180 
Malays of Ceylon. 
of these people, but the superior mildness of the English go- 
vernment. So dreadful indeed is the frantic mode of revenge 
adopted by the Malays, that as long as their feelings continue 
to be exasperated by bad usage, it is necessary to impress their 
minds with fear by the severest punishments. But it is con- 
sistent with the nature of man to suppose that mild treatment, 
and the example of human manners, would by degrees soften 
their minds, and restrain their passions within the bounds of 
civilized society, without these dreadful punishments which are 
too shocking ever to reform. The Malays, indeed, in their 
present state are, from their ideas of morality, almost incapa- 
ble of being admitted into social life. They have no idea of 
revenge being a crime, and they triumph in shedding blood on 
such an occasion. Nothing indeed seems to prevent them from 
putting the most atrocious purpose into execution, when they 
have once resolved upon it. The introduction of Christianity 
among them is the only means by which this unprincipled fe- 
rocity can be radically reformed ; and it would certainly in a 
political view be of infinite service to us that those Malays in 
our settlements should embrace this religion. It would be the 
firmest link which could unite them with this country. At 
present it is very uncomfortable for Europeans to be as much 
afraid of their servants and attendants as of a mad dog. 
The Dutch goverment of Ceylon had always a regiment of 
Malays in their service. That corps for a considerable time 
past seemed to form the strength of their garrisons, and were 
the only troops which either kept up discipline, or displayed 
any sort of bravery in the field. I have already mentioned 
that it was from them alone that our troops met with any op- 
position either at Columbo or Trincomalee. They seemed, in- 
9 
