368 JOURNAL OF A VISIT 



the cost of a large ship of war, which when we had 

 given some large amount, at a venture he said, all 

 his country, if it were sold, would not produce. We 

 had been with him two hours, answering such ques- 

 tions, when Williamson rose to go ; but the old gentle- 

 man pressed us to stay. Williamson, however, said 

 he would call again, and so we departed. 



Williamson is anxious to be home; as, in Mr. 

 Brooke's absence from Sarawak (at Singapore) he is 

 very much wanted. I was very much pleased with this 

 man's intelligence and anxiety for information; and 

 think that if Mr. Brooke and he can once thoroughly 

 understand each, the character of the other, that the 

 present good understanding existing between them will 

 be strengthened. On account of his leg, he cannot 

 bear the motion of his boat at sea, or he says that 

 he would go to Sarawak. At present, Mr. Brooke has 

 too much to do to think of coming here. 



The Patingi has no legitimate children to succeed 

 him: those of his relatives who are with him, are 

 either too little liked, or not possessed of sufficient 

 energy or talent to acquire the necessary authority to 

 become the chief of this trading community. Should 

 his life terminate before a successor springs up 

 amongst his nephews and adopted children, this 

 settlement will, probably, be split by factions, and, 

 in a great measure, broken up. If such be the case, 

 many of the families will immediately emigrate to 

 Sarawak, where the government is more liberal and 

 secure. 



