50(3 Messn. Burton and Ward's Journey into the Batak Country, 



The Batak cliaracters are remarkably simple, very distinct from each 

 other in shape, easily formed, and fully capable, except in a single instance, 

 of expressing every sound that occurs in the language. They are written 

 from left to right like the Sanscrit, horizontally (not in perpendicular 

 columns as some have supposed), and in one continual line, without separat- 

 ing the words. As tliey are undoubtedly of Sanscrit origin, they partake 

 of the nature of that system, each consonant containing an inherent vowel 

 sound in addition to its proper organic sound, by which it has uniformly 

 the power of a distinct pure syllable. 



The manner of reading amongst the Batalcs is a kind of dronish singing, 

 from syllable to syllable, without stops, which renders it difficult to be un- 

 derstood, even by themselves. Mr. Marsden intimates, that one-half oi the 

 Batalcs can read, but we imagine that gentleman must have been misinformed. 

 In the villages around the bay of Tappanooly, containing from two hundred 

 to twelve hundred inhabitants each, we believe that the proportion seldom 

 exceeds one in fifty ; nor is it greater in the district of SiUnchaig. Their 

 books are principally on war, pointing out the most fortunate periods and 

 methods of making a successful attack on their enemies, or for repelling or 

 evading an assault ; on religion, consisting of forms of prayer for particular 

 occasions, describing the articles proper to compose a sacrifice, and the 

 manner of preparing them ; on the vai'ious rites to be attended to at feasts, 

 &c. ; and on medicine, describing diseases, with their causes and remedies. 

 Let it not be supposed, however, that their books contain any regular treatises 

 on these subjects. Such as we have seen arc made up wholly of absurd 

 fables, omens, predictions, prescriptions of charms, &c., without the smallest 

 portion of useful information or moral sentiment. They are said to have a 

 history of the creation, and an account of the origin of their own country : 

 but copies of these books we have not met with. 



Poetry. 



The Bataks have no poetical compositions except pantuns, which in struc- 

 ture and every other quality so much resemble those of the Malays, that a 

 particular description of them is unnecessary. We may obsei-ve, however, 

 that in this primitive mode of preserving the first rude efforts of wit and 

 sentiment amongst the Bataks, the quatrain stanza is uniformly observed. 

 They very seldom commit their pantuns to writing ; but to the lover, to the 

 orator, and to all indeed who are desirous of distinction and popularity, either 



