1812. 
BASSARRI MUNGKLIE. 
387 
diately advanced without waiting for a second invitation ; and with 
a very lively and amusing manner, began to importune for snuff or 
tobacco. Notwithstanding my determination, not to make any public 
distribution before the Chief had received his presents, I could not 
remain so ungallant as to give them a refusal, when their request was 
urged with so much good-natured earnestness. They each in their 
turn, held out their hand ; into which I put a small quantity of snuff. 
This trifling gift seemed to render them so happy, that no one could 
have witnessed it without partaking in their pleasure, nor without 
feeling convinced that to those who know no wants but of the simplest 
nature, the attainment of a trifle brings as much enjoyment, as others 
of more refined and multiplied desires, derive from the acquirement 
of more valuable objects. Even at so sparing a rate of distribution, 
the snuff-box which I now was obliged to carry always in my pocket 
for the use of my visitors, was not large enough to supply every hand 
which was held up ; and, as I had also some loose tobacco in my 
pocket, I gave to some a share of this, with which they were 
equally pleased, since it was to them no difficulty, to manufacture it 
into snuff. The spirit of begging seemed in this people to be innate ; 
for children of every age above that of four years, came to ask for 
tobacco or snuff. The number of this party had greatly increased 
since I began the distribution, and as soon as it was perceived that 
although I had persisted in withstanding the solicitations of the men, 
I did not refuse to give snuff to the girls, many of the chieftains sent 
their daughters and children to join the crowd. 
Even the dignified Chief himself followed their example, and 
was so far overcome by a greedy desire for tobacco, that he brought 
his daughter to me, that he might use his influence in obtaining for 
her, or rather for himself, a larger share than the others. When she 
came up, I had in my hand as much tobacco as I intended for five, 
and was giving her rather a larger portion ; but, as he stood by my 
side, he slyly took hold of my hand and turned all its contents into 
his daughter's. He then walked away with the very undignified 
satisfaction of having by these means gained a pipe more tobacco than 
would have fallen to her lot had he not practised this little trick. 
3 D 2 
