burial-places are regarded with an extraordinary degree of rev

erence.

Beyond the influence of Mahometanism, the Rejangs have not, and probably never have had any religion of their own. None at least has ever been discovered among them. They have no form of prayers, no processions, no meetings, no images, no priests. They believe, however, in the existence of invisible spirits of some kind, and attribute to them the power of influencing their destinies for good or for evil while in this world; and it is to these powers they are accustomed to make their appeals in their forms of taking an oath. They are said to have no idea of a future state, except such dim glimmerings as have been shed upon them by the Mahometan religion. Our own observations, however limited, on savage life, have gone far to impress us with the belief, that the eternal principle, the vital spark, which is incased in every human body, however remote from civilization, or low and degraded in the scale of human beings, will, under one form or another, if rightly understood, give evidence of its own consciousness of immortality.

""Tis the divinity which stirs within us,

"Tis Heaven itself that points out an hereafter,
And intimates eternity to man!"

If it be not so, why does the Laplander picture to himself that after this life he shall traverse verdant plains, ever blooming in spring, and abounding with herds of fat raindeer, as a reward for his good deeds in this world, or bleak, desolate mountains, as a punishment for his bad actions? Why does the Hindoo believe in the transmigration of the souls of men into animals; why the Araucanians bury their dead in rude canoes, with provisions to last during the unknown passage across the great water, whose tranquil waves, as they believe, wash the confines of another world? These are the dim lights of immortality in the breast of rude man. To mark these gleamings of the spirit, and trace out their existence, constitute one of the most pleasing inquiries of the Christian philosopher.

Nor will the Rejangs be found an exception; for they believe that tigers are endowed with the spirits of departed men; and so strong is this superstition, that they will not put one of these animals to death, except in actual self-defence. Indeed, the very

name of the tiger inspires them with awe, and they have a belief among them, that in some remote and hitherto unfrequented portion of the island, these animals have a village, a court, and live in huts, thatched with women's hair. The destruction committed by these ferocious beasts upon the inhabitants is almost incredible; for whole villages are said to have been nearly depopulated by them. When attacked, they often show great courage in defending themselves and each other.

It was related to us by one of our most intelligent shipmasters, who had frequented the coast, that while lying at anchor in one of their small ports, a native was brought in shockingly lacerated in the hip and side by the fangs of the tiger. He had been visiting his pepper garden, but a short distance from the village, and on his return, fortunately with a companion, the animal lay couched in a secret spot, and springing out, suddenly seized him, before he had warning that danger was nigh. His companion, who had passed a few rods ahead, heard his screams, and though armed with nothing but a kris, he returned, and attacked the monster with such courage and effect, that he was soon glad to let go his hold; and with the blood streaming from his wounds, bounded off, and was soon hid from sight amid impenetrable jungle. The wounds of the native were seared over with a hot iron, and by other arts peculiar to themselves, he was soon restored to perfect health.

They believe that trees, especially such as have an antiquated or venerable appearance, are the residence of the immaterial spirits of the woods, which, with a little poetic license, might be called the classic Dryades of Sumatra !

The country of the Lampoons, a people different in many, though no essential particulars, from the Rejangs, is situated on the southern extremity of the island. The Lampoons, of all the tribes on the island, most resemble the Chinese in appearance. Their complexion is fairer than that of the Rejangs, and their women are taller, more graceful, and more comely. In the reception of strangers, they are sumptuous and free in their manners. The Mahometan religion prevails, and in most villages mosques may be seen; though they still entertain a superstitious veneration for the crammats or burying-grounds of their ancestors, piously adorning and excluding them, by enclosures, from the inclemency of the weather.

CHAPTER XI..

Sumatra The Kingdom of Menangcabow-Its former Power and SplendourCurious Proclamation of the Sultan-Arts and Manufactures of the PeopleFire-arms and Gunpowder-The Battas; their Religion, Character, Manners, Customs-The Kingdom of Acheen-Description of the Inhabitants, Government, Religion, &c.-Severity of their Punishments-Cruel Sport of the Quallah-Battooans-Dress and Character of the Achenese-Their Oratory-Revival of Trade after the late War-Imbecility of the Government-The Rajah of Trumon Islands on the Coast-Pulo Nyas Parents sell their Children for Slaves -The Pogies-Islands and Inhabitants of Egano-Winds and Currents-Surveys and Charts, by Captains Endicott and Gillis.

THE ancient and comparatively powerful empire of Menangcabow, comprises an extensive tract in the centre of the Island of Sumatra, reaching several leagues to the north, and nearly one hundred miles to the south of the equator. It also communicates, by several rivers, with the seacoast on each side of the island. The seat, or capital of this monarchy, is called Paggarooyoong, where the sultan or emperor holds his court, from whence his power and influence were formerly felt in almost every part of the island. Even the sultans and kings of Acheen, Indrapoor, MocoMoco, Palembang, and Jambee, confessed his supremacy, and paid him an annual tribute; while his name and power were acknowledged and respected by the neighbouring princes of the east.

