S U M A T R A. 
women, two men* or with both mixed. Their motions and attitudes 
are ufually flow, and too much forced to be graceful ; approaching often 
to the lafcivious, and not unfrequently the ludicrous. This is, I believe, 
the general opinion formed of them by Europeans, but it may be the 
effe^ of pre] ad ice. Certain 1 am, that our ufual dances are, in their 
judgment, to the full as ridiculous. The minuets they compare to the 
fighting of two gamecocks, alternately approaching and receding. Our 
country dances they efleem too violent and confufed, without fhemng 
grace or agility. The ftage dances, I have nor a doubt, would plcafe 
them. Part of the female drefs, called the fak/idang^ which is ufually 
of filk, with a gold head, is tied round the wailtj and Ehe ends of this, 
they, at times, extend behind them with their hands. They bend for- 
ward as they dance, and ufually carry a fan, which they clofe and ftrike 
fmartly again ft their elbows, at particular cadences. They keep time 
well, and the partners prcfcrve a confiftency with each other, though 
the figure and fteps are ad ItMtum, A briiker movement is fometimcs 
adopted, which proves more conformable to the taHe of the Englifli 
fpe<£lotor3. 
Dancing is not the only araufement on thefe occafions, A gaddees 
fometimcs rifes, and leaning her face on her arm, fupporting herfelf 
again ft a pillar, or the fhoulder of one of her companions, with her 
sod tuigiDg. back to the audience, begins a tender fong. She is foon taken up, and 
anfwered, by one of the hojongs in company, whofe greateft pretenfions 
to gallantry and fafhion, arc founded on an adroitnefs at this polite accom- 
pliflupent. The uniform fubjcft, on fuch occafions, is love, and as the words 
are extempore, there are numberlcfs degrees of merit in the compofi- 
ticn, which is fometimes furprizingly well turned, quaint, and even witty* 
There are alfo characters of humor amongft the men, who, by buffbon- 
* ery, mimickry, punning, repartee, and fatire, (rather of the Sardonic 
kind) are able to keep the company in laughter, at intervals, during the 
courfe of a night*s entertainment. The aflembly feldom breaks up be- 
fore day light, and thefe bimbangs are often continued for feveral days 
together, till their liock of pcovifions is eshaufted* The young men 
frequent 
