This imposing armament moved leisurely | face of their fort-was so novel and incomup the Sarebus river with the flood tides, prehensible to our enemies, that they fled, anchoring always on the ebb; by which panic-struck, into the jungle; and it was means, says the narrator, we managed to with the greatest difficulty that our leading collect our stragglers and keep the force to- men could get even a snap-shot at the rasgether.' On the 10th they passed, or rather cals as they went. That evening, the were passed by the bore' of the river, up country was illuminated for miles by the which the tide rushes with effects similar to burning of the capital, Paddi, and adjacent those observable in the estuaries of the Brit- villages; at which work and plundering our ish Channel;-a circumstance on which native followers were most expert. We the pirates seem to have counted as one of took all their guns, and burnt the stockades the defences of their position. On the level to the ground.' next day, a sudden turn in the river 'brought us (Mr. Brooke was at my side) in front of a steep hill which rose from the bank. It had been cleared of jungle, and long grass grew in its place. As we hove in sight, several hundred savages rose up, and gave one of their war-yells; it was the first I had heard. No report from musketry or ordnance could ever make a man's heart feel so small (adds the captain very honestly) as mine did at that horrid yell.' They passed a kind of fort, where on the roof of a long building, on the summit of the hill, were several warriors performing a war-dance, which it would be difficult to imitate on such a stage.' After exchanging a few shots in sweeping past this fort, the expedition encountered a strong barrier right across the river, formed of two rows of trees placed firmly in the mud, with their tops crossed and secured together by rattans; and along the fork, formed by the crossing of the tops of these stakes, were other trees firmly secured. Rapidly approaching this barrier, I observed a small opening that might probably admit a canoe; and gathering good way, and putting my gig's head straight at it, I squeezed through. On reaching it the scene again changed, and I opened on three formidablelooking forts, which lost not a moment in opening a discharge of cannon on my unfortunate gig.'

The destruction of Paddi, however, did not end the Sarebus war. The expedition had to advance some way further up the river, with occasional night alarms, and exchanges of shots and spears in the jungle; until it reached close to where the pirates had removed their families, with such little valuables as they could collect.' Then a flag of truce arrived. At the appointed hour the chiefs made their appearance, dressed in their best, but looking haggard and dejected.' Mr. Brooke,' the Tuan Besar, or Great Man,' officiated as spokesman; and after dilating on the enormity of piracy, and the resolution of the British Government to suppress it, invited them to a conference at Sarawak. The expedition then repaired down the river, considering the chastisement inflicted sufficient; but the commanders had strong proof of the rapidity with which these swarms of wasps, dispersed at one point, settled in another. They found a new fort constructed at a point on the river which they had passed, and occupied by a new horde of pirates, which had to be stormed, as well as 'Rembas,'-a still more important position, up another branch of the river.

'Here ended, for the present,' says Captain Keppel, the warlike par. of our expedition. The punishment we had inflicted was severe, but not more than the crime of their horrid These were the main defences of the piracies deserved. A few heads were brought Sarebus-and not ill chosen in a military away by our Dyak followers, as trophies; but point of view. They enabled the defenders there was no unnecessary sacrifice of life, and to get some minutes' firing, not without I do not believe there was a woman or child effect, at the assailing party, while break-ished the whole country beyond description. hurt. The destruction of these places astoning through the fence across the river. In addition to the distance and difficulty of This once done, the Dido made short work access to their strongly-fortified positions, they of the rest. 'While the pinnace kept up looked for protection from the bore that usually destructive fire on the fort, Mr. D'Aeth, ran up the Sarebus, and which they imagined who was the first to land, jumped on shore none but their own boats could manage. with his crew, at the foot of the hill, on the the different Malay chiefs heard that in ten top of which the nearest fort stood, and at stroyed their strongholds, they shook their days a handful of white men had totally deonce rushed for the summit. This mode of heads and exclaimed, "God is great!" and the warfare this dashing at once in the very Dyaks declared, that the Tuan Besar (Mr.

As

Brooke) had charmed the river, to quiet the bore, and that the whites were invulnerable.**

The effects of this successful razzia on the pirates was, however, only temporary. In most instances of European warfare against barbarous tribes, the first struggle is the easiest. A year afterwards, (July 1844,) Captain Keppel and the Dido returned to Borneo, to embark, under Mr. Brooke's directions, in a similar undertaking against a more desperate set of pirates, the Dyaks of the Sakarran river. Captain Keppel reached Sarawak on the 25th July. He found the place much altered for the better, and the population considerably increased. Mr. Brooke had established himself in a new house, built on a beautiful and elevated mound. Neat and pretty-looking little Swiss cottages had sprung up on all the most picturesque spots, which gave it quite an European look. He had made also an agreeable addition to his English society; and a magazine of English merchandise had been opened to trade with the natives, together with many other improvements.'

tive tongue, with a degree of fluency I had never witnessed before, even in a Malay. The purport of it, as I understood, was to point out emphatically the horrors of piracy on the one hand, which it was the determination of the British government to suppress: and, on the other hand, the blessings arising from peace and trade, which it was equally our wish to cultivate.'

