1832.] 
ISLAND OF SUMATRA. 
181 
Baroos, comprising about half that distance on the west ; while 
on the east it scarcely extends forty miles. 
The city of Acheen, the capital, is built on a river, which 
empties itself into the sea near the northwest point of the island, 
commonly called Acheen Head. This city, which was once a 
place of great trade, and frequented by vessels from all the coun- 
tries of Europe, as well as from China, and all parts of India, 
has greatly fallen off from its former importance, especially since 
the king removed his court to Tulisamaway . It is, however, a con- 
siderable town, containing a great number of public edifices, but 
without any pretensions to magnificence. There appear to be 
no regular streets, each house being separate, and surrounded 
with trees, communicating with each other by foot-paths. The 
houses are of one story, meanly built of bamboo, and thatched 
with cocoanut leaves, and raised some feet from the ground on 
account of the overflowing of the river. 
The town is situated on an extensive plain, between two high 
ridges ; it is about five or six miles wide on the seacoast, and ex- 
tends a long distance, in a southeast direction, into the interior. 
The main river, which traverses the plain near its centre, is 
forty fathoms wide opposite the custom-house, which stands about 
three miles from its mouth ; and is elevated about two feet above 
the surface of the water. It is very shallow at the bar, and in 
the dry monsoon, will not admit vessels of any burden, which 
must anchor without, in the road formed by the islands of the 
point. This is the common anchorage, with from eight to four- 
teen fathoms of water, the town bearing south-half-east to 
southeast. 
This people differ extremely in their persons from every other 
class on the island ; being taller, stouter, and of darker complexion ; 
supposed to be a mixture of Moors, Malays, and Battas. In their 
character and dispositions, they are also unhke their neighbours ; 
being more active, industrious, and penetrating, and possessing a 
greater share of sagacity and general knowledge. They are all 
Mahometans, and having a great number of mosques and priests, 
the rites and ceremonies of that faith are observed with much 
greater strictness. Manufactures are here carried on to more 
perfection than in any other part of Sumatra. This remark will 
apply to trade, commerce, and navigation. 
