1832.] BANTAM BAY. 253 > 
cocoanut-trees, and such other uses as are required in their hus- 
bandry. This implement in several instances was suspended 
from the neck, hanging down the back ; in others, guarded by a 
sheath, and attached to a belt. But though behind their neigh- 
bours of Sumatra in personal appearance, they are certainly 
superior to them, in temper and character ; being more mild and 
honest, and far less savage, vindictive, and treacherous in their dis- 
positions. They seemed rather inclined to be courteous and 
amiable ; and where they did form attachments for any of our 
ofhcers, evinced no little degree of liberality. 
But industry is not one of their virtues ; for no people can be 
more lazy, if general report be true, than the Malays of Bantam. 
This trait in their character is doubtless the result of local cir- 
cumstances. The climate and soil itself may tend to produce it,, 
as there is little inducement to labour where all the necessaries 
of life are spontaneously produced. All their movements are 
slow, and they appeared to our officers to be incapable of deep 
emotion or great excitement of any kind, either of curiosity, fear, 
or revenge. Nominally Mahommedans, they yet appear to pay 
very little attention to the rites and ceremonies of that persuasion,, 
or indeed of any other, being probably infidels at heart, and giving: 
themselves no concern whatever on the subject of religion, or a 
future state of existence. They resemble the Turks in an aver- 
sion to have their women exposed to the view of strangers. Few 
of them were ever to be seen during the period of the Potomac's^ 
visit, and those few were dressed very similar to the men, and 
were not much better looking, excepting that their complexion waS' 
somewhat lighter. 
Though shrinking from exertion on ordinary occasions, some 
of them have taken considerable pains to perform good offices 
and acts of courtesy to such of our ship's company as they hap- 
pened to take a fancy to. While on shore with his fowling- 
piece, one of the officers was met by a native who appeared to 
take great pleasure in showing him the birds, and who was anx- 
ious to have him shoot them. He also climbed a cocoanut-tree, 
more than fifty feet in height, and procured a nut for him, the milk of 
which is very refreshing in so warm a climate, being only six de- 
grees south of the equator. This polite and attentive native adhered 
to the side of his new acquaintance while passing through the 
