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our author defcribes, has fallen within his own immediate obfervation; the remainder is either matter of common notoriety to every perfon refiding on the island, or received upon the concurring authority of gentlemen, whofe fituation in the Eaft India Company's fervice, extenfive knowledge of the language, long acquaintance with the natives, and refpectability of character, render them worthy of the utmost credit.

We fhall endeavour to give our readers a general idea of the method Mr. Marfden has pursued in this elaborate work; which is judiciously arranged under a variety of heads, though they are not numbered as books, chapters, or fections: this, we confefs, does not firike us as any mprovement in the art of book-making; and it is, indeed, the lefs excufable, as no table of contents is prefixed to the volume.

Our author, in what we fhall call his firft divifion, fets out with observing, that, notwithstanding fome obfcure, and contradictory paffages in Ptolemy and Pliny, Sumatra was unknown to the ancient Greek and Roman geographers, whofe difcoveries, or rather conjectures, extended no farther than Ceylon, which was probably their Taprobane, though this name, during the middle ages, was uniformly applied to Sumatra. The idea of this ifland's being the country of Ophri, whither Solomon fent his fleets, he confiders as too vague to merit difcuffion; and though there is in Sumatra a mountain called Ophir, this name has been given to it by Europeans in modern days. He then proceeds to defcribe the fituation of Sumatra; which, he fays, is the most western of the Sunda Islands, and conftitutes, on that fide, the boundary of the eastern Archipelago. The general direction of this ifland is nearly north-weft and fouth-east. The equator bifects it in almoft equal parts; one extremity being in 5 degrees 33 minutes north, and the other in 5 degrees 56 minutes fouth latitude. Fort Marlborough, or Oojong Carrang

in 3 degrees 46 minutes fouth latitude, (the only point where the longitude has been determined by actual obfervation) is found to lie 102 degrees east of Greenwich. Sumatra lies expofed on the fouth-weft fide to the great Indian Ocean; the north point ftretches into the Bay of Bengal: it is divided from the Peninfula of Malayo by the Straits of Malacca, to the north-eaft; from the Ifland of Banca, by the Straits of that name, to the eaft; by the commencement of what are called the Chinese Seas, to the fouth-eaft; and it is bounded on the fouth by the Straits of Sunda, which feparate it from the Ifland of Java. Sumatra is one of the largest islands in the world; but it's breadth is determined with fo little accuracy, that any attempt to calculate it's fuperficies must be liable to very confiderable error. Like Great Britain, it is broadeft at the fouthern extremity, narrowing gradually to the north; and to this ifland it is perhaps in fize more nearly allied than in fhape. The remainder of this firft divifion is employed in a general defcription of the country, it's mountains, lakes and rivers; air, and meteors; monfoons, and land and feabreezes; minerals and foffils, volcanoes, earthquakes, furfs, and tides.

Having thus exhibited a general view of the island, our author, in his fecond divifion, diftinguishes the different inhabitants, under five several claffes; viz. the Malays, or natives of the empire of Manancabow, the Achenefe, the Battas, the Rejangs, and the Lampoons. From thefe he felects the Rejangs for general defcriptions, though a nation of but fmall account in the political sense of the island; as well because their form of government and laws extend with very little variation over a confiderable part of the island, and principally where the connections of the English lie; as because they have a proper language, and a perfect written character, which is become of general ufe in many remote districts: to which our author adds, that his

own

own fituation and connections on the Power of the Chiefs among the Reisland, led him to a more intimate jangs-Influence of the Europeansand minute acquaintance with their Government in Paffummah-Laws laws and manners, than with thofe of and Customs-Mode of deciding any other class. It is, however, Caufes-Code of Laws-Remarks on, thought neceffary to be premifed, and Elucidation of, the various Laws that as the customs of the Malays and Cuftoms-Modes of Pleadinghave made their way, in a greater or Nature of Evidence-Oaths-Inherileffer degree, to every part of Suma- tance-Outlawry-Theft-Murder, tra, he cannot poffibly difcriminate, and Compenfation for it-Account of with entire accuracy, thofe which are a Feud-Debts-Slavery-Modes of original from thofe which have been Marriage, and Cuftoms relative thereborrowed; and, of courfe, what is to-Festivals-Polygamy-Custom faid of the Rejangs will for the most of chewing Betel-Emblematic Prepart apply not only to the Sumatrans fents-Oratory-Children-Names in general, but may fometimes, in ftrictnefs, be proper to the Malays alone, having perhaps been taught by them to the higher ranks of country people.

