INTRODUCTION. XV11 



previously tested in a voyage up the Medi- 

 terranean. 



On reaching Singapore, where he stayed 

 nearly two months, Mr. Brooke saw reason 

 to modify his original intention, and to restrict 

 his researches for a time to the north-west 

 coast of Borneo. He learned that Borneo 

 Proper was under the rule of the Rajah Muda 

 Hassim, who was represented to be humane 

 and generous, and well-affected to the Eng- 

 lish. Muda Hassim was then at Sarawak 

 his occasional residence only but at which 

 he was detained by a rebellion in the in- 

 terior. Taking with him such presents as 

 were likely to prove most agreeable to the 

 Rajah, Mr. Brooke stood down the Strait, 

 visited Borneo, and proceeded up the river 

 Sarawak, anchoring abreast of the town of that 

 name on the 15th of August, 1839. He was 

 received by the Rajah with courtesy and 

 kindness, but soon found that the rebellion, 

 of which his host had spoken lightly, was a 

 serious matter, and he had cause to believe that 

 Muda Hassim wished him to stay as an intimi- 

 dation to the rebels. He, however, obtained 



