are rarely guUfy of that extravagHncc for themfelves ; nor even thtrt 
fci^'iVBls (liwi^ang) where there is a plentj^ of meat, do ihey eat much of 
any thing but rice. Their hofpitality is extreme, and bounded by their 
ability alone. Their Manners are fimple - they are generally, except 
among the chiefs, devoid of the Malay cunning ancl chicane ; yet endued 
with a quicknefs of apprehenfion, and on many occafions difcovering a 
confiderable degree of penetration and fagacit3% In refpe€t to women, 
they are remarkably continent, without any ftiare of infenfibility. They 
are modeft ; particulady guarded in their exprcflions ; courteous in 
their behaviour; grave in their deportment, beirtg feidom or never ex- 
cited to laughter ; and patient to a great degree. On the other hand 
they are litigious ; indolent ; addicted to gaming ; diHioncft in their 
dealings with ftrangers, which they efteem no moral defed; ; fufpicious ; 
rtgardlefs of truth ; mean in their tranfadiions ; fervilc ; though cleanly 
in their perfons, dirty in their apparel which they never wafli. They are 
carclcfs and improvident of the future, becaufe their wants are few, for 
though poor, they are not necefficous ; nature fupplying with extraor- 
dinary facility, whatever flie Jias made requiiitc for their exiftence^ 
Science and the arts have not, by extending their views, contributed to 
enlarge the circle of their de£res; and the various refinements of lux- 
ury, which in poliilied focktics become neceflaries of lifcj are totally 
unknown to them.* 
Govcrmneat. Having endeavoured to trace the charaiSter of thefe people, with as 
much fidelity and accuracy as pollible, I fhall now proceed to give an 
account of their government, 3aws, cuftoms, and manners; and in or- 
der to convey to the reader, the cleareft ideas in my power, I fhall de- 
velope the various circumftances in fuch order and connexion^ as fhall 
♦ The ptople from Macafar and B'.tggitefs who come annually in their praivs to trade at Sii- 
mntra^ ajie looked up to by iht inhabiiancs^ as their fupcdors in raanncrs* 1 he Maltye a^St€t to 
copy their Hylt of diefs, anil frequent allufions to the feats antl atchievcments of thefe peo- 
ple .ire naade in their fbngs. Their reputation for courage^ which certainly furpaffcs ibat of all 
orher people in the caftern Teas, acquires them this ^latteriiog dirtuiftion. TJicy alfo derive part 
of the refpeG paid them, from the richnefs of the cargoes they import, and the fpirit with wbick 
ibcy fi>eiid the produce in gaming, cock -fighting, and opium Onaakirg, 
appear 
* 
