably within but a very few centuries, that the fouth-weft coaft of this country has been the habitation of any confiderable number of people; and it has been ftill lefs vifited by ftrangers, owing the unlheltered nature of the fea thereabouts, and want of foundings, in, general, which renders the navigation wild and dangerous for country yeftels; veffels; and f.o the rivers being fmall and rapid, with fhallow bars, and almofl ever a high furf. If you afk the Lampoon people of thefe parts, where they originally came from ; they anfwer, from the hills, and point out an inland place near the great lake, from whence, they fay, their forefathers emigrated ,* and further than this it is impoffible to trace. They, of all the Sumatrans, have the ftrongeft refemblance to the Chinefe, particularly in the roundnefs of face, and conftructure of the eyes. They are alfo the faireft people of the iiland, and the women are the talleft, and efteemed the moft handfome. Their language differs confiderably from that of the Rejangs, and Language, the characters they ufe are peculiar to themfelves; as may be obferved in the fpecimens exhibited. The titles of government are Pangeran (from the Javans), Carceoo, Government, and Kiddimong or Nebeehee; the latter nearly anfwering to dupatty among the Rejangs. The diftrict of Croee, near Mount Pcogcng, is governed by five head men, called Pangow-leemo, and a fixth, fuperior, called by way of eminence, Pangow; but their authority is faid to be ufurped, and is often difputed. The word, in common, fignifies a gladiator or prize fighter. The pangeran of Scoko, in the hills, is computed to have four or five thoufand dependants, and fometimes, on going a journey, he levies a tallee, or eighth part of a dollar, on each family ; which fhews his authority to be more arbitrary, and probably more ftrictly feudal, than among the Rejangs, where the government is rather patriarchal. This difference has doubtlefs its fource in the wars and invafions to which the former people are expofed. The Javencfc banditti, as has been obferved, often advance into the Wars-country, and commit depredations on the inhabitants, who are not, in general, a match for them. They do not make ufe of fire arms, though in the northern part of the ifland they are manufactured. Befide the common weapons of the country, they fight with a long lance, which is carried by three men; the foremoft guiding the point, and covering X x x himfelf himfelf and his companions with a large Ihield. A compact body, thus armed, would have been a counter part of the Macedonian phalanx; but can prove, 1 Ihould apprehend, of but little ufe among a people, with whom war is carried on in a defultory manner, and more in the way of ambufcade, than of general engagement, in which alone troops fo armed could acl with effect:. Inland of Samanka, in the Straits of Sunda, there is a diftrict, fay the Lampoons, inhabited by a ferocious people, who are a terror to the neighbouring country. Their mode of attoning for offences againft their own community, is by bringing to their doofoon the heads of ftrangers. The account may be true, but without further authentication, fuch ftories are not to be too implicitly credited, on the faith of a people who are fond of the marvellous, and addicted to exaggeration,* The manners of the Lampoons are more free, or rather licentious, than thofe of any other native Sumatrans. An extraordinary liberty of intercourfe is allowed between the young people of different fexes, and the lofs of female chaftity, is not a very uncommon confequence. The offence is there, however, thought more lightly of, and inftead of pu-nilhing the parties, as in Paffummah and elfewhere, they prudently endeavor to conclude a legal match between them. But if this is not effected, the lady ftill continues to wear the infignid of virginity, the fillet and armrings, and takes her place as fuch, at feftivals. It is not only on thefe public occafions, that the young men and women have opportunities of forming arrangements, as in moft other parts of the ifland. They frequently alfociate together at other times; and the former are feen gallantly reclining in the maiden's lap, whifpcring foft nonfenfe, whilft fhe adjufts and perfumes his hair, or does a friendly office, of lefs delicacy to an European apprehenfion. At bimbangs, the women often put on their dancing drefs, in the public hall, letting that garment , * Tin within a few years the Lampoon people believed the inhabitants of theiftand EngCMO* to "be all females, who were impregnated by the wind \ like the marcs in Virgil's gcorgic's. They flyUd them, in the Malay language. Ana Saytan, or imps of. the devil. which which they mean to lay allele, dexteroully drop from under, as the other paffes over the head; but fometimes, with an air of coquetry, difplay-ing, as if by chance, enough to warm youthful imaginations. Both men and women anoint themfelves before company, when they prepare to dance ; the women, their necks and arms, and the men, their breafts. They alfo paint each others faces; not, feemingly, with a view of heightening, or imitating the natural charms, but merely as matter of faihion; making fantallic fpots with the finger, on the forehead, temples, and cheeks, of white, red, yellow, and other hues. A brafs fai-ver (tallam) covered with little china cups, containing a variety of paints, is ferved up for this purpofe. Inftances have happened ; though rarely ; of very difagreable conclu-fions to bimbangs here. A party of reefows amongft the young fellows, have been known fuddenly to extinguiin the lights, for the purpofe of. robbing the girls, not of their chaftity, as might be apprehended, but of the gold and filver ornaments of their perfons. An outrage of this nature, I imagine could only happen in Lampoon, where their vicinity to Java, affords the culprits eafier and furer means of efcape, than in the central parts of the ifland : and here too their companies appear to be more mixed, collected from greater diftances, and not compofed, as with the Rejang people, of a neighbourly alfemblage of the old men of a few contiguous doofoons, with their fons and daughters, for the fake of convivial mirth ; of celebrating a particular domcftic event; and pro^-moting attachments and courtlhips amongft the young people., In every doofoon there is appointed a youth, well fitted by nature and Particular coeducation for the office, who acts as-mafter of the ceremonies at their tom*' public meetings, arranges the young men and women in their proper places, makes choice.of the partners, and regulates all other circumftances of the affembly, except the important ccconomy of the feftival part . or cheef, which comes under the cognizance of one of the elders. Both parts of the entertainment arc preceded by long, complimentary fpeeches, delivered by the refpective^ ftewards, who, in return, are anfwered and complimented. 266 S U M A T R A: complimented on their Hull, liberality, and other qualities, by fome of the beft bred amongtl the guefts. Though the manner of conducting, and the appendages of the Lampoon feafts, are fuperior in ftyle, to the ruffic hofpitality of fome of the northern countries; yet they are efteemed to be much behind thefe, in the goodnefs and mode of dreffing their food. The Lampoons eat aim off all kinds of flefh, indifcriminately, and their goolies (curries or made dimes) are faid, by connohTeurs, to have no flavor. They ferve up the rice, divided into portions for each perfon ; contrary to the practice in the other countries ; the tallam being covered with a handfome, crimfon napkin, manufactured for that ufe. They are wont to entertain ftrangers with much more profufion, than is met with in the reft of the ifland. If the guefl is of any confequence, they do not hefitate to kill; befide goats and fowls; a buffaloe, or feveral, according to the period of his flay, and the number of his attendants. One man has been known to entertain a perfon of rank and his fuite, for fixtecn days, during which time there were not lefs than an hundred difhes of rice fpread each day, containing, fome one, fome two bamboos. They have difhes here, of a fpecies of china or earthen ware, called f' battoo benouang" brought from the eaftward; remarkably heavy, and very dear; fome of them being valued at forty dollars apiece. The breaking one of them, is a family lofs of no fmall importance. R«eption of Abundantly more ceremony is ufed among thefe people, at interviews it^gerg. with ftrangers, than takes place in the countries adjacent to them. Not only the chief perfon of a party travelling, but every one of his attendants, is obliged, upon arriving at a town, to give a formal account of their bufinefs, or occafion of coming that way. When the head man of the doofoon is acquainted by the ftranger with the motives of his journey, he repeats the fpeech at full length, before he gives an anfwer; and if it is a perfon of great confequence, the words muft pafs through two or three mouths, before they are fuppofed to come with fufficient ceremony to his ears. This in fact has more the air of adding to his own importance and dignity, than to that of the guefl; but it is not in Sumatra alone, that refpect is manifefted by this feeming contradiction. The Sumatra. 267 The terms of the joojoor, or equivalent for wives, is the fame here, Marriages, nearly, as with the Rejangs. The creefe-head is not effential to the bargain, as among the people of Paffummah. The father of the girl never admits of the pootoofe tallee kooloo, or whole fum being paid, and thereby withholds from the hufband, in any cafe, the right of felling his wife, who, in the event of a divorce, returns to her relations. Where th pootoofe tallee is allowed to take place, he has a property in her, little differing from that of a flave, as formerly obferved.. The particular fums which conftitute the joojoor, are lefs complex here, than at other places. The value of the maiden's golden trinkets is nicely eftimated, and her joojoor regulated according to that, and the rank of her parents. The femundo marriage fcarce ever takes place but among poor people, where there is no property on either fide, or in the cafe of a flip in the conduct of the female, when the friends arc glad to make up a match in this way, inftead of demanding a price for her. Inftances have occurred, however, of countrymen of rank affecting a femundo marriage, in order to imitate the Malay manners; but it has been looked upon as improper, and liable to create confufion. The fines and compenfation for murder, are in every refpect: the fame, as in the countries already defcribed. The Mahometan religion has made confiderable progrefs amongft the Religion. Lampoons, and moft of their villages have mofques in them: yet an attachment to the original fupcrftitions of the country, induces them to regard with particular veneration the crammats,ox burying places of their fathers, which they pioufly adorn, and cover in from the weather. Yy y Malay Malay governments—Empire of Menangcabow—Extent of the Sultan's ancient and prefent power—His titles—Literature and Arts among ft the people—Period of converfion to Mahometanifm— General acceptation of the ivord Malay—Con/litution of their fates—Bencoolen— Indrapour — Anac Soongey —- Palembang—* Jamfee, £? c. I SHALL now take a view of the Malay governments, as diitin-g.uifhed from thofe of the more genuine Sumatrans, who, by the Malays, are named orang ooloo, or countrymen, and fometimes, orang doofoon, from their reiiding in villages fo called. Empire of Me- The principal feat of empire of the Malays, and of the whole iiland, nangeabow. jg Menangcabow. This lies near the center, extending partly to the northward, but chiefly to the fouthward of the equinoctial, about fixty or an hundred miles. Such are the limits that now confine a monarchy, whofe jurifdiction formerly comprehended all Sumatra, and whofe fo-vereign was talked of with refpect in the fartheit parts of the eaft. The country is, generally fpeaking, a large plain, bounded by hills, clear of woods, and, comparatively, well cultivated. It has an eafy communication with both fides of the ifland, lying nearer to the weftern coaft, but having the advantage, to the eaft, of the large rivers, Racan, lnder-gerce, Siak, Jambee, and even Palembang, with which it is faid to have connexion, by means of a lake, that gives fource to the two laft, as well as to the river of Cat town on the oppofite fide. Colonies of Malays from Menangcabow, are fettled on feveral branches of Jambee river, or rather thofe fmall rivers which run into it, of Lemoon, Batang Affy, Pacallang-jamboo, and fome others. Here they collect large quantities of gold. The name of Menangcabow is faid to be derived from the words " iMm nanf, to win, and " car low," a buffaloe; from a ftory, which carries a very fabulous air, of a famous engagement on that fpot, between the the buffaloes and tigers; in which the former are reported to have acquired a complete victory. Such is the account the natives give; but they are fond of dealing in fiction, and I am apt to fuppofe, that the etymology has no better foundation than a fanciful refcmblancc in the found.* The actual power and refources of the Sultan, are at this day, fcarcely Power of the fuperior to thofe of a common raja; yet he ft ill affetts all his ancient rights and prerogatives; which are not difputed fo long as he refrains from attempting to carry them-into force. The kings of Acheen, Indra-pour, Moco Moco, Palembang and Jambee, acknowledge their authority to be derived from him, as their lord paramount, and fome among them pay him a trifling complimentary tribute; acting, however, entirely in-pendent of him. His character is held in a facred light, and the obfeu-rity and air of myftery which fu wound his court, together with the influence of the Mahometan priefts, who regard him as the head of their religion, keep up this veneration. In fhort, his authority not a little refembles that of the fovereign pontifs in Europe, fome years back, founded as it is on fuperflitious opinion; holding terrors over the weak, and contemned by the ftrong. He attempts to effect, what arms alone can accomplifh, by pompons, dictatorial edicts, which are received with outward demonftration of profound refpect, but no further obeyed than may happen to be confiftent with the political intcrefts of thofe princes to whom they are addreffed. This empire is looked upon by the Sumatrans, to have fubfifted from the remoteft antiquity; but as they have no annals, records, or other hiftorical documents, it is impoflible to make even a guefs as to its origin. There cannot be a doubt but that it is extremely ancient, having every internal evidence, and being acknowledged fuch by every tradition. When the Europeans firft made difcoveries in thefe parts, it was in its decline, as appears from the importance and in-dependance, at that time, of the kings of Acheen, Pcdeer and Pafciy, the * Some map-makers have placed the name of Manancaubo in the center of the peninfula of Malacca, inftead of the ifland of Sumatra, former 470 a U M A T R A. former of whom holds a grant under the Sultan of Menangcabow, of the fea coaft, as far fouthward as Bencouloo j though in 1613 his poffemons extended no farther than to Barroos, and his actual claim did not reach beyond Padang. All the early navigators who frequented this ifland; of whom the moft intelligent and inquifitive was certainly the French commodore, Beaulieu, who arrived in 1620; fpeak of Menangcabow, either directly or indirectly; as a place of the greateft importance; particularly on account of the gold trade carried on, and almoft monopolized by its inhabitants, and their fupplying the neighbouring countries with creefes, fire arms and cloth. As they could have no immediate connexion with an inland power, and the princes with whom their commercial concerns lay, would not be forward to fet forth the confequence of another ftate, by a comparifon with which their own mult fuffer, the accounts which navigators give of this empire are obfcure and imperfect", and but for the gold which flowed from it towards the fea coafts, it probably would have paffed unnoticed in the hiftories of their voyages. The commodore fpcaks of the kings of A-been, Palembang, and Indca-pour, as independent fovcreigns, but as thefe avow the delegation of their authority from Menangcabow,, it only proves that they had, by that period, lhaken off their fubjection to an empire, then declining from its meridian, and finking in the gulph of time.* In # The following inftances have occurred to me, of mention made by writers, at different periods, of the kingdom of Menangcabow. Odoardii8 Barbofa, 1519, Ramufio. *? Sumatra, a moft large and beautiful iiland, Pedir the principal city ; then Pacem, Afhem, and Campar. Menangcabo in the center, which is the principal fountain of gold'—Linfchoeten, 1579. 14 At Manavcabo, excellent poignands made, called creefes ; beft weapon in all the orient. Iflands along the coaft of Sumatra, called iflands of Menancabo. You muft run between the ilbas d'Our* and the land- Put into the ifland called ilba d'Ourorde Menancabo, a high and fair land."—Mender de Pinto, 15ss- " Mentions foldiers of Menancabo in an army that invaded Acbe/n in 1539, Gold tranfported from Menancabo to the kingdom of Campar, on the waters, of fambee and £roteo'\—Lancafter, 1602. « Menangcabo lies eight or ten leagues inland of Priamanyi—Beft. 1613. « A man arrived from Menangcaboo at Ticoo, and brought news from Jambee:'—Beau-lieu, 1621. « To the eaftward of Padang lies the kingdom of Manincabo. The moft powerful king of the aborv&inej refutes between that place and Ticoo, being poffeffedof the country that produces gold, which is trucked with the inhabitants of Manancabo, for rice, arms, and cloth-"-r-I?e Baaos: publiflied about 1558. " Malacca had the epithet of awed given to it, on account of the In later clays, the influence of the Dutch, whofe fettiement of Padang lies in the neighbourhood, has greatly contributed to the undermining the political confequence of its monarch, by giving countenance and fupport to his difobedient vaffals: who, in their turn, have often experienced the dangerous effects of receiving favors from too powerful an ally. Rajah Canalke, who was his viceroy of Pajjamman, maintained a long war with the Hollanders, which was attended with many reverfes of fortune. The titles and epithets alfumed by the Sultans, in the preambles to His tit!c*« their edicts and letters, are the moft extravagantly abfurd that it is pof-flble to imagine; furpaffing, in wildnefs and folly, the preternatural attributes of the Vertizn genii and dives. Many of them defcend to mere childilhnefs; and it is difficult to conceive how any people, fo far advanced in civilization, as to be able to write, could poffibly difplay fuch evidences of barbarifm. A fpecimen of a warrant of recent date, fent to Hooanco Soongey Pagoo, a high prieft refiding near Bencoolen, is as follows. the abundance of gold carried thither from Menancabo and Barroos, countries in C,amafra"_ Herbert's travels: printed 1677. " Mediterranean town Manancabo, formerly called Syndo Cauda"_Argcnfola, 1586. " Criies made at Menangcabo, and cannon call, many years before the Europeans arrived in the country."—Vies de Governcurs Generals Hollandois. " Wed Coaft of Sumatra brought tinder fubjedtlon to the Dutch in 1664, by the fleet of Pierre de Bitter; from SilUbar to Barroos. Padang fettiement eftablifhed in 1667. The commandant of Padang is Stadhouder to the Emperor of Manthgcabo. Revolts in the country in the years ,665. i&7c» l6,8°' and Diog° de c°uto> l6°0« Re gives an account of a Portuguefe ftip wrecked on the coaft of Sumatra, near to the country of Manancabo, in 1560. Six hundred perfons got on fhore, among whom were fome women, one of whom, Dona Francifca Sardinha, was of fuch remarkable beauty, that the people of the country refolved to carry her off, for their king ; and they effe&ed it, after a ftruggle in which fixty of the Europeans loft their lives. At this period there was a great intercourfe between Menangcabow and Malacca, many vefTels going yearly with gold, to purchafe cotton goods and other merchandize. In ancient times the country was fo rich in this metal, that feveral hundred weight (fsis,fete, e mah candix, de que tresfazem bum moyo) ufed to be exported in one feafon. Vol. 3. p. z7S. Z z z (Three Copy of a warrant, ( Three circular feals with thefe infcriptions in Arabic characters.) (Eldeft brother.) Sultan of Rome. Key Dummool Allum. Maharaja Alliff. (Second brother-> Sultan of China. Noitr Allum. Maharaja Dempeng. (Youngeft brother.) Sultan of Menangcabow. Aour Mum. Maharaja de Raja.* " The Sultan of Menangcabow, whofe Refidence is at Paggarooyoong; (after pardon afked for presuming to mention his name) who is king of of kings, fon of Raja lzounderzulcar-nainny, and was poffrffed of Mun-cooio, who was brought from heaven by the prophet Adam; matter of the third of the wood maccummat, one of whofe properties is to enable matter to fly ; of the lance ornamented with the beard of Jangee, of the palace of the city of Rome, whofe entertainments and diverfions are exhibited in the month of Dul-hadjee, and where all Alims, Pukkeeahs, (faquirs) and Moulahnocarrees, praife and fupplicate God; of the gold of twelve grains, named coodarat coodarattce, refembling a man ; who receives his taxes in gold by the lejjong (quaft bufhel) meafure; whofe betel ftand is of gold, fet with diamonds; who is poffeffed of the fword, named chooree-fe-mendong-geree, which has an hundred and ninety gaps, made in the conflict: with the arch-devil, Se Cattee-moono, whom it flew5 wrho is mafter of frefh water in the ocean, to the extent of a day's failing; poffeffed of a lance formed of a twig of edjoo; of a caltwang wrapped in an unmade chinday; of a creefe formed of the foul of fteel, which, by a noife, exprelTes an unwillingnefs at being flieathed, and fhews itfelf pleafed when drawn; of a date coeval with the creation; poffeffed of a gun brought from heaven named foubahanahououatanaUa J * The name of Aour Allum is the dagging, and Maharaja de Raja, the galar, agreeably t0 the dininfrion before explained. Of of a horfe of the race of forimborabnee, fuperior to all others fultan of the burning mountain, and of the mountains goontang-goontang, which divide Palembang and Jambee; who may flay at pleafure, without being guilty of a crime; who is poffeffed of the elephant named Settee dewa; who is vicegerent of heaven ; fultan of the golden river; lord of the air and clouds; mafter of a balii, whofe pillars are of the fhrub jelat-tang; of gandangs (drums) made of hollowed branches of the minute fhruhs pooloot and feelofooree; of the'gong that refounds to the ikies; of the buffaloe named Se Binnooang Sat tee, whofe horns are ten feet afunder; of the unconquered cock, Sengoonannee; of the coconut tree, whofe amazing height, and being infefted with ferpents and other noxious reptiles, render it impoffible to be climbed; of the flower named feeree menjeree, of ambrofial fcent; who* when he goes to fleep, wakes not till thegandang nobat founds; one of whofe eyes is as the fun, and the other as the moon.—........ To his fubje&s declares this his will, &c." * Probably * The following Letter from the fultan of Menangcabow to the father of the prefent fultan of Moco Moco, and apparently written about fifty years ago, was communicated to me by Alexander Datrymplc, Efq. and though it is in part a repetition, I eftecin it too curious to hefitate about inferting it. The ftile is much more rational than that of the foregoing. f« Praifed be Almighty God ! Sultan Gaggar Allum the great and noble King, whofe extenfive power reachcth unto the limits of the wide ocean ; unto whom God grants whatever he defires, and over whom no evil fpirit, nor even Satan himfelf has any influence ; who is inverted with an authority to puniih evil doers ; and has the moft tender heart in the fupport of the innocent j has no malice in his mind, but prcfervcth the righteous with the greateft reverence, and nouriih-clh the poor and needy, feeding them daily from his own table. His authority rcacheth over the whole univerfe, and his candour and goodnefs is known to all men. (Mention made of the three brothers.) The embaifador of God and his prophet Mahomet; the beloved of mankind ; and ruler of the ifland called Percho. At the time God made the heavens, the earth, the fun, the moon, and even before Evil Spirits were created, this fultan Gaggar Allum had his refidence in the clouds ; but when the world was habitable, God gave him a bird called Hocinet, that had the gift of lpeccllj this he lent down on earth, to lookout for a-fpot where he might eftablifh an inheritance, and the firft place he alighted upon was the fertile iiland of Lancapore, fkuated between Palimban and Jambee, and from thence lprang the famous kingdom of Manancabou, which Will be renowned and mighty until the Judgment Day. " This Maha Rajah Doorja is bleffed with a long life, and an uninterrupted courfe of prosperity, . which he will maintain in the name, and through the grace of the holy prophet, to the end that God's Probably no records upon earth, can furnim an example of more unintelligible jargon: yet thefe attributes are believed to be indifpu- tably God's divine Will may be fulfilled upon earth. He is endowed with the-higheft abilities, and the moft profound wifdom and circumfpcction in the governing the many tributary kings and fiibjccts. He is righteous and charitable, and prcfervcth the honor and glory of his anceftors. His juftice and clemency are felt in diftant regions, and his name will be revered until the laft day. When he opencth his mouth he is full of goodnefs, and his words are as grateful as rofe water to the thufly. His breath is like the foft wind of the heavens (Janatecool Ferdoors), and his lips arc the inftruments of truth ; fending forth perfumes more delightful than benjamin or myrrh. His noftiils breathe ambergreafe and mufk ; and his countenance has the luftrc of diamonds. He is dreadful in battle, and not to be conquered, his courage and valor being match-left. He, the fultan Maba Rajah Doorja, was crowned with a facred crown from God ; and poffeffes the wood called Kamat, in conjunction wilh the emperors of Rome and China. He is the fultan that keeps the cloth called Savjijia Kallah, which weaves itfelf, and adds one thread yearly of fine pearls; and when that cloth Shall be finifhed, the world will be no more. He alfo pofllfTes the tree Negataroona, and a kind of gold called Jatta Jattee, which is fo heavy that a fmall lump will fnap the Dalte wood. This is the fultan that enjoys the fword Se Mandang Gerey, which has one hundred and ninety wide m tches in the field of battle, and is the weapon that killed the fpirit of Kattee Moona, the dagger known by the name of Hangin Singa is alfo his, and will, at his command, fight of itfelf, with which he has vanquished many nations. He alfo poffeffes the lance Lambing Lamboora, the blade of which, called Scgar, was given him by an inhabitant of the fea. He likewife has horfes of infinite ftrength and courage j and mountains of Spontaneous fire. This is the fultan who keeps the flower Champaha that is blue, and to be found in no other country but his (being yellow elfewhere). He poffeffes the fhrub Sera Mangeree, and the reed Arver Priendue, to which birds of all countries come at the time of their death. He has alfo drums made of the tree Silagooree, and another inftrument of the like nature of the wood called Poolaot-pooloot, which fend their found through his whole dominions whenever they are beat. He has a Bechar houfe built of the hallowed wood Jylatong, and each beam in it, though ftrong and large, is yet as light as bamboo. He alfo poffeffes a carpet made of grafs, and a lump of gold in the ftnpe of a man, given him by a God of the woods. " After this falutation, and the information I have given of my greatnefs and power, which I attribute to the good and holy prophet Mahomet, I am to acquaint you with the commands of the fultan whofe prefence bringeth death to all who attempt to approach him without pcrmiifion J and alfo thofe of the fultan of Indrapore who has four breafts. This fritndly fheet of paper is brought from the two fultans above named, by their bird Ongas, unto their fon, fultan Gondatn Sbab, to acquaint him with their intention, under this great Seal, which is, that they order their fon fultan Gonda?n Shah to oblige the Englilh Company to fettle in the diftrict. called Biangnoor, at a place called the " field of Sheep," that they may not have occafion to be afhamed at their frequent refufal of our goodnefs, in permitting then to trade with us and with our Subjects ; and that in cafe he cannot fuccecd in this affair, we hereby advift him, that the ties of friendship fubfiftirg tably true, by the Malay's rending at a diftance from his immediate do-minions, who poffefs a greater degree of faith than witj and with this addition, that he dwells in a palace without covering, free from inconvenience. The feals prefixed to his warrant, befide his own, are thofe of the Sultan of Rome, or Grand Signior, (the empire of the Romans having been transferred to Conftantinople) who is looked upon, fince the ruin of the Caliphs, as the head of the Mahometan religion, and whom he honors with the title of his eldeft brother; and of the Sultan of China; a kingdom well known throughout the eaftern feas, and by the Malays called Negree Cheeno; whom he ftyles his fecond brother; modeftly regarding himfelf as the youngeft. This gives a picture of the conception thefe monarchs formed of their relative importance in the world, and fhews the extent, if not the accuracy, of their geographical and hiftorical knowledge. The royal falutc, is one gun; which is a refinement in ceremony. Ceremonies. As no number could be fuppofed to convey an adequate idea of refpect, but muft, on the contrary, eftablifh a definite proportion between his dignity, and that of his nobles, or of other princes; the Sultan of Me-nancabow chufes to leave the meafure of his importance indefinite, by this policy—and fave his gunpowder. It muft be obferved, that the Malays are in general extremely fond of the parade of firing cannon, which they never neglect on high days, and on the appearance of the new moon; particularly that which marks the commencement of their * pooajfo, or annual faft. Yellow being efteemed a royal color, is faid to be conftantly, and exclufively, worn by the Sultan and his court. His ufual prcfent on fending an embafly; for no Sumatran has an idea of fubnfting between us and our fon, are broken j and we direcT: that he fend us an anfwer immediately, that we may know the refult, and take our meafures accordingly—for all this ifland is our own." It is difficult to determine, whether the preamble, or the fubjecl of the letter, be the more extraordinary. 4 A making male ing a formal addrefs, on any occafion, without a prefent in hand, be it never fo trifling; is a pair or more of white horfes; being emblematic of the purity of his character and intentions. The relations of the royal family ; and many who have no pretentions to it, affume that diftinction; are treated, wherever they appear, not only with the moft extreme refpect, but in fome parts of the ifland, independent in other points, with fuch a degree of fuperftitious veneration, that the country people fubmit to be infulted, plundered, and even wounded by them, without making refiftance, which they would efteem a dangerous profanation, amounting to facrilege*. Like the other people of Sumatra, thofe of Menangcabow are entirely without records or annals : none fuch, at leaft, have ever been fpoken of in the various negociations we have had with them. They are ex-Literature. pCrC at vvriting, in the Arabic character, but their literature amounts to nothing more, than tranferipts of the koraan, and cabar or hiftoric tales, refembling our old romances, but having lefs ingenuity. Songs, called pantoon, before mentioned, they are famous for compofing. Thefe fpread throughout the iiland, and though they are likewife invented in many other parts, are held in the firft efteem, as coming from the Mufes moft favored feat. Arts, The arts in general are carried, among them, to a greater degree of perfection, than in other parts of Sumatra. The Malays are the fole * A man of this difcription, who called himfelf Jeanderpatooan Siri Hamet Sbab, heir to the empire of Menangcabow, in confequence of fome differences with the Dutch, came and fettled among the Englifh at Bencoclon in the year 1687, on his return from a journey as far as Lampoon; and being much iefpctted by the country people, he gained the entire confidence of Mr. Bloom, then governor. He fubdued fome of the neighbouring chiefs who were ditaffected to the Englifh, particularly Raja Moodo of Soongey lama, and alfo a Jennang (lieutanant) from the king Bantam ; he coined money, called petees ; eftablifhed a market; and wrote a letter to the Company, promising to put them in poffeffion of the trade of the whole ifland. But Shortly afterwards, a difcovery was made of his having formed a defign to cut off the fettiement, and he was in confequence driven from the place. The records mention, at a fubfequent period, that the fultan of lndrapour was raifing troops to oppofe him, fabricators fabricators of the gold and filver fillagree, which has been particularly Fillagree. defcribed* , Menangcabow has alfo been celebrated for its confiderable traffick in gold, lying in the mid ft of the mines where it is chiefly pro- Gold, duced. Much cloth is wrought in, and exported from it. In this coun- Cloth, try they have, from the earlicft times, manufactured arms for their own Firearms, ufe, and to fnpply the northern inhabitants of the ifland, who are the moft warlike; and which trade they continue to this day; fmelting, forging, and preparing the iron and lteel for this purpofe. How early they began to eaft cannon, and make fire arms, I cannot take upon me to fay, but if they learned this art of the Europeans, which there is reafon to doubt, they muft have acquired it very fuddenly, as the firft Portuguefe hiftories mention their ufing them. Their guns are thofe pieces called matchlocks, (fattnga); the improvement of fprings and flints not being yet adopted by them *; the barrels are well tempered, and of the jufteft bore, as is evident from the excellence of the aim they take with them. From the great difficulty attending the procefs of preparing the metal, from iron ore, I would have been inclined to think it more probable, notwithftanding the affurances I have received to the contrary, that they procured their fteel from the weftern nations; but befides that I know the fmall importation of that commodity from Europe at prefent, can by no means be adequate to their confumption -y it is evident that their creefes and other weapons of the fword kind,, are made of a fpecies of that metal, entirely different from ours; and there cannot remain a doubt of its being their own manufacture. Powder they Gunpowder, make in great quantity, but either from the injudicious proportion of the ingredients in the compofition, or the imperfect granulation, it is very defective in ftrength. Their arms, befide guns, are the coojoor, or lance, voodoos, calewang, buddil, pamandab, fewar and creefe. Thefe are, for the moft part, weapons of a make between that of a fcimitar, and a knife; fome ; as the rocdoos, which is a kind of fhort, broad fword, and the calewang; being flung at the fide, and others ftuck in front through a belt that folds feveral times round the body. The fevarha. fmall inftrument * Firelocks they call fna$ant from the Dutch, who perhaps were the firft who ufed them in India. Of Cr«fc. of the ftiletto kind, for affafftnation chiefly. The creefe is a fpecies of dagger, of a particular ccaiftruction, worn by all defcriptions of people. The blade is fourteen inches in length, of Heel tempered in fuch a manner, as to have an uncommon degree of hardnefs. It is not fmooth or polifhed* like the blades of our weapons, but by a fingular procefs, made to appear like a compofition, in which veins of a different metal feem to be vifible. It is formed, notftraight like a fword, nor uniformly curved, but waving in and out, as we fee depicted the naming fwords that guarded the gates of paradife. This probably renders a wound given with it the more fatal. The head or haft is commonly of ivory, or fine grained wood, ornamented with gold, or a compofition of that and Japan copper, called fooa/Jb, polifhed, and curiouily carved into a figure that bars fome refemblance to the Egyptian Ifis; having, like that fymbolic deity, the beak of a bird, with the arms of a human creature. The fheath is alfo made of fome beautiful fpecies of wood, hollowed out; with neat folds of fplit rattan, flamed red, round the lower part. The value of a creefe encreafes in proportion to the number of perfons it has flain. One that has been the inftrument of much bloodfhed, is regarded with a degree of veneration as fomething facred. The horror or enthufiafm, that the contemplation of fuch actions infpires, is transferred to the inftrument ; which accordingly acquires fanctity, from the principle that leads ignorant men to reverence whatever poffeffes the power of effecting mifchief. The abominable cuftom of poifoning weapons, though much talked of, (legofo, it is termed) is rarely, I believe, if ever, put in practice by them in modern times, but it may have been prevalent formerly. otnerimpk- Ranjows are fharp pointed flakes of bamboo* of different lengths, merits of war- fare. ftuck into the ground, in order to penetrate the naked feet, or body, of an enemy. Thefe are made ufe of in cafes of flight, to anoy and retard the purfuers, and planted in the pathways, or among the long grafs, by the vanquished party, as they run. They are alfo difpofed in the approaches to fortified doofoons. In time of war, they always form part of the military ftore of each combatant; and reifows, or lawlefs vagabonds, bonds, never fail to carry a fupply about them at all feafons, to fruftrate attempts of apprehending them for their crimes. The people of Menangcabow are faid to go frequently to war, on Horfcs, horfeback, but I fhall not venture to give their force the name of cavalry, as I doubt much it's coming, in any degree, within that defcription. The chiefs probably may avail themfelves of the fervice of this ufeful animal, from motives of indolence or ftate; or pofiibly, in marches, for the fake of expedition, they may employ horfes for the troops; as they are in great plenty in that country. The natives, any more than the Europeans, never fhoe them; nor is it neceflary where there are no hard roads. The breed is fmall, but well made, f^irited, and vigorous. Their wars, in general, are carried on rather in the way Mode of car-of ambufcade, and furprizc of ftraggling parties, than open combat. ^'"Son ;vai' When the latter does take place, they are careful to make it a long fhot; and the firing is quite irregular. The foldicrs have no pay, but the plunder is thrown into a common fund, and divided. Whatever might formerly have been the degree of their prowefs, they are not now much celebrated for it; yet the Dutch, at Padang, have often f und them troublefome, from their numbers, and been obliged to fecure them--felves within their walls, which the others have beficged.. Between the Menangcabow people, thofe of Ron (called in the old writings Aru)> and the Achenefe, wars ufed to be perpetual; till within, thefe twenty years, that our authority has been, eftablifhed at the fettiement of Natal, and ferves as a check to them. It was impoflible to walk a few miles, into the country, without meeting the remains of feveral breaftworks, (cooioor^,* thrown up for defence, and fome of them very fubftantial. Our factory there, was firft- raifed upon one of thefe country fortifications. They carried on their campaigns very deliberately; making a practice of commencing a truce at fun fet, when they were no longer under appre-henfion from each other. They fometimes agreed that hoftilities ihould take place, only between fuch and fuch hours of the day. The Englifh refident, Mr. .Carter, ufed frequently to be chofen their umpire, and upon thefe occafions, fixed in the ground his golden headed cane,^ on * A fortified village the Malays call coto, which is ufed in the fame fenfe throughout Indoflan. 4 B 1 the the fpot where the deputies Ihould meet, and propofe terms of accommodation ; till at length the parties, weary of their fruitlefs contefts, agreed to place themfelves refpectively, under the dependance and protection of the Company. This muft not be underftood of the kingdoms o£ Menangcabow and Acheen, but of the fettlers of thefe nations in the vicinity of Natal. Religion. The Pcople °f Menangcabow, are all Mahometans, and in that refpect diftinguilhcd from the other internal inhabitants of the ifland. This country is looked upon as the fupreme feat of that religion; and next to a voyage to Mecca; which fome Sumatrans have undertaken; to have been at Menangcabow, ftamps a man learned and of fuperior fanctity. The chief immums, moulanas, cattibs, and pandittas, either proceed from thence, or vifit it, and bring away a deploma, or certificate of degree, from the fultan or his minifttrs. How it has happened that the moft ancient, and the moft central kingdom in the iiland, mould have become the moft perfectly Mahometans, is a point difficult to account for ; unlefs we -fuppofe that the circumftance of its importance, and the richnefs of its gold trade, naturally drew thither its pious converters, Period of con- from temporal as well as fpiritual motives. In attempting to afcertain verfion r<> Ma- ,, p , . r r t c t homenaufm. the period ot this converuon or the Sumatrans, much accuracy cannot be expected : the natives arc ignorant on the fubject, and we can only approximate to the truth, by comparing the authorities of different old writers. John de Barros, a Portuguefe hiftorian of great information, fays, that according to the tradition of the inhabitants, the city of Ma-lacca was founded about two hundred and fifty years before the arrival of his countrymen in that part of India, or about the year 1260, by a Javan of the name of Paramifcra and his fon Xachem Darxa, and that in the reigns of their fucceffors the people began by degrees to be converted to Mahomenatifm, by Perji.n and G'Zerat merchants who re-forted thither; fo that about an hundred and fifty years before the date of his writing, or in the beginning of the fifteenth Century, that faith had ipread confiderably, and extended itielf to the neighbouring iflands. Diogo do Couto, another celebrated hiftorian, who prolecuted his enquiries ries in India, differs from the former in relating the circumftances of the. foundation of Malacca, whofe firft prince he calls Raja Sabu, and fays that in the reign of his fecond fon Cafetno, an Arabian prieft. arrived, and firft preached the doclrine of the Caliphs, converting this king thereto and giving him the name of Xa Mahamed, in the year 1384, Corneille leBrun was informed by the king of Bamtam, in 1706, that the people of Java, were made converts to that feet, about three hundred years before. From thefe feveral fources of information, which are perfectly diftinct from each other, we may juftly draw this conclufion, that Mahometanifm, which fprang tip in Arabia in the feventh century, had made no progrefs on Sumatra before the year 1400, and that the period of its introduction, confidering the vicinity to Malacca, could not be much later. Marco Paulo, the Venetian traveller, who, notwith-ftanding all the inaccuracies of his work, was doubtlefs in moft of the countries which he defcribes, and certainly vifited Sumatra or Java, or both ; fays, that thofe of the people who lived near the fea Ihore, when he was onjava minor, about 1268, were addicted to the Mahometan law, which they had learned from the Saracen merchants. This throws the period of converfion back, upwards of an hundred years; but I am fcrupulous of infilling on his authority.* Francis Xavier, the celebrated # To trace the courfe of Marco Paulo's travels, is wandering in a very obfeure path, but not altogether deftitute of glimmering light. The following abftraft will enable the reader to form a judgment of his much difputed authenticity. « From Petan you go to the kingdom of Meletur, where are many fpices, and a peculiar language. Steering to the fouthward of Petan, thirty three leagues, you anive at the ifland of Java minor, (evidently Sumatra) in circuit about fix hundred and fifty leagues. It is divided into eight kingdoms, having a proper tongue. It Stretches fo far to the fouthward, that the north pole is invifible. I, Marco Paulo, was there, and vifited fix of the eight kingdoms ; namely, Forlech, Bafman, Samara, Drageiam, Lambri, and Fanfur. Thofe of the people of Forlech who inhabit the mountains, are without law, and live brutally, eating the fleili of all forts of beafts indiscriminately, and even human flcfh : thofe who live near the borders of the fea, are Mahometans, converted by Saracen merchants. In Bafman (quaere Pafamman) they have a peculiar language. Here we find elephants and unicorns (rhinoceros) with hides like buffaloes, feet like elephants, heads like wild boars, and a fingle horn on the fhout; many monkeys alfo, reiembling the human figure, the lkins of which are fluffed by the natives, deprived of the hair, and fold to Strangers for a diminutive race of men. I was five months in Samara, waiting for the feafon. The inhabitants are favage, cruel, and addicted to eating human flefh. They brated Jefuit Miflionary, mentions, that when he was at Amboina, fo late as 1546, the people were then beginning to learn to write from the Arabians : but that ifland lies very far to the eaftward; and being of lefs confiderable account in that age, than fubfequent tranfactions have rendered it, the zeal and avarice of thofe religious adventurers, did not happen to be earlier attracted thither. The inhabitants of Menangcabow did not only change their religion; or rather adopted one, where there was none before; but an entire alteration was likewife wrought in their language, laws, cuftoms, and manners. This has indifputably been effected, by the fettling among them of Malays from the peninfula, with whom the former correfpond, at this day, in every point of refemblance; infomuch, that throughout the ifland, a Menangcabow man, and a Malay, are nearly fynonimous terms; including in the limits of that kingdom, the fea coaft of Atay-angin,* whence they more immediately emigrate to the fouthern parts. They have no wheat, but ufc rice for breath They are apparently without vines,, and extract tlieir liquor from a certain tree, in which they make an incifion ; the juice as it diftills, being received inaveffel. India nuts are likewife found here. In the kingdom of Brago'ta (poffibly that called An-drageri, and which in later times has been corrupted to Br again) ^ the people arefavage idolaters, and fpeak a language of their own. When any of them are fick or infirm, and their magicians tell them they cannot recover, it is the practice for their friends to kill them by fuffocation, and then to eat their bodies, (which they juftify by a curious argument). They alfo kill, and eat fuch ftrangers caught amongft them, as cannot pay a ranfom. In Lambri (a name mentioned by Barros, and other Portuguefe hiftorians) giows much t'pice, and certain plants by them called Bjrco, which, after tranfplanting, they let grow for three years, and then pluck them up by the roots. The inhabitants of the mountainous parts have tails a palm long. Unicorns, and other wild hearts abound here. In Fanfur (perhaps Campar) grows moft rare and exquifite camphrc, efteemed equal in value to gold. The inhabitants eat rice, and draw their liqucr from trees. Here are feen trees with a foft bark, under which is found a white, mealy fubftance that is prepared into excellent food. I have eaten of it many times with much fatisfaftion. (fago). Fifty leagues from Java minor, lie the iflands of Necuran and Angania, and from the latter to the great ifland of Seylam, {Ceylon) is three hundred and forty leagues- Italian Edit, of jCoi, and French of 1556. * Ataj~angin Signifies windward ; but the part of Sumatra fo called, extending from Natatto Vriaman, does not, I fhould apprehend, take it's name from it's fituation, but from the people, who probably fettled there in confiderable numbers from thofe eaftern countries which lie to windward (with regard to the North eaft monfoon) of the peninfula of Malayo, and which are thence termed Alay-angin, as thofe on the weftern fide of the peninfula, are termed Deboua-angin. Indeed In fact the word " Malay" all over the eaft, no longer denotes an in- General ac- habitant of Malayo, ftrictly, nor one claiming his defcent from thence; the word °f but a perfon whofe language and religion are the fame with theirs, Thus " Malay-" every black Chrifiian is called, in India, a Portuguefe, though his veins boaft not a drop of European blood. The entire conformity of thofe people with the real Malayans, would induce us to think, on a fuperficial 0piri-lon that view, that they are, altogether, no other than a colony from the penin- M«»wabow y 1 19 a colony fula; or that an army from thence, conquered that part of the iiland, from Malayo. and extirpated the ancient inhabitants: to which opinion fome have added a conjecture; founded however on no hiftory or tradition; that the firft fultan was a defcendant of the Caliphs, and fettling in Sumatra, acquired extenfive authority, as fome others of that defcription, denominated Xcriffs, have down to the eaftward. But to thefe hypothefes, there are ftrong objections. The idea entertained by the people, and ob'e&'on to ftrengthened by the glimmering lights that the old writers afford us, that opinion, befpeak an antiquity to this empire that ftretches far beyond the pro. bable sera of the eftablifhment of Mahomenatifm in the ifland. This antiquity is proved by the extenfive and acknowledged jurifdiction of Menangcabow, at a period fo early,, that when the Europeans firft vifited Sumatra, about the year 1500, it was then in the wane. The fuperfti-tious veneration for that ancient monarchy extends itfelf, not only where Mahomenatifm has made a progrefs, but among the Battas, and other people not tinctured with that faith; which would not be likely to attend the government of a foreign intruder, who introduced a religion which they have refufed to accept. So memorable an event would certainly have been long preferved by regular tradition, and fome traces of it would have been difcoverable, even at this time. The fultan, in the lift of his titles, would not fail, any more than the Xeriffs in the eaft, to boaft of this facrcd extraction from the royal prophet, which he does not at all allude to: The moft intelligent