308 



TKRNJTE, 



[CHAP. XX t. 



Tillore. Ho givoa a ^^lowiiig account of tlio Sultan ; " The 

 King had a very rick canopy with embossings of goM 

 borne over liini, aiitl was guarded with twelve lances. 

 From the waist to the ground was all cloth of gold, and 

 that very rich ; in the attire of hia head were finely 

 wreathed in, diverse rings of plaited gold, of an inch m- 

 more in breadth^ which made a fair and princely show, 

 somewhat resembling a crown in form; aljoiit his neck 

 lie had a chain of perfect gold, the links very great and 

 one fold double; on his left hand \v;u5 a diamond, nu 

 emerald, a ruljy, and a turky ; on his right liand in ouo 

 ring a big and perfect turky, and in another ring many 

 diamonds of & smaller size." 



All thia glitti^r of barbaric gold was the produce of the 

 spice trade, uf which the Sultans kept the monopoly, and 

 by which they b(/ciiuie wealthy. Teniate, with the suiall 

 islands in a hoe suuth of it, as far as Batchlan, constitute 

 the ancient Muluccits, the native country of the clove, as 

 well as the only part in wluch it was cultivated. Nut- 

 megs and mace vvi-re procured fiom the natives of Kt-w 

 Guinea and the adjacent islands, whei-e they grew wild ; 

 and the prutits on spica curgoes were so enormous, lliat 

 the European tradera were glad to give gold and jewels, 

 md the finest tniiiiiifactures of Europe or of India, in 

 exchange. When the Dutcli established their influence 

 in these seas, and relieved the native princes from their 

 Portugnese oppressors, they saw that the easiest way U> 

 repay themselves would be to get tliis spice trade intu 

 their own hands. For this purpose they adopted the wise 

 principle of concentrating the culture of these valuable 

 products in those spots only of which they could have 

 complete control. To do this elTectnally it was necessary 

 to abolish the culture and trade in all other places, which 

 they succeeded in iloiiig by treaty with the native rulers. 

 These agR'cd to Inive all the spice trees in their posses- 

 sions destroyed. They gave up large though fiuctuating 

 revenues, but they gained in return a Ifixed subsidy, free- 

 dom from the constant attacks and harsh oppressions of the 

 Portuguvse, mid a coutinuance of their regal power amli 

 exclusive authority over their own subjects, which is main- 

 tained in all the islands except Ternate to thia day. 



