1836.] Quotations from Original Sanscrit Authorities. 71 



Raja, one of the Mantris, are much looked up to by the Malays, with 

 whom their opinions and councils have considerable influence. 



I had an opportunity of hearing a very long improviso speech from 

 the latter of these Malayan Ciceros, at Sdngie Sipat, on the boundary 

 question. His position, unlike that of European orators, was a squat- 

 ting one, on his hams, with the knees pliantly folded in front. The 

 style of his address, like that of the generality of Asiatics, was grave 

 and pompous ; but the flow of his words easy and unbroken, except by 

 a few little attentions bestowed on his betel-pounder ( GobikJ, by which 

 his right-hand was kept in almost continual motion. 



The speech, however, was so long, that the Panghdlu of Rumbdwe 

 was fairly snoring before the customary Ah, bagitu lah ! announced 

 the finale of the effusion. Touching the gift of eloquence, I have 

 observed that the Malays of the interior have generally a better and 

 freer manner of expressing themselves than those of the coast ; the 

 language in which they clothe their sentiments is far more figurative, 

 and full of metaphors, drawn from natural objects, and cannot fail to 

 strike the hearer as highly pleasing and simply poetical. Their popular 

 traditions are seldom put to writing, being committed to memory by 

 some of their elders, and sometimes by old Malay ladies of rank, who 

 are regarded by the simple natives, much in the light of a casket 

 containing a valuable gem. Many of their customs are singular and 

 peculiar, and deserving of more attention than has hitherto been paid 

 them. 



II. — Quotations from Original Sanscrit Authorities in proof and illustration 

 of Mr. Hodgson's Sketch of Buddhism. 



[Continued from page 38.] 



Quotations. 

 The Swdbhdvika Doctrine. 



1 . All things are governed or perfected by Swabhdva* : I too am 

 governed by Swabhdva. (Ashta Sahasrika.) 



2. It is proper for the worshipper at the time of worship to reflect 

 thus : I am Nirliptf, and the object of my worship is Nirlipt ; I am 

 that God (Iswara) to whom 1 address myself. Thus meditating, the 

 worshipper should make puja to all the celestials : for example, to 

 Vajra Satwa Buddha, let him pay his adorations, first, by recollecting 

 that all things with their Vija mantras came from Swabhdva in this or- 



* Swa, own, and ihdva, nature. Idiosyncrasis. 

 f Intact and intangible, independent. 

 L 2 



