ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

S U M A T R A . j 7 3
thufiafm, which enables them to perform deeds of incredible defperation .
but they are ftrangers to that fteady magnanimity, that cool heroic refolution
in battle, which constitutes 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 fentence of death, in cafes
where no indignant paffions could operate to buoy up the mind to a contempt
of punifhment, with aftonifhing compofure and indifference ; uttering
little more on thefe occanons, than a proverbial faying, common
among them, expreflive of the inevitability of fate—" apo boolee hoat" ?
To this ftoicifm, their belief in predeftination, and very impcrfeö: 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 infiduous, blood-thirfty and rapacious
as the latter.. Thus the Arab is faid to referable his camel, and
the placid Gentoo his cow.
The original Sumatran, though he partakes in fome degree of the
Malay vices, and partly from the contagion of example, pofleffes many
exclufive virtues ; but they are more properly of 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 refentments.
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 lor a flranger,
whom perhaps- they never faw before, nor ever expect to fee again, they
* In the hifWy of the Portuguefe wars in this part of the eaft; there appears fome exception •
•to this remark, .and particularly in the character of Lacf$mannat who was truly a great mar».
and raoft coiuummate warrior.
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