SINGULAR DECORATION. 83 



person we observed here, was that of covering 

 the front teeth with plates of silver ; when the 

 gleam of the polished metal, displayed within the 

 parted lips, added to the natural ferocity of the 

 Malayan features, produced an extraordinary 

 and almost diabolical effect. We noticed that but 

 few of the natives, and those only men, assumed 

 this decoration; and I was informed, that it 

 is an order of military merit, conferred by the 

 rajah upon those of his warriors who had dis- 

 tinguished themselves in the field. 



The diet of this race is exceedingly frugal. 

 Maize and rice, together with some coarser ve- 

 getables, constitute their ordinary sustenance ; 

 and spring-water, or toddy, obtained from the 

 Palmyra and cocoa-nut palms, are almost then* 

 only drink. Although they have easy access 

 to arrack, the vice of intoxication is scarcely 

 known to exist amongst them. Notwithstand- 

 ing, however, the extreme simplicity of their 

 own meals, we found them accomplished cooks, 

 when catering for Europeans. On several oc- 

 casions, when we were entertained at the re- 

 sidence of Don Simou, the ceremonies of Eu- 

 ropean etiquette which were preserved, the com- 

 plete, and even refined style in which the 

 table was laid, the (excellence and profusion of 

 the dishes and liquors, together with the se- 



G2 



