MR. BROOKE OF SARAWAK. 227 



craft of their own uninstructed chieftains, or those 

 of foreign adventurers who have acquired influence 

 among them. Their conversion to Mahomedanism 

 by a few wandering Arabs has been suffered to go on 

 unchecked by the diffusion of the purer and higher 

 tenets of Christianity, while vast sums and great 

 exertions have been expended almost in vain in 

 regions of far less promise and of far greater diffi- 

 culty. Within the last two years more attention 

 has perhaps been directed to this region, and some 

 interest excited respecting it by the publication of 

 part of Mr. Brooke's Journal in Captain KeppePs 

 narrative of the Voyage of the Dido.* It is not 

 required that I should add my meed of praise to 

 the universal acknowledgment of the energy, enter- 

 prise, and humane and lofty views of Mr. Brooke. 

 One thing well worthy of attention will be shewn 

 by the result of his labours, and that is what can 

 be done with these people when well managed* 

 and governed with any regard to the rules of 

 justice and benevolence. In this direction, more 

 particularly, I believe his example will be highly 

 beneficial. Every one, moreover, at all acquainted 



* The above observations are mostly copied from my journal 

 written before I had seen this work, or, indeed, had heard of 

 Mr. Brooke's establishment at Sarawak. I need hardly add that 

 I was delighted to find the opinion I had previously formed of 

 the character and capabilities of the Malay race so much in ac- 

 cordance with that expressed by one who has had such opportu- 

 nities as that gentleman of forming a correct judgment. 



Q 2 



