PROBABLE RESTORATION OF BORNEO. 105 



these people being selected from the other Mahometans, 

 since they are those with which the English have had 

 the greatest communication, and whose habits they have 

 in consequence had the best opportunities of observing. 



It is certain that none of the Mahometan kingdoms 

 of the island possess at present so much influence, or 

 such extensive territories, as during the flourishing 

 periods of their history, the first and second cen- 

 turies after their conversion to Islamism. The power 

 of Pontianak, the pet settlement of the Dutch, is con- 

 siderable, but its sultan is a mere puppet in the hands 

 of that nation. Had the talented rajahs of Borneo, 

 who, in the beginning of last year, fell a sacrifice to 

 their patriotic exertions for the rescue of their country 

 from its fallen state, been spared, we might have hoped 

 to have seen it soon restored in some measure to its 

 ancient power and consideration; but as if Providence 

 had ordained that it should not be at this time 

 renovated, every one of the royal family possessing 

 the least good sense, principle, or talent, fell a sacrifice 

 to the cruelty of the most ignorant and brutal of 

 princes that ever disgraced even an eastern throne. 



Some hope, however, yet remains for Borneo, from 

 the family of the murdered rajah, Mudah Hassim ; his 

 sons, though still young, showing indications of a high 

 order of intelligence ; and as they are residing at 

 Sarawak, where the European missionaries will shortly 

 be established, it is to be hoped that these gentlemen 

 will have opportunities, and be successful, in instilling 

 into their minds such principles as will hereafter 



