MALAY IDEAS OF GREATNESS. 457 



over in tlie most extravagant fasliion. Tlie civil offi- 

 cers present a similar gaudy display in silver. Tlie 

 object of all this is to impress tlie natives A^dtli a higli 

 idea of the wealth and power of the Dutch Govern- 

 ment, and of the gi'eat dignity of those who are 

 honored by being selected to administer it ; and 

 exactly these ideas are conveyed to the minds of the 

 natives by such displays. Their own rajahs and 

 princes never appear in public without making the 

 most dazzling show possible ; and the mass of the 

 people, therefore, have come to think that their rulers 

 mut be weak and poor, and even more worthy of 

 their contempt than their respect, if they do not 

 make a most imposing appearance on all great 

 occasions. 



