into which the wanton exercise of despotism seduces
the possessors of it, they are not cruel
nor unfeeling. In their legal punishments there
are no symptoms of inhuman refinement, the origin
of which can be traced to their own manners.
Even robbers neither mutilate, torture, nor murder
those whose property they take. The conduct
of superiors to their dependents is marked by kindness,
gentleness, and consideration; and even slaves
are never treated with a wanton barbarity. They
are not without sympathy for distress, and as
ready to relieve it as any people. A native of
continental India would see a man struggling for
life in the water and afford him no assistance. The
active exertions of a Javanese, a Malay, or native
of Celebes, would, under the same circumstances,
be exerted for his rescue.
They are good humoured and cheerful to a remarkable
degree, and owing to the habitual caution
which their manners impose, so little irascible, that
one seldom sees them ruffled. Between a fretful
expression, and the last degree of guilty excess,
there are few gradations.
Gross and abusive language never occurs in
their intercourse. Their languages hardly afford
any such expressions. The harshest words which a
Javanese will use towards an inferior, are “ goat”
or “ buffalo,” words equivalent in their mouths to
goose or ass in ours.
Hospitality is a virtue very universally practised.
In Java a traveller can never be at a loss. The custom
of the country makes it a point of honour with
a Javanese to supply every stranger with food and
accommodation for a day and a night at least. How
natural hospitality is to their manners, may be seen
from the practice of it having thus grown into an
established usage. The practice of this virtue is
extended to foreigners, and an European never
fails to meet among them with a simple but affectionate
welcome, which he will hardly fail to contrast
with the heartless and repugnant estrangement,
under the same circumstances, of the natives
of continental India.*
* <£ After this the citizens of Mindanao came frequently a-
board, to invite our men to their houses, and to offer us pagal-
lies. I t was a long time since any of us had received such
friendship, and therefore we were the more easily drawn to accept
of their kindnesses; and in a very short time most of our
men got a comrade or two, and as many pagallies : especially
such of us as had good clothes, and store of gold, as many had,
who were of the number of those that accompanied Captain
Harris over the isthmus of Darien, the rest of us being poor
enough. Nay* the very poorest and meanest of us could hardly
pass the streets, but we were even hailed by force into their
houses, to be treated by them ; although their treats were but
mean, viz. tobacco, or betel-nut, or a little sweet spiced water.
Yet their seeming sincerity, simplicity, and the manner of
bestowing these gifts, made them very acceptable. When we
came to their houses, they would always be praising the English,
as declaring that the English and Mindanarans were all