Thus terminated the most successful inroad ever made into the haunts of these ferocious Corsairs. But the work was, and is, far from being completed. In May 1845, M. Brooke was again present when the boats of the Vixen, Nemesis, and Pluto, with five hundred and fifty blue-jackets and marines, carried the fortress of Malludu, fiercely defended by Seriff Houseman ;— one of the most persevering and dangerous enemies whom the Rajah of Sarawak had encountered in his civilizing career. Panjeran Usop, another pirate of the highest Malay order, was forced to an unworthy surrender; much to the dissatisfaction of his countrymen. His mouth was brave,' they exclaimed, but his heart timid. He should have died as other great men have died, and not have received such shame. He should have amoked,(run a-muck,) or delivered himself up for execution.'

But the state of the neighboring country was alarming. Sarawak itself had been threatened by Seriff Sahib, an old enemy of Mr. Brooke's, now allied with the pirates; So far well; but Borneon piracy is not and it became every way necessary to take like that of the Cilicians of old, to be exdecided measures. Her Majesty's Ship tirpated in a campaign or two by some vicDido, and the Steamer Phlegethon, attend- torious Pompey. It is the inveterate haed with the usual train, accordingly moved bits of the people, Malays and sea-Dyaks in great force against the enemy. This alike; and the Bugis of Celebes, and the campaign turned out a far more serious warriors of the more distant Gilolo, are affair than that against the Sarebus. In it more formidable than the Borneons. The fell the Dido's first Lieutenant, Charles idea of extirpating whole hordes of piratiFrancis Wade,-a brave man and true cal states,' says MrH unt,' * were it possible, sailor, but who rather seems to have fallen a must, from its cruelty, be incompatible with victim to his own rashness. The brave the liberal principles and humane policy of old Patingi Ali,' the Nestor of Mr. Brooke's a British government. The simple burnallied Malays, contrived to run his light di-ing down of a Malay town can prove no vision of boats into a treacherous creek, serious impediment to future piratical enterwhere six large war-prahus took him in the rear; and he and most of his followers were 'krissed' or knocked on the head. But ultimately the triumph was complete. A new conference' was summoned, at which divers piratical chiefs were, in name of our ally, the Sultan of Borneo, deposed from their stations. I had the satisfaction of witnessing,' says Captain Keppel, what must have been-from the effect I observed it to have produced-a splendid piece of oratory, delivered by Mr. Brooke in the na

*Keppel, vol. ii. p. 59-70.

prises. Constructed, as they are, of bamboos, mats, and atap leaves, a town is almost rebuilt in the same period of time as it takes to destroy it. The Dutch, who had centuries of dear-bought experience, knew there was no other mode of prevention and radical cure than building small redoubts at the principal towns, and keeping up an adequate force to check piratical enterprises and to turn their restless minds to exertions of industry; satisfied if, with the attainment of these objects, they covered the ex

* See Memoir on Borneo, appended to Captain Keppel's work.

penses of the establishment. This is the true history of the innumerable little forts on Celebes, Borneo, Timor, and all the Eastern isles.'

also adopted another of his suggestions, in taking possession of the island of Labuan, off the coast of Borneo Proper;-pointed out by him as a convenient spot for the purposes of commerce between China and Borneo, and a depot for coal for steamers on their way to China, as well as a station against the pirates.

We deeply regret, however, to say, that even since we commenced this article, new and painful intelligence has arrived from

Much as may be effected by a character and exertions such as those of Mr. Brooke, it is evident that it is by time alone, and by a strenuous perseverance in watchful and resolute policy, that we can ultimately attain-as attain we certainly shall-the result of making this vast archipelago as secure for the purposes of commerce, as this most interesting quarter. It seems our Indian seas. Mr. Hunt, it may be observed, wrote the above' Memoir' in 1812. The employment of steam-navigation has since that time altered the character of this species of warfare. Floating fortresses, like the Phlegethon, may dispense with the necessity for many an armed post on the land.

