SEFE/tE LAWS, 



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fludromedfu Tlie former belies its name hy not fref|nnntiiig 

 water or feetling on fish. Tfc lives constantly in low tkmp 

 thickets picking up ground insects, centipedes, and smnli 

 nioUTLSca Altof^ether I was much pleased with niy visit 

 to this pLnce, and ib f^ave me a hi^ilicr opinion than \ had 

 hcfore entertained of the taste of these people, although 

 the style of tlin huihline'^ and of the sculpture is very 

 much inferior to those of the mafinificent ruins in Java. 

 ] must now say a few words about the character, manners, 

 and customs of these interesting people. 



The aborigines of Ijombock are tc^rmed Sassaks. They 

 are a Malay race hanlly differing in appearance from the 

 people of ?>talacea or liorneo. They are Mahometans and 

 foi'm the bulk of the pitpulation. The ruling classes, on 

 the other hand, are natives of the adjacent island of l^li, 

 and are of the Brahmiidcal religion. The government is 

 nn fthsolute monarchy, but it seems to be conducted with 

 more wisdom aud moderation than is usual in Malay 

 countries. The father of the present Eajah conquered tb(? 

 i.sland, and the people seem now quite reconciled to tlieir 

 now rulers, who do not interfere with their religion, ami 

 pi-obably do not tax them any heavier than did the native 

 chiefs they have supplanted. The laws now in force In 

 Lomhock are very severe. Theft is punished by death. 

 Mr. Carter informed me that a man once stole a metal 

 coffee-pot from his house. He was caught, the pot restored, 

 and the man brought to Mr. Carter to punish as he tjiought 

 fit. All the natives recommended Mr. Carter to have liim 

 " krisscd" on tlie spot ; " for if you don't," said they, " \w. 

 will rob you again." Mr. Carter, however, let him off, 

 with a warning, that if he ever came inside his preuiises 

 again he would certainly be shot. A few months afler- 

 wanls tlie same man stole a horse from Mr. Carter, Tlie 

 horse was recovered, but the thief was not caught. It is 

 an established rule, that any one found in a house after 

 dark, unless with the owner's knowledge, may be stabbed, 

 his Iwdy thrown out into the street or upon the beaoh, 

 and no questions will be asked. 



The men are exceedingly jealous and very strict with 

 their wives. A married woman may not accept a cigar or 

 a airih leaf from a stranger under pain of death. I was 



