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NOTICES OF BOOKS. 349
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Life Formerl H.M In . Tli 'S E Y Charge ...
taken by hini in conjunction with the British Government against the irates of Borneocannot Tout be convinced in their own niinds that
p , the Rajah ' s deterniination to root out bands of ruffians , as a primary means of civilizing the land , was not an -indication of a savage
disposition as anxious for native blood as a Gordon Cuinraing for that of inoffensive African flocks .
A curious and terrible mania of the aborigines for " head hunting '' has nearly died out under the Rajah ' s eye . Only occasionally did
Mr . St . John detect secret longings amongst certain of the natives to distinguish themselves in this barbarous pursuit . Recently , an
extensive tract of country has been ceded to Sir James Brooke by blessings the Sultan of of civiliz Brunei ation , and by B the orneo benefici may be al destined influence to extending reap the
gradually up from Sarawak . The Dutch , laying claim to above half the island , are jealous of the progress of the English . Their
system of administration , opposed to the interests of the natives , does not show out to advantage when our countrymen are in close
proximity . Missionary labor among the Dayaks has now a good chance of success ; the Malaysbeing Mahoinedans , present barren
ground to their zealous labors . , Could the British government be persuaded either to extend assistance to Sir James , or take the large
territory off his hands , the advance in prosperity would doubtless be idwhereasleft to the guidance of one individual , though such
an rap able , one , progress , is necessarily slow . The better we become acquainted with the astounding natural advantages Borneo offers to
its possessors in mineral wealth and in agricultural produce , the more eager shall we be to witness the latent powers of the island
brought forth by immigration both of Europeans and Chinese ; undoubtedlthe only means calculated to gain the desired end .
Much difference y of opinion prevails as to whether Europeans are fitted to labor in the climate of Borneo . We are inclined to agree
with , we think , the majority of the authorities on this point , who hold that European capitalistswith Chinese labor , can succeed in
, making the island productive and prosperous . Our author , in those sections which embrace the domestic life of the
people , gives much attention to the habits and dress of the women . In cases they are extremely prettylight and graceful in
their many movements , and sprightly and intelligent , in conversation . Certain generally understood signals exist _Tby which a young * native lady ,
when courted , plainly hints the suitor is not to her taste . The words which convey this dread sentence relate to some such simple
domestic ofnce as lighting a lamp or blowing up a fire , but the signification is unmistakable . The people are hospitable , and as a
rule , friendly . Most curious are their superstitions . Commonly p enable igs and their fowls seers are to sacrificed predict , the and future the liver . Well and it heart is not examined so long to
since Catherine de Medici was at the same work , , as all who have
read M . - Dumas can attest , so we must not be too severe on the
Notices Of Books. 349
NOTICES OF BOOKS . 349
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Citation
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English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), July 1, 1862, page 349, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01071862/page/61/
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