S U M A T R A.^ 
fhufiafm, which enables them to perform deeds of incredible defperation . 
but tbey are flrarvgers to that fteady magnanimity, that cool heroic re- 
folution in battle, which conftitutes iu our idea the perfedion of thlt 
<juality, and renders \t a virtue** Ye^ it muft be obferved, that from 
an apathy a imoft paradoxical, they fuffer under fentence of death, in cafe* 
where DO indignant paffions could operate to baoy up the mind to a eon- 
tempt of punifliment, with aftonilhrng compofure and indifference ; ut* 
teriiig little more on thcfe occafions, than a proverbial faying, common 
among chcm^ cxprefBve of the inevi'tabiJity of fate — apo bme^ hoaf* 
To this ftoicilm, their belief in predeftination, and very imperfect idea 
of a future, eternal exiftence, doubtiefs contribute* 
Some writer has remarked, that a rcfemblance is ufually found,, be* 
tween the difpofition and qualities of the beafts proper to any country, 
and thofe of the indigenous inhabitants of the human fpecies^ where an 
intercourfe with foreigners has not deftroyed the genuinenefs-of theii 
charader. The Malay may be compared to the buffaloe and the tiger* 
Jn his domeftic fbte, he is indolent, (lubborn, and voluptuous as the 
former, and in his adventurous life, he is infiduous, blood-thirfty and ra- 
pacious as the latter. Thus the Arab is laid to refcnible his camel, and 
the placid Gentoo his cow. 
The original Sumatran, though he partakes in fome degree of the c^^^af^er of 
Malay vices, and partly from tbe contagion of example, poflefTcs many "*»"vc Sum** 
exclufive virtues ; but they are more properly of the negative than the 
pofitive kind. He is mild, peaceable, and forbearing, uniefs his anger 
be roLifcd by violent provocation,, when he is implacable in his refent* 
ments. He is temperate and fober, being equally abftemious in meat 
and drink. The diet of the natives is moftly vegetable; water is their 
only beverage ; and though they will kill a fowl or a goat fo? a Granger, 
whom perhaps they never faw before, nor ever exped to fee again, they 
^ In the htftory of the ForfagTjtfe war* in this part of the cail, there appears fome exception 
to this remaik, and particularly ui tlie chara£^t'r of La^ftmannd^ vsfho y/a? truly a great mao - 
9Bd mofi cgprominate w»ni«r* 
are. 
