MODEEN HISTORY OE PEESENT STATE OF ALL NATIONS. 135 



The town of Malacca is healthful, considering the climate, and 

 is neither subject to the hot winds of the Coast of Coromandel, or 

 those chilling ones in Sumatra. It is not a place of any great trade 

 at this day ; but as the Dutch are masters of the Streights of Sunda 

 to the South of Sumatra, and this town gives them the command 

 of the Streights which bear the name of Malacca to the North, 

 while they are in possession of this place they have in a manner 

 the trade of China and Japon in their hands, and can exclude any 

 other nation from it they happen to be at war with. Indeed ships 

 may pass the Streights of Malacca without coming within reach 

 of the guns from their fort; but then they have guardships ready 

 to intercept their enemies; and they continually make the Por- 

 tuguese pay toll for every ship that passes by at this day, as the 

 Portuguese formerly served them. And it is observed, this town is 

 naturally so strong, that the Dutch could never have taken it, if 

 the Portuguese had not been frightened out of it. 



Collier's Dictionary, 



Second Edition 1688. 



Malacca. A town of Asia, in the Peninsula of the Indus on 

 the other side of the Ganges, called formerly the Golden Cherson- 

 nese. It has the kingdom of Siam to the North and is everywhere 

 else surrounded with the ocean. Heylin says it is 270 English 

 miles in length, of a disproportionable breadth, extream hot, and,, 

 though neither populous nor fruitful, yet very rich by its commerce 

 with all nations. In 1500 the King of Siam, from whom Malacca 

 revolted, endeavoured to reduce it with 200 ships, 3000 men, and 

 400 elephants, but in vain. The Aire of it is unwhilesome, but the 

 conveniency of the Harbour, and the great trade makes it famous, 

 not only in the Indies but even in Europe. 



The country and town of Malacca belonged to the king of Ihor. 

 The duke of Albuquerque conquered it for the Portuguese, who built 

 a fort there and made it an episcopal see; but the Hollanders took 

 it after 6 months seige in 1640. The town of Malacca is situate 

 upon the Streights which separate the firm land from the Isle 

 Sumatra. It rains twice or thrice a week here, all the year over, 

 except in the months of January, February, and March. The air 

 is very good and agrees very well with strangers, though the Por- 

 tuguese published the contrary, to hinder other nations from set- 

 tling there. 



Mandesto, Olearius, Linchot'ns voyage to the Indies. Maginen^ 

 Geogr. 



Malaises. A people in the kingdom of Malacca, in the 

 Peninsula of Indus, beyond the Gulf of Bengala. A great number 

 have settled themselves in the kingdom of Siam. They are Maho- 

 metans; but there is some difference between their religion and 

 that of the Turks and Persians. They are good soldiers and great 

 robbers. 



R. A. Soc, No. 82, 1920. 