that Panjeran Budrudeen, a brave and faithful ally of Mr. Brooke, of whom many interesting notices are contained in Captain Keppel's volumes, had been attacked by pirates, and forced to retire into his house. Here he defended himself until he could hold out no longer; when, with the desperate valor of the Malay, when driven to extreHere we must take leave, along with mity, after sending a ring from his finger to Captain Keppel, of Mr. Brooke; not with- Mr. Brooke, he fired the gunpowder in his out sharing in his own heartfelt exultation, house, and destroyed himself and his famiat finding that his single-hearted zeal and ly. This ring had been given to him by perseverance are already reaping a large Mr. Brooke, to be sent to summon his aid reward. By Captain Keppel's last accounts, in a moment of danger. The villanous Sarawak had marvellously increased in Sultan of Borneo, it was added, had orderpopulation and trade; new houses wered the destruction of Mr. Brooke by poidaily rising; new vessels constructing; the son, or in any other manner; and Muda industrious Chinese had discovered, and Hassim, and several of his friends, had alwere turning to account, this new field of ready been treacherously killed. At the emigration; European settlers were arriv- date of this intelligence, the Phlegethon ing-dangerous but serviceable guests, and safe as yet under the control of Mr. Brooke's energy and vigilance; but, above all, the Dyak tribes were flocking in to share the shelter of the flag of the new potentate, and enjoy this narrow but peaceful asylum from surrounding anarchy. Liberated slaves from the pirate districtswere becoming peaceful cultivators; a long-oppressed race were rising, under his auspices, into the dignity of free and industrious men; and while we can conceive no happiness more exalted But he has already won his way through than that of the founder of this prosperity, more impediments than the dangers with he appears himself to view it in no other which he was last heard to be environed; light than as a stimulus to further exertion. and from his indomitable courage and enCaptain Keppel informs us also, that Mr. ergy we, with considerable confidence, Brooke has been lately appointed British hope for the best. Should he weather this Agent in Borneo; and, if this appointment storm, and become firmly seated in his dowas bestowed at his own request, we trust minions, one more great object lies open it may prove an instrument towards the to him-the introduction of Christianity furtherance of his truly philanthropic and among that simple and not unpromising magnificent views; though for our own race, for whom he has already effected so parts, we should have felt some apprehen- much. The great influence which he has sion, we will confess, as to the consequences acquired, and the purely beneficent characof his independent action being controlled ter of that influence, would no doubt afford by the trammels of a connexion with our him great facilities for commencing the distant Colonial Office. Government has task. And the disposition of the Dyaks

and other vessels were hastening to the protection of Mr. Brooke. Whatever the exact state of circumstances may have been, it is too plain that he was in the midst of one of those perilous and awful conjunctures to which his daring and noble career is exposed. If he has indeed fallen, as some fear, and met the fate for which many passages of his Journal show him fully prepared, England never lost a worthier son in a more heroic and sacred enterprise.

blank paper.' And as his opinion on such a subject ought to rank as an authority, we hope that his judgment, in this as well as less important matters, will not be rashly interfered with.

sufficient justice. Yet his narrative of the exploits of the Dido will, after all, form the most generally amusing part of the book. Altogether, it well merits that public favor which it has already acquired, and to which we think it yet further entitled.

themselves their naturally peaceable and real and satisfactory progress, are greater laborious habits their freedom from preju- than his praiseworthy zeal anticipates. Mr. dices of caste, and from powerful and root- Brooke's own opinion is, that the work of ed superstition-the very absence of any civilization must precede that of converdefinite religious system, for which they sion; for without previous culture,' he seem remarkable-all these are favorable says, I reckon the labors of the missioncircumstances in the case. Nor are prece-ary as useless as endeavoring to read off a dents wanting among the wide-spread nations of the same region. There seems reason to believe that the Dutch have succeeded in introducing Christianity, far more extensively than is generally known, among the kindred Polynesian races of the Our readers will perceive, that much of Moluccas and the Arafura islands. So the value of Captain Keppel's work conmuch mystery continues to envelope the sists in its extracts from Mr. Brooke's Jourcondition of their eastern settlements, that nals, and the insight which it gives into his information on this point is not easily ac- remarkable history. But the Captain's own cessible. But it is certain, that Amboyna deeds and proceedings are well and modesthas become a kind of nursery of natively recounted; and his truly generous zeal missionaries-sending out teachers, both to make known the achievements of his European and native, to distant portions of friend scarcely permit him to do himself the Malay archipelago. And though we know but little, either of the spread, or the character, of their religious instruction, it may be supposed that, outwardly at least, the success of their obscure labors has been greater than that of the much-vaunted Roman Catholic Missions of the East. 1838, Mr. Earl found that one-fourth of the inhabitants of Kissa (a remote island near Timor which he visited) belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church; and he speaks very highly of the order and civilization of the Community. Captain Stanley, who accompanied Mr. Earl, gives some other interesting notices of this scattered and strug- Penang and Singapore are the two outgling Christianity. In one island, indeed, posts of this vast oceanic region. The lathe found the poor Missionary on the point ter of these two positions, however, is by of banishment. The faith of his flock had far the most valuable. The island was senot been able to resist a long continuance lected by Sir Stamford Raffles for a settleof dry weather, which the Old Gods had ment:-a singular instance (except perhaps sent in their anger. Whoever is interested Odessa) of a great commercial emporium, in this subject and who that has the cause of which the site has been fixed, not by of Civilization, and the humanizing influ- the natural course of commerce itself, ence of true Religion at heart, is not? but by the forethought of an individual. -will be pleased with the Address' lately Singapore has been for some years the published by the Rev. Mr. Brereton, men- great entrepôt of the trade between China tioned at the head of this article, and which and India; especially that part of it which we here recommend to the general con- is carried on in the 'junks' of the Chisideration of the public. Besides its own nese. This advantage it appears likely immediate and principal objects, announc- to lose, to some extent, in consequence of ed in its title-page, it is prefaced with a ra- the opening of the China trade; though we pid and well-written notice of Borneo, can hardly agree with Mr. Davidson, who strongly inviting attention to it as one of draws from hence the conclusion, 'that the the largest and fairest countries of the trade of Singapore has reached its maxworld, and as lying on one of the great na-imum.' More probably the certain invigable pathways of the Asiatic Archipela- crease of its commerce with Borneo, and go to China and Japan.' It may, however,

