512 Messrs. Burton and Ward's Journey inlo the Batalc Country. 



adorned with figures of different shapes and colours, are in common use for 

 serving up their food in ; and a species of coarse brown ware unglazed, and 

 in the form of the Indian water-pot, called in Bengal kulsi, is employed 

 for the carriage of water for domestic use. Iron is roughly wrought into 

 choppers, large knives, spear-heads, &c. They receive their matchlocks 

 from Manangkahaxv, but manufacture coarse gunpowder themselves. Pipes 

 of brass and ear-rings of gold are figured by indentation with conside- 

 rable neatness ; they also make ornaments for the wrist and neck, of iron, 

 brass, or sea shells. The workmanship of their houses may be said to be 

 that of good strong carpentry, affecting ornament in some instances. With 

 so few luxuries or refinements, and with so much assistance from the oppo- 

 site sex and the liberal hand of nature, it will be readily inferred that the 

 men lead a life of extreme inactivity. It seemed to us, indeed, a matter 

 of some astonishment, that such an appearance of civil order should be 

 maintained, with so much leisure for the operation of the evil propensities 

 of human nature. 



Government. 



Exclusively of the general profession of deference to the ancient sove- 

 reigns of Manangkabaie, the BataJcs acknowledge tlie supremacy of a single 

 chief, whoso residence is at the north-west extremity of the great lake of 

 Toba. His authority, however, is merely nominal and imaginary, founded 

 on the basis of superstition and deception. So far as we have been able to 

 ascertain, he maintains no distinct appearance of superior civil or military 

 power, and depends for all his resources upon the voluntary contributions 

 and offerings of his subjects, wiio regarding him as " bartuuah," or in- 

 vested with supernatiual power, comply with his requisitions, in proportion 

 to the degree in which they are influenced by this opinion. He interferes 

 in no civil affairs, but appoints vaHfs or representatives, to reside in various 

 parts of the gurrounding districts, who being themselves cliiefs of villages, 

 acquire thus a slight accession to their ovm independent power. There 

 were four of these VakUs in the district of SiUndung, whom it seemed in 

 some degree necessary to consult in every measure affecting the general 

 welfare of the district : but they were not distinguishable by any badge of 

 office, or by the personal respect of private individuals. The principal of 

 them had mingled with the crowd in the market on our arrival, offering for 

 sale a piece of cloth the produce of his own famih'. Personal qualifications 



