SUMATRA, 
Modes of Marriage^ and cufioms relative thereto^F^flivik'^ 
Polygamy^ 
fluencirig the miich the greater number of the legal difputes, among thefc p€oplo 
m ^'fi>me 'of '^^^'^ ^^^'^^ fourcc in the intricacy attending their marriage conrrafts. In 
^fbiuT*"^'^^* moft uncivilized countries, thefe matters are very fimple^ the dictates of 
nature being obeyed, or the calls of appetite fari^pd, with little cere* 
mony, or form of ^'on vent ion ; but with the Sumatrans^ the difficulties 
both precedent and fubfequent, are encreafed to a degree unknown even 
in the moft refined ftatcs. To remedy thefe inconveniences, which might 
be fuppofed to deter men from engaging m marriage, was the view of 
the Refidcnt of Laye^ beforementioned, who prevailed upon them to 
limplify their engngements, as the means of preventing litigation betvveea 
families, and of encreafing the population of the country. How far hh 
liberal views will be anfwered, by having thus influenced the people to 
change thHr rnfloiae J %vKctlicr tho^ will uoi, Juuii icldpfc lOtO the SR* 
cicnt track ^ and whether, in fad, the caufe that he fuppofes, did ac- 
tually contribute to retard population, I ihall not pretend to determine ; 
l3Ut as the laft is a point on which a difference of opinion prevails, I ihall 
take the liberty of quoting here, the fenriments of another fervant of 
the Company, who poflefl'es an underilanding highly enlightened,* 
R^afoasagainft This part of the ifland is in a low ft ate of population, but U is an er- 
tMs alteration. afcribe this to the mode of obtaining wives by purchafe. The cir* 
cumftance of children conftituting part of the property of the parents, 
proves a moft powerful incentive to matrimony, and there is not perhapa 
any country on the face of the earth, where marriage is more general 
than here, inftances of perfons of either fex paiBng their lives in a ftate 
of celibacy, being extremely rare. The neceffity of pur chafing, does 
• Mr, Jo!m Crjfp. 