Indians whom I have confultcd on this head; among whom was Raddeen, before mentioned, who as a prince himfelf, was converfant in thefe topics;. pofitively af-ferted, that Menancabow is an original Sumatran empire, antecedent to the introduction of the Arabian faith; inftructed, but in no fhape conquered 4 C by (►*." > by people from Malacca. It does not feem probable, or confiffent with the general courfe of Malay colonization, that they fhould have fubdued an inland country; being found, in every ifland whither they have had acccfs, fettled uniformly on the fea coafts only ; to which they are naturally confined by their invariable attachment to trade and piracy. caufes >f the Perhaps it is lefs furprizing that this one kingdom mould have been pro^iefs.of Mahometa- compleatly converted to the Mahometan religion, than that fo many the Sumatrans. diftricts of the ifland, mould remain, to this day, without any religion at all. It is obfervable, that a perfon of this latter defcription, coming to refide among the Malays, foon affimilates to them in manners, and conforms to their religious practices. The love of novelty ; the vanity of learning; the fafcination of ceremony; the contagion of example; veneration for what appears above his immediate comprehenfion, and the innate activity of man's intellectual faculties, which, fpurred by curiofity, prompts him to the acquifition of knowledge, whether true or falfe : all confpire to make him embrace a fyftcm of belief, and fchcme of inft ruction, in which there is nothing that militates againft the prejudices he has already imbibed, but is rather congenial with them. He relinquishes no favorite ancient worfhip, to adopt anew; and is ma-nifeftly a gainer by the exchange, when he barters, for a paradife and eternal pleafures, fo fmall a conlidcration as the flefh of his forelkin. By late accounts it appears that the kingdom of Menangcabow, even in its limited ftate, is fplit into different fovereigntics. Two Rajas, of Soorooafo, and Soongey Tarap, claim a fhare in the dominion, and in that quality fent each a deputation to the Englifh chief at Padang, after the capture of that place in 17S1, congratulating him on the fuccefs of our arms. Pajjamman; a populous country, and rich in gold, caflia, and camphire; which immediately borders on Menangcabow, to the northward, now difclaims all manner of dependance on it. This is governed by two rajas, of Sablooan, and Canallee, who boaft an origin of high antiquity. One of them prefer ves, as his pefakko (relick), the bark of a tree, in which his anceftor was Duffed in the wood*, before the Kingdom of Menancahow divided into different fo-vercignties. * . Pajfamman people had reached their prefent poli/Jjcd ftate. The other, to be on a level with him, boafts poffeflion of the beard of a reverend predecefTor, which was fo bnfhy that a large bird had made its nclt in it. His fon, on the deceafe of the old man, cut it off, and it is faid to be carefully preferved to this day. The Malay governments, which are founded on principles more nearly Malay govcri-feudal, than others on the ifland, confift of a Raja * or prince, who moftly ™nt m £CI1C" affumes the title of Sultan, introduced by the Arabians; under whom are a certain number of Dattoos, chofen from among the body of orang cayos, or men of rank ; who have ufually fubordinate to them, a confiderable train of immediate dependants or vaffals. From the dattoos, the fultan appoints the officers of ftate; as the Jhabandar, who regulates the cuftoms of the port; the tamongoong, or commander in the wars ; the bandahara, or adminiftrator of juftice, and others ; differing in number and authority, according to the fituation, and importance of the kingdom. There is likewife a clafs of officers called oolooballang; which word is ufually tranflated " champion," from their fighting fingly, when required, in the caufe of the prince or noble who maintains them : but they may be defcribed, more properly, as affaffins, who like the originals of that name, (in the government of a prince of Afia minor, called the menfe riches accumulated by the king of Vahmbang, I had been ufed to look upon as wanting foundation in fact, both from the political improbability of the circumftance, confidering his ftate of dependancc. and from my not having ever heard the natives talk of his wealth, the fame of which might be fuppofed to reach our connexions in the inland country, did it really exift. Yet 1 have lince heard it obferved by well informed perfons, who were long converfant in the trade of that place, that the influx of fihtr there, without which tin cannot be purchafed, is prodigious, and that there is no apparent channel through which it might be conjectured to flow back; the Dutch themfelves being obliged to-pay a large proportion of the value, in dollars, for all the cargoes they receive. This would prove that the country muft be rich, if not the king, who appears to have no exclufive property in the produce of the mines; and yet the effect of thefe riches is not to be perceived A difficulty in a point of a fimilar nature, prefents- itfelf on the Wed coaft of the ifland, where thirty or forty thoufand dollars are annually fent into the country, by the Englifh, for pepper; little or none of which ever vifibly returns, (the profits of the private trade of the residents being always remitted by bills) and yet both chiefs and people arc univerfally poor.. China is fuppofed, with reafon, to be the gulph which, fooner or later, fwallows up all the filver of India, and of America too ; but in the inftances before us, it is hard to trace the fubfidiary ftreams. The late king of Po.UmlaVg left the fucceflion of his dominions, by lot, to a younger fon ; whom the eldeft, after his father's death, obliged to * The ifland of Juntce/ofi, on the Malayan coaft, likewife produces abundance of tin. Rem a port of great commerce in the ifland of Bintang, and which is now the medium of communication with China, is the mart to which this commodity is moftly carried. A number of European vcllcls, Malay praws, and China junks, annually refort thither, both on account of the goodnefs of the harbour, which is a fait water creek, nnd of it's being a free port. relinqui fh relinquifh his crown, and fly for protection to the fultan of Jambee* Thither a number of armed praws were fent, with a requifition to the fultan to deliver up the fugitive. That monarch, on the contrary, declared his intention of fupporting the younger brother's claim, and captured the vcflVls. The king of Palembang, apprehenfive that this hoftile proceeding would be followed by an attack on his country, was, about the year 1777, employed in collecting a large quantity of ftones, in order to block up two of the mouths of the river; obliging each of .the.chiefs to contribute according to the number of their dependants; and fortified the third. This relation I have on the authority of an intelligent Afalay. Jambee was formerly a place of confiderable note, and both the Englifh and Dutch Companies had eftablifhments there. The town is iituated about fixty miles from the fea, on a large river.* The trade confifts in gold dufl, pepper and canes, but it is now efteemed of little importance, the gold being moftly drawn to the weftern coaft, acrofs the country. There are many other petty Malay (fates, at every large river on that fide of the iiland, but the extent of their refpective powers are little known, their ports being feldom frequented except by the Cling (Telinga)ox Moor veffels. Sometimes, but rarely, a private trading fhip from Bengal, endeavors to difpofe, at thefe places, of a few chefts of opium, but the captains fcarcely ever venture on fhore, and deal with fuch of the Malays as come off, at the fwords point; fo ftrong is the idea of their treacherous character. They are generally at war with the inland people, who confine them to the fea coaft, and in fome parts to the mere rivers. The principal of thefe are Indergcree., Siak and Battoo Bara. The river Racan, fituated between the two latter, and which is confiderably the largeft in the ifland, is defcribed to be to rapid, and attended with fo great a fwdl, where it encounters the tide at the mouth, as to be unfit for navigation. The country of Aru or Ron, often mentioned by the Portuguefe hiftorians, borders on its banks.-j- Campar, another kingdom once famous, is fallen into obfcurit.y. * A Portuguefe lijuadron, in 1629, was twenty two daysemployed in getting up this river, in order to deftroy fome Dutch fhips that were flickered near the town. Faria y Soufa, voL in. f I flifpeft that the modern name of this river, Racan, or Arracan, as it is fpelt in fome charts, is an European corruption of the word Aru. Mendez Pinto fays, that the town of Aru flood Ail the country on this eaftern fide of the ifland, from the ftraits of Sundato Diamond point or Tanjong Goorce, is very low land, with fcarcely any mountains vifible, and moftly covered with woods. The northern coaft, from thence to Acheen, prefents a very different appearance, having a gradual flope to the foot of a range of high hills, and the lands well cultivated. Pa/ay, which was once the principal feat of government of this extreme of the ifland, isfituated in a fine bay, called Tellco Same-way, where cattle grain, and all forts of provilions are in plenty. Timber, which in quality an.d fize, is faid to be adapted for mails to the largeft fhips, and of which abundance is cut on Sumatra, to be transported to Malacca and Batavia, grows clofe to the fhore of this bay. The government and cuftoms of thefe places are the fame with thofe of all others where the Malay manners and language prevail, with very few and immaterial exceptions. flood upon the river Panetican, and gives an inftance of the extreme rapidity of its current, as well as of it's great fize. Perhaps a jumble of the two words, may have produced that of Arracan, which i never heard a native make ufe of, Mention is made, at a fubftciucnt period, of a river Jorcan. 4*2 the The country of Batta—Its produ&ions—^The inhabitants—Ac count of their manners* government* and fome extraordinary cuftoms. Battas. HE next considerable diftinction of people, as we advance to the northward, is the nation of the Bitias, whofe remarkable dimmilitude, in the genius of their cuftoms and manners, to the other inhabitants of the ifland, renders it neceflary that a particular degree of attention fhould be paid to their defcription. Although thefe people had frequently been mentioned by old writers, yet it was not until about the year 1752, when the Englifh fettled at Natal, and formed connexions in that part of the country, that they became properly known to any European, and their ufages, extraordinary in fome inftances, were accurately afcer-tained. situation of The country of Batta may be faid, in a fummary way, to be bounded the country. tQ nortni by that of Acheen, and to the fouth, by Pajfumman and the independent diftricl: of Rou or Aru: but more precifely, it is marked as extending from the great river of Sinkell, to that of Tabcoyong, on the fea coaft, and inland, as far fouth as Ayer Bongey, at the back of which the Rat people commence. The country is very populous, but the bulk of the people refide at a diftance from the fea, in the central parts of the land, in extenfive plains between two ridges of hills, on the borders of a great lake ; where the foil is fertile, and cultivation fo much more prevalent, than in the fouthern diftric~ts, which are covered with woods, that there is fcarce a tree to be feen but what the natives themfelves have planted for ufe The ifland being very narrow in this part, their towns lie, as well on the rivers that difcharge themfelves into the Straits of Malacca, as thofe which have their courfe towards the Weft coaft ; but their communication is now more open with this latter fide; S U M A T R A. fide ; owing to the fupplies of fait and other articles, which they are regularly furnilhed with from the Englifh fettlements, and by traders from the continent of India. The country is divided into a number of diftricts, of which the fol- Divifion. lowing are the principal; Ancola; Padambola ; Mandeeling; 1'oba Se-lendong; and Sinkell, The inhabitants of thefe are fubdivided again into tribes; of which Ancola has five, Mandeeling three, and Toba live : the pthers I am not informed of. Our fettlements in this part of the iiland, are at Natal (Natar) EngUih fectlc-and Tappanooly* At the former the communication with the Battas is ments* indirect; none of them refiding on the fpot. It is inhabited by perfons Natal* fettled there, for the convenience of trade, from the neighbouring countries of Acheen, Rou and Menangcabow, and is by their concourfe and traf-fick, populous and rich. A large quantity of gold is procured from the country, (fome of the mines, or pits, lying within ten miles of the factory), and a confiderable vent is found for imported goods. Like other Malay towns, it is governed by Dattoos, one of whom is ityled Battoo buf-far, or chief magiltrate, and his fway is very great. Although the influence of the Englilh company here is extenfive, their authority is by no means fo firmly eitabliihed, as in the pepper provinces, to the fouthward; owing to the numbers of people, their wealth, and enterprizing, independent fpirit.* They find the Englifh convenient for their protection * Upon the reeftablithmcnt of the factory in 1762, the refident pointed out to the Dattoo bujfar, with a degree of indignation, the number of dead bodies which were frequently feen floating down the river, and propofed his cooperating to prevent aflaffinations in the country ; occafioned by the anarchy the place fell into, during the temporary interruption of the company's influence. " I cannot affent to any meafures for that purpofe, replied the dattoo: I reap from thefe murders an advantage of twenty dollars a head, when the families profecute." A compenfation of thirty dollars per month was offered him, and to tins he fcarcely fubmitted, obferving that he ihould be a confiderable lofer, as there fell in this manner at leaft three men in the month. At another time, when the refident attempted to carry fome regulation into execution, he faid, " camet tra-dah fioco begeeto, orang cayo!" *' we do not chufe to allow it, Sir;" and bared his right arm, as a fignal of attack to his dependants, in cafe the point had been infilled on. Of late years, habit, and a fenfe of mutual intereft, have rendered them more accommodating. from from the ufurpation, as they term it, of the Dutch; who formerly laid ftrong claim to the country, and perlifted in their attempt to eftablifh themfelves there, till an article of the treaty of Paris, in 1763, put the matter out of difpute; It is therefore unneceflary to enter into any dif-cuftion of the refpective claims of the two European nations; for which, however, I am in poffefTion of the ampleft materials. Neither in fact have any right, but what proceeds from the will and confent of the native powers. ■* •*o n *n , .at "jon rns i <. rj»»tQh ©ni Tappanooiy. The other fettiement is on a fmall ifland, called Punchong cached, in the famous bay of 'Tappanooly, which is not furpafled, for natural advantages, in many parts of the world. Navigators fay that all the navies of Europe might ride there with perfect fecurity, in every weather; and fuch is the complication of harbours whhin each other* as to lead fome to affert, that a large Ihip could be fo hid in them, as not to be found without a laborious and tedious fearch. Unfortunately it is but ill fituated with refpect to the general track of Ihipping, and diftance from the feat of our important India concerns; fo that little ufe has hitherto been made of it. This bay ftretches into the heart of the Batta dominions, and its borders are inhabited by that people; who barter here the produce of their country, for the articles which they ftand in need of from abroad. The natives are in general inoffenfive, and give little difturbance to our eftablilhmcnt. The Achcnefe long ftrove to drive us from Tappanooly, by force of arms, and we were under a neceffity of carrying on a war, for many years, with parties of that nation, in order to fecure our tranquility. They wanted to recover the trade with the country people, which our interference had obftructed and di-miniihed. Joumcy made & 1S ^ no European ever penetrated twenty miles into the counny Ba"a country which lies at tne Dac^ °f Natal, At Tappanooly, Mr. Holloway* chief of that place, and Mr. Miller, botanift, by orders from the council, performed a journey, in the year 1772, through the Batta diftricts in that quarter, with a view of enquiring into, and giving encouragement couragement to the trade in Caffia, which had been fome time difconti-nued.* I The * The report of this journey is entered in the Company's records. An extraft, containing the geographical part, is here given. " June 21ft. 1771. We fet out from Poolo Punchong, and went in boats to the qualloe of Penang Sooree river, which is fituated in the bay of Tappanooly, about ten or twelve miles to the fouth eaft of'the former. The next morning we went up this river in fampans, and in about fix hours, arrived at a few Malay houfes, at a place called qualloe Loomoot. The whole of the country,- on both fides of the river, is low, covered with woods, and uninhabited. About a quarter of a mile from hence, on the oppofite fide of the river, U a Batta campong (village) fituated on the fummit of a very beautiful and regular little hill, which rifes in apyramidical form, in the middle of a fmall meadow. June 23d. We walked through a level, woody country, to campong Loomoot; and next day to Sa-tarong. We next proceeded to Tappolin, to Siccia, and to Sa-pefang. The laft is fituated on the banks of Batang Tara river, three Or four days journey from the fea; fo that our courfe had been hitherto nearly parallel with the direftion of the coaft. July 1 ft. We left Sa-pefang, and directed our courfe towards the hills, following nearly the courfe of Batang Tara river. We travelled all this day through a low, wood, and entirely uncultivated country. Our guide had propofed to reach to a Batta campong called Loomboo; but miffing the road, we were obliged to wade up the river between four and five miles, and in the afternoon arrived at a laddang (rice plantation) extremely fatigued; where the badnefs of the weather obliged us to flop and take up our quarters in an open paddee-lhed. The next day the river was fo much fwelled by the heavy rains, that we could not proceed, and were forced to pafs that day and night in the fame uncomfortable fituation. July 3d. We left the laddang, and walked through a very irregular, uninhabited country, full of rocks and covered with woods. We this day croffed a ridge of very fteep and high hills, and in the afternoon came to an inhabited and well cultivated country, on the edge of the plains of Ancola* We flept this night in a fmall open fhed, and the next day proceeded to a campong called Goto Lambong. July 5th. We went through a more open, and very pleafant country to Terimbaroot a large Batta campong fituated on the fouthern edge of Ancola. The country hereabout is entirely cleared of wood, and either ploughed, and fown with paddee or jaggong (Indian corn), or ufed as pafture for their numerous flocks of bujfalocs, kine and horfes. July 7th. We left Terivt-laroo, and proceeded on our journey to Sa-mafam. The country round is full of fmall hills, but clear of wood, and moftly pafture ground. July 10th. We proceeded towards Batang Onan\ the campong where the Malays ufed to purchafe caffia of the Battas. After about three hours walk over an open, hilly country, we again came into thick woods, in whieh we were obliged to pafs the night. The next morning we crofted another ridge of very high hills, covered entirely with woods. In the evening we arrived at Batang Onan. This campong is fituated in a very extenfive plain, on the banks of a large river which empties into the ftraits of Malacca, and is faid to be navigable for large floops, to within a day's journey 0f this place. July nth. We went to Panka doohot, the raja of which claims the property of the caffia trees 5 and his people ufed to cut and cure the caffia, and carry it to Batang Onan. The neareft caffia trees are about two hours walk from Pania-dooloot; on a very high ridge of mountains, July 141b. We left Batang Onan, ♦ f in Produaions. The productions of the country are, camphire, gum benjamin, caffia, cotton and indigo. The domeftic animals are horfes, cows, buffaloes, goats, hogs and dogs of the cur kind; with the wild ones that a>"e common to all parts of Sumatra. There is no gold found in the northern parts, nor any brought down to Tappanooley. Rice is extremely plenty in fome of thofe diftricts which lie near the fea; and as fcarce in others. At Natal.this grain is faid to yield a produce of feventy or eighty for one; and at a place called Soofoo, fo much as an hundred. No benjamin is produced to the northward of Sinkell, nor to the fouthward of Batang-tara, near the bay. The growth of the camphire tree is alfo much limited in point of extent; none being found fouth of the equinoctial. rngCfoundUlIJ" ^S*1 UP on t^ie r*ver ca^ed BatteO'bara; which, having its fource in the Batta country, empties itfelf into the ftraits of Malacca, and is always fpoken of as the moft navigable in that part of the ifland; is found a large brick building, concerning the erection of which no tradition is preferved among the people. It is defcribed as a fquare, or feveral fquares, and at one comer is an extremely high pillar, fuppofed by them to have been defigned for carrying a flag. Images, or reliefs, of human figures, are carved in the walls, which they conceive to be Chinefe Joffcs or idols. The bricks, of which fome were brought to Tappanooly, are of a fmaller fize than thofe ufed by the Englifh. B«tMS °f the T^e Battas are in their perfons rather below the ftature of the Mai ay9 and their complexions are fairer; which may perhaps be owing to their diftance from the fea, an element they do not at all frequent. in order to return, ami (lopped that night at a campong called Cm Moron, and the next evening reached Sa-maffam; from whence we came by a different road from what we had travelled before* to Sa-pefang ; where we got fampans and paffed down the Batang T.ira river, to the fea. July zid. We returned to Poolo Puticbong." It fhould be obferved, that owing to fome difficulties made by the country people, and the difiatis factory conduct of the-, principal perfon who accompanied them as a guide, the object of Mr. Miller's journey was fru ft rated, and they did not cveft fee the caffia trees. During the courfe of the jougrney they were every where treated with great hofpitality and refpett. Their S U M A T R A. 297 Their drefs is commonly of a fpecies of cotton cloth, which they Drc6» manufacture themfelves; ftrong, harfh, and of mixed colors, the moft prevalent being a brownilh red, and a blue nearly approaching to black. They are fond of adorning it with firings of beads. The covering of the head is ufually the bark of a tree. The young women wear rings of tin in their ears, often to the number of fifty in each. The food of the lower people is jagzpng (maize), and fweet potatoes; F°«d. the rajas and great men only, indulging themfelves in ordinary with rice. Some mix them together. It is on public occafions alone that they kill catttle for food; but not being very dainty in their appetites they do not fcruple to eat part of a dead buffaloe, aligator, or other animal, which they happen to meet with. Their rivers do not abound with fifli; which is the cafe with moft in the ifland, o.vb g to their ra^ pidity and frequent falls :* yet no fea coaft teems with greater abundance or variety. I he horje they efteem their moft luxurious food, and for this purpofe feed them with great care, given them grain, and rubbing them well down. They abound in this country, and the Europeans get many good ones from thence; but not the fineft, as thefe are referved for their feftivals* Some excellent fpecies of timber, particularly the camphire, (the wood Houf«. in general of the country being light, porous and prone to decay) are in plenty here, and their houfes are allbuilt with framesof wood, and boarded; with roofs of ejoo, a vegetable fubftance that refembles coarfe horfe-hair. They ufually confift of one large room, which is entered by a trap-door in the middle. Their towns are called " campong" in which the number of houfes feldom exceeds twenty; but oppofite to each, is a kind of open building, that ferves to fit in, during the day,, and for the unmarried men to fleep in at night; and thefe together form a kind of ftreet, There is alfo to each campong a balli, (as it is called by the Ma- Towns, called ..... uiiua Cii j .