But the period of this greatness and splendour is lost in the mists of antiquity, and only known to us by tradition; for when Sumatra was first visited by Europeans, as has been seen in preceding pages, the sultans of Acheen, Pasay, &c., were all independent of the monarch of Menangcabow; although some of them still paid him a complimentary tribute. For centuries past there has been a great deal of mystery thrown around the history and character of this inland imperial court by Mahometan priests, who affect to regard the sultan as the sovereign head of their faith, on the island; although his present power is in fact but little more, if any, than that of a common rajah.

The proclamations and imperial edicts which have emanated

from this court are generally ridiculously pompous, as those of weak monarchs most generally are; carrying terror to the ignorant and imbecile, while they are contemned by the intelligent and the strong. The titles and epithets applied to this inland potentate, and adopted by himself, are the most extravagant and absurd; far surpassing those assumed by the emperors of Persia and Tartary, or even by the head of the Celestial Empire himself, the "Father of ten thousand years." The reading world is indebted to Alexander Dalrymple, Esq., for rescuing from oblivion one of these curious productions, written by the Sultan of Menangcabow about a century since, and addressed to the Sultan of Moco-Moco.

In style, this imperial document is far more rațional than many similar effusions we have seen; and is, taking it altogether, a production so remarkable, especially when the magnitude of its object is taken into view, that it forcibly reminds us of the wellknown comparison of

"Ocean into tempest tost,

To waft a feather, or to drown a fly."

The reader, therefore, we feel assured, will not regret its introduction in this place.

"Praised be Almighty God! Sultan Gaggar Allum, the great and noble king, whose extensive power reacheth unto the limits of the wide ocean; unto whom God grants whatever he desires, and over whom no evil spirit, nor even Satan himself, has any influence; who is invested with an authority to punish evil-doers, and has the most tender heart in the support of the innocent; has no malice in his mind, but prèserveth the righteous with the greatest reverence, and nourisheth the poor and needy, feeding them daily from his own table. His authority reacheth over the whole universe, and his candour and goodness are known to all men. (Mention made of the three brothers.) The ambassador of God, and his prophet Mahomet; the beloved of mankind; and ruler of the island called Percho. At the time God made the heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon, and even before evil spirits were created, this Sultan Gaggar Allum had his residence in the clouds; but when the world was habitable, God gave him a bird called Hocinet, that had the gift of speech; this he sent down on

earth to look out for a spot where he might establish an inheritance, and the first place he alighted upon was the fertile island of Lancapore, situated between Palimban and Jambee, and from thence sprang the famous kingdom of Menangcabow, which will be renowned and mighty until the judgment day.

"This Maha Rajah Doorja is blessed with a long life, and an uninterrupted course of prosperity, which he will maintain in the name, and through the grace of the holy prophet, to the end that God's divine will may be fulfilled upon earth. He is endowed with the highest abilities, and the most profound wisdom and circumspection in the governing the many tributary kings and subjects. He is righteous and charitable, and preserveth the honour and glory of his ancestors. His justice and clemency are felt in distant regions, and his name will be revered until the last day. When he openeth his mouth he is full of goodness, and his words are as grateful as rose-water to the thirsty. His breath is like the soft wind of the heavens (janatecool ferdoors), and his lips are the instruments of truth; sending forth perfumes more delightful than benjamin or myrrh. His nostrils breath ambergris and musk; and his countenance has the lustre of diamonds. He is dreadful in battle, and not to be conquered, his courage and valour being matchless. He, the Sultan Maha Rajah Doorja, was crowned with a sacred crown from God; and possesses the wood called kainat, in conjunction with the emperors of Rome and China. He is the sultan that keeps the cloth called sansista kallah, which weaves itself, and adds one thread yearly of fine pearls; and when that cloth shall be finished, the world will be no more. He also possesses the true negataroona, and a kind of gold called jatta jattee, which is so heavy that a small lump will snap the datte wood. This is the sultan that enjoys the sword se mandang gerey, which has one hundred and ninety wide notches in the field of battle, and is the weapon that killed the spirit of kattee moone; the dagger, known by the name of hangin singa, is also his, and will, at his command, fight for itself, with which he has vanquished many nations. He also possesses the lance lambing lamboora, the blade of which, called segar, was given him by an inhabitant of the sea. He likewise has horses of infinite strength and courage; and mountains of spontaneous fire. This is the sultan who keeps the flower champaka, that is