|g32.] ISLAND OF SUMATRA. 183 
more or less absolute, in proportion to the talents of the reigning 
prince. For the last half century, to go no further back, the 
sceptre of Acheen has been merely the symbol of sovereignty, 
without its potency ; sustained by a feeble arm, though with a 
title ancient and undisputed. The throne has been surrounded • 
by chiefs, all of whom acknowledged the sovereign's authority, 
though none of them submitted to his control. Too feeble to 
reduce revolters, he has only been able to keep up a state of con- 
tinual alarm and warfare, bordering on that of actual rebeUion. 
Prohibited by European interference from levying a duty on his 
own subjects, he was compelled by the mandate of strangers to 
forego the only means by which he could have preserved his do- 
minions from the anarchy and confusion which followed. In 
short, we must add, on the authority of Sir Thomas Rafiaes, that 
the last of the ancient dynasty of Acheen has been compelled to 
abdicate his throne in favour of the son of a Pinang merchant ! 
Of the personal appearance and dress of the Achenese, a few 
additional particulars may not be deemed inappropriate. We 
have aheady stated, that in size and stature they surpass the other 
inhabitants of Sumatra. Their heads are somewhat flat, or com- 
pressed, the face broad and open, with high cheek bones, flattened 
nose, and large mouth ; though many of them have features similar 
in form and expression to Europeans. Their complexion may be 
called a dark copper-colour ; their chest is broad and full, their 
position erect, and their height generally is about five feet ten 
inches. When several are walking together, they always proceed 
in single file, taking precedence according to rank, age, or conse- 
: quence. They generally walk well, quite erect, and are easy m 
their movements. They wear their hair very closely cut or shaved ; 
but instead of shaving their beards, they pluck it out, reserving 
their mustaches in the Turkish fashion. 
Their dress, also, differs in many respects from that of other 
Sumatrans. The men have recently adopted the European jacket, 
with or without a collar, of blue or black broadcloth, which are 
the most common colours. This is frequently seen embroidered 
with fine gold thread, and a stripe of embroidery, about an inch 
wide round the border, neatly wrought with a needle. But that 
which we consider a genuine Achenese dress, is a jacket or 
frock, somewhat similar to a shirt without a collar. This is gen- 
