40 MALACCA. [chap. hi. 



seventy years ago, strikingly exhibits the change it has 

 undergone : — 



" Malacca is inhabited by the Portuguese and by natives 

 of the country, called Malays. The Portuguese have here 

 a fortress, as at Mozambique, and there is no fortress in 

 all the Indies, after those of Mozambique and Ormuz, 

 where the captains perform their duty better than in this 

 one. This place is the market of all India, of China, of 

 the Moluccas, and of other islands round about, from all 

 which places, as well as from Banda, Java, Sumatra, Siam, 

 Pegu, Bengal, Coromandel, and India, arrive ships, which 

 come and go incessantly, charged with an infinity of 

 merchandises. There would be in this place a much 

 greater number of Portuguese if it were not for the in- 

 convenience, and unhealthiness of the air, which is hurtful 

 not only to strangers, but also to natives of the country. 

 Thence it is that all who live in the country pay tribute 

 of their health, suffering from a certain disease, which 

 makes them lose either their skin or their hair. And 

 those who escape consider it a miracle, which occasions 

 many to leave the country, while the ardent desire of gain 

 induces others to risk their health, and endeavour to 

 endure such an atmosphere. The origin of this town, as 

 the natives say, was very small, only having at the be- 

 ginning, by reason of the unhealthiness of the air, but 

 six or seven fishermen who inhabited it. But the number 



