1^2 SUMATRA. 
modes can have But Httle intrinfic merit which we are fo ready to change; 
or at kaft that our caprice renders us very Incomi^etent to be the guides 
of their improvement. Indeed, In matters of this kind, it is not to be 
fuppofed that an imitation ihould take place, owing to the total incon- 
gruity of manners in other refpeds, and the dlflimilarity of natural and 
local circumftances. But perhaps I am fuperfluoufly inveftigating minute 
and partial caufes of an efleft, which one general one may be thought 
fufficient to produce. Under the frigid, and more efp^cially the torrid 
2onc, the inhabitants will naturally prefetve an umnterruptcd fimilaiity 
and confiftency of manners, from the unitorm influence of their climate. 
In the temperate zoncs^ where this influence is equivocal, the manners 
will be fluduating, and dependant rather on maral than on phyficali 
caufes. 
rrifferwce m "^^^ Malay and native Sumatran differ more in the features of their 
charaacr be- f^i^^ than in thofe of their perlon. Althouffh we know not that this 
tween the Ma- ^ ° - * *jt_ 
ky» and other ifland, in the revolutions of human grandeur ever made a dtftrnguifhed 
figure in the hiftory of the world , (for the Achenefe, though powerful 
in the fixteenth century, were very low in point of civilization), yet 
the Malay inhabitarKs have an appearance of degeneracy, and this ren- 
ders their chara&r totally different from that which we conceive of a 
favage ; however juftly their ferocious fpirir of plunder on the eaftcrn 
eoaft, may have drawn upon them that name. They feem rather to 
be finking into obfcurity, though with opportunities of improvement, 
than emerging from thence, to a ftate of cirll or political importance. 
They retain a flrong fbare of pride, hut not of that laudable kind 
which reftrains men from the commlfHon of mean and fraudulent aftions. 
They poflefs much low cunning and plaufible duplicity, and know how 
to diffemble the ftrongeft palBons and moCl inveterate antipathy, be- 
neath the utmoft compofure of features, till the opportunity of gratify- 
ing their refentment offers* Veracity, grjiitude, and integrity arc not to* 
be found in the lift of their vinues, and their minds are ahnoft to rally 
ftrangersto the fentiments of honor and infamy* They are jealous and 
vjndidive. Their courage is defuUory, the cffed of a momentary en- 
thuCafm,, 
