54 
CtJPANG — CHINESE AND ARABS, 
Chinaman as to an Englishman : this good man 
sustained the part of master of the house with 
evident pride, and seemed complacently happy 
on his return to the familiar surroundings. 
The poor class of Chinese wear blue trousers, 
white being reserved for the rich. But all 
alike have the white jacket, which is always 
clean and fresh, for the Chinese are prized as 
laundry- workers all over the East. Some have 
white silk inwoven in the pig-tail, the elderly 
substituting black, for thus the growing scanti- 
ness of age is not so apparent. Even an old 
man of eighty has a creditable plait, and the 
pride of all wearers is evinced by the frequency 
with which the appendage is drawn round and 
gazed at, and felt and stroked. 
There is in Cupang a large Chinese and Arab 
population, and I could not help contrasting the 
two races. The Chinaman everywhere has a 
bright, clean, active look : he moves with a 
briskness refreshing to see in that land of loiter- 
ing, and always seems on business intent. The 
Arab, again, is all folds and twists. His dress has 
undoubtedly the more picturesque appearance. 
His loose flowing apparel of various colours, 
richly embroidered vest, jacket, and gay turban, 
attract the eyes far off : you watch him approach 
