VI PREFACE. 



of the Island ; and, in consequence, many 

 of my notes, particularly those on the sub- 

 ject of the languages and superstitions of 

 the various tribes, were left in Borneo, my 

 purpose being to present them to the public, 

 when a longer residence and further in- 

 quiries in the country should have rendered 

 them less unworthy of attention. 



Though thirty months may seem to pro- 

 mise a less meagre and unsatisfactory account 

 than that contained in the pages which 

 follow, it must be recollected, that a great 

 part of that time was spent before I had 

 sufficiently acquired the native languages to 

 trust my remarks on paper, so that these 

 may be considered as but the result of one 

 year's inquiry. 



A further cause of their present imper- 

 fection is the want of time under which I 

 laboured in their preparation for the press, 

 consequent on the necessary arrangements 

 for an early departure for the East. It is 

 with the greatest diffidence I now offer them 

 for the public approval, and crave for them 



