242 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. [1697. 



I have seen and observ'd a Imndred times, in spite of my 

 former Prejudice : 'Tis computed there are forty Thousand^ 

 Chincses in the whole IsL'ind. They pay a Crown a Head 

 per Month as a Tribute to the Coivimny, and those who have 

 a mind to wear one or more Gold Bodkins in their Hair, 

 pay moreover a Crown for each Bodkin. Policy obliges the 

 Company to afford them divers Honours, and to grant them 

 great Privileges. They have a Head who has a place in the 

 Council, and a right to Vote, where any Person of their 

 Nation is to be try'd for his Life : And 'tis not without great 

 reason they are thus distinguish'd, since without them, 

 the City of Batavia would not be worth half what it is. 

 They are not less Laborious, Industrious, and adroit- in 

 Commerce, than ingenious, and of a prudent and peaceable 

 Temper. They observe much upright Dealing among them- 

 selves, but play tricks with Strangers, and cheat them 

 without scruple whenever it lies in their way. They Game 

 exceedingly, and do it with so equal a Countenance that you 

 can't tell wlien they win and when they lose. The good 

 understanding they have with one another, can never be 

 enough commended nor admir'd : They look upon each other 

 as Brothers, and never suffer any Quarrels or Differences 

 that may arise between them to last long. Mediators soon 

 interpose, and all Matters are quickly reconcil'd. Where 

 any one happens to lose what he has by Shipwreck, or other 



1 " The number of the Chinese, who live both within and without the 

 walls of the city, cannot be determined with precision ; but it must be 

 very considerable, as the Company receive a poll-tax from them of more 

 than forty thousand rix dollars. Every Chinese who has a profession 

 is obliged to pay a monthly poll-tax of half a ducatoon" (a ducatoon = 

 six shillings). (Stavorinus, I. c, vol. i, p. 268.) 



'^ " Like the Jews in Europe, they are very cunning in trade, both in the 

 largest dealings and in the most trifling pedlery. They are so desirous 

 of money, that a Chinese will run three times from one end of the city 

 to the other, if he have but the prospect of gaining one penny. In 

 doing any business with them, the greatest care must be taken, to avoid 

 being cheated." (Stavorinus, I. c, vol. i, p. 268.) 



