608 AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF 
exhibiting nearly a similar result from the action of two extreme 
systems of government, and the bait of power, which is cast out to 
all who can catch it—the pomp of ceremonies gilding with a false 
lustre, the most galling chains,—the social compacts existing, 
independent of the most arbitrary rule—the influence of the 
national religion, whether merely glozing over and softening the 
harsher features of human existence, or pervading the whole mind, 
sinking into its most intricate recesses, and either expanding and 
elevating the moral qualities and mental faculties generally, or 
debasing them to a low level. 
How far all or any of these causes may retard the advance of 
the Malays in the road to improvement or may be forcing them to 
retrograde, are problems yet to be solved. But when this shall be 
attempted, it will be necessary to view that people per se, and 
without having recourse to any other for a standard of comparison. 
If we glance at the various savage or demisavage nations and tribes 
on the globe, amongst whom or in whose close proximity the 
European race has for lengthened periods been located, we shall 
find reason to marvel at the slightness of the moral change which 
has thereby been induced amongst the former. There is in truth 
no such thing in nature as a real sudden change in morals, ethnics, 
religion, or politics. All apparently sudden but real changes in 
these are in truth the gradual results of the slow abrasion of former 
systems by an undercurrent of opinion and belief. 
The influence of the Hindu religion first, and next, that of Isla- 
mism on the national character of the Malays seems to have been 
very incommensurate with what we might have expected to have 
seen. But we have only to look at Christianity. Has it modelled 
all its votaries upon one invariable social and mental scale ? Has 
it eradicated national habits, and prejudices ? When their feelings, 
habits and prejudices have been strong originally in any people 
they may stand their ground and eventually and injuriously re-act 
upon religion and politics. 
The only point on which (materially viewed) might have been 
given a positive controul over the Malayan states and might have 
proved strictly serviceable to trade, is tin mining. There can be 
little doubt that European science would not only increase the quan¬ 
tity of tin now obtained from the Peninsula—but prevent a great 
deal from being wasted by the slovenly practice of the native 
miners. But the advantage of working the mines might be secured 
by treaties. If the Chinese are admitted into the Malayan states 
by their chiefs as miners in such numbers as to render them nearly 
independent—and such as gives them the power to evade the pay¬ 
ment of duties, we may presume that under the safeguard ot treaties 
securing to the Rajahs a reasonable share in the produce, they 
would be disposed readily to permit the British to open and work 
their mines. 
Aboutthistime (July 1786) the Siamese over-run the Patam coun¬ 
try which had refused to pay the usual homage. The population of 