After fixing this general ftandard, Mr. Marfden enters on a defcription of the perfons and complexions of the inhabitants, their cloathing and ornaments; and, in this and the fucceeding divifions of his work, gives us the following articles. Agriculture-the Cultivation of Rice-Plantations of Coco, Betel-nut, and other Trees, for domeftic ufe-Indigo, and other Articles for Dyeing-Fruits, Flowers, Medicinal Shrubs and Herbs -Beafts, Birds, Reptiles, InfectsProductions confidered as Articles of Commerce-Pepper Trade, with the Cultivation of Pepper; Camphire, Benjamin, Caffia, Rattans, Cotton, Betel-nut, Coffee, Turpentine, Gum, Ebony, Saffafras, Spruce Pine, Sandal-wood, Eagle or Aloes-wood, a Tree called Teak, Manchineel, Ironwood, Banyan-tree; Gold, Tin, and other Metals; Bees Wax, Ivory, and Birds Nefts-Import Trade-Arts, and Manufactures-Art of Medicine -Sciences-Arithmetic, Geography, Aftronomy, Mufic-Malay Language-Arabic Character ufed-Languages of the interior People-Peculiar characters-Specimens of Languages and of Alphabets-Comparative state of the Sumatrans in civil Society-Difference of character between the Malay and other Inhabitants-Government-Titles and

Circumcifion-Funerals

Country of Lampoon and it's Inhabitants-Language-Government

Wars-Peculiar Cuftoms-Religion

Malay Governments-Empire of
Menangcabow-Extent of the Sul-
tan's ancient and prefent Power, with
his Titles-Literature and Arts a-
mongst the People-Period of Con-
verfion to Mahometanifm-General
acceptation of the word Malay-Con-
ftitution of their States; Bencoolen,
Indrapour, Anac Soongay, Palem-
bag, Jambee, &c.-
-The country

of Batta, and it's Productions-The
Inhabitants-Account of their Man-
ners, Government, and fome extra-
ordinary Cuftoms-Kingdom of
Acheen, with the prefent State of it's
Commerce-Air and Soil-Inhabi-
tants-
Government- Revenues
Modes of punishing Criminals
Hiftory of the Kingdom of Acheen,
and the Countries adjacent, from the
Period of their Difcovery by Euro-
peans-Conclufion.

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From this copious affemblage of interefting articles, we shall select a few of the moft curious, as fpecimens of our author's manner

The fairness of the Sumatrans, comparatively with other Indians, 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 colour in the various inhabitants of the earth, is not the immediate effect of climate. The children of Europeans born in this

ifland,

ifland, 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 question which naturally connects with thefe obfervations; 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 diftempers, which almost all are fubject to in a greater or lefs degree, than of their expofure to the influence of the weather, which few but feafaring people are liable to, and of which the impreffion is feldom permanent. From this circumftance I have been led to conjecture, that the general disparity of complexions in different nations, might pofibly be owing to the more or lefs copious fecretion, or redundance of that juice, rendering the skin more or lefs dark according to the qualities of the bile prevailing in the conftitutions of each, But I fear fuch an hypothefis would not ftand the teft of experiment, as it must follow that, upon diffection, the contents of the negro's gallbladder, or at leaft the extravafated bile,fhould uniformly be found black. Perfons skilled in anatomy will determine whether it is poffible that the. qualities of any animal fecretion can fo far affect the frame, as to render their confequences liable to be tranfmitted to pofterity in their full force.

The natives of the hills through the whole extent of the island, are fubject to thofe monftrous wens from the throat, which have been obferved of the Valiais, and the inhabitants of other mountainous diftri&ts in Europe. It has been usual to attribute this affection, to the badnefs, thawed state, mineral quality, or other peculiarity of the waters; many skilful men hav

ing applied themfelves to the investigation of the fubject. My experience enables me to pronounce without hefitation, that the diforder, for fuch it is, though it appears here to mark a diftin&t race of people, (orong goonong) is immediately connected with the hillinefs of the country, and of course, if the circumftances of the water they ufe contribute, it must be only fo far as the nature of that water is affected by the inequality or height of the land.` Buton Sumatra neither fnow nor other congelation is ever produced, which militates against the most plaufible conjecture that has been adopted concerning the Alpine Goiters. 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 valljes between the high mountains, where, and not on the fummits, the natives of these parts refide. I before remarked, that between the ranges of hills, the caboot or denfe mist, was vifible for feveral hours every morning; rifing in a thick, opake, and well defined body, with the fun, and feldom quite difperfed till after noon. This phænomenon, as well as that of the wens, being peculiar to the regions of the hills, affords a prefumption that they may be connected; exclufiye of the natural probability, that a cold vapour, grofs to an uncommon degree, and continually enveloping the habitations, fhould 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 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 distemper with what I have pointed out. The Sumatrans do not appear to attempt any remedy for it, the wens being confiftent with the highest health in other respects.

I cannot avoid mentioning a tree which though of no use, and not pecu

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liar to the island, deferves, for it's extreme fingularity, that it should not be paffed over in filence. I mean that which is by the English in the weft of India, termed the banyan-tree; by the Portuguese, arbor de raiis, and by the Malays called jawee jawee. It poffeffes the uncommon property of drop ping roots or fibres from certain parts of it's boughs, which, when they touch the earth, become new ftems, and go on encreafing to fuch an extent, that fome have measured, in circumfe rence of the branches, upwards of a thoufand feet, and have been faid to afford fhelter to a troop of horfe*. These fibres, that look like ropes at tached to the branches, when they meet with any obftruction in their defcent, conform themfelves to the fhape of the refifting body, and thus occafion many curious metamorpho fes. I recollect feeing them ftand in the perfect shape 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 diftiller's tub; there exhibiting the view of a tree turned inside out, the branches pointting to the center, inftead of growing from it. It is not more extraordinary in it's manner of growth, than whimsical and fantastic in it's choice of fituations. From the fide of a wall, or the top of a house, it seems to Spring spontaneous. Even from the fmooth periphery of a wooden pillar, turned and painted, I have feen it fhoot forth as if the vegetative juices of the feafoned timber had renewed their circulation, and begun to produce leaves afresh. I have feen it flourish in the center of a hollow tree, of a very different fpecies, which however still retained it's verdure, it's branches encompaffing thofe of the jawee jawie, whilft it's decayed

