ch. viii.] The Istana. 163 



largely carried on ; and on one of the little islands is a 

 primitive foundry where gongs, brass guns, cooking-pots, 

 betel boxes, &c, are cast. Some of these articles are 

 ornamented with well-designed figures in relief, and 

 would not be any disgrace to a European manufacturer. 

 The models and methods of casting are singularly like 

 those of our own artizans. I visited one rude armourer's 

 shop, and much admired the exquisite finish of some 

 weapons he had made. The peculiar long swivel guns 

 or small cannon cast here are now rarely used, except as 

 currency, being valued at about thirty dollars per cwt. 

 In the good old times slaves could be purchased here at 

 thirty dollars, or a picul of gun-metal each ; but at the 

 present time the Malays complain of the low purchasing 

 power of money — i.e. of brass guns — just as do most 

 people nearer home. 



The Sultan's palace or Istana, like nearly all the other 

 dwellings here, is built on piles over the water, and is a 

 shabby, tumble-down looking establishment. In front is 

 a large audience chamber, containing a few old gilt framed 

 mirrors and silvered globes, and there are, on occasion, a 

 round table and a few rickety chairs. The Sultan himself 

 is now an old man, over eight} 7 , and so avaricious that he 

 will do anything for the sake of a few dollars. 



The Government here is corrupt, and, indeed, but 

 little more than nominal ; and if his people of the out- 

 lying districts refuse to pay tribute, or to obey his man- 

 dates, he has no means of enforcing his demands. He 

 has a good many wives, and female slaves or concubines, 

 but no children. I visited the palace in company with 

 Mr. Peter Veitch and Inche Mahomed, the British 

 Consular agent at this port. We were honoured with 

 an audience by His Highness. His two nephews, Pan- 

 geran Matassan and Pangeran Anak Bazar, were present, 



M 2 



