CHAP. XL.] IN THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO. 447 



Of the intellect of this race it is very difficult to judge, 

 but I am inclined to rate it somewhat higher than that of 

 the Malays, notwithstanding the fact that the Papuans 

 have never yet made any advance towards civilization. It 

 must be remembered, however, that for centuries the 

 Malays have been influenced by Hindoo, Chinese, and 

 Arabic immigration, whereas the Papuan race has only 

 been subjected to the very partial and local influence of 

 Malay traders. The Papuan has much more vital energ}^, 

 which would certainly greatly assist his intellectual deve- 

 lopment. Papuan slaves show no inferiority of intellect 

 compared with Malays, but rather the contrary ; and in tlie 

 Moluccas they are often promoted to places of considerable 

 trust. The Papuan has a greater feeling for art than the 

 Malay. He decorates his canoe, Ids house, and almost 

 every domestic utensil with elaborate carving, a habit 

 which is rarely found among tribes of the Malay race. 



In the affections and moral sentiments, on the other 

 hand, the Papuans seem very deficient. In the treatment 

 of their children they are often violent and cruel ; whereas 

 the Malays are almost invariably kind and gentle, hardly 

 ever interfering at all with their children's pursuits and 

 amusements, and giving them perfect liberty at whatever 

 age they wish to claim it. But these very peaceful rela- 

 tions between parents and children are no doubt, in a great 

 measure, due to the listless aiid apathetic character of the 



