zq6 SUMATRA. 
throughout moft part of Europe; but where wealth conMs in landed 
eflate^ the latter mode, befide favoring the pride of family, is attcaded 
with fevveft iiiconveniencies. The properly of the Sumarrans being perfonal 
merely, this reafon does not operate with them. Land is fo abundant in 
proportion to the population, that they fcarcely confider it as the fu^je(^ 
of right, any more than the elements of air and water; excepting fo far 
as in fpeculation, the prince lays claim to the whole. The ground how- 
ever, on which a man plants or builds, with the confent of hb neigh- 
bours, becomes a fpcclec of nominal prApprry, anM U trati^fprsKJe ; but 
as it cofts bim nothing, befide his labor, it is only the produce which 
is eftecmed of value, and the corapenfation he receiver is for this alone* 
A temporary ufufru(ft is accordingly all that they attend to, and the 
price, in cafe of falc, is generally afccrtained by the coconut, doorean, 
and other fruit trees, that have been planted on it ; the buildings being 
for the moft part but little durable. Whilft any of thofe fubfift, the 
defcendants of the planter may claim the ground, though it haa been for 
years abandoned. If they are cut down he may recover damages, but if 
they have difappeared in the couric of nature, the land reverts to the 
public. 
They have a cuftom of keeping by them a fum of money, as a re- 
four ce againft extremity of diflrefs, and which common exigencies do 
DOt call forth. This is a refined antidote again/l defpair, becaufe, wbiilt 
it remains poiEble to avoid encrcoaching on that treafure, their affairs 
ar€ not at the worfl, and the idea of the little hoard feryes to buoy up 
their Ipirits, and encourage them to ftruggle with wretckedne^. It ufij- 
ally therefore continues inviolate, and defcends to the heir, ' or is loft 
to him by the fudden exit of the parent, Fxom their apprehenfion of 
diihonefty, and infecurity of their houfes, their money i& for the moft 
part concealed in the ground, the cavity of an old beam, or other fecret 
pbtce, and a man, on his death bed, has commonly fome important dif- 
covcry of this nature to make to his affeaibled relations. 
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