158 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[February, 
found the Sumatrans, and we leave the reader to make his ov/n 
distinctions, and form his own comparisons, as we proceed. 
The Malay language, long and justly celebrated for its smooth- 
ness and softness, like the Malays themselves, has partially 
extended itself over the whole island ; at least, there are few parts 
of the island where it is not understood by some, while in other 
districts it forms the lingua franca of all classes. 
They devote many of their leisure hours to singing extempo-- 
raneous sonnets, which are more remarkable for sententious ;' 
qualities than truly poetic spirit, if the following may be consid- 
ered a fair sample : — 
" Apo goono passang paleeto, 
Callo teedah dangan soomboonia 1 
Apo goono bermine matto, 
Callo teeda dangan soongoonial" 
" What signifies attempting to light a lamp, 
If the wick be wanting 1 
What signifies making love with the eyes, 
If nothing in earnest be intended?' 
A wickless lamp can show no flame, 
To light it baffles human art ; 
Then why should lying eyes proclaim 
A love, that dwells not in the heart 1 
The city of Palembang, so long the emporium of the inland 
commerce of the island, is the point which has always been con- 
sidered as taking the lead, and fixing the court etiquette among 
the Malay princes, and the language spoken there as the standard 
of the Malay tongue. In writing, the Arabic characters are used, 
introduced at the time of the dissemination of the Mahometan 
religion. They have paper and ink of their own composition, 
and write with the pen of the anoTi-tree. We believe it has 
never been ascertained that even the Malays of the Peninsula of 
Malacca had any original written language peculiar to themselves, 
previous to the country being overrun by Mussulmen during the 
thirteenth century. 
There are several languages, hoAvever, besides the Malay, 
spoken on the island, especially in the interior. And what appears 
to be most remarkable is, that two tribes, the Battas and Rejangs, 
