SUMATRA. 
the buffaloes and tigers ; in which the former are reported to have ac- 
quired a complete vidory* Such is the account the natives give ; but 
they are fond of dealing in fiction, and I am apt to fuppofe, that the 
et}'mology has do better foundation than a fanciful rcfcmblance in the 
found.* 
The adhial power and refources of the Sultan, are at this day, fcarcely 
fuperior to thofe of a common raja ; yet he ftill aflerts all his ancient 
rights and prerogatives ; which are not difputed fo long as he refrains 
from attempting to carry them into force. The kings of Achssn^ In^a- 
pour^ Mrco Mo€^i Pakmlang and Jambee^ acknowledge their authority 
to be derived from him, as their lord paramount, and fome among ihem 
pay him a trifling complimentary tribute ; acting, however, entirely in- 
pendent of him. His character is held in a facred light, and the obfcu- 
rity and air of myftery which furround his court, together with the in- 
fluence of the Mahometan priefts, who regard him as the head of their 
religion, keep up this veneration. In Ihort, his authority not a little 
refembles that of the foveretgn pontifs in Europe, fome years back, 
founded as it is on fuperftitious opinion ; holding terrors over the weak, 
and contemned by the Rrong. He attempts to effett, what arms alone 
can accompliih, by pompous, diiftatortal edidts, which are received with 
outward demonftration of profound refpeft, but no further obeyed than 
may happen to be confident with the political interefts of thofe princes 
to whom they are addreffed. This empire is looked upon by the Su ma- 
trans, to have fubfiited from the remoteft antiquity \ but as they have no 
annals, records, or other hiftorical documents, it is impoffible to make 
even a guefs as to its origin. There cannot be a doubt but that it is ex- 
tremely ancient, having every internal evidence, and being acknowledged 
fuch by every tradition* When the Europeans iirft made difcoveries in 
thefe parts, it was in its decline, as appears from the importance and in- 
dependance, at that time, of the kings of Acheen^ Fdeer and Pafay.^ the 
m Some nia{i>maker« have placed the tiame of Manancaubo in tbc center of ihc penmrula of 
Mala€£<tt in£tca4 of the iiland of Sumatra* 
former 
