. be niulorstood alike in tbe different languages in wliicb they are
used,” is not strictly correct, as we fbiiiid many Loo Cboo people wbo
understood the meaning of tbe character, wiiicb was the same with
them as with tbe Chinese, but who could not give us the Chinese pro-
iiunciatioii of the word. And tbis is an answer to another observation
which precedes that above mentioned, viz. that “ as the Chinese clia-
racters are in direct coimexioii with the Chinese spoken words, they
can only be read and understood by those who are familiar with the
spoken language.” Tbe Loo Clioo words for the same things are very
different from those of the Chinese, the one being often a monosyllable,
and the other a polysyllable: as in tbe instance o(charcoal, tbe Chinese
word for it being tan, and tbe Loo Cbooaii chd-chce-jhig, and yet the
people use precisely tbe same character as tbe Chinese to express this
Avord; and so far from its being necessary to be familiar witli the
language to understand the characters, many did not know tbe Chinese
Avords for them. Tbeir language throughout is very different from that
of tbe Chinese, and much more nearly allied to the Japanese. The
observation of JI. Klaproth, in Arcbiv fur Asiatische Litteratur, p. 152,
that the Loo Cboo language is a dialect of the Japanese witli a good
deal of Chinese introduced into it, appears to be perfectly correct, from
the information of some gentlemen avI i o have compared the tAvo, and
are familiar with both languages. The vocabulary of Lieutenant
Clifford, Avbich Ave found very correct, Avill at any time afford the means
of making this comparison.
The inhabitants of Loo Choo are very curious on almost all subjects,
and seem very desirous ofinformation ; but we were wholly unable
to judge of their proficiency in any subject, in consequence of the great
disadvantages under which we visited their country.
Like the Japanese, they have always shown a determination to
resist the attempts of Europeans to trade with them, partly, no doubt,
in consequence of orders to that effect from China, and partly from their
OAvn tim id ity ; and Avhenever a foreign vessel arrives it is their policy
to keep her in ignorance of their weakness, by confining the crew to
their vessel, or, if they cannot do that, within a limited walk of the beach,
and through such places only as will not enlighten them on this point;
and also to supply her with A v h a t she requires, in order t h a t she may CHAP,
have no pretext for remaining.
May,
1S27.
Mr. Collie in bis journal has given a phrenological description of
the licads of several Loo Chooans which he examined and measured, in
whicli proportions he thinks tbe lovers of th a t science Avill find much
th a t is ill accordance with the character of the people. The article,
I am sorry to say, is too long for insertion here, and 1 only mention the
circumstance th a t tbe information may not be lost.
\A"e had but few opportunities of seeing any of the females of this
country, and those only of the Avorking-class. An-yah said they Averc
ugly, and told us aa'C might judge of what they were like from the
lower orders which avc saw. They dressed their hair in the same
manner as those people, and Avere free from the Chinese custom of
modelling their feet.
The Loo Choo people dress extremly neat, and always appear
cleanly in their persons: they observe the Chinese custom of going
bareheaded, and Avhen the sun strikes hot upon their skulls, they avert
its rays with their fans, Avhich may be considered part of the dress of a
Loo Chooan. In Avet Aveather they wear cloaks and broad hats similar
to those of tbe Japanese, and exchange their straw sandals for Avooden
clogs. They have besides umbrellas to protect them from the rain.
Of their occupations Ave could not ju d g e ; it AAas evident th a t there
were a great many agriculturists among them, and many artisans, as
they have various manufactures, of Avhich I shall speak hereafter.
They appear to be very temperate in their meals, and indulge only
in tea, SAAeetmeats, and tobacco, of Avbich they smoke a great quantity;
it is, however, of a very mild quality and pleasant fiavour. Their pipes
are very short, and scarcely bold half a thimbleful; this is done that
they may be the oftener replenished, in order to enjoy tbe flavour of
fresh tobacco, which is considered a luxury.
For further information on the manners, tbe dress, and minor
points of interest belonging to these people, I must refer to the publications
of Captain Hall and jMr. Macleod, Avho have so interestingly
described all tbe little traits of character of the simple Loo Chooans,
and Avbo have portrayed tbeir conduct Avitb so much spirit, good
3 q 2
Ii i