trunk enclofed the ftem, which was vifible, at interftices, from nearly the level of the plain on which they crew. This, in truth, appeared fo ftriking a curiofity, that I have often repaired to the fpot, to contemplate the hngularity of it. How the feed, from which it is produced, happens to occupy ftations feemingly fo unnatural, is not eafily determined. Som hare imagined the berries carried thither by the wind; and others, wity are appearance of truth, by the birds; which, cleaning their bills where they light, or attempt to light, leave, in thofe places, the feeds, adhering by the viscous matter which furrounds them. However this be, the jawee jawee, without earth or water, deriving from the genial atmosphere it's principle of nourishment, proves, in it's encreasing growth, highly deftructive to the building that har bours it. The fibrous roots, which at firft are 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 itself along the outfide, and to an extraordinary length, bearing, not unfrequently, 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 we may term them fuch, occupied at least one hundred; forming, by their clofe combination, the appearance of a ve nerable gothic pillar. It flood near the plains of Crocup, but like other monuments of antiquity, it had it's

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 fhadow 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.

VOL. III.

E

period

period of existence, and is now no

more.'

We shall conclude our extracts from this valuable work, with Mr. Marfden's confirmation of the real exiftence of that favage cuftom of eating human flesh, the truth of which has been fo often difputed.

• Many old writers had furnished the world with accounts of anthropo phagi, or man-eaters, and their relations, true or falfe, were, in thofe days, when people were addicted to the marvellous, univerfally credited. In the fucceeding age, when a more fceptical and fcrutinizing fpirit prevailed, feveral of thefe afferted facts were found, upon fubfequent examination, to be false; and men, from a biafs inherent in our nature, ran into the oppofite extreme. It then became eftablished as a philofophical truth, capable almoft of demonftration, that no fuch race of people ever did, or could exist. But the varieties, inconfiftencies, and contradictions of human manners, are fo numerous and glaring, that it is scarce 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 other of them have not given into. The voyages of our late famous circumnavigators, the authenticity of whofe affertions is unimpeachable, have already proved to the world, that human flesh is eaten by the favages of New Zealand; and I can, with equal confidence, though not with equal weight of authority, affure the

public, that it is also, at this day, eaten on the Island of Sumatra, by the Batta people; and by them only. Whether or not the horrible custom prevailed more extenfively, in ancient times, I cannot take upon me to afcertain; but the fame old historians, who mention it as practifed by the Battas, and whofe accounts were undefervedly looked upon as fabulous, relate it also of many others of the eastern people; and of the Island of Java in particular; who, fince that period, may have become more humanized*.

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They do not eat human flesh, as a means of fatisfying the cravings of nature, owing to a deficiency of other food; nor is it fought after as a gluttonous delicacy, as it would feem among the New Zealanders. The Battas eat it as a fpecies of ceremony; as a mode of fhewing their deteftation of crimes, by an ignominious punishment, and as a horrid indication of revenge and infult to their unfortunate enemies. The objects of this barbarous repaft, are the prisoners. taken in war, and offenders 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 customary 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

‹ * Mention is made of the Battas and their customs, by the following writers. Nicoli di Conti 1449. Ramufio. "The Sumatrans are Gentiles. The people of Batach eat human flesh, and use the fkulls of their enemies inftead of money, and he is accounted the greatest man who has the most of thefe in his houfe.". -Odoardus Barbofa. 1519. Ramufio." In Aru (which is contiguous to "Batta) they eat human flesh."-Mendez Pinto, in 1539, was fent on an embaffy to the king of the Battas.Beaulieu, 1622. "Inland people independent, and fpeak a language different from the Malayan. Idolaters, and eat human flesh. Never ransom prisoners, but eat them with pepper and falt. Have no religion, but fome polity."- -De Barros, 1558. The Gentiles retreated from the Malays to the interior parts of the island. Those who live in that part oppofite to Malacca, are called Battas. They eat human flesh, and are the most savage and warlike people of the island. Those which inhabit to the fouth are called Sotumas, and are more civilized."Cap\tain Hamilton. "The inhabitants of Delly (on a river which runs from the Batta country) are faid to be cannibals."- -Vartomanus, in 1504, writes, that the Javans were man-eaters, before that traffic was had with them by Chinese, which the people faid was no more than an hundred years. The fame cuftom has been attributed to the Guess, inland of Cambodia, and also to the inhabitants of the Carnicobar islands."

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