< . ', . . . Campong. t Some of the fouth eaftern river* are an exception, Siak h noted for a trade in fiflx roes, ♦uied there, and called trebg* lays), lays), or town hall, for the tranfaction of public bufinefs, feitivals, and the reception of ftrangers, whom they entertain wjth hofpitality and franknefs. At the end of this building is a place divided off, from whence the women fee the public fpectacles of fencing and dancing; and below that is a kind of orcheftra for the mufic. The men are allowed to marry as many wives as they pleafe, or can afford, and to have half a dozen is not uncommon. Each of thefe fits in a different part of the large room, and ileeps expofed to the others; not being feperated by any partition, or diftinction of apartments. Yet the hufband finds it neceflary to allot to each of them, their feveral fire places, and cooking utenfils, where they drefs their victuals feparately, and prepare his in turns. How is this domeftic ftate, and the flimfinefs of fuch an imaginary barrier, to be reconciled with our ideas of the furious, ungovernable paflions of love and jealoufy, fuppofed to prevail in an eaftern baram ? or muft cuftom be allowed to fuperfede all other influence, both moral and phylical ? In other refpects they differ little in their cuftoms relating to marriage, from the reft of the ifland. The parents of the girl always receive a valuable confideration (in buffaloes or horfes) from the perfon to whom fhe is given in marriage; which is returned when a divorce takes place againft the man's inclination. The daughters, as elfewhere, are looked upon as the riches of the fathers. The condition of the women appears to be little better than that of flaves. They alone, befide the domeftic duties, work in the rice plantations. Thefe are prepared in the fame mode as in the reft of the ifland; except that in the central parts, the country being clearer, the plough, drawn by buffaloes, is more ufed. The men, when not engaged in war; their favorite occupation; lead an idle, inactive life, pafling the day in playing on a kind of a flute, crowned with garlands of flowers; among which the globe amaranthus, a native of the country, moftly prevails. Their mufic is fomewhat preferable to that of the other JSumatrans. They They arc much addi&ed Co gaming, and the practice is under no Addi&cdto kind of rcftraint, until it deftroys itfelf, by the ruin of one of the par- Sami»S* l ties. When a manholes more money than he is able to pay, he is confined, and fold-as a flave; which is almofl: the only mode by which thej-become fuch. A. generous winner will fometimes let his unfortunate ad-verfary off, upon condition of his killing a horfe, and making a public entertainment. A favorite diverfion with thefe people is horfe-racing. They ufe no Horfe racing, faddle; the bit of the bridle is of iron, and has feveral joints; the headftall and reins, of rattan : in other parts the reins are of ejoo, and the bit, of wood. They are faid likewife to hunt the deer on horfeback. They have, as was obferved in another place, a language and written character peculiar to themfelves; and the Malay has there made lefs Lan2ua£e' progrefs than in any part of the ifland. It is remarkable, that the proportion of the people who know how to read and write, is much greater than of thofe who do not; an advantage feldom obferved in fuch uncivilized parts of the world, and not always found in the more polifhed.* Their crimes againft the order of fociety, -are not numerous. Theft CrimcSf is almoft unknown among them; being ftridly honeft in their dealings with each other. Pilfering} indeed, from ftrangers; when not reftrained by the laws of hofpitalityif" they are tolerably expert in, and think no # For fpecimens of their language, and writing character, fee page 16S, -f Mr. Miller gives the following inftances of their hofpitality in the reception of ftrangers. *' The raja of Teritnbaroo, being informed of our intentions to come there, fent his fon and between thirty and forty men, armed with lances and matchlock guns, to meet us; who efcortcd us to their campong, beating gongs, and firing their guns all the way. The raja received us in great form, and with civility ordered a buffaloe to be killed, and detained us a day. When we proceeded on our journey, he fent his fon and a number of aimed people with us for our guard. Having made the accuftomcd prefents, we ltft Terimbaroo, and proceeded to Samajfam ; the raja of which place, attended by fixty or feventy men well armed, foon met us, and cfcorted us to his campong, where he had prepared a houfe for our reception, and treated us with great hofpitality and )cfpecV, 4 G moral 3oo S TJ M A T R A. moral offence; becaufe they do not perceive that any" ill refults from it. mcnts. j\c|u|t:erya m tne merij is punifhed with death; but the women are only difgraccd by having their heads maved, and are'fold for flaves; which •in fact they were before. The diftribution of"juftice in this cafe, is, I think, perfectly fmgular. It muft proceed from their looking upon women as mere paffive fubjects. " Can you put butter near to a fire; fay the Hindoo fages; and fuppofe that it will not melt?" The men alone they regard as poflcfling the faculties of free agents, who may con-troul their actions, or give way to their paflions, as they are well or ill-inclined. Lives, however, are in all cafes redeemable; if the convict, or his relations, have property fufficient; the quantum being in fome meafure at the difcretion of the injured party. Extraordinary But their moft extraordinary, though perhaps not the moft lingular cuftom preva-. Cuftom remains vet to be defcribed. Many old writers had furnifhed lent amongft 3 * 3 tht'tu' the world with accounts of anthropophagi, or man-eaters, and their re- lations, true or falfe, were, in thofe days, when people were addicted to the marvellous, univerfally credited. In the fncceeding age, when a more fceptical and fcrutinizing fpirit prevailed, feveral of thefe afferted facts were found, upon fubfequent examination, to be falfe; and men, from a biafs inherent in our nature, ran into the oppofite extreme. It then became eftablifhed as a philofophical truth, capable almoft of de-■monffration, that no fuch race of people ever did, or could exift. But the varieties, inconfiftencies, and contradictions of human manners, are fo numerous and glaring, that it is fcarce poffible to fix any general principle that will apply to all the incongruous races of mankind; or even to conceive an irregularity which fome or o.her of them have not given into. The voyages of our late famous circumnavigators, the authenticity of whofe affcrtions is unimpeachable, have already proved to the world, that human fleih is eaten by the lavages of Ntw Zealand: and I can, with equal confidence, though not with equal weight of ati-Eat human thority, afiiire the public, that it is alfo, at this day, eaten on the ifland fle&* of Sumatra, by the Batta people ; and by them only. Whether or not the horrible cuftom prevailed more extenfively, in ancient times, I can- i. , not not take upon me to afcertain; but the fame old hiftorians, who mention it as pracftifed by the Battas, and whofe accounts were undefervedly looked upon as fabulous, relate it alfo of many others of the eaftern people j and of the ifland of Java in particular; who, fince that period, may have become more humanized.* They do not eat human flefli,-as a means of fatisfying the cravings Motives for of nature, owing to a deficiency of other food; nor is it'fought after as thls cuftonu a gluttonous delicacy, as it would feem among the -New Zealanders. The Baltas eat it as a fpecies of ceremony ; as a mode of fhewing their detcftation of crimes, by an ignominious punifhment; and as a horrid indication of revenge and in'fult to their unfortunate enemies. The objects of this barbarous repaft, are the prifoners taken in war ; and offen-fcnders convicted and condemned for capital crimes. Perfons of the former defcription may be ranfomed or exchanged, for which they often wait a confiderable time; and the latter fuffer only when their friends cannot redeem them by the cuftomary fine of twenty beenchangs, or eighty dollars. Thefe are tried by the people of the tribe where the fact was committed ; but cannot be executed till their own particular raja, or chief, has been acquainted with the fentence; who, when he acknowledges the juftice of the intended puniihment, fends a cloth to * Mention is made of the Battas and their cuftoms, by the following writers. Nicoli dt Cpnti 1449. Ramufio. " The Sumatrans are gentiles. The people of Batacb cat human fkfh, and ufe the fkulls of their enemies inftead of money, and he is accounted the greateft man who has the moft of thefe in his houfe."--Odoardus Barbofa. 1519. Ramufio. « In Ant (which is contiguous to Ratio) they eat human flefh."—Mendcz Pinto, in 1539, was fent on an embafty to the king of the Batas--Beaulieu, 162a. « Inland people independent, and fpeak a language different from the Malayan. Idolaters and eat human flefh. Never ranfoui prisoners, but eat them with pepper and fait. Have no religion, but fome polity."__■ De Earros, 155S. " The gentiles retreated from the Malays to the interior parts of the ifland. Thole who live in that part oppofite to Malacca, are called Battas, 'I hey eat human flefh, and are the moft favagc and wailike people of the iiland. Thofe which inhabit to the fouth are called Sotitmas and are more civilized'7----Captain Hamilton. " The inhabitants of Dcttty {on a river which runs front the Batta country) are faid to be c.mnihals." Vartomanus, in 1504, writes that the Jwvans were man-eaters, before that tiaffkk was had with them by Chinefe, which the people faid was no more than an hundred years- The fame cuftom has been attributed to the Cww, inland of Cambodia, and alio to the inhabitants of the Carnicobar iflands. put put over the delinquent's head, together with a large diih of fait and «eding° pr° lemons. The unhappy object, whether prifoncr of war, or malefactor, is then tied to a ftake ; the people affembled throw their lances at him from a certain diftance, and when mortally wounded, they run up to him, as if in a tranfport of paffion ; cut pieces from the body with their knives. dip them in the difh of fait and lemon juice ; flightly broil them over a fire prepared for the purpofe; and fwallow the morfcls, with a degree of favage enthufiafm. Sometimes ( I prefume according to the degree of their animofity and refentment) the whole is devoured; and inftances have been known, where with barbarity ftill aggravated, they tear the flefh from the carcafe with their mouths. To fuch a depth of depravity may man be plunged, when neither religion nor philofophy enlighten his fteps ! All that can be faid in extenuation of the horror of this diabolical ceremony, is, that no view appears to be entertained of torturing the fufferers; of encrcafing or lengthening out the pangs of death : the whole fury is directed againft the corfe; warm indeed with the remains of life, but paft the fenfation of pain. I have found a difference of opinion in regard to their eating the bodies of their enemies Jlain in battle. Some perfons long refident there, and acquainted with their proceedings, affert that it is not cuftomary ; but as one or two particular inftances have been given by other people, it is juft to conclude, that it fometimes takes place, though not generally. It was fuppofed to be with this intent that raja Neabin maintained a long conflict for the body of Mr. Nairne, a moft refpectable gentleman, and valuable fer-vant of the India Company, who fell in an attack upon the campong of that chief, in the vear 1775.* The * I find that fome perfons Mill doubt the reality of the fa£t, that human flefh is any where eaten by mankind, and think that the proofs hitherto adduced are infufficient to eftablifh a point of fo much moment in the hiftory of the fpecies. It is objected to me that I never was an eye witnefs of a Balta feaft of this nature, and that my authority for it is confiderably weakened, by coming through a fecond or perhaps a third hand. I am fenfible of the weight of this rcafoning» and am not anxious to force any man's belief, much lefs to deceive htm by pretences to the higheft degree of certainty, when my relation can only lay claim to the next degree. I can only fay* that I thoroughly believe the fact myfelf, and that my conviction has arifen from the following circumftances, fome of lefs, fome of more authority. It is, in the firft place, a matter of general and The government of the country is divided into a number of petty chief- Government, mips, the heads of which, ftyled rajas, are feldom dependant upon any fuperior power ; but enter into affociations with each other, particularly thofe of the fame tribe, for mutual defence and fecurity, againft any diftant enemy. They are extremely jealous of the increafe of each others power, and on the flighted: pretext a war breaks out between them. The force, however, of different campongs is very unequal, and fome rajas poffefs a much more extenfive fway than others; and it muft p0„.croftne needs be fo, for every man. who can get a dozen followers, and two or raJas Qr clucf8' three mufkets, fets up for independence, and fcarcely acknowledges any fuperior. In the two dillricTts of Ancola and Mandeding, there appears fome exception to this general defect of fubordination, as they have each a fovcrcign raja over all the tribes ; but their power is nominal merely, the great vaflals acknowledging little fubjection, but when it fuits their inclination, or intereft.* Inland of a place called Solum, great refpect was paid to a female chief, or cotee, whofe jurifdiction comprehended and uncontroverted notoriety in the ifland : I have talked on the fubjecl: with natives of the countiy, who acknowledge the practice, and become afhamed of it when they have refided amoncr more humanized people : It has been my chance to have had no Jefs than three brothers, chiefs of the ff.ttleHMBnti of Natal and Tappanooly, where their intercourfe with the Battas is daily, and who all affurc me of the truth of it: The fame account I nave had from ether gentlemen who had equal, or fuperior opportunities of knowing the cuftoms of the people ; and all their relations agree in every material point : A refident of Tappanooly (Mr. Bradley) fined a raja a few years fince, for having a prifoner eaten too clofe to the company's fettiement: Mr. Alexander Hall made a charge in his public accounts of a fum paid to a raja in the country, to induce him to f|*re a man whom Mr. Hal] had feen preparing for a victim ; Mr. Charles Miller, in the journal before quoted, fays " In thc/appeou, or houfe where the raja receives ftrangers we faw a man's fkull hanging up, which the raja told us was placed there as a trophy, it being the fltull of an enemy they had taken prifoner, whofe body (according to the cuftom of the Battas) they had eaten about two months before. Thus the experience of later days is found to agree with the uniform teftimony of old writers; and though I am aware that each and every of thefe proofs, taken fingly, may admit of fome cavil, yet in the aggregate I think they amount to fatif-factory evidence, and fuch as may induce any perfon not very incredulous, to admit it as a fact, that human flefh is eaten by inhabitants of Sumatra, as we have pofitive authority it is by inhabitants of New Zealand. » The nephew is faid to fucceed to the place of Raja, in preference to the fon, I have heard that this unaccountable rule is obferved in fome other parts of the eaft, 4 H many many tribes. Her grandfon, the reigning prince, had lately been murdered by an invader, and me had affembled an army of two or three thoufand men, to take revenge. An agent of the Company went up the river, about fifteen miles, in hopes of being able to accommodate a matter which feemed to threaten materially the peace of the country; but he was told by the cotee, that unlefs he would land his men and guns, and take a decided part in her favor, he had no bufinefs there; and he was obliged to reimbark without effecting any thing. The aggreffor followed him the fame night, and made his efeape. It does not appear likely, from the manners and difpofitions of the people, that the whole of the country has ever been united under the jurifdiction of one monarch.* The more powerful rajas aflume authority over the lives of their fub-jects. The dependants, in all the campongs, are bound to attend their Services due chief in his journeys and in his wars, and when an individual rerufes, totheTrchkfs, he is expelled from the fociety, without permiffion to take his property along with him. The raja fupplies them with food for their expeditions, and allows a reward of two beenchang$-\ for each perfon they kill. When he pays his gaming debts, he impofes what arbitrary value he thinks proper, on the horfes and buffaloes (no coin being ufed in the coun- * The account given by Mendez Pinto of his einbaffy to AngeeJlry Timor raja, king of the Battas,'u\ the year 1559, may perhaps be thought to contradict this obfervation ; but it is dim-cult to reconcile many of the circumftances he relates, or to form an idea of the place he went to. After leaving Malacca and doubling Acheen head, lie failed for four days down the coaft of the ocean, till he came to a river called Gaateamgim (' Atayangin), which had feven fathom water (quaere Sinkcll). He proceeded eight leagues up this river, when he anchored at Botter-endan\ near Panaiu, the refidence of the king. Returning, he coaftcd back for twenty fix leagues, when he entered the ftraits of Minhagaru and then ftood over to Jiinkcelon. The king mentioned his having loft two places called Jocur and Lingau, by the Achenefc, who put many of his Oolooballangs and Amborajas to death, (thefe are Malay, not Batta officers), and that he had fworn by his God Quiay Hocombinor, the difperifer of juftice, to take revenge. (This name is likewife Malay fomewhat corrupted.) The king alfo paid adoration to a cow's head. He marched to Acheen, which is but twenty three leagues over land, and attacked the city with fifteen thoufand men. He furnifhed a cargoe of Tin and Cenjamin for the veffel Pinto came in, and fent a prefent of gold headed lances, calambuca wood, and a tortoifeihell box ornamented with gold, to the governor of Malacca. * An imaginary valuation, about equal to four Spanifli Dollars, try) try) which he delivers, and his fubjects are obliged to accept them at the rate he tenders them. They are forced to work a certain number of days each, in his rice plantations. There is alfo a leffer kind of fervice, for land held of any other perfon. The tenant is bound to pay the landlord refpect wherever he meets him, and to give him entertainment whenever he comes to his houfe. The people feem to have an abfolute and permanent property in their pOflemons; felling them when they think fitting to each other. If a man plants trees and leaves them, no future occupier can fell them, though he may eat the fruit. The chief's revenues arife principally from the fines adjudged in ju- Revenues, dicial proceedings, which he always appropriates to himfelf; and from the produce of the benjamin and camphire trees throughout his diftrict, which are confidered as royal property; but this, in general, is not ri-gorouily infilled on. Difputes and litigations of any kind, that happen between people be- Suits, longing to the fame campong, are fettled by a magiftrate appointed for that purpofe, and from him there is faid to be no appeal to the raja: when they arife between perfons of different campongs, they are adjufted at a meeting of the refpcctive rajas. When a party is fent down to the bay, to purchafe fait, or on other bufinefs, they are accompanied by an officer who takes cognizance of their behaviour, and fometimes punifhes upon the fpot fuch as are criminal or refractory. This is productive of much order and decency. Notwithstanding the independent fpirit of the Battas, and their contempt of all power that would affect a fuperiority over their little focie- RefPe&Paitl ties, they have in general a fuperftitious veneration for the fultan of of Menanca-Menangcabow, and fhew a blind fubmiffion to his relations and emiffaries, real or pretended, when fuch appear among them : even when infultcd and put in fear of their lives, they make no attempt at refiftance: they think that their affairs would never profper; that their paddee would be blighted, and their buffaloes die; that they would remain under a kind of fpell, for offending thofe facred melfengers. The 3o6 S U M A T R A. v\7ar. The fpirit of war is excited among thefe people by fmall provocation, and their refolutions for carrying it into effect are foon taken. Their life appears, in fact, to be a perpetual ftate of hoftility, and they are always prepared for attack and defence. When they proceed to put their defigns into execution, the firft act of defiance is firing, without ball, into the campong of their enemies. Three days are then allowed for the party fired upon, to propofe terms of accommodation, and if this is not done, or the terms are fuch as cannot be agreed to, war is then fully declared. This ceremony of firing with powder only, is ftyled, " carrying fmoke to the adverfary." During the courfe of their wars, which fometimes laft for two or three years, they feldom meet openly in the field, or attempt to decide their conteft by a general engagement; as the mutual lofs of a dozen men might go near to ruin ho h parties; nor do they often venture a direct attack upon each others campongs; but watch opportunities of picking off ftragglers palling through the woods. A party of three or four will conceal themfelves near the footways, and if they fee any of their foes, they fire, and run away immediately ; planting ranjows (fharp flakes) after them, to prevent purfuit. On thefe occafions a man will fubfift upon a potatoe a day, in which they have much the advantage of the Malays, (againft whom they are often engaged in warfare) who require to be better fed. Fortifications. They fortify their campongs with large ramparts of earth, half way up which they plant brufh wood. There is a ditch without the rampart, and on each fide of that, a tall palifade of camphire timber. Beyond this, is an impenetrable hedge of the prickly bamboo, which, when of fufficient growth, acquires a furprizing denfity, and perfectly conceals all appearance of a town. Ranjows, of a length both for the body, and the feet, are difpofed without all thefe, and render the approaches hazardous to affailants who are almoft naked. At each corner of the fortrefs, inftead of a tower or watch-houfe, they contrive to have a tall tree, which they afcend to reconnoitre or fire from. But they are not fond of remaining on the defenfive in their campongs, and therefore, leaving a few to guard them, ufually advance into the plains, and throw up temporary SUMATRA.1 3°7 porary breafhvorks and entrenchments. They never engage hand to hand, always keeping at a pretty fafe diftance, feldom nearer than random iliot; except in cafe of fudden furprize. Their ftandard in war, is a horfe's head, from whence flows a long Ai mane, or tail of hair. Their arms are matchlock guns, bamboo lances, and a fide weapon like a fword, or large knife. They carry no creefe like the Malays. Their ammunition boxes are provided with a number of little wooden cafes, each containing a charge for the piece, which are juft our ancient bandoleers; and in thefe are carried likewife their match, and fmaller ranjows, the larger being in a joint of bamboo, like a quiver, ftung over the fhoulder. They have machines curiouily carved and adorned, for holding their bullets, and others, of uncommon conifruc-tion, for a referve of gunpowder. This article they manufacture themfelves, procuring their faltpetre ufually from goat's dung. The matchlocks they are fupplied with by traders, who bring them from Menangcabow, where they are made: their fwords are of their own workman-fhip. The natives of the fea coaft exchange their benjamin and camphire, TV for iron, fteel, brafs wire, and fait; of which laft, about an hundred thoufand bamboos (gallons), are annually taken off in the bay of Tap-panooly. Thefe they barter again with the more inland inhabitants; in the mode I fhall prefently defcribe; for the products and manufactures of the country, particularly their cotton cloths; of which article very little is imported from abroad. Some wear a ftrip of foreign blue cloth about their heads, in imitation of the Malay day tar, and a few have bad~ joos (outer garments) of chintz; but upon the whole, the fale of piece goods in the bay is very inconliderable.