372 



MALAY RAJAHS. 



humoured people. On our stopping at one shop 

 door, to see two stout old gentlemen eating riee with 

 chop-sticks, they invited us in with much urbanity, 

 and went on with their meal, appearing much 

 amused at our curiosity. On a rising ground, at 

 the back of the town, were a number of Chinese 

 tombs, under the shade of some large tamarind- 

 trees, cut in the side of the hill, having a flat 

 smooth space surrounded by a low wall, in a horse- 

 shoe form, with a Chinese inscription in the centre, 

 precisely as described by travellers in China. 



The Dutch houses were of the form generally 

 adopted by that nation in the cast, the principal 

 room being a lofty hall occupying all the centre of 

 the house, floored with large diamond-shaped red 

 tiles. While sitting in the hall of Mr. Tiehnan, 

 two Malay Rajahs, or petty chiefs of the district, 

 came in, and I was much interested in seeing their 

 polite and ceremonious manners. Each was fol- 

 lowed by two or three attendants, one of whom bore 

 a large gold-headed cane, on which the arms of the 

 Dutch Government were en°Taved, being his staff 

 of office, as recognised by the authorities. Thev 

 were dressed in flowered chintz of gay patterns, and 

 on meeting, saluted each other and Mr. Tielman 

 with much grace and good breeding, offering each 

 other chairs with a wave of the hand quite in the 

 style of European gentlemen of the old school. 

 SVhen seated, the attendants with the canes sta- 

 tioned themselves each behind his master's chair, 



