SUMATRA. 
53 
hn^s^ they raife to the height of ten or twelve feet from the ground , and 
make a pradice of taking up their ladder at night, to fecure t hem fe Ives 
from th* deftru<^ive ravages of the tigers. I have been affured ; hxit 
will not pkdge ray felf for -the truth oftheflory; that an elephant, at^ 
tempting to pafs under ode of dtefe houfes ; which ftand on four or fir 
pofls ; ftuck by the way, but difdaimng to retreat, carried tt, with the 
family it contained, on his back^ to the diHance of feveral miles. 
In the buildings of the doofoons, particuiarly where the mod refpec- 
table families refide, the wood work m front is carved, in the ftyle of 
bafs relief, into a variety of uncouth ornaments, and grotefque figures, 
not much unlike the Egyptian hieroglyphics^ but certainly without any 
my flic or hittorical alluJloii. 
The furniture of their houfes, correfponding with their manner of Furniture* 
Hving, is very fimple, and confifts of but few articles. Their bed is 
amat,ufuaUy of a fuic texture, and manufa<5tured for the purpofc, with 
a number of pillows, worked ac the ends, and adorned with a fliining 
fubiknce that remfembles foil. A fort of canopy or valance^ formed 
of various coloured cloths, hangs over head. As they fit on the floor, 
thtit is no occafion for ilools or chairs* In{!cad of tables, they have 
what refembles large wooden falvers, with feet, called dookng; round 
each of which, three or four perfons difpofe themfelves; and on this are 
laid tii^ams or brafs waiters, which hold the cups that concam their 
curry, and piatltavn kaves, or matted yeilcls, filled with rice. Their 
cOPtie of fitting is not crols legged, as the inhabitants of Turkey, and 
our taylors, ufe, but either on the haunches, or on the left fide, 
fupported by the left hand, with the legs tucked in on the right fide,* 
leaving that hand at Mberty,; which! they always j fi^ni motives of de- 
licacy, fcrupuiouHy e^t wiriij the left being refer ved for left oleanly 
©fficesw. Neither knives, fp0ori3, nos^ any fubftitutes for th<^m, are em-* 
ployed J they take up tHe rice, and other visuals, between their thumb 
and fiKvgQFSi and dexreroufly throw it into the moitdh by the action of 
the thumb; dipping frequently their hands in water, ii t^iey eat. 
P They 