* Having * a great trade is carried on from Natal to the ifland of Neas, which lies not far diftant. The articles received from thence are Rice and Slaves, and of theie laft not lefs than four hundred and fifty annually, befide about an hundred and fifty which go to the northern ports j and in catching thefe unfortunate victims of the avarice of the chiefs, it is computed that not fewer than two hundred are killed; which together form a confiderable number for fuch a coun- 4 f try Fairs held. Eftimate by Having no coin, all value is eftimated among them by certain com-SeadofSflt m°dities. In trade they calculate by tampangs (cakes) of benjamin; in tranfactions amongft themfelves, more commonly by buffaloes: fometimes brafs wire, and fometimes beads are ufed as a medium. A galloon, or ring of brafs wire, reprefents about the value of a dollar. But for fmall payments, fait is the moft in ufe. A meafure called a faloopt weighing about two pounds, is equal to afanatnor two pence halfpenny : a bailee, another fmaller meafure, goes for four keppeng, or three fifths of a penny. For the convenience of carrying on trade, there arc eftablifhed, acrofs the country inland of Tappanooly, which is their great mart, four ftages, at which they fuccefnvely hold public fairs or markets, on every fourth day, regularly throughout the year; each fair lafting one day. The people in the diftrict. of the fourth ftage affemble with their goods at the appointed place; to which thofe of the third refort and purchafe of them : the people of the third, in like manner, fupply the wants of the fecond; and the fecond of the firft, who difpofe, on the day their market is held, of the merchandize for which they have trafficked with the Europeans and Malays. On thefe occafions all hoftilities are fufpended. Each man, who poffeffes one, carries his mufquet, with a green bough in the muzzle, as a token of peace, and afterwards, when he comes to the fpot, following the example of the director or manager of the fair, difcharges the loading into a mound of earth ; in try to fupply. The people of Neas are fmall in their perfons; of a fair complexion, particularly the women, who are moftly fent to Batavia; but a great proportion of both fexes are infected with a fpecies of leprofy, which covers their bodies with white fcales; and their ears are made to extend in fo prepofterous a manner as to be often near touching their fhoulders; which the pur-chafers of females fometimes get trimmed to the natural fize. They are remarkable for their ingenuity in handicraft works, and as an inftance of their {kill in the arts, they practice that of letting blood by cupping, in a mode nearly fimilar to ours. Among the Sumatrans blood is never drawn with fo falutary an intent. The language and manners of this people have a refemblance to thofe of the Battas; but yet differ in many material refpects. Their principal food is pork, and the chiefs make a practice of ornamenting their houfes with the jaws of the hogs, as well as the flculls of the enemies which they kill. They are revengeful in their tempers, and efteemed dangerous as domeftic flavesj a defect in their character which philofophers will not hefitate to excufe in an independant people, torn by violence from their country and connexions. which, which, before his departure, he fearches for his ball. There is but one houfe at the place where the markets are held, and that is for gaming : regular rows of fruit trees, mo^lly doorean, are planted, which ferve for booths; one avenue of which is referved for the women. People from the extremes of the north and fouth meet at thefe fairs, where all their trade is carried on.* Their religion, like that of all the other original inhabitants of the iiland, Religion, is fo difficult to be traced, as fcarce to afford room to fay that any ex-ills among them. Yet they have rather more of ceremony, than the people of Rejang or Paffummah; and there is here an order of perfons who may be denominated priefts, as they perform the office of burying the dead, and of foretelling lucky and unlucky days, which they are extremely fuperftitious in the obfervance of: one of thefe is employed in each campong. They have fome idea of a powerful Being, difpofed to benevolence, and of another, the worker of ill to mankind ; but they pay no worfhip to either ; nor do they appear to entertain any hopes or apprehenfion of a future ftate. It is faid that they have a name for the former, which they fear to pronounce, but I have fome reafon to think it the word " Daibattah" which I learned from a different authority; that name correfponding, as before obferved, with the general name for the Deity throughout the eaft. The evil fpirit they call Murgifc, Their only ceremonies that wear the appearance of religion, are thofe ufed on taking an oath ; in their prognoflications ; and at their funeral rites. A perfon accufed of a crime, and who affcrts his innocence, is in fome cafes acquitted by folemnly fwearing to it, but is fometimes obliged to go through a kind of ordeal. They have different modes of ad- Q ths miniftering an oath. A cock's throat is ufually cut upon the occafion ; the accufed then puts a little rice into his mouth, and wifhes that it may become a ftone, if he is guilty of the crime with which he Hands charged ; or holding up a mufquet bullet, wifhes it may be his fate to be fhot, in that cafe. In more important inftances, they put a fmall leaden or tin * Thefe fairs, called onan by the Malays, are not confined to the Balta country : there are fuch at Batang-capas, and at ippoo, but not attended with the fame formalities. image image into the middle of a dim of rice, garniihed with mufquet balls; and the man, kneeling down, prays that his crop of paddee may fail, his cattle die, and that himfelf may never take fait, (which I prefume is regarded as neceflary to exiftence) if he does not declare the truth, Thefe tin images may poffibly be looked upon as objects of idolatrous worfhip ; but I could never learn that any fpecies of adoration was paid to them on other occafions. Like the relicks of faints, they are merely employed to render the form of the oath more myfterious, and thereby increafe its awfulnefs. I have feen carved refemblances of a horfe's head, which though vulgarly called Batta gods, are nothing more than the ftandards in war, before mentioned. Divinations. Before they go to war, they kill a buffaloe, or a fowl that is perfectly white, and by obferving the motion of the Inteftines, they judge of the good or ill fortune that will attend them. The prieft who performs this ceremony, had need to be infallible, for if he predicts contrary to the event, he is fometimes put to death, for his want of fkill. Funeral rites Whenanr/0, or perfon of confequence, dies, the funeral ufually takes and ceremonies Up feveral months; that is, the corpfe is kept, for fo long a fpace of time, unburied ; until the neighbouring and diftant rajas; and in common cafes^ till the relations and creditors of the deceafed ; can be affem-bled, in order to celebrate the rites with becoming dignity. Perhaps the feafon of planting, or of harveft intervenes, and thefe neceffary occupations muft be firft attended to, before the ceremonies can be concluded. The corpfe, in the mean time, is depofited in a fort of coffin, made of the hollowed trunk of the anon tree, well covered over with dammar or rofin. A bamboo tube, however, is inferted in the lower part of the coffin, and palling thence into the ground, ferves to carry away the offenfive matter; fo that in fact the bonesalone remain. When the people affemble, the coffin is brought out, and fet down m an open fpace. Each of the women who arrive, brings a bafket of rice, and places it near the corpfe : they dance round it, and make merry, till till the provifion is expended; one or more buffaloes, or horfes, being killed and feafted on at the fame time. The prieft then, (whofe limbs are tattowed in the fhape of birds and beafts, and painted of different colors)* takes a piece of buffaloe's flefh; fwings it about, throwing himfelf into violent attitudes, and ftrange contortions ; and then eats the morfel in a voracious manner. He afterwards kills a fowl over the dead body, letting the blood run upon the coffin ; he then takes a broom, of the coco-nut fibres, and fweeps furioufly about him, as if to chace away fome evil fpirit; when fuddenly, four men, appointed for the purpofe, lift up the coffin, and run quickly off with it, as if efcaping from the fiend; the prieft continuing to fweep after it for fome diftance. It is then put into the ground, at the depth of three or four feet; the earth about the grave is raifed ; a fhed built over it; and the horns of the buffaloes killed upon the occafion are nailed to the pofls.-j~ The people then depart in peace to their refpective homes. This nation has preferved the original eenuinenefs of its character and ^ . . ,. 1 7 Originality manners, more unmixed than any other inhabitants, at leaft of the nor- preferved !■ this nation. thern parts of the ifland. This may be owing to feveral caufes; as their diftance in general from the fea coaft, and total unacquaintance with na- Caufesofthis vigation ; and to the want of gold in their country (except at the fouthern extremity) to excite the rapacity of invaders, or avarice of colonifts; the vegetable riches of the foil being no object for fuch, as they are more advantageoufly obtained in trade, from the unmolefted labors of the natives themfelves. To this we may add, the divided nature of the government, and confined independence of the petty chiefs, which is un- * In the Nqfau iflands (called by the Malays the Paggeef) the inhabitants (orang Mantaivaye) arc univcrfally tattowed in this manner, and their fkin difcolored. This cuftom appears to have been once very general in this part of the cart, but an intercourfe with other nations caufes it to wear away. Befide the pintados of the Philippines, it prevails among the people of Laos, and has been obferved of the Siamefe. See an Hiftorical Relation of Expeditions to thofe iflands by Alexander Dalrymple, Efq. f Mr. Miller fays he was prefent at killing the hundred and fixth buffaloe, at the grave of a raja, which ceremony they continue for a year after the interment. 4 K favorable favorable to the propagation of new opinions and cuftoms, (as the adoption of them by no one raja would ferve as authority to others, but the contrary) and which is not the cafe where people are united under one head, whom they look up to as the ftandard of their conduct. This was probably the reafon of the complete converfion of the fubjects of Menangcabow to Mahometanifm. And laftly, it may be prefumed that the idea maintained of the ferocioufnefs of the people, from their practice of eating their prifoners, might probably damp the ardor, and reftrain the zealous attempts of religious innovators. Khigdom S U M A T R A. Kingdom of Acheen—Prefent fate of it's Commerce—Air and foil—Inhabitants—Government—Revenues—Modes of punifh-ing cr/minais. EN (properly Ache)* is the only kingdom of Sumatra, thai cver arrived to fuch a degree of political confequence in the world, as to occafion it's transactions becoming the fubject of general hiftory. But it's prefent condition is widely different from what it was, when by it's power the Portuguefe were expelled from the ifland, and it's princes received embafiies from all the great potentates of Europe, It's fituation occupies the North Weft extreme of the iiland. The ex- Situation, tent, ftricily fpeaking, reaches no farther, inland, than about forty or fifty miles, to the fouth eaft, and now but little farther even on the fea coaft; though formerly it's king boafted a dominion as far down as Indrapour, and poffeffed complete jurifdict-ion at Ticoo. A place called Car-ty, not far diftant from Battoo Bara river, forms the boundary on the eaft coaft; the principal intermediate towns being Pedecr, Samerlonga, and Pa/ay. On the Weft coaft it extends to Baroos; between which and Acheen, lie Tappocs, Sinkell, Tampat Tooan, Labooan Hadjee, Sofoo, Na-laboo, Arigas, and T)yah v The interior inhabitants, from Acheen to Sinkell, are diftinguiflied into thofe of Alias, Reeah, and Carrouo. The Achenefe manners prevail among the two former, but the Carrow people refemble the Battas, whofe country they are divided from by a chain of mountains. On a river which empties itfelf near the North Weft point, or Acheen . Jt head,, ftands the capital, about two miles from the qualloe or mouth, in a wide valley, formed like an amphitheatre, by two lofty ranges of # It is faid, by the Malays, to have been fo named from a fpecies. of tree called AM, peculiar to that place. hills 3H S U M A T R M hills. The river is not large, and by emptying itfelf in feveral than nels, is rendered very mallow at the bar. In the dry monfoon it w ill not admit boats of any burthen, much lefs large veffels, which lie without, in the road formed by the iflands off the point. Though no longer the great mart of eaftern commodities, it ftill carries on a confiderable trade with the natives of that part of the coaft of Indojlan called prefent ftare of Telinga, who fupply it with the cotton goods of their country, and reus commcice. ce^VQ -m returrij g0\r\ du% fapan wood, betel-nut, patch-leaf,* a little pepper, fulphur, camphire, and benjamin. The two .laft are carried thither from the ports of Sinkell and Tappoos; and the pepper from places more to the fouthward, Acheen itfelf not producing any in thefe days, nor in much abundance at any former period, though cargoes were often taken in from thence. There are employed in this commerce, from fix to ten Telinga fnows, of an hundred and fifty or two hundred tons burthen, which arrive annually about Auguft, and fail again in February and March. They arc not permitted to touch at any places on the Eaft or Weft coaft, that are under the king of Acheen's jurifdiction, as he would fuffer both in the profits of the trade, the port cuftoms, and the prefents ufually made on the arrival of veffels, which, in that cafe, his dependants would ftiare with him. The people of Acheen themfelves carry the cloth to thefe markets, after the king's duties, and other advantages have been received, who is, as.is ufual with the princes in this part of the world, the chief merchant of his capital, and frequently the monopolizer of it's trade. There is likewife a ftiip from Surat every year, and fometimes two, the property of Moor-men there. The country is fupplied with Bengal opium, and alfo with iron, and many other articles of merchandize, by the European traders. Acheen is efteemed, comparatively, healthy, being more free from woods and fwamps than moft other portions of the ifland; and the fevers and dyfenteries to which thefe are fuppofed to give occafion, arc there faid to be uncommon. But this muft not be too readily credited; for he degree of falubrity attending fituations in that climate, from infcru-tablc caufes, is known fo frequently to alter, that a perfon who has re- * This is the pachauhaut or cojius Indicus, and called delum by the Malays. fided fided only two or three years on a fpot, cannot pretend to form a judgment ; and the natives, from a natural partiality, are always ready to extol the healthinefs, as well as other imputed advantages of their own particular countries. The foil is light and fertile, and the products; befide thofe which I Soil,, have enumerated as articles of export trade, and a variety of fine fruits; are chiefly rice and cotton. There is likewife a little raw filk procured in the country, of very inferior quality. Gold duft is collected in the mountains near Acheen, but the greateft part is brought from the fouthern ports of Nalaboo and SoOjCO* The fulphur is gathered from a volcano mountain in the neighbourhood, which fupplies their own confumption, for the manufacture of gunpowder, and admits of a large exportation. Inhabitants. The Achenefe differ extremely, in their perfons, from the reft of the Sumatrans, being, in general, taller, ftouter, and much darker com-plexioned. They are by no means, in their prefent ftate, a genuine people, but thought, with great appearance of reafon, to be a mixture of Battas, Malays,, and Moors from the weft of India. In their difpo. fitions they are more active and induftrious than their neighbours; they poffefs more penetration and fagacity; have more general knowledge ; and as merchants, they deal upon a more extenfive and liberal footing. But in this latter refpect, I fpeak rather of the traders at a diftance from the capital and their tranfactions, than of the conduct obferved at Acheen, which, according to the temper of the reigning monarch, is often narrow,, extortionary, and oppreflive. Their religion is Mahor metanifm, and having a great number of Mofques and priefts, it's forms and ceremonies are obferved with fome ftrictnefs. The appearance of the town, and the nature of the buildings,-)-are Buildings much the fame as are found in the generality of Malay bazars; excepting *Tn the eftimate p. 137, of the quantity of gold exported from the ifland, I did not include Acheen, and I underrated the produce of Padang by at leaft one third, not making allowance for private trafhek. # The following defcription of the appearance of Acheen, by ajefuit miflionary who touched there in his way to China in 1698, is fo piclurefque, and at the fame time fo juft, that I /hall 4 L make, ing that the fuperior wealth of this place, has occafioned the erection of a greater number of public edifices, but without the remoteft pretentions to magnificence. The king's palace, if it deferves the appellation, is a very rude and uncouth piece of architecture, defigned to refift the force of an enemy, and furrounded for that purpofe with ftrong walls, but without any regular plan, or view to the modern fyftem of military attack.* The houfes in common are built of bamboos and rough timber, and raifed fome feet from the ground, on account of the place being overflowed in the rainy feafon. Manufactures. Thofe few arts and manufactures which are known in other parts of the ifland, prevail likewife here, and fome of them are carried to more perfection. A confiderable fabric of a thick fpecies of cotton cloth, and of fluff for the fhort drawers worn both by Malays and Achenefc, make no apology for introducing it. *• Imaginez vous une foret de cocotiers, de bambous, d'a-nanas, de bagnaniers, au milieu de laquclle pafle une aifez belle riviere toute couverte de bateaux} mettez dans cette foret une nombre incroyable de maifons faites avec de cannes, de rofeaux, des ecorces, et difpofez les de telle maniere qu'elles forment tantot des rues, et tantdt des quartiers fepares: coupez ces divers quartiers de prairies & de bois : repandez par tout dans cette grand foret, autant d'liommes qu'on en voit dans nos villes, lorsqu'elles font bien peuplees; vous vous formerez une id£e aifez jufte d'Achen ; et vous conviendrez qu'unc ville de ce gout nouveau peut faire plaifir a des etrangcrs qui paffent. Elle me pamut da'bord comme ces payfages fortis de l'i-magination d'un peintre ou d'un poe'te, qui raffamble fous un coup d'oeil, tout ce que la com-pagne a de plus riant. Tout eft neglige et naturcl, champetre and mcme un peu fauvage. Qyand on eft dans la rade, on n'appercoit aucun veftige, ni aucune apparence de ville, parceque des grands arbres qui bordent le rivage cn cacbent toutes les maifons; mais outre le payfage qui eft tres beau, rien n'cft plus agreable que de voir de matin un infinite de petits bateaux de pecheurs qui fortent de la riviere avec le jour, et qui ne rentrent que le foir, lorfque le foleil fe cou-ehe. Vous diriez un eflain d'abeilles qui reviennent a la cruche charge du fruit de leur travail." Lettres Edifiantes, Tom. i. * Near the gate of the palace are feveral pieces of brafs ordnance of an extraordinary fize; of which fome are Portuguefe ; but two in particular, of Englifh make, attract curiofity. They were fent by king James the firft to the reigning monarch of Acheen, and have ftill the founder's name, and the date, legible upon them. The diameter of the bore of one, is eighteen inches i of the other twenty two or twenty four. Their ftrength however does not appear to be in proportion to the caliber, nor do they feem in other refpects to be of adequate dimenfions. James, who abhorred bloodlhed himfelf, was refolved that his prefent fhould not be the inftrument of it to others, is eftabliihed, and fupplies an extenfive demand. They weave alfo very handfome filk pieces, of a particular form, for that part of the drefs which is called by the Malays, cayen farrong; but their filk manufacture has much decreafed within thefe twelve years, owing, as they fay, to an unavoidable failure in the breed of filkworms; or more probably to the decay of inauftry amongft themfelves. They are expert and bold navigators, and employ a variety of veffels, Navigation* according to the voyages they have occafion to undertake, and the purpofes, either of commerce or war, for which they defign them, the river is covered with a multitude of fiftiing fampans or canoes, which go to fea with the morning breeze, and return in the afternoon, with the fea wind, full laden. Having no convenient coins-, though moft fpecies of money will be taken there at a valuation; they commonly make their payments in gold duft, and for that purpofe are all provided with fcales or fmall fteelyards (datchin). They carry their gold about them, wrapped up in pieces of bladder and often purchafe to fo fmall an amount, as to make ufe of grains of paddee, or other feeds, for weights. Their principal ftandard weight is the buneall, of one ounce, ten penny weights, and twenty one grains. The tale, an imaginary valuation, is one fifth of a buncal of gold; and is equal to fixteen mace, which are very fmall gold pieces, of the value of fifteen pence each. The monarchy is hereditary, and is more or lefs abfolute, in proportion to the talents of the reigning prince; no other bounds being fet to his authority, than the counterbalance or check it meets with, from the power of the great valTals, and difaffect.ion of the commonality. But this refiftance is exerted in fo irregular a manner, and with fo little view to the public good, that nothing like liberty refults from it. They experience only an alternative of tyranny and anarchy, or the former under different fhapes. Many of the other Sumatran people are in the poffeflion of a very high degree of freedom, founded upon a rigid attachment Government. tachment to their old eftablifhed cuftoms and laws. The king ufually maintains a guard of an hundred Sepoys (from the Corcmandel coaft) about his palace, but pays them indifferently. The grand council of the nation confifts of, the King or Sultan, four Oolooballangs, and eight of a lower degree, who fit on his right hand; and fixteen cajoorangs, who fit on his left. At the king's feet fits a woman, to whom he makes known his pleafure; by her it is communicated to an Eunuch, who fits next to her, and by him to an officer named Cajooran Gondong, who then proclaims it aloud to the affembly. There are alfo prefent two other officers, one of whom has the government of the Bazar or market, and the other, the fuperintending and carrying into execution the punifhment of criminals. All matters relative to commerce and the cuftoms of the port come under the jurif-diction of the Sbabandar, who performs the ceremony of giving the chap or licenfe for trade; which is done by lifting a golden hafted creefe over the head of the merchant who arrives, and without which he dares not to land his goods. Prefents, the value of which are become pretty regularly afcertaincd, are then fent to the king and his officers. If the ftranger be in the ftyle of an embaffador, the royal elephants are fent. down to carry him and his letters to the monarch's prefence, thefe being firft delivered into the hands of an eunuch who places them in a filver difh, covered with rich filk,, on the back of the largft elephant, which is provided with a machine (houder) for that purpofe. Within about an hundred yards of an open hall where the king fits, the cavalcade flops, and the embaffador difmounts and makes his obeifance by bending his body, and lifting his joined hands to ,his head. When he enters the palace, if an European, he is obliged to take off his fhoes and having, made a fecond obeifance, is feated upon a carpet on the floor, where betel is brought to him. The throne was fome years ago of ivory and tortoifefhel, and when the place was governed by Queens, a curtain of gauze was hung before it, which did not obftrucr. the audience, but prevented any perfect view. The ftranger, after fome general difcourfe, is then conducted to a feperate building where he is entertained with the delicacies of the country, by the officers of ftate, and in the evening returns returns in the manner he came, furrounded by a prodigious number of lights. On high days (arce ryah) the king goes in great ftate mounted on an elephant richly caparifoned, to the great mofque, preceded by his oolooballangs; who are armed nearly in the European manner. The country under the immediate jurifdiction of Acheen, is divided into three diftricts, named Duo fooloo duo, Duo pooka leemo, and Duo poo-loo anam* Each diftrict is governed by a Pangleemo, and under him, an Immum and four Pangeechees to each mofque. The country is wonderfully populous, but the computations with which I have been furnifhed, exceed fo far all probability, that I do not venture to infert them. The number of mofques in the three diftrids is faid to be, in the firft, five hundred, in the fecond two hundred, and in the third four hundred ; which alfo appears incredible, confidering the fmall extent of territory that the whole includes. Could we fuppofe the account juft, we muft allow them to be the moft devoted to religion of any people on the face of the earth. The only regular tax or impofition the country is fubjecl: to, for the ufe of the crown, is a Meafure of Rice, annually, from each proprietor of land, which they carry in perfon to the court; and this can be looked upon only as a token of homage, for they never fail to receive from the king, an equivalent in return, of tobacco or fome other article. His revenues arife folely from the import and export cuftoms, which I am informed, amount to forty catties weight (each being eftimated at one pound and a third*) of gold, or about two thoufand five hundred pounds fterling, yearly. The Telinga merchants pay very high duties; in the whole not lefs than fifteen per cent. The revenues of the nobles, arife from taxes on the different countries under their je-fpecTtive jurifdictions. At Pedeer, a meafure of rice is paid to the feudal lord for every meafure of paddee fown, which is about the twentieth part -* The weight of the catty differs extremely—In fome places, and I beleive at Malacca, it is reckoned at 30 oz, i7 king, unfolicited, fent afliftance to his European allies. a v- j 1 ;in; I '1 i ,opficq K U b ffiiw r;:rb ;o bet/;'.: ! •■ -r: •. • - •, However well founded the accounts may have been which the Por-tuguefe have given us of the cruelties committed againft their people by the king of Acheen, the barbarity does not appear to have been only on one fide. Francifco de Mello being fent in an armed veffel with difpatches to Goa, met, near Acheen head, with a fliip of that nation juft arrived from Mecca, and fuppofed to be richly laden. As fhe had onboard three hundred Achenefe and forty Arabs, he dared not venture to board her, but battered her at a diftance, when fuddenly fhe filled and funk, to the extreme difappointment of the Portuguefe, who thereby loft their prize; but they wreaked their vengeance on the unfortunate crew, as they endeavoured to fave themfelves by fwimmtng, and boaft that they did not fuffer a man to efcape. Opportunities of retaliation foon offered. b Simano de Soufa going with a reinforcement to the Moluccas from i5»8. Cochin, was overtaken in the bay by a violent ftorm, which forced him to flow many of his guns in the hold ; and having loft feveral of his men through fatigue, he made for the neareft port he could take fhelter in, which proved to be Acheen, The king having the deftrudlion of the Portuguefe at heart, and rcfolving if poflible to fcize their veffel, fent off a meffage to De Soufa recommending his Handing in clofcr to the fhore, where he would have more flicker from the gale which ftill continued, and lie more conveniently for getting off water and provifions; at the fame time inviting him to land. This artifice not fucceeding, he ordered out the next morning a thoufand men in twenty boats, who at firft pretended that they were come to aflift in mooring the fliip j but the captain, aware of their hoftile defign, fired amongft them, when a fierce engagement * Bairoos, caitenheda. Diego do Como. took took place, in which the Achenefe were repulfed with great daughter, but not until they had deftroyed forty of the Portuguefe. The king enraged at this di fa pp ointment, ordered a fecond attack, threatening to have his admiral trampled to death by elephants if he failed of fuccefs. A boat was fent ahead of this fleet with a fignal of peace, and affurances to De Soufa, that the king, as foon as he was made acquainted with the injury that had been committed, had caufed the perpetrators of it to be punifhed, and now once more requeued him to come on fhore and trull to his honor. This propofal fome of the crew were inclined that he fhould accept, but being animated by a fpeech that he made to them, it was refolved that they mould die with arms in their hands, in preference to a difgraceful and hazardous fubmiftion. The combat was therefore renewed, with extreme fury on the one fide, and uncommon efforts of courage on the other, and the affailants were a fecond time repulfed; but one of thofe who had boarded the veffel and afterwards made his efcapc, reprefented to the Achenefe the reduced and helplefs fituation of their enemy, and frefh fupplies coming off, they were en-courged to return to the attack. De Soufa and his people were at length almofl all cut to peices, and thofe who furvived, being defpe-rately wounded, were overpowered, and led prifoners to the king, who unexpectedly treated them with extraordinary kindnefs, in order to cover the defigns he harboured, and pretended to lament the fate of their brave commander. He directed them to fix upon one of their companions, who fhould go in his name to the governor of Malacca, to defire he would immediately fend to take poffefiion of the fliip, which he meant to reflore, as well as to liberate them. He hoped by this artifice to draw more of the Portuguefe into his power, and at the fame time to efiec.t a purpofe of a political nature. A war had recently broke out between him and the king of Aru, the latter of whom had deputed embaffadors to Malacca, to folicit afliftance,' in return for his former fervices; and which was readily promifed to him. It was highly the intereft of Abraham to prevent this junction, and therefore, though determined to relax nothing from his plans of revenge, he haftcned to dif-patch Antonio Caldeira, one of the captives, with propofals of accommodation modation and alliance, offering to reftore not only this veffel, but alfo the artillery which he had taken at Pafay. Thefe terms appeared to the governor too advantageous to be rejected. Conceiving a favorable idea of the king's intentions, from the confidence which Caldeira, who wras deceived by the humanity fhewn to the wounded captives, appeared to to place in his fincerity, he became deaf to the reprefentations that were made to him by more experienced perfons, of Abraham's infidious character. A meffage was fent back agreeing to accept his friendfhip on the propofed conditions, and engaging to withold the promifed fuccours from the king of Aru. Caldeira, in his way to Acheen, touched at an ifland where he was cut off, with thofe who accompanied him. The embafladors from Aru being acquainted with this breach of faith, retired in great difguft, and the king, incenfed at the ingratitude fhewn him, concluded a peace with Acheen; but not till after an engagement between their fleets had taken place, in which the victory remained undecided.0 In order that he might learn the caufes of the obfcurity in which his negotiations with Malacca refled, Abraham difpatchcd a fecret mcffcn-ger to Senaia Raja, Bandara of that city, with whom he held a corref-pondence; defiring alfo to be informed of the ftrength of the garrifon. Hearing in anfwer, that the governor newly arrived was inclined to think favorably of him, he immediately fent an ambaffador to .wait on him, with affurances of his pacific and friendly difpohtion; who returned in company with perfons empowered on the governor's part, to negotiate a treaty of commerce. Thefe, on their arrival at Acheen, were loaded with favors and coflly preients;. the news of which quickly flew to Malacca; and the bufinefs they came on being adjufted, they were fuffer-ed to depart; but they had not failed far before they were overtaken by boatsfent after them, and were ftript, and murdered. The governor* who had heard of their fetting out, concluded they were loft by accident. Intelligence of this miftaken opinion was tranfmitted to Abraham, who thereupon. had the audacity to requeft that he might be honored with c Caftanhetla.. Diogo do Couto. 4 S the the prefence of fome Portuguefe of rank and confequence in his capital, to ratify in a becoming manner the articles that had been drawn up, as he ardently wifhed, to fee that nation trafficking freely in his dominions^ The deluded governor, in compliance with this requeft, adopted the re* folution of fending thither a large fhip, under the command of Manuel Pacheco, with a rich cargo, the property of himfelf and feveral merchants of Malacca, who themfelves embarked, with the idea of making extraordinary profits. Senaia conveyed notice of this preparation to Acheen, informing the king at the fame time, that if he could make himfelf mafter of this veffel, Malacca muft fall an eafy prey to him, as the place was weakened of half its force for the equipment. When Pacheco approached the harbour he was furrounded by a great number of boats, and fome of the people began to fufpect treachery, but fo ftrongly did the fpirit of delufion prevail in this bufinefs, that they could not per-fuade the captain to put himfelf on his guard. He foon had reafon to repent his credulity. Perceiving an arrow pafs clofe by him, he haften-ed to put on his coat of mail, when -a fecond pierced his neck, and he foon expired. The veffel then became an cafy prey, and the people being made prifoners, were fhortly afterwards maffacred by the king's order, along with the unfortunate remnant of De Soufa's crew, fo long flattered with the hopes of releafe. By this capture Abraham was fuppofed to have remained in poffefiion of more artillery than was left in Malacca, and he immediately fitted out a fleet to take advantage of it's expofed ftate. The pride of fuccefs caufing him to imagine it already in his power, he fent a taunting meffage to the governor, in which he thanked him for the late inftances of his liberality, and let him know he ihould trouble him for the remainder of his naval force. Senaia had promifed to put the citadel into his hands, and this had certainly been executed but for an accident that difcovered his treafon-able defigns. The crews of fome veffels of Abraham's fleet, landed on a part of the coaft not far from the city, where they were well entertained by the natives, and in the openncfs of conviviality, related the transactions which had lately paffed at Acheen, the correfpondence of Senaia, and and the fcheme that was laid for rifing on the Portuguefe when they Ihould be at church, murdering them, and feizing the fortrefs. Intel* ligence of this was reported with fpeed to the governor, who had Senaia inftantly apprehended and executed. This punifhment ferved to intimidate thofe among the inhabitants who were engaged in the confpiracy and difconcerted the plans of the king of Acheen.c Thefe appear to be the laft tranfacf ions of Abraham's reign, of which any mention is made by hiftorians. The time of his deach is not fatis-factorily afcertained, but it is faid that he was difpatched with poifon given him by his wife, who was filler to the chief of Daya, in revenge for the injuries her brother had fuftained at his hand.* He was fucceeded by one who ftyled himfelf Siry Sultan Alradui^ king of Acheen, Baroos, Pedeer, Pafay, Daya, and Batta, prince of the land of the two feas, and of the mines of Menangcabow. Nothing is recorded of his reign until the year 1537, in which he twice attacked Malacca. The firft time he fent an army of three thoufand men, who landed near the city by night, unperceived of the Portuguefe, and having committed fome ravages in the fuburbs, were advancing to the bridge, when the governor, Eftavano de Gama, fallied out with a party and obliged them to retreat for fhelter to the woods. Here they defended themfelves during the next day, but on the following night they re-embarked, with the lofs of five hundred men. A few months afterwards the king had the place invefted with a larger force ; but in the interval the works had been repaired and ftrengthened, and after three days ineffectual attempt, the Achenefe were again conftrained to retire.d c Caftanhcda. Diogo do Couto. * De Barros places his death in 1528, but the accounts of the tranfaftions of the following year contradict that date. Probably the event took place in 1529 or 1530. f Radin is a name often found amongft the Malays, to which the Arabic particle is here pro fixed. i De Barros, _ In In the 1539 we ^tK* Alradin engaged in a war with his neighbour a king of Batta, named An^ee Siry Timor raja* The caufe of their quarrel was the latter's refuting to become a Mahometan at the requifition of the former. A battle was fought in which the Achenefe monarch was worfted, and peace was concluded on the condition of his paying a certain fum of gold to the victor; but a fupply of three hundred Arab troops, with a quantity of ftores, arriving at this time, he did not he-fitate to break the treaty, and falling upon fome towns belonging to the Batta king, he put to death three of his fons and a number of his principal warriors. Irritated by this treachery, Timor raja made a vow not to tafte fruit or fait, till he fhould have revenge. He raifcd an army of fifteen thoufand men, feven thoufand of which were auxiliaries from the countries of Menangcabow, Indergeree, Jambee, Lufon, and Borneo, and fent a requeft to the governor of Malacca for aid,., who furniftied him with arms and ammunition, as againft a common enemy. With this force, and forty elephants, he marched towards Acheen, and not far from that place encountered his adverfary, when a bloody engagement enfued, in the event of which Alradin was obliged to retire, after lofing fifteen hundred of his men, among whom were faid to be an hundred and fixty Turks, with two hundred Saracens, Malabars, and Abyftinians. The Batta king purfued him to the city, which he continued to befiege during three and twenty days; but lofing many of his people, and hearing that a fleet was off the port, in which was an army of Acheen returning from an expedition againft the king of Siam, he thought it prudent to make a hafty retreat to his own country, where he arrived on the fifth day.d In the latter end of the fame year a mefTenger arrived at Malacca from the king of Aru, to folicit fuccours againft the king of Acheen, who-was preparing a powerful force to invade his. dominions, in order that by pofleffing this kingdom, which lay oppofite to Malacca, he might the more conveniently profecute his defigns againft that city, which was d Mendca Pinto, ever ever his chief object. Owing to the divided ftate of the Portuguefe government at that juncture, the meffenger returned with an unfatisfac-tory anfwer, but a fenfe of their intereft induced them afterwards to order a veffel laden with ftores to proceed to the relief of Aru; where the Acheen fleet foon appeared, confifting of an hundred and fixty fail, of which fifteen were large veffels. In thefe were embarked feventeen thoufand men, of whom twelve thoufand were military, and among them four thoufand foreigners. The whole was commanded by Heredin Mahomet, who had married the king's After, and was his governor of Baroos. Whilft thefe entered the river Panetican, the king of Aru was employed in fortifying himfelf on ihore, with fix thoufand of his fub-jects. For fix days the enemy battered the town from their veffels, and then landed with twelve large pieces of artillery. Havino- demolifhed the outer forts, they gave a general affault; but the befieged fuftained it with fo much refolution, and exerted themfelves fo effectually, that they repulfed the affailants, and killed the leader, an Abyflinian, who had arrived from Judda but a month before, to confirm a league made by the Baffa of Cairo, on behalf of the Grand Signior, with the king of Acheen. But in the end the place was taken, and the brave king of Aru killed, owing to the treachery of one of his own captains, whom the Achenefe had corrupted. The commander, from being governor, was made fultan of Baroos for this eminent fervice. Inche Seenco, the queen of the deceafed monarch, having retired to , the woods before the fiege, now infefted the Achenefe garrifon with many irregular attacks, but at length, upon the fetting in of the rains, fhe was neceflitated to quit the country, and embarking her people in fuch boats as fhe could procure, ^paffed over to Malacca, in order to fue for aid to recover herhufband's kingdom. Here fhe attended in vain for five months, and then departed, to implore of the king of Ocjojjg-tana (formerly of Bintang) that afliftance which the Portuguefe denied her. This prince had compaflion for her fituation, and in order to fur-nifh a pretext for demanding the reftitution of Aru, he took her to wife. After a letter had paffed between him and the king of Acheen ; 4 T in 343 S U H A T R A. in which the latter told him he could perceive he had written from the table of his nuptials, amidft drunken counfellors; he fitted out a fleet, under the command of the great Lacfemanna,* which retook Aru, and put the garrifon, which confifled of fourteen hundred men, to the fword. This was no fooner effected than a powerful fleet arrived from Acheen to fuccour the place, commanded by Heredin Mahomet, whom his mafter thought invincible. A defperate engagement took place in the river. The advantage was a long time doubtful, until Heredin fell by a cannon fliot. His captains, difconcerted by this accident, endeavored to fhelter the fhips, by getting round a neighbouring point of land, but the violence of the current forced them out to fea, and entirely difperfed them, by which means all but a few fell into the hands of Lacfemanna; «54i« Fourteen veffels that efcaped, carried the news of this defeat to the king of Acheen, who ordered that the heads of the captains fhould be flruck off, and that the foldiers fhould ever afterwards be drefled in women's 1547. apparel.c In the year 1547 he fitted out a fleet againft Malacca, where a defcent was made, but contented with fome trifling plunder, the army re-embarked, and the veffels proceeded to the river of Paries on the Malayan coaft. Hither they were followed by a Portuguefe fquadron, which attacked and defeated a divifion of the fleet, at the mouth of the river. This victory was. rendered famous, not fo much by the valor of the combatants, as by a revelation which was made from heaven to the miflionary Francifco Xavier, of the time and circumftances of it, and which he announced to the garrifon, at a moment when the approach of a powerful invader from another quarter, had caufed much alarm and apprehenfion among them/ 1564. Am continued in the poffefiion of the king of Oqjong-tana until the year 1564, when it was retaken by the Achenefe, who fell upon it by * This famous warrior, whofe renown ftill lives in tradition amongft the Malays, fought th« Poiuguefe during a period of forty years, and though often defeated ftill fhewed himfelf fuperior to his fortune. He died in battle in the year 1550. c Mendez. Pinto. * Diogo do Couto. furprize, furprize, and committed great daughter, putting the king and all his family to death. The eldeft fon of the king of Acheen was placed in the government, who fell, as we lhall prcfently fee, at the iiege of Malaccas The weftern powers of India having formed a league for the purpofe of extirpating the Portuguefe, the king of Acheen was invited to accede to it, and in conformity with the engagements by which the rcfpec-tive parties were bound, he prepared to attack them in Malacca, and carried thither a numerous fleet, in which were fifteen thoufand people of his own fubjec~ts and four hundred Turks, with two hundred pieces of artillery of different flzes. In order to amufe the enemy, he gave out that his force was deftined againft Java, and fent a letter, accompanied with a prefent of a creefe, to the governor, profefling ftrong fen-timents of friendfliip. A perfon whom he turned on fhore with marks of ignominy, being fufpedted for a fpy, was taken up, and being put to the torture, confeffed that he was employed by the Grand Signior and king of Acheen, to poifon the principal officers of the place, and to fet fire to their magazine. He was put to death, and his mutilated carcafe was fent off to the king. This was the fignal for hoftilities. He immediately landed with all his men, and commenced a regular fiege. Sallies were made with various fuccefs, and very unequal numbers. In one of thefe the chief of Aru, the king's eldeft fon, was killed. In another the Portuguefe were defeated and loft many officers. A variety of ftratagems were employed to work upon the fears, and fhake the fidelity of the inhabitants of the town. A general aflault was given, in which, after vaft efforts of courage, and imminent rifk of deftruclion, the be-fieged remained victorious. The king feeing all his attempts fruitlefs, at length departed, having loft three thoufand men before the walls, befide about five hundred who were faid to have died of their wounds on the paflage. The king of Oojong-tana who arrived with a fleet to the afliftance of the place, found the fea for a long diftance covered B Mendez Pinto- with dead bodies. This was efteemed one of the moft defperate and honorable fieges the Portuguefe experienced in India, their whole force confifting of but fifteen hundred men, of whom no more than two hundred were Europeans.11 In the following year a veffel from Acheen bound to Java, with em-baffadors on board to the queen of Japara, in whom the king wifhed to raife up a new enemy againft the Portuguefe, was met in the ftraits by a veffel from Malacca, who took her and put all the people to the fword. It appears to have been a maxim in thefe wars never to give quarter to an enemy, whether refifling or fubmitting. In 1569 a fingle fliip, commanded by Lopez Carrafco, palling near Acheen, fell in with a fleet coming out of that port, confifting of twenty large gallies, and an hundred and eighty other veffels, commanded by the king in perfon, and fuppofed to be defigned againft Malacca. The fituation of the Portuguefe was defperate. They could not expect to efcapc, and therefore refolved to die like men. During three days they fuftained a continual attack, when after having by incredible exertions, deftroyed forty of the enemy's veffels, and being themfelves reduced to the ftate of a wreck, a fecond fliip appeared in fight. The king perceiving this, retired into the harbour with his ftiattered forces. It is difficult to determine which of the two is the more aftonifhhg ; the vigorous ftand made by fuch an handful of men as the whole flrength of Malacca confined of; or the prodigious refources and perfeverence of the Achenefe Monarch. In 1573, after forming an alliance with the queen of Japara, the object of which was the deftruction of the European power, he appeared again before Malacca with ninety veffels, twenty five of them large gallies, with feven thoufand men, and great ftore of artillery. He began his operations by fending a party to fet fire to the fuburbs of the town, but a timely fhower of rain prevented it's taking effect. He then refolved on a different mode of warfare, and Diogo da Couto. Faria y Soufa, tried I V M A T R A. m tried to ftarve the place to a furrender, by blocking np the harbour, and cutting off all fupplies of provifions. The Portugeufe, to prevent the fatal confequences of this meafure, collected thofe few veffels which they were matters of, and a merchant fliip of fome force arriving opportunely, they put to fea, attacked the enemies fleet, killed the principal captain, and obtained a compleat victory. In the year following Malacca was invefted by an armada from the queen of Japara, of three hundred fail, eighty of which were junks of four hundred tons burthen. After be> fieging the place for three months, till the very air became corrupted by their flay, ^the fleet retired with fcarcely more than five thoufand of fifteen that embarked on the expedition. Scarce was the Javanefe force departed, when the king of Acheen once more appeared with a fleet that is defcribed as covering the flraits. He ordered an attack upon three Portuguefe frigates that were in the road protecting fome provifion veffels; which was executed with fuch a furious difcharge of artillery, that they were prefently deflroyed with all their crews. This was a dreadful blow to Malacca, and lamented, as the hiftorian relates, with tears of blood by the little garrifon, who were not now above an hundred and fifty men, and of thofe a great part non effective. The king, elated with his fuccefs, landed his troops, and laid fico-e to the fort, which he battered at intervals during feventeen days. The fire of the Portuguefe became very flack, and after fome time totally ceafed, as the governor judged it prudent to referve his fmall flock of ammunition, for an effort at the laft extremity. The king, alarmed at this filencc, which he conftrued into a preparation for fome dangerous ftratagem, was feized with a panick, and fuddeniy raifing the fiege, embarked with the utmoft precipitation ; unexpectedly relieving the garrifon from the ruin that hung over them, and which feemed inevitable in the ordinary courfe of events.'1 In 1582 we find the king appearing again before Malacca with an hundred and fifty fail of veffels. After fome Ikirmifhes with the Portu- h Diogodo Couto. Faria y Soufa. 4 U guefe gucfe fhips, in which the fuccefs was nearly equal on both (ides, the Achenefe proceeded to attack Johor,the king of which was then in alliance with Malacca. Twelve mips followed them thither, and having burned fome of their gallies defeated the red, and obliged them to fly to Acheen. I 1586. About four years after this misfortune, the king prepared a fleet of no lefs than three hundred fail, and was ready to fet out once more upon his favorite cnterprize, when his general, named Moratiza, who had long fince defigned to ufurp the crown, murdered him, his queen, and the principal nobility. k 0 About this time the confequence of the kingdom of Acheen had arrived at a great height. Its friendfhip was courted by the moft confiderable eaftern potentates ; no city in India poffeffed a more flourifhing trade; the cuftoms of the port being moderate, it was crowded with merchants from all parts, and though the Portuguefe and their fhips were continually plundered, yet thofe belonging to every native power, from Mecca in the weft, to Japan in the eaft, appear to have enjoyed perfect fecurity in the bufinefs of their commerce. With refpect to the government, the nobles, or orang cayos as th^y are called, formed a powerful counterpoife to the authority of the king. They were rich; had numerous followers, and cannon planted at the gates of their houfes ; and thus feeling themfelves independent, often gave a licentious range to their proud and impatient tempers. Although the generality of Portuguefe hiftorians have indirectly attributed the tranfactions of the laft fifty or fixty years to a fingle reign, yet we have fome authority, befide the evident probability of the matter, for faying that during that fpace of time, there were many revolutions in the court, brought about by the intrigues of the nobles, until at length the ancient royal line became extinct.1 ' Faria y Soufa. k Faria y Soufa. 