246 SUMATRA* 
order to wipe off any extraneous matter. This miftruftful procedure 
is fo common as not to give olFence* 
Tobacco, Befide the mode beforementioned of enjoying the flavor of tobacco, 
r it is alfo fmoked by the natives, and for this ufe, after fhredding it fine, 
whilfi: green, and drying it well, it is rolled up in leaves of the mcpa 
tree (a fpecies of palm), and it is in that form called rch* The rifhs 
are carried in the betel-box^ or more commonly under the d^tar or 
handerchief which, in imitation of a turban, furrounds the head* Much 
tobacco is Ukewife imported from China, and fells at a high price* It 
feems to poffefs a greater pungency than the Sumatran plant. 
Emblematic The cuftom of fending embtemattcal prcfents, in order to make known, 
in a covert manner, the birth, progrefs, or change of certain aflfeftions 
of the miDd, prevails here, as in fome other parts of the eaft ; but the 
fentimems of the correfpondents are not conveyed in the elegant manner, 
which fome writers have defcribed, as prevailing in Turkey and elfewhere, 
by means of flowers, of different hues, varioufly combined in nofcgays. 
Small parcels of fait, cayMne p^pp^r, bceel, and the like, are here em- 
ployed, which, among adepts, are known to denote love^ jealoufy, re* 
fentment, hatred, and other ftrong feelings* 
The Sumatrans in general are good fpeakcrs. The gift of oratory 
feems natural to them. I knew many among them, whofe harangues 
I have liflened to with pleafure and admiration* This may be accounted 
for, perhaps, from . the conflitutlon of their government, which being 
far removed from defpotifm, feems to admit, in feme degree, every 
member of the fociety, to a lhare in the public deliberations. Where 
perfonal endowments, as has been obferved, will often raife a private 
rhan to a lhare of importance in the community, fuperior to that of a 
Borainal chief, there is abundant inducemenr for the acquifition of thefe 
valuable talents. The forms of their judicial proceedings, likewife, 
where there are no eftablilhed advocates, and each man depends upon his 
own, or his friend'^s abilities,, for the management of his caufe^ muft 
doubtlefs 
