I 
266 NATURE, 
ancieiit people did so; and that such a custom is even yet followed 
amongst some Tartar tribes. Like many other people, the Jakuns 
consider white as a sacred colour; and it is a peculiar subject of com¬ 
fort, when in their last sickness, they can procure for themselves some 
white cloth, in which to be buried. When too poor to obtain such 
a consolation, the Tefap bark supplies the funeral dress. I was told 
that amongst the tribes, who are near to Pahang, the corpse of the de¬ 
ceased is burnt as is practised amongst the Hindus, and Siamese. 
Also that the place where a Jakun died is deserted by the others, 
and the house burnt; but after having questioned many of them on 
this last subject, I found it was practised only by a few. 
NATURE. 
The Jakuns are entirely inoffensive, nature having endowed them 
with an excellent temper; they are generally kind, affable, inclined 
to gratitude, and to beneficence. Hospitality is much practised 
amongst them, not only towards other Jakuns but towards any 
stranger, who should reach their habitations. I have remarked that 
all Indian nations are much inclined to begging; thus any thing they 
see that pleases them, they ask of the owner, when they know that 
there is no means to steal it, and sometimes their demands are so fre¬ 
quent and repeated that they are very importunate. The Jakuns are 
not so ; they differ much in this respect from other Indians ; they are 
liberal and generous. When I visited them, they very seldom asked me 
for any thing; and they never refused what I asked from them ; and 
when after asking 1 refused to take it; they pressed me to do so. They 
have very seldom quarrels amongst themselves ; their disputes are or¬ 
dinarily settled by their Batins or chiefs, without fighting or malice. 
Their laws allow of punishment for several sorts of erimes ; but the 
Batin has seldom occasion to apply them. Candour and honesty, 
qualities very rare in India, and I dare say in all Asia, are notwith¬ 
standing found amongst Jakuns. It is remarkable that they abhor 
lying and thieving, not in words as the Malay, but really and in 
practise. They are never known to steal any thing, not even the 
most insignificant trifle. Such remarkable qualities induced sever- 