1 BeauHeu, The SUMATRA. 3_g3 The ufurpcr mounted the throne, by the title of fultan Aladm* at an advanced period of life. He was originally a fifhcrman, and afterwards ferved in the wars againft Malacca, where he fhewcd fo much courage, prudence, and Ikill in maritime affairs, that the late king made him at length the chief commander of his forces, and gave him one of his neareft kinfwomen to wife. The monarch's only child, a daughter, was married to the king of Johor,1v by whom fhe had a fon. The infant was fent to Acheen to be educated under his grandfather, whofe heir he wras dc-iigned to be. Upon the death of the king, Aladin at firft took the protection of the child, but foon after difpatched him alfo, and then declared himfelf fovcreign in the right of his wife."! Having the royal force in his hands, he curbed the power of the reft of the nobles, who attempted to make refiftance againft this ftcp, and put numbers of them * This name which the hero of the Crufades rendered famous in the eaft, is common among the Malays, who pronounce it, Ladecn. f The king of Acheen fent on this occafion, to Johor, a piece of ordnance, fuch as for great-nefs, length, and workmanfhip could hardly be matched in all Chriftcndom. It was afterwards taken by the Portuguefe, who fhiptit for Europe, but the veffel was loft in her paffage, Linfchotcn. + Commodore Beaulieu relates the circumftances of tin's revolution in a very different manner. The nobles, he fays, Upon the extinction of the royal line, fetting up each their refpective pretentions to the crown, were proceeding to decide the matter by force, when they were prevailed on by the chief prieft, to prevent bloodfhed, and at the fame time preferve their claims, by raiting to the throne an old nobleman of much wifdom and experience, and who was defcended from one of the firft families of the kingdom, but had not affected any pretentions to the dignity. That after many refufals to quit his retired life, he was at length forced to acquiescence, on the condition of their regarding him as a father. But no fooner was he in poffeffion of the fovereign power, than he fhewed a different face, and the firft ftep after his acceffion, was to invite all the nobles of the realm to an entertainment, where, as they were introduced one hy one to an inner court of the palace, he had them murdered. This ftory, allowing for the difference of fituation and manners, bears a ftrong refemblance to the election of Sixtus the fifth to the Papacy. The Commodore had great opportunity of information, and was a fenfible man, but he appears in this cafe to have been amufed with a plaufible tale by the grandfon of this monarch, whom pro. bably he had it from. John Davis, an intelligent Englifh navigator, whofe account I follow, was more likely to hear the truth j and he was at Acheen during Aladin's reign, whereas the Commodore did not arrive till twenty years after. Betides, a Dutch Admiral who was at' Acheen about three years after Davis, confirms the report of Aladin's having been originally a fifherman. But both the Commodore and Davis place the event of his acceffion about five years earlier than the Spanifh hiftorian, to ro death, railing his own adherents, from the lower clafs of people, to the firft dignities of the ftate.m To cnfure the future fubmiflion of the nobility, he feized their cannon and arms, dcmoliihed their fortified houfes, and prohibited their rebuilding with any fubftantial materials; Of thofe among the people who prefumed to exprefs any difapprobation of his conduct, he made great flaughter^ and was fuppofed to have caufed not lefs than twenty thoufand perfons to be executed in the firft year of his reign. As the Portuguefe writers make fcarcely any mention of this king's actions, we have reafon to conclude that he did not prove fo formidable an enemy to Malacca as his predeceffor had been; and it appears that embafladors from that city refuled, at different periods, in his court. Some expeditions, however, he fitted out againft it, in which a general of his, named Raja Macoota, had opportunities of Ggnalizing his valours He had long and frequent wars with the king of Johor. Towards the clofe of the fixteenth century, the Hollanders began to i«co. navigate the Indian feas, and in the year 1600 fome of their fhips arrived at Acheen, where they had no caufe to boaft of the hofpitality of their treatment. An attempt was made, and probably not without the orders, or connivance of the king, to cut off two of their veffels, and feveral of the crews were murdered ; but after a defperate conflict, the afTaifins were overcome and driven into the water; ** and it was fome pleafure (fays John Davis, who was the principal pilot of the fhips) to fee how the bafe Indians did fly, how they were killed, and how well they were drowned." This treacherous action was attributed to the in-ftigation of the Portuguefe. A fecond party of that nation, who endeavored to trade there a fliort time afterwards, met with little better ufage, and were obliged to haften out of the road, leaving a part of their merchandize on Ihore,* t6oj. m John Davis. n Queen Elizabeth's letter to the king of Acheen. * It is fomewhat remarkable that the Hollanders, not only at Acheen but at Bantam, were about this time always called Englifh by the natives, notwithflanding they endeavoured, or fo pretended, to eftablifh a juft idea of the diflincUon between the two nations. See Collection of voyages which contributed to the sftablifhmcnt of the Netherlands Eaft India Company. The The firft Englifh fleet that made it's appearance in this part of the world, and laid the foundation of a commerce which was in time to eclipfe that of every other European ftate, vifited Acheen in the year 1602. Lancafter, who commanded it, was received by the king with 1*0*. abundant ceremony and refpect, which feem with thefe monarchs to have been ufually proportioned to the number of veffels and apparent ftrength of their foreign guefts. The queen of England's letter was conveyed to court with great pomp, and the general, after delivering a rich prefent, the moft admired article of which was a fan of feathers, declared the purpofe of his coming, was to eftablifh peace and amity between his royal miftrefs, and her loving brother, the great and mighty king of Acheen. He was invited to a banquet prepared for his entertainment, in which the fervice was of gold, and the king's damfels, who were richly attired and adorned with bracelets and jewels, were ordered to divert him with dancing and mufic. Before he retired he was arrayed by the king in a magnificent habit of the country, and armed with two creefes. In the prefent fent as a return for the queen's, there was, among other matters, a valuable ruby fet in a ring. Two of the nobles, one of whom was the chief prieft, were appointed to fettle with I.ancafter the terms of a commercial treaty, which was accordingly drawn up and executed, in an explicit and regular manner. The Portuguefe embaffador, or more properly the Spanifh, as thofe kingdoms were now united, kept a watchful and jealous eye upon his proceedings; but by bribing the fpies who furrounded him, he foiled them at their own arts, and acquired intelligence that enabled him to take a rich prize in the ftraits of Malacca, with which he returned to Acheen; and having loaded what pepper he could procure there, took his departure. On this occafion it was rcquefted by Aladin, that he and his officers would favor him by finging one of the pfalms of David, which was performed with great folemnity0. Aladin had two fons, the younger of whom he made king of Pedeer, and the elder he kept at Acheen in order to fucceed him in the throne. c Lancaftcr's Voyage 4 X in In the year 1603, he refolved to divide the charge of government with his intended heir, as he found his extraordinary age began to render him unequal to the tafk, and accordingly inverted him with royal dignity v but the effect which might have been forefeen quickly followed this meafure,? The fon, who was already advanced in years, became impatient to enjoy more compleat power, and thinking his father had pofleffed the 1604. crown fufHciently long, he confined him in a prifon, where his days were foon ended.i He was then ninety five years of age,* and defcribed to be a hale man, but extremely grofs and fat. His conftitution muff have been uncommonly vigorous, and his mufcular ftrcngth is indicated by this ludicrous circumftance, that when he once condefcended to embrace a Dutch admiral, contrary to the ufual manners of his country, the preffure of his arms was fo violent as to caufe excefnVe pain to the perfon fo honored. He was pafhonately addicted to women, gaming, and to drink, his favorite beverage being arrack. By the feverity of his punifhments he kept his fubjects in extreme awe of him; and the merchants who traded to his ports were obliged to fubmit to more exactions and opprefKons than were felt under the government of his pre- deceffors. The new king proved himfelf, from indolence or want of capacity, unfit to reign. He was always furrounded by his women, who were not only his attendants but his guards, and carried arms for that purpofe. His occupations were the bath and the chafe, and the affairs of ftate were neglected; infomuch that murders, robberies, oppreflion, and an infinity of diforders took place in the kingdom, for want of a regular and ftrict adminiftration of juftice/ A fon of the daughter of Aladin had been a great favorite of his grandfather, at the time of whofe death P Collection of Dutch voyages. 1 John Davis. . * According to BeaulieU' Davis fays he was about an hundred ; and the Dutch voyages men^ tion that his great ajje prevented his ever appearing out of his palace. r Dutch voyages. Beaulieu* he lie was twenty three years of age, and continued, with his mother, to refide at the court after that event. His uncle, the king of Acheen, having given him a rebuke on fome occafion, he left his palace abruptly, and iicd to the king of Pedeer, who received him with affection, and refufed to fend him back at the defire of the elder brother, or to offer any violence to a young prince whom their father loved. This was the occafion of an inveterate war, which coif the lives of many thoufand people. The nephew commanded the forces of Pedeer, and for fome time maintained the advantage, but thefe at length, feeing themfelves much inferior in numbers to thofe of Acheen, refufed to march, and the king was obliged to give him up, when he was conveyed to Acheen, and put in clofe confinement.5 Not long afterwards a Portuguefe fquadron, under Martin Alfonfb, going to the relief of Malacca, then befieged by the Dutch, anchored in Acheen road, with the refolution of taking revenge on the king, for receiving thefe their rivals into his ports, contrary to the ftipulations of a treaty that had been entered into between them.1 The viceroy landed his men, who were oppofed by a ftrong force on the part of the Achenefe, but after a flout rcfiftance they gained the firft turf fort with two pieces of cannon, and commenced an attack upon the fecond, of ma-fonry. In this critical juncture, the young prince fent a meiTage to his uncle, requeuing he might be permitted to join the army and expofe himfelf in the ranks; declaring himfelf more willing to die in battle againft the Caffres (fo they always affected to call the Portuguefe*) than to languish like a flave in chains. The fears which operated upon the king's mind, induced him to confent to his releafe. The prince {hewed fo much bravery on this occafion, and conducted two or three attacks with fuch fuccefs, that Alfonfo was obliged to order a retreat, after wafting two days, and lofing three hundred men in this s Bean lieu. 1 Faria J foufa. -* The Achenefc warriors were faid to affume as a favorite title, that of " Drinkers of the blood of miferablc Caffres"—calling them accurfeddogs who were come from the end of the world fruitlefs to uiurp the property of others. Mendca Pinto. fruitlefs attempt. The reputation of the prince was raifed by this affair to a high pitch amongft the people of Acheen. His mother, who was an active, ambitious woman, formed the defign of raifing him to the throne, and furniflied him with large fums of money to be diftributed in gratuities amongft the principal orang cayos. At the fame time he endeavored to ingratiate himfelf by his manners, with all claffes of people. To the rich he was courteous; to the poor he was affable; and he was the conftant companion of thofe who were in the profcffion of arms. The king died fuddenly, and at the hour of his death the prince got accefs to the caftle. He bribed the guards; made liberal promifes to the officers; advanced a large fum of money to the governor; and fending for the chief prieft, obliged him by threats to crown him. In fine, he managed the revolution fo happily, that he was proclaimed king before night; to the great joy of the people, who conceived vaft hopes from his liberality, courtefy, and valor. The king of Pedeer was fpee-dily acquainted with the news of his brother's death, but not of the fub-fequent tranfactions, and came the next day to take poffefiion of his inheritance. As he approached the caftle with a fmall retinue, he was feized by orders from the reigning prince, who, forgetting the favors he had received, kept him prifoner for a month, and then fending him into the country, under the pretence of a commodious retreat, had him murdered on the way. Thofe who put the crown on his head were not better requited; particularly the Maharaja, or governor of the caftle. In a fliort time his difappointed fubjects found, that inftead of being humane, he was cruel; inftead of being liberal, he difplayed extreme avarice; and inftead of being affable, he manifefted a temper auftere and inexorable." This king affumed the title of Sultan Peducka Siri, fovereign of Acheen, and of the countries of Aru, Delhi, Johor, Paham, Queda, and Pera, on the one fide, and Baroos, Paffamman, Ticoo, Sileda, and Priaman, upon the other. Some of thefe places were conquered by u Bcaulieu, him him, and others he inherited. He mewed much friendfliip to the Hollanders in the early part of his reign ; and in the year 1613 gave per- 161 j' miflion to the Englifh to fettle a factory, granting them many indulgences, in confequence of a letter and prefent from king James the firft. He beftowed on Captain Beft, who was the bearer of them, the title of Orang cayo pootee, and entertained him with the fighting of elephants, buffaloes, rams, and tigers. In his anfwer to king James, which is couched in the moft friendly terms, he ftyles himfelf king of all Sumatra, a name and idea, which, if they exift in the original,* he muft have learned from his European connexions. He exprefled a ftrong defire that the king of England fhould fend him one of his countrywomen to wife, and promifed to make her eldeft fon king of all the pepper countries, that fo the Englifh might be fupplied with that commodity by a monarch of their own. But notwithstanding his ftrong profeflions of attachment to us, and his natural connexion with the Hollanders, arifing from their joint enmity to the Portuguefe, it was not many years before he began to opprefs both nations, and ufe his endeavors to ruin their trade. He became jealous of their growing power, and particularly by"reafon of the intelligence which reached him, concerning the encroachments made by the latter in the ifland of Java. The conqueft of Aru feems never to have been thoroughly effected by the kings of Acheen. Peducka carried his arms thither, and boafted of having obtained fome victories. In 1613 he fubdued Siak, in its neighbourhood, and in the fame year ravaged the kingdom of Johor, and had the kings of thefe two places, who were brothers, brought captives to Acheen; but releafed them upon their confenting to become his tributaries. The old king of Johor, who had fo often engaged the Portuguefe, left feveral fons, the eldeft of whom fucceeded him by the title of Eeang de Patooan, the fecond was made king of Siak, and the third, Raja Bon-foo by name, reigned jointly with the firft. He it was who aflifled the Hollanders in the firft fiege of Malacca, and correfponded with prince Maurice. The king of Acheen was married to their filter, but this did * Tranflation* of this letter and of that written to Q^een Elizabeth are to be fonnd in Purehirs. 4 Y not not- prevent a long and cruel war between them.u* A Dutch factory at Johor was involved in the confequences of this war, and feveral of that nation were amongft the prifoners.v In 1615 the king of Acheen failed to the attack of Malacca in affect which he had been four years employed in preparing. w It coniiftcd of above five hundred fail, of which an hundred were large gallics, greater than any at that time built in Europe, carrying each from fix to eight hundred men, with three large cannon and feveral fmaller pieces.x Thefe gallies the orang cayos were obliged to furnifh, repair, and man, at the peril of their lives. The foldiers ferved without pay, and carried three months provifion at their own charge.? In this great fleet there were computed to be fixty thoufand men, whom the king commanded in perfon. His wives and houfehold were taken to fea with him. Coming in fight of the Portuguefe fhips in the afternoon, they received many fhot from them, but avoided returning any, as if from contempt. The next day they got ready for battle, and drew up in form of an half moon. A defperate engagement took place, and lafted without intcrmiffion till midnight, during which the Portuguefe admiral was'three times boarded, and repeatedly on fire. Many veffels on both fides were alfo in flames, and afforded light to continue the combat. At length the Achenefe gave way, after lofing fifty fail of different fizes, and twenty thoufand men. They retired to Bencalis, on the eaftern coaft of Sumatra, and fhortly afterwards failed for Acheen, the Portuguefe not daring to pnr-fue their victory, both on account of the damage they had fuftained, and their apprehenfion of the Hollanders, who were expected at Malacca. The king propofed that the prifoncrs taken, fhould be mutually given up, which was agreed to, and was the firft inftance of that act of humanity and civilization between the two powers. z ^ Collection of Dutch voyages. * The title of Eeang de Vatooan is common amongft the Malays, and is the fame with that which in a former note p. 276, is corruptly fpelt Jeanderpatoon, The chief of Borneo-proper is always fo ftyled. v C. Beft* w Faria y Soufa. * Beaulieu. Faria y Soufa. 7 Beaulieu. z Faria y Soufa. Three Three years afterwards the king made a conqueft of the city of Queda, ,e,8 on the Malayan coaft; and alfo of a place called Delhy on Sumatra. This laft had been ftrongly fortified by the afliftance of the Portuguefe, and gave an opportunity of difplaying much ikill in the attack. Trenches were regularly opened before it, and a fiege carried on for fix weeks, ere it fell.* In the fame year the king of Jorcan* fled for refuge to Malacca, with eighty fail of boats, having been expelled his dominions by the king of Acheen. The Portuguefe were not in a condition to afford him relief, being themfelves furrounded with enemies, and fearful of an attack from the Achenefe more efpecially ; but the king was then making preparations againft an invafion he heard was meditated by the viceroy of Goa. Reciprocal apprehenfions kept each party on the defenfive. b The French being defirous of participating in the commerce of Acheen; which all the European nations had formed great ideas of, and all found themfelves difappointed in; fent out a fleet commanded by Beaulieu, which arrived in 1621. He brought magnificent prefents to 16**, the king, but which did not content his infatiable avarice, and he employed a variety of mean arts to draw from him further gifts. Beaulieu met alfo with many difficulties, and wras forced to fubmit to much extortion, in his endeavors to procure a loading of pepper, of which Acheen itfelf, as has been obferved, produced but little. The king informed him that he had fome time fince ordered all the plants to be deftroyed, not only becaufe the cultivation of them proved an injury to more ufeful agriculture, but alfo leaft their produce might tempt the Europeans to ferve him, as they had ferved the kings of Jacatra and Bantam. From this apprehcnfion, he had lately been induced to expel a Ikaulieu, * I am uncertain what place is defigned by this name : perhaps a country on the banks of the river Racan or Ircan. The time of the event would lead us to conclude that the king of Jorcan was the fame who defended Delhy. b Faria y Soufa. the thft Englilh and Dutch from their fettlements at Priaman and Ticoo, where the principal quantity of pepper was procured, and of which places he changed the governor every third year, to prevent any connexions dangerous to his authority, from being formed. He had like-wife driven the Dutch from a factory they were attempting to fettle at Padang; which place appears to be the moft remote that ever the Achenefe attempted to exercife dominion over, on the weftern coaft of the ifland.0 Still retaining a ftrong defire to poffefs himfelf of Malacca, fo many years the grand object of Achenefe ambition, he imprifoned the embaffador then at his court, and made extraordinary preparations for the fiege, which he defigned to undertake in perfon,* Lacfemanna his general (the fecond great man of that name or title, and who had effected all the king's late conquefts) attempted to oppofe this refolution; but the Maharaja, willing to flatter his matter's propenfity, undertook to put him in poffeflion of the city, and had the command of the fleet given to him, as the other had"of the land forces. The king fet out on the expedition with a fleet of two hundred and fifty fail, (forty feven of them not lefs than an hundred feet in the keel) in which were twenty thoufand men well appointed, and a great train of artillery. After being fome time on board, with his family and retinue as ufual, he determined, on account of an ill omen that was obferved, to return to the fhore. The generals, proceeding without him, foon arrived before Malacca. Having landed their men, they made a judicious difpofition, and began the attack with much courage and military ikill. The Portuguefe were obliged to abandon feveral of their pofts, one of which, after a defence of fifty days, was levelled with the ground, and from it's ruins ftrong works were raifed by Lacfemanna. Maharaja had feized another poll: advantageoufly fituated. From their feveral camps they had lines c Beaulieu. * Faria y Soufa mentions an engagement in i6a6, in which the king loft thirty four gallies, three thoufand men, and eight hundred pieces of cannon. Of S U M A T R A. 56^ of communication, and the boats on the river were ftationed in fuch a manner, that the place was compleatly inverted. Matters were in this pofture, when a force of two thoufand men came to the affiftance of the befieged, from the king of Paham, and likewife five fail of Portuguefe veifels from the coaft of Coromandel; but all was inefficient to remove fo powerful an enemy, although by that time they had loft four thoufand of, their troops in the different attacks and fkirmifhes. In the latter end of the year a fleet of thirty fail of fhips, large and fmall, under the command of Nunno Alvarez Boteilo, having on board nine hundred European foldiers, appeared off Malacca, and blocked up the fleet of Acheen in a river about three miles from the town. This entirely altered the complexion of affairs. The befiegers retired from their advanced works, and flattened to the defence of their gallies; erecting batteries by the fide of the river. Maharaja being fummoned to furrender, returned a civil, but refolute anfwer. In the night, endeavoring to make his efcape with the fmaller veffels, through the midft of the Portuguefe, he was repulfed and wounded. Next day the whole force of the Achenefe dropt down the ftream, with a defign to fight their way, but after an engagement of two hours, their principal galley, named the " Terror of the world" was boarded and taken, after lofing five hundred men of feven which fhe carried. Many other veffels were afterwards captured or funk. Lacfemanna hung out a white flag, and fent to treat with Nonno, but fome difficulty arifing about the terms, the engagement was renewed with great warmth. News was brought to the Portuguefe that Maharaja was killed, and that the king of Paham was approaching with an hundred fail of veffels to reinforce them. Still the Achenefe kept up a dreadful fire, which feemed to render the final fuccefs doubtful; but at length they fent propofals, defiring only to be allowed three gallies of all their fleet, to carry away four thoufand men who remained of twenty that came before the town. It was anfwered that they muft furrender at difcretion ; which Lacfemanna hefitating to do, a furious affault took place both by water and land, upon the gallies, and works of the Achenefe, which were all totally deftroyed or captured, not a fhip, and fcarcely a man efcaping. Lacfemanna in the 4 Z laft laft extremity 'fled to the woods, but was feized ere long by the king of PahanVs fcouts. Being brought before the governor, he faid to him, with an undaunted countenance, " Behold here Lacfemanna, the firft time overcome !" He was treated with refpedt, but kept a prifoner, and fent, on his own famous fliip, to Goa, in order to be from thence conveyed to Portugal : but death deprived his enemies of that diftinguiflied ornament of their triumph.d This fignal defeat proved fo important a blow to the power of Acheen, that we read of no further attempts to renew the war, until the year ,635# 1635, when the king, encouraged by the feuds which at this time prevailed in Malacca, again violated the law of nations, to him little known, by imprifoning their embaffador, and caufed all the Portuguefe about his court to be murdered. No military operations, however, immediately took place, in confequence of this barbarous proceeding. In the 1640. year 1640, the Dutch with twelve men of war, and the king of Acheen with twenty five gallies, appeared before that harrafled and devoted 3641. city ;e which at length, in the following year, was wrefted from the hands of the Portuguefe, who had fo long, through fuch difficulties, maintained poffeflion of it. This year was alfo marked by the death of Sultan Pe-ducka Siri, at the age of fixty, after a reign of thirty five years. f Thus he lived to fee his hereditary foe fubdued ; and as if the oppofition of the Portuguefe power, which firft occafioned the rife of that of Acheen, was alfo neceflary to its exiftence, the fplendor and confequence of the kingdom from that period rapidly declined. The prodigious wealth and refources of the monarchy during his reign, are beft evinced by the expeditions he was enabled to fit out; but being equally covetous as ambitious, he contrived to make the expences fall upon his fubjects, and at the fame time filled his treafury with gold, by op-pretling the merchants, and plundering the neighbouring ftates. An intelligent perfon who was for fome time at his court, and had opportu- d Faria y Soufa. e Here Faria de Soufan's hiftory of Portuguefe Afia concluded. f Vies des Governeurs Hollandois. nities nities of information on the fubjecl, ufes this ftrong expreflion—-that he was infinitely rich,e He conftantly employed in his caftle three hundred goldfmiths. This would feem an exaggeration, but that it is well known the Malay princes have them always about them in great numbers, at this day, working in the manufacture of fillagree, for which the country is fo famous. His naval ftrength has been already fuffici-ently defcribed. He was poffeffed of two thoufand brafs guns, and fmall arms in proportion. His trained elephants amounted to many hundreds. His armies were probably raifed only upon the occafion which called for their acting, and that in a mode fimilar to what was eftablifhed under the feudal fyftem in Europe. The valley of Acheen alone was faid to be able to furnifh forty thoufand men upon an emergency, r A certain number of warriors, however, were always kept on foot, for the protection of the king and his capital. Of thefe the fuperior clafs were called oolooballang, and the inferior, ainboYctja, who were entirely devoted to his fervice, and refembled the janizaries of Conftan„ tinople.