83 



Note on Malayan Manuscripts and Books, 



No. 7.— De Kron Aller Koningen, Van Bocharie, Van Djohare. This 

 is a translation, with the Malay version annexed, of the celebrated 

 ethic composition called the Tajus-Salatin, the crown of princes, by 

 Roorda Van Eysinga. Selections from it were printed at Bencoolen, as 

 a portion of the compendium of education used in the Fort Marlborough 

 native schools. This work, wiih the Hong Tunh, and Katurunan Segala 

 Eaja Raja were styled by Valentyn, " The three Jewels." 



No. 8.— The Levensschets Van Sulthan Ibrahim, is the history of a 

 monarch of Irak, borrowed from the Arabic, translated into Dutch with 

 the Malays annexed as above, by the same author, who observes quaint- 

 ly enough that it is a true history containing nothing incredible, and 

 that all the Pundits agree as to its authenticity. 



No. 9. — Uikayei Isma Vaiim.. This is one of the numerous histori- 

 cal romances so much prized by the Malays, but bears unquestionable 

 indications of its Hindu origin. Isma Vatim, the hero, is a native of the 

 country of Kaiinga, or KLing, who raises himself by his wisdom and 

 talents to the rank of prime minister of the Raja of Kandrapura. His 

 good fortune and talents beget him numerous enemies. The story 

 chiefly rests upon the wisdom and prudence he displays in defeating 

 their various machinations, and his exemplary conduct as a minister of 

 state. 



No. 10. — The Hong Tuah is decidedly the most favourite historical 

 romance the Malays possess. It is an account of the exploits of the 

 bravest of the nine nobles, selected to attend sultan Mansur Shah of 

 Malacca to Majaj)ahit, on his visit to the Bitara of that ancient king- 

 dom, of whose daughter, the beauteous princess Radin Gala Chandra 

 Kerana, the sultan had by description become violently enamoured. 

 Hong Tuah, after a variety of wonderful adventures and the taking of 

 Malacca in 1641 by the Portuguese, of the siege of which an account is 

 given, suddenly disappears and is not heard of more. Some say that 

 he plunged into the forests of Perak and became chief of the wild tribes. 

 The Malays imagine their favourite hero is in existence up to the pre- 

 sent hour. To the MS, sent to the Society is appended a sequel, con- 

 taining a narration of the capture of Malacca from the Portuguese 

 by the Dutch and the sultan of Johore in 1511. There is a singular 

 account of Hong Tuah's embassy to Ist.ambul or Constantinople, w^here 

 he is despatched by the Sultan of Malacca, together a description of 

 that city with its many gates. 



