630 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES IN MALAYSIA AND ASIA, 



or had not had its hands almost always full enough of sore 

 troubles at home, it would have settled its accounts with this 

 wasp's nest ages ago. At length, about 12 years back the matter 

 was taken in hand in earnest, and the Spaniards got a foothold. 

 They could not yet afford to despise their enemies however, who, 

 to do them justice, left nothing untried in the way of treachery and 

 savage warfare to make it hot for the Spaniards. At the time of 

 my visit there was a temporary peace. Then came a disputed 

 succession to the throne of the sultan, and a civil war. The 

 Spaniards profited by the occasion nearly to " wipe out " the Sulu 

 nation, and thus confer a lasting benefit on mankind. 



During my stay at Siilu I had an interview with the sultan 

 and his court, on the occasion of a visit from one of the rajahs of 

 Palawan. He had couie to visit the Spanish governor, and was 

 accorded a public welcome. The peculiar splendour of a Malay 

 court is easy to realise for those who are familiar with the etchings 

 of books of travel in the East, of the last century. Theatrical 

 spectacles and popular illustrations to the " Arabian Nights " 

 will also give an iilea of how silks and satins of rose, blue, and 

 emerald green are mingled with tinsel and embroidery, shawls, 

 scarves, and gems, to produce brilliant effects. His Highness of 

 Sulu on this occasion had gorgeous rose satin tights, and was a mass 

 of shawls round the waist, from which more than one jewelled 

 kris peeped out. His turban was very brilliant, or, if you like, 

 tawdry, and his whole make-up full of startling contrasts of 

 colour. He of Palawan delighted in yellow satin tights, with 

 other appurtenances which it would require a silk mei'cer to 

 describe. Both these potentates were surrounded by a body- 

 guard as varied in colours and as rich in materials as their 

 master.s, and they carried spears, knives and krises in threat- 

 ening attitudes that were most objectionable on a peaceful mission, 

 and calculated to distress timid people. Knowing the natural 

 tendency of these pirates for impulsive assassination, I thought 

 their whole bearing was treacherous and it made me feel uncom- 

 fortable. When they entered the town they were conducted to 

 the central plaza, where chairs were provided, and we all sat in a 



