1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMATRA, 
161 
They have seen foreign manufactures brought ready for their 
use, in exchange for the productions of their soil, but they have 
not witnessed the process by vv^hich these articles M^ere made. 
How, then, could they improve by their intercourse with the 
boasted Christianizers of the heathen world? They feel, and 
often acknowledge, their inferiority. It is mentioned by Marsden, 
that a native had been heard to exclaim, after contemplating the 
structure and use of a house clock, "Is it not fitting that such 
as we should be slaves to people who have the ingenuity to invent, 
and the skill to construct, so wonderful a machine as this ?" — 
The sun," he added, " is a machine of this nature." — " But who 
winds it up ?" said his companion. " Who but Allah ?" replied he. 
It is to be hoped, however, that the more humane and liberal 
spirit which so happily begins to mark the intercourse of Chris- 
tian nations in their commercial transactions with the east, will 
ultimately produce happier results upon the moral condition of its 
inhabitants. The period of subjugation, of dethroning and setting 
up sultans, as the sordid interests of heartless and almost irre- 
sponsible companies may require, it is hoped, is drawing rapidly 
to a close. England, with her immense wealth and extended 
influence, has an awful responsibility in this great work; the 
independent and probing spirit which has marked her recent par- 
liamentary proceedings and investigations into the abuses and 
condition of her East India Company concerns, promises much 
that is' favourable in coming time : while the noble and really true 
commercial spirit of our own country, carrying on trade to all 
parts of the world, without caring for or wanting possessions in 
foreign soil, is destined to have its full share of influence ; and 
may, if properly looked to by our government, be turned greatly 
to our advantage, as it has already, in many places, attracted the 
attention of the natives, and rendered them friendly disposed 
towards us. 
But this is a digression, and we return to the native inhabitants 
of the island, who, from long intercourse with the Malays, appear 
to have imbibed many of their vices ; so that the virtues they 
still retain are rather negative in character. They are mild, 
peaceable, and forbearing, except when roused by some sudden 
and violent provocation, when they too can show a full share of 
implacability in their resentments. They are temperate and 
