SUMATRA. 
it us a point of honor to defend to extremity that jewel, which Ihe 
would yet be difuppoi ^icdln prefcmng,* Thcy'fit npin ftate, at night, 
on ralfed cuihions, in their be ft cloaths and trinkets. They are fomc- 
tim^s loaded on the occafion, with all the finery of their relations, or 
e^'en the whole dDofoon ; and carefully eafcd of it when the ceremony is 
over. But this is not the cafe with the children of perfons of rank* I 
remember being prefcnt at the marriage of a young woman, whofc beauty 
would not have difgraced any country, with a fon of Raddeai^ prince 
of Madura^ to vvhom the EngHfli gave prote<9:ion from the power of 
the Dutch » after his father had fallen a facrifice,^ She was decked m 
unborrowed plumes. Her drefs was eminently calculated to do jufticc 
to a fine perfon ; her hair, in which confifts their chief pride, was dif- 
pofed with extreme grace ; and an uncommon elegance and tafte were 
difplayed, in the workmanihtp and adjuflment of her ornaments. It 
muft be confeffcd, however, that this tafte is by no means general, cf- 
pecially amongft the country people. Simplicity, fo eflential to the 
idea, is the charadtcriftic of a rude and quite uncivilized people; and is 
again adopted by men in their higheft flate of refinement. The Suma- 
trans Itand .removed from both thefe extremes. Rich and fplendid arti- 
cles of drefs and furniture (though not often procured) are the objects 
pf their vanity and ambition* 
The bimbangs are condu6:ed with great decorum and regularity. 
The old women are very attentive to the condud: of the girls, and the 
mak relations are highly jealous of any infuks that may be fhewn them., 
A lad, at one of thefe entertainments, aiked another his opinion of a 
gadikes who wa^ then dancing. ** If fhe was plated with gold, replied 
be, I would not take her for my concubine, much lefs for my wife." A 
brother of the girl happened to be within hearing, and called him to 
^ 11 is recorded, that the jeaiotify betft'cen the EngUfli and Dutch at Bantam^ arole from a 
^jrefereace fhcwn to the former by the King, at a feftival which he guve upon obtaining a victory 
of thn nature, which his bride had long difpiited with htm, 
t Thecircumfiance« of tliis difgraceful affair, are prefcmd In al>6ok enliiUd A Vojage 
to the Eaft Bridies in » 7*7 and j 74^*'* 
account 
