70* SUMATRA, 
the earth is fertilized in fpite of their indolence, by the common Sweep- 
ings of their houfes and ftreets, and the mere vicinity of their buildings. 
I have often had occafion to obfcrve, in young plantations, that tbofe 
few trees which furroimdeil the houfe of the owner, or the hut of the 
keeper, confiderably over- topped their bretliren of the fame age. Every 
perfon at fir ft %ht, and on a fuperficial view of the Malay countries, 
pronounces rhem the favorites of nature, where Ihe has lavifhed all her 
bounties with a profufion unknown in other regions, and laments the in- 
fatuation of the people, who negledt to cultivate the fineft foil in the 
world. But I have fcarcely known one, who, after a few years refidence, 
has not entirely altered his opinion. Certain it is, that in point of ex- 
ternal appearance, the Malay iflands, and Sumatra among the reft, may 
challenge the world to a comparifon. There indeed nature has been ex- 
travagant, beftowing on many parts of the country, where human foot 
fcarce ever trod, all that is adapted to raile the fentiracnt of fublimity, 
in minds fufceptible of the impreffion. But how rarely are thofe minds 
tp be found ; and y^t it is alone 
" For fuch the rivers dafli their foaming tides. 
The mount ain fwells, the vale fubfidesi 
The ftately wood detajDs the wandVing fight. 
And the rough, barrcQ rock grows pregnant with delights" 
Even where there are inhahitants, to how Jittle purpofe has ihe been 
thus profufe in ornament I In palling through fome places, where my 
fancy has been charmed with more beautiful and truly pi^refque fcenes, 
than I remember ever to have met with before, ! could not avoid re- 
gretting that a country fo captivating to the eye, ftiould be allotted to a 
race of people who feem totally Infenfible of it's beauties. 
After treading out the grain, which is equivalent to threfliingj the 
next ftep is to winnow it, which is done precifely in the fame manner as 
pradifed by us. Advantage being taken of a windy day, it is poured 
out from the fieve or fan ; the chalf difperfing, whilft the heavier grain 
falls to the ground. This mQde feems to have been univerfal in alj 
ages 