* Two hundred horfemen nightly patrolled the grounds about the caftle, the inner courts and apartments of which were guarded by three thoufand women. The king's eunuchs amounted to five hundreds The difpofition of this monarch was cruel and fanguinary. A multitude of inftances are recorded of the horrible barbarity of his punifhments, and for the moft trivial offences. He imprifoned his own mother, and put her to the torture, fufpecting her to have been engaged in a confpiracy againft him, with fome of the principle nobles, whom he caufed to be executed. He murdered his nephew, the king of Johor's fon, whofe favor with his mother he was jealous of. He alfo put to^ death a fon of the king of Bantam, and another of the king of Paham, « Beaulieu. f Beaulieu. * The oolooballangs now appear as officers of ftate, and are few in number; but in the old1 wars we read of feven hundred falling in one action. g Beaulieu. who who were both his near relations. None of the royal family furvived in 1622 but his own fon, a youth of eighteen, who had been thrice ba-nifhed the court, and was thought to owe his continuance in life, only to his furpafling his father, if pollible, in cruelty, and being hated by all ranks of people. He was at one time made king of Pedeer, but recalled on account of his exceffes, put to ftrange tortures by his father, and confined in prifon.h He did not outlive the king. The whole territory of Acheen was almoft depopulated by wars, executions, and oppreflion. He endeavored to repeople the country by his conquefts. Having ravaged the kingdoms of Johor, Paham, Queda, Pcra, and Delhy, he tranfported the inhabitants from thofe places to Acheen, to the number of twenty two thoufand perfons. But this barbarous policy was eftablifhed accordingly. At this time the Achenefe were alarmed by the arrival of fix fail of Dutch fhips of force, with a number of troops on board, in their road; not having been vifited by any of that nation for fifteen years : but they departed without offering any moleftation.i 1700 The queen died in the year 1700, and with her the female monarchy expired. A prieft found means, by his intrigues, to acquire the fove-1702. reignty. He attempted to impofe fome duties on the merchandize imported by the Englifh, who had long been indulged with an exemption from all charges, except the complimentary prefents on their arrival. This innovation the mafters of fhips then in the port determined to oppofe, and in a very unwarrantable manner proceeded to immediate hoftilities; firing upon the villages fituated near the mouth of the river, and cutting off from the city all fupplies of provision by fea. The inhabitants feeling feverely the effects of this proceeding, grew clamorous againft the government,, which was foon obliged to reftore to thefe infolent traders the privileges contended for. Advantage v/as taken of the public difcontents to raife an infurrcction in favor of the late queen's nephew/ who fucceeding in his views, was in poffefiion of the throne in 1704.*--And here the clue of our hiftory, which has not been traced without confiderable difficulty, breaks off; and1 we are totally in the dark with refpect to the tranfactions of the fubfequent reigns. It is, however, brought down to a modern date, within the compafs of authentic tradition ; and I do not defpair of being enabled hereafter to continue the account, unimportant though it be, to the days of the prince now upon the throne; whofe reign has proved long, and attended with many reverfes of fortune, which more than once have obliged him to fly from his kingdom. H India Company's records. Hamilton's voyage. * Lockyer* Concluficn, J.T04. Conclufion* H A VING thus brought to a clofe, the digeft of fuch materials for an Account of the ifland of Sumatra, as I had been induced, from curiofity and love of fcience, to colled together during my refidence there, and have had opportunity of acquiring fince my return; and having endeavored to render my labors as fitting as my talents would allow, to meet the eye of the public, I now fubmit them chearfullyy but not confidently, to their inflection. I am fenfible of the awfulnefs of the tribunal before which I am going to appear; but I alfo know the indulgence it is ever ready to fhew, in a particular manner, to thofe whofe writings tend to eftablifh facts, rather than fyftems, and humbly to defcribe things as they exift, rather than to difplay the powers of a creative imagination. To thofe, who may object that my defcription of the Ifland is in fome refpects incomplete, and in many points, unfeientific, I am ready to avow it's manifeft deficiencies, which I feel the ftrongc/t i-onri&iou of. I can only ftate in . justification, that I was encouraged by perfons of the firft confideration in the world of fcience, and in fome meafure againft my own feelings, to prepare for publication whatever materials I did poffefs for the Natural hiftory of the country j as laying thereby a foundation ftone, in a new building, upon which others hereafter might raife a more perfect fuperftru&ure. Many will doubtlefs obferve, that the detail of manners and cuftoms of an uncivilized people, defcends often to circumftances fo trivial, as neither to intereft nor to amufe a reader who has been accuftomed to perufe volumes that treat of more important topics. To thefe I reply, that every man is inclined to fuppofe his own favorite object: of purfuit, to be the moft generally interefting; but candour fhould induce them to reflect, that what to them appear infignificant minutiae, by others may be regarded as worthy matter of philofophical curiofity. Such details, in fact often prove the moft acceptable parts of a work, from their greater chance of originality. All the races of mankind. 374 S U M A T R A. kind bear to each other fo thong a refemblance, in the general outline and complexion of their fentiments and actions, and more efpecially of thofe which are ufually termed important, that to exhibit fuch alone would mark no diftinction. The moft prominent features in the delineation of any fubject, are not found the moft characteriftic. The fpirit of ambition in men who aim at fovereign power, or of political jealoufy in thofe who already poffefs it, are obferved to have produced the fame effects, in all countries, and in all ages; and confequently afford no criterion of the genius and manners of a particular people. This muft be fought for rather in the lefs obvious occurrences of private and domeftic life ; and will better appear in the focial cuftoms of an obfcure village, than in the fplendid ceremonies and arbitrary inftitutions of a powerful court. The former are the fettled refult of long prevalent ideas and habitual prejudices ; the latter have their origin and temporary exiftence, in the caprice of individuals, who, if ignorant, headftrong and flagitious, make the moft refpected cuftoms of their people, the fport of a momentary paflion ; or if wife and benevolently inclined, borrow their maxims of government and civil regulations, from the moft enlightened amongft other nations, and thus, whilft they improve the condition of their fubjects, deftroy the peculiarity and ge-nuinenefs of their character. I would by no means be underftood to contend that the hiftory of fuch tranfactions is without its propriety and ufe. Man muft be exhibited in every point of view; and in every light we behold it, the fubject will be interefting. But I would fuggeft, that when he is found in his leaft fophifticated ftate, even though that Ihould be in the rudeft fcene of uncultivated nature, the picture of his manners does not then claim an inferior degree of attention. I have vainly wiihed that my performance could be rendered acceptable to all defcriptions of readers; but as that is chimerical, I fhall efteem myfelf happy if I meet the approbation, or even the indulgence, ot the liberal, whom I would perfuade myfelf are not the few. Genu-inenefs, and a rigid adherence to truth, fo far as it has been poffible for a fliort- a fhort-fighted mortal to diftinguifh between that and error, are what I prefume chiefly to arrogate to myfelf, and on thefe I reft my claim to public favor. If any more experienced and better informed traveller, will point out to me where I have been deceived, in thofe matters to which I had an opportunity of being an eye witnefs, or milled, where I was obliged to depend upon the teftimony of others, I fhall be more forward to correct my miftakes, than I am now, unintentionally, to obtrude them on the world. THE END. INDEX. I N D E a. /1BRAHAM, king of Acheenj his hiftory, p. 335, to 345. Acheen, kingdom of, its fituation, divifions, capital, 313. Prefent ftate of its commerce, 314. Air and Soil, 314, 315. Inhabitants defcribed, 315, Buildings and appearance of the city, 315, 316, Navigation, 317. Government, 317, 318, 319. Ceremonies, 318. Revenues, 319. Admin iteration of juftice, and punifhments, 320, 321. Hiftory of its difcovery by Europeans, and revolutions of its government, 322, to the end. Acheen head, its longitude, 3. Adultery, laws reflecting, amongft the Sumatrans, 197, 223. Agriculture, 59, et feq. Air, temperature of, u. Aladin, king of Acheen, his hiftory 352, to 356. Alboquerque, Affonfo, vilits Sumatra, 323. AUgators, 150. Held in veneration, 255. A/radin, king of Acheen, his hiftory, 345, to 352. Amufcments, of the Sumatrans, 229. Anac Soongey, kingdom of, 286, 287. Anceftors, veneration for the tombs and manes of, 254. Ancients, Sumatra apparently unknown to them, 2, 3. Andeckes or Indalas, name applied to Sumatra, 5. Animals, 93. et feq. Ants, abundance and variety of, 101, 102. Arabic, characters ufed by the Malays, 163. Arithmetic, 1 56. Arts and manufactures, 143. AJlronotny, 158, 159. Atay Angin, diftrict on the fea coaft fo named, 36, 282. B. Banca, ifland of, 133. Banyan tree, defcription of, 130. Bantam, cily of, j77, 182, 232, 286, 287, 363. Batta, country of, 292. Englifh fettlements there, 293. Journey made into that country by Meffrs Hollovvay and Miller, 294, 295. Productions of, 296. Perfons of the inhabitants, 296. Food, houfes, towns, 297. Domeftic manners, 298. Gaming, horfe racing, language, hofpitality, crimes, 299. Punifhments, 309. Extraordinary cuftom, 300. Eat human flefh, Motives to to this practice, 301. Mode of proceeding, 302. Doubts fuggefted concerning the authenticity of that account, and proofs given, 302, 303. Government, 300. Wars, fortifications, 306. Arms, 307. Trade, 307, 308, 309. Religion, 309. Form of oaths, 309. Divinations, funeral rites and ceremonies, 310, 311. Originality of manners preferved amongft The people of this country, and its probable caufes, 311, 312. Batto Bara, river of that name, 10, 313. Beards, of the Sumatrans, plucked out, 39. Bcajls, 93, et feq. Bees wax, 140. Bencoolen river and town, 36, 38, 138, 285, 286, 269. Bencoonat, river and diftrict, 255. Benjamin, gum, 123, 124. Betel-nut, 74, 75, 127. Cuftom of chewing it, 244. Bintang, ifland of, 326, 347. Birds, 97, 98. Birds-ncjl, 141. Breezes, land and fea, 15. Buffaloe, account of the, 94, 95. Buildings, 49, 50. C. Calin, or tin, 22, 139, 288. Campar, kingdom of, 290, 325. Camphire, 120, et feq. Caffia, 125, 126. Cattown, river and diftrict, 10, 38, 139, 37°« Caufes, or fuits, mode of deciding, 184, 186. Caivoor, diftrict of, 262, Cements, Cements, 147. Char after, difference between Malay and Sumatran, 172. Chaftity of women, 222, 2 2j, Cbildbcaring, 247. Children, treatment of, 247, 248. Chinefe, colonifts, 69. Chronology, 158. Chryjlal, rock, 22. Circumcifion, 250. Clothing, 43, 44. Cloth, manufacture of, 46, 277, 307. Made of the bark of trees, 43, 51. Coalt 22. Cockfight ing, 2 lb, 237, 238. Coco nut, 72, 73, 74. Code, of laws, 185, et feq. Remarks on, 199, et feq. Coffee, 127. Coins, 1 38, 317* Color, of the inhabitants, 40. Commerce, productions of Sumatra confi-dered as articles of, 103; Company, Englifh Eaft India, their influence, 179, 180, 181. Refufed permif-fion to build a fort at Acheen, 368. Form a fettiement at Bencoolen, 369. Compenfation, for murder, 189, 208, 210. Confinement, methods of, 210. Contrails, made with the inhabitants for planting pepper, 103. Copper, 21, 139. Cofmetic, ufed by Sumatran women, 231-Cotton, 126. Court]hip, 228. Creefe, a weapon, defcription of, 278. Creee, river and diftrict, 263, 370. Curry, difh fo called, 56. D. Dammar, a fpecies of turpentine, 128. Dances, 128. Deks, and debtors, laws reflecting, ifjo, 214 Deity, no name for, amongft the Rejangs, 253- Difcafes, 154, 155, 156. Diver/ions, 23-8, 239. Divorces, laws reflecting, 194, 223. Doofoons, or villages, 49. Drefs, of the inhabitants, 44. 231. Dye-fluffs, 77, et feq. Earthquakes, 24. 25, Earths, colored, 23. Ears, ceremony of boring, 47. Eating, mode of, 53. Ed/pfes, idea of, 159. Elephants, deftructivc to plantations, 140. Elizabeth, queen, writes a letter to the king of Acheen. Elopements, laws refpecting, 194, 195^ Emblematic prefents, 246. Engano, ifland of, 253. Englijh, firft vifit Sumatra, 35^. Evidence, mode of giving, 190. 200. 207J Eunuchs, 318, z%t\iiiuii\X ,i 11 J 1 ir. • i'." ijdsxfnl • <: " .VlbeurK. 90 •' ' : Fairs, held, 308, 309. Falfe wiine/s, penalty for, 186. Fertility, of foil, 67, 68. Feftivals, 229. 232. I Fetal, account of a remarkable one, 112, 213. Fillagree, manufacture of, 143,- 144, 145, 147. Fire-arms, manufacture of, 277. Fires, mode of kindling, 54, 55. Fiflnng, 1 ci. Flowers, 86, et feq. Fogs, extremely denfe, 12. Food, 56, 57, 58. Fortifications, country, 278. 279. 306. ZV/ Marlborough, chief Englifh fettiement on Sumatra, it's longitude, 3. Eftab- lifhment, 370. FoJJil productions, 21. French, fend a fleet to Acheen, 361. Fruits, 81, et feq. Funeral ceremonies, 250, 251. 310, G. Gaming, laws refpecting, 197. 236. Geinal, or Zeinal, fultan of Pafay, his hiftory, 324, 329. Geography, fkill of the Sumatrans in, ^7. Gold, 21, 135, et feq. 277, 315, Iflands of, 327. Governments, 175, 176, 177, 178. 303.317. Gunpowder, manufacture of, 151,277, H* Heat, of the air, 11. Herbs, and flirubs, ufed medicinally, go, 91, 92. Hill people, fubject to wens, 42. Hollanders Hollanders, vlfit India, and arrive at Acheen, ,,354- 359* Horfes, 93, 279. 297. 299. Human flefh eaten by the people of Batta, 301, I. Jambee, river and kingdom of, 10, 135, 136, 390. James, king, writes a letter to the king of Acheen, 359. Incefl, laws refpecting, 196, 223. Jndalas, or Andeelees, name of Sumatra, Indigo, 77. New fpecies of, 78. Indcrgeree, river and kingdom, 10, 290, 340. Indrapour, river and kingdom, 10, 26, 286. 313. 369. Inhabitants, of Sumatra, general account °f> 34« Inheritance, laws refpecting, 187, 205. Infctfs, lor, 102. Injlruments, of mufic, 159. Intereji, of money, 191. Johor, kingdom of, 354.359. Ippoe, river and diftrict, 26. 287, Iron, 21. 145* Iflands, new "formed, 27. Ivory, 140; K. Ktemo, fhell, of the cockle kind, of extraordinary fize, jo. Koraan, or Alcoran, 189, 252. L. Laloon, diftrict of, 38. Lacfemanna, famous commander of that name, under the kings of Malacca and Bintang, 226. A fecond great man of that name or title, 362. Lakes, 9. Lamattang, diftrict of, 182. Lampoon, country of, it's fituation, 262. Language, Government, Wars, 263. Manners, particular cuftoms, 265, 266. Land, not confidered as fubject of property, 206. New formed, 25. ZWand fea breezes* 15 to 19. Language, 161 to 168.. Laws, 184, et feq. JLaye, river and diflriaof, 27. 38. 185. Leemoon, diftrict of, 135. Lcmba, diftrict of, 38. 177, Leprofy, 154, 155. Longitude, of Fort Marlborough, determined by obfervation, 3. Looms, 148. M. Madagafcar, ifland of, 204. Mahometanifm, period of the Sumatrans converfion to, 280, 281. Mahometans, diftinction of inhabitants, 34. Malacca, city of, on the Malay peninfula, 10. 287. 322, et feq. Malay, language, r 61, et feq. Malays, 34, 35, 36. Diftinct from the original Sumatrans,, 43, 172. Governments of the, 268. 285. Acceptation of the term, 283. Manduta, river and diftrict of, 287. 369. Mankind, firft produced in Sumatra, ^57. 259. Manna, river and diftrict of, 10. 24, 5.2. 66. 204, 20cj. 227. Manfelar, or Maflelar, ifland of, 10. Mantawaye, iflands and people, 27. Marlborough, Fort, 370, Marriage, laws refpecting, 193 et feq. 218, et feq. Feftivals, 229. Meafures, 157. Medicine, art of, 153,154; Medicinal herbs and fhrubs, 90, 9:, oar. Mego, ifland of, 27. 74. Menangcabow, 35. Account of that empire, 268, et feq. Power of the fultan of, 269. Mention of it by old writers, 270. Sultan's titles, 271. Copies of warrant and letter, 272, 273. Ceremo-monies, 275. Arts and manufactures in that country, 276.- Mode of carrying on war, 279. Religion, 280. 284. Origin of the empire, 283. Divided into different fovereignties, .284, Refpect paid to the fultan's relations, 305, Mctempfychofs, 254. Mineral productions, z\, 22. Mijjions. none formed in Sumatra, 260. Moco Moco, river and kingdom of, 11? 287, Monfoo?is, 13,. 14. Moofee, river and diftrict of, 38, 288. Mountains, 8, 9. Much, nature of, 241. Murder, laws refpecting, 189. 208. 210.. Mufic, 159, SO n. Nalaboo, port of, 135. j39. Name, or Sumatra, origin of it difcuffed, 4 to 8. Names, of the people, 248, 249, 250. Natal or Natar, Englifh fettiement there, 279- 291- 37°' Neas, ifland of, 24. 27. 47. 166. 507. O. Oaths, 189. 201, et feq, 309. Oil, earth, 22. Camphire, 123. Coco nut, 149. Benjamin, 149. Oori, river, 38. Ophir, mountain fo called, 2. 8. 9. Opium, practice of fmoking, 239. Effects of it, 240. Oratory, natural to the Sumatrans, 246. Ornaments, worn, 45, 46. Outlawry, laws refpecting, 187. 207. P. Padang, principal Dutch factory, 135. 137, 138. 279. 370. Padanggcochie, river and diftrict, 182. 262. Paddee, or rice, it's cultivation, 59 to 72. Palembang, river and kingdom of, 10. 38. 136. 139 182. 262, 288, 289. 370. Pally, river and diftrict, 2->. 38. PaJ'nx, kingdom of, 29r. 322, et feq. Pajjamman, river and diftrict, 284. 358. Paffummah, countryof, 182. Government, 182, 183. 225. Pedeer, kingdom of, 322, et feq. Peducka king of Acheen, his hiftory, 358, to 364. Peeno, river and diftrict of, 183. Pepper, trade of, 103. Plant, 105. Cultivation, 106, et feq. White pepper, Perfons, of the inhabitants, defcription of, 38. 43. Petrifactions, 23, Pheafant, famous Sumatran, 97. Philippine iflands, cuftoms refembling thofe of Sumatra, 257, et feq. Pine, tree, fpecies of, 26, 129. Piratical adventures, 242. Plantations, of rice, 59, Of pepper, 106, et feq. Poggce, iflands of, 311, Polygamy, 233. Poolo, appellative for an ifland, frajim. A bay fo called, 26. Population, 218,219. 319. Portuguefe, firft make Sumatra known to Europeans, 3. Double the Cape of Good Hope, 322. Hiftory of their connexion and wars with the people of Sumatra, 322, et feq. Priaman, river and diftrict, 362. 369. Q, Queen, government of Acheen devolves to a queen, 366 to 372. R. Racan, river of, 10. 290. 361. Raddeen, prince of Madura, 232. 253. 283. Ramni, name for Sumatra amongft the Arabians, 2. Rapes, laws refpecting, 194, 195, 196. Reaping, feafon and mode of, 65, 66. Rejang, people of, adopted as a ftandard of defcription, 37. Situation of the country, 38. Government, 175, Religious ideas, 252. Religion, 25 , et feq. 309, Reptiles, 99, ico. Refidcnts, Englifh chiefs of fubordinate fettlements fo called, 180. Rice, method of boiling, 57. Cultivation Sec. 59 to 72. Rivers, io, ir, 175. 179. Rock, foft, 22. Coral, 27. Rou or Aru, country of, 290. 337. 340. 342. 346. Rome, for Conftantinople, 275. S. Sago, a vegetable fubftance, 58. Salt, manufacture of, 1 53. Trade in, 307. Saltpetre, 22, 139, 140. Sea, encroachments of the, 26. Approached with reverence by certain of the inland people, 256. Sequeira, Diogo Lopez, firft Portuguefe who vifited Sumatra, 332. Shrubs, and herbs, ufed medicinally, 90, 9X>92- Siak river and kingdom or, 290, 359. Silebar, river and diftrict of, 25, 38, 369. Sileda, gold mine attempted to be worked i n D E X. Sinkell, river, 10, 313. Slaves, 189, 215, 216, 335. Small pox, 155. Snakes, 100, 101. Soil, 19. Fertility of, 6°, 69, ^■^j, 161, 162, 230, 276. Soongey Etam, river and diftrict, 177, 104, 286. Soongey Lamo, river and diftrict, 26, 38, 177, 204, 286. Springs of water, 19, 20. Hot fprings, 22. Sugar, manufacture of, 152. Suits, 186, 199. Sulphur, 22, 139. Sumatra, fituation of, 3. Name, 4 to 8. Inhabitants, 34. Whence peopled, 35. Perfons of the inhabitants defcribed, 38, 39. Their comparative ftate in civil fociety, 169. Character of the native Sumatran, 173. Mankind faid to be firft produced on this ifland, 257, 259. Diogo Lopez Sequeira the firft Portuguefe who vifited it,, 322. Portuguefe finally driven from thence, 340. Superior beings, ideas of, entertained by the Rejangs, 252, 253. Superfluous opinions, 255, et feq. SurJ, 28, to 32. Surface, of the ifland, unevennefs of, 19, 20. Surveys, of pepper plantations made annually, 115. T. Taboqyong, river, 10, 292. Tappanooly, famous bay of, 294. Settlement at, 370. Tabrobanc, Sumatra in the middle ages fo called, 2. Teak, ufeful fpecies of wood, 129. Teeth, praftice of filing and ornamenting them, 46. Theft, laws refpecting, 188, 207. Thunder and lightning, 13, 37» 37r' Tic00, river and diftrict of, 362. Tides, 33. Tigers, account of the ravages of thefe animals, 149. Held in veneration, 255. Time, manner of dividing, ic8. Tin, or calin, 22, 139, 288. Titles, amongft the Sumatrans, 177, 178, 182, 263, 271, 285, 303, 318, 319, 359. Toolang J>ouang, river, 262. Tools, 146. Trade, productions of the ifland confidered as article of, 103. Import trade, 142. Turpentine, or dammar, 128. u. v. Vegetable productions, account of fundry, 75> 76> 77- , , , Veneration of the Sumatrans for the tombs and manes of their anceftors, 254. A^amWdiftemper, 156. Villages, 48, 49. Volcanos, 23, 24. Utenfils, 53, 54. W. War, 279. 306. Water, how conveyed for domeftic ufe, 55. Waterfalls, 9, 10. Water/pout, 12. Weapons, 277. 307. Weaving, 148. Weights, 138. 3T9. Wens, hill people fubject to, 42. Widows, laws refpecting, 193.221, 222. Winds, 13, et feq. Wives, number of, 233. Wood, various fpecies of, 129. Woods, 9. 61, 62. Wounds, penalties for, 190. Writing, characters ufed in, 163. 165. 166. and plate. Y. Tear, mode of eftimating it's period, 158. ERRATA. E R R A T A. P. 8. 1. i. forfuperfces, read fuperficies. 2z. marked" 21, 23. m. n. ior pelrcfactions, read petrifactions, 26, h 14. for /aymo, read Aww. 26. m. n. for Incroachment, read Encroachment* 149. m. n. before thefe animals, read ravages of. 281. I. 6. for Bamtam, read Bantam. 323. I. 27. for Alboqureque, read Alboquerque* 326. marked 226. 341. n. for Conto, read Couto. 309. n. for Bantang Capas, read Batang Capas., \