ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

v7z i Ü M A T R A.
modes can have but Kttle intrinfic merit which we are fo ready to change J.
or' at leaf! 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 fhould take place, owing to the total incongruity
of manners in other refpects, and the diffimilarity of natural and
local circumftances. But perhaps I am fuperfluoufly inveftigating minute
and partial caufes of an effect:, which one general one may be thought
fufficient 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 phyfical
caufes..
Difference in The Malay and native Sumatran differ more in the features of their
charaaer be- jnind tnan. m thofe of their perfon. Although we know not that this
tween the Ma- r °
lays and other Ifland, in the revolutions of human grandeur ever made a diftinguiflied
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 ju(11 y their ferocious fpirit of plunder on - the eafterh'
coaft, may have drawn upon them that name. They feem rather to >
be finking into obfcurity, 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 commiffion of mean and fraudulent actions.
They poffefs much low cunning and plaufible duplicity, and know how
to diflemble the ftrongeft paflions and mod inveterate antipathy, beneath
the utmoft compofure of features, till the opportunity of gratifying
their tefentment offers.. Veracity,-gratitude, and integrity are not to
be found in the lift of their virtues, and their minds are almoft totally
Grangers to the fentiments of honor and infamy. They are jealous and
vindictive. Their courage is defultory, the effed of a momentary enthufiafm*