ÖÖI 8x 3 ^c- 0 - Acehbooks.org

Ï74 S U M A T R A:
are rarely guilty of that extravagance for themfelves; nor even at their
feftivals (l>imhang) 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
considerable degree of penetration and fagacity. In refpect to women,
they are remarkably continent, without any fhare of infenfibility. They
are modeft ; particularly guarded in their expreffions ; 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 ftrangers, which they efteem no moral defect; fufpicious ;
•regardlefs of truth,* mean in-their tranfactions • 'fervile; though cleanly
in their perfons, dirty in their apparel which they never wafh. They are
carelefs and improvident of the future, becaufe their wants are few, for
though poor, they are not neceffitous; 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 polifhed focieties become neceffaries of life, are totally
unknown to them.*
Government. Having endeavoured to trace the character of thefe people, with as
much fidelity and accuracy as pofiible, 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 develope
the various circumftances in fuch order and connexion, as fhall
* The people from Macajfar and Bttgguefs who come annually in their praixit to trade at Su-
,matra, are looked up to by the inhabitants, as their fuperiors in manners. The Malays affeft to
copy their ftyle of drefs, and frequent allufions to the feats and atehievements of thefe peo-
,ple arc made in their fongs. Their reputation for courage, which certainly furpaffes that of all
other people in the eaftern feas, acquires them this flattering diflinftion. They alfo derive par'
of the refpeft paid them, from the richnefs of the cargoes they import, and the fpirit with which
they fpend the produce in gaming, cock-fighting, and opium fmoakirg.
appear