Malays of Ceylon. 175 
tbe other natives of India, by the difference of their institutions, 
and the peculiar ferocity of their dispositions. 
The government, under which the Malays live in their own 
country, in some degree resembles the ancient feudal institu- 
tions of Europe ; and war is consequently the business of the 
nation. The manners and disposition which naturally proceed 
from these institutions are found among them. They are all 
bold, warlike, and prepared for the most desperate eiiterprizes ; 
they hear the commands of their superiors with the most pro- 
found reverence, and yield implicit obedience to their most ri- 
gorous orders. But the fierce temper arising from these mili- 
tary institutions, which in Europe has been softened by tlie 
Christian religion, has rather been exasperated by the religion 
which the Malays have embraced. None of that romantic 
spirit of chivalry,^ which produced the courtesy of civilized 
society amidst the ferocity of perpetual bloodshed, is to be 
found among the Malay followers of a prophet, who v^as as 
fierce and warlike as themselves. Accustomed to depend upon 
their courage, and avenge thisir own cause, there is more in- 
dependence of spirit, and more appearance of a lofty intrepi- 
dity found among them, than among any other of the servile 
tribes of the east. Brave, ferocious, and desperate to the last 
degree, on any occasion that requires blood to be shed ; cruel 
and revengeful in their wrath, beyond what human nature can 
almost be thought capable of, they are looked upon with hor- 
ror by the effeminate and timid Indians. I have often had oc- 
casion to observe these sentiments in the natives of Ceylon, 
who start affrighted on accidentally meeting a Malay soldier. 
The arms which the IMalays carry, are well suited to their 
savage and bloody disposition ; and as on receiving any real or 
