] 46 BORNEO-THE DYAKS. [chap. vi. 



Sarawak solely by the goodwill of the native inhabitants. 

 He had to deal with two races, one of whom, the 

 Mahometan Malays, looked upon the other race, the 

 Dyaks, as savages and slaves, only fit to be robbed and 

 plundered. He has effectually protected the Dyaks, and 

 has invariably treated them as, in his sight, equal to the 

 Malays ; and yet he has secured the affection and good- 

 will of both. Notwithstanding the religious prejudices 

 of Mahometans, he has induced them to modify many of 

 their worst laws and customs, and to assimilate their 

 criminal code to that of the civilized world. That his 

 government still continues, after twenty-seven years — 

 notwithstanding his frequent absences from ill-health, 

 notwithstanding conspiracies of Malay chiefs, and insur- 

 rections of Chinese "old-diners, all of which have been 

 overcome by the support of the native population, and 

 notwithstanding financial, political, and domestic troubles 

 — is due, I believe, solely to the many admirable qualities 

 which Sir James Brooke possessed, and especially to his 

 having convinced the native population, by every action 

 of his life, that he ruled them, not for his own advantage, 

 but for their good. 



Since these lines were written, his noble spirit has 

 passed away. But though, by those who knew him not, 

 he may be sneered at as an enthusiast adventurer, or 

 abused as a hard-hearted despot, the universal testimony 



