S. U M * A T R A? 147 
ddubtlcfs contribute to this habitnal eloquence. We may add to thefc 
conje^ftures, the nature of their dotndlic manners, which introduce the 
fons, at an early period of life, into the biifinefs of the family, and the 
counfels of their elders. There is little to be perceived Among them, of 
that palEon for childiib fports whicb marks the charader of our boys^ from 
the feventh to the fourteenth year. On Sumatra you will obferve infants, 
not exceeding the former age, full drcfled, and armed with a creefe, feated 
in the circle of che old men of the doofoon, and attending to their debates 
with a gravity of countenance not furpafTcd by their grandfathers. Thus 
ii^ltiated, thty are qualified to delh'cr an opinion in public, at a time of 
life, when an Englifh fchoolboy couM fcarcc return an anfwcr to a quef- 
tioti, beyond the limits of his grammar OT fyntax^ which he has 
learned by rote. It li not a lift!e UTiaccouft table, that this people, who 
hold the art of fpeaking in fucb high eftecm, atid eTidently pique them- • 
ielves on the attainment of it, Ihould yet take fo much pains to deftroy 
the organs of fpeech, in filing down, and oiherwife disfiguring their teeth; 
and likewife adopt the uncouth pradice of filling their mouths with be- 
tel, whenever they prepare to hold forth. We muH conclude, that it 
is not upon the graces of elocution they value an orator, bwt his artful 
and judicious management of the fubjcdl: matter; together with a copi- 
oufnefs of phrafe, a perfpicuity of thought, an advantageous arrange- 
ment, and a readinefs, efpecially, at unravelling the difficulties and in- 
tricacies of their fuits. 
The curfe entailed on women in the article of child-bearing, does child-bearmj, 
not fall fo heavy in this, as in the northern countries. Their pregnancy, 
fcarcely at any period prevents their attendance on the ordinary domeftic 
duties; and ufually within a few hours after their delivery, they walk to 
the bathing place, at a fmall dlftance from the houfe* The prefence of 
a femme fage is often efleemed fuperfluous. This facility of parturitioB 
may probably be owing to the relaxation of the frame, from the warmth 
of the climate ; to which caufe alfo, may be attributed the paucity of 
children borne by the Sumatran women, and the early decay of their 
beauty and fireogth. They have the tokens of old age, at a feafon of 
R r r life 