be true, that the difficulties in the way of

The opening of so vast an Island to English enterprise, forms an era so new and important, in the history of our connexion with that still half fabulous archipelago, of which it nearly occupies the centre, that it may not be without interest to take a brief review of the principal points on which the standard of Britain is already unfurled.

Trade and Travel, p. 67.

the great islands eastward of it, will, in no distant time, far more than compensate for any diminution of that with China.

and varied Sovereignty. How far they have used their opportunities, yet remains a secret to the world. The thick veil of traditional jealousy is still maintained by the Dutch. Java is a splendid possession; and we suspect that our prevalent notions of Dutch misgovernment in that quarter are much exaggerated; for which, however, the Dutch have their own exclusiveness in a great measure to thank. Since the fall of Diepo Negoro, the Toussaint Louverture of Javanese independence, (he was taken in 1829, imprisoned, and no more heard of,) the island has been tranquil, and advancing. Mr. Davidson states, that it is every This where traversed by excellent roads, and has a complete posting establishment-a luxury which would be sought in vain in our own continental possessions.

The great Empire of our neighbors in the Indian archipelago (for such it is) lies to the southward of the Line;-scattered, from Bencoolen in the west, to Banda in the east, over nearly thirty degrees of longitude. Our transactions with Holland in the Eastern Seas are regulated by a treaty dated in the year 1824. By the twelfth article of that treaty, it is agreed that 'no British establishment shall be made on the Carimon Isles, or on the Islands of Battam, Bintang, Lingin, or any of the other Islands south of the Straits of Singapore.'

is one of those oracular clauses, which men of homely understandings are sometimes tempted to suspect Diplomatists of framing in order to insure a perpetuity of employ- Of the far-famed Spice Islands, and the ment for the craft. What is meant by innumerable smaller islets and clusters of 'south of the Straits of Singapore?' Ru- the Arafura sea, which own the Dutch sumor attributes to the Dutch a disposition premacy, some curious notices are to be to give it a very sweeping interpretation in- found in Lieutenant Kolff's 'Voyages of deed to make it include all Islands reach- the Dutch brig Dourga,' translated by Mr. ed from Singapore, by passing southward Earl, in 1840. It seems that the Dutch through the straits-that is, all the Eastern keep up the primitive fashion of sending Archipelago. It is obvious that this con- round occasional vessels, like the annual struction will not meet the very letter of Triremes of the Athenians, to remind their the clause. Borneo, for instance, extends insular subjects of their supremacy;-to as much to northward as southward of the make up their quarrels, depose or instal straits in question. But the reasonable in-Chiefs, and (among other things) to confirm tendment is surely that adopted by the Eng- and christen the Christian natives - the lish, viz., that the parties had in contempla- Dutch sailors being especially in request as tion the Islands which lie directly south of godfathers on such occasions; in so much, the straits, and off the east coast of Suma- that many a naked Dirk, Cobus, Hendrik, tra. This seems evident from the context; and Johannes, struts about those distant isand, in particular, from the clause begin-lands in the pride of a Christian name.— ning with an enumeration of some small is-But these visits are so rare, that many sublands precisely answering this description.jects or dependents of his Dutch Majesty The absurdity of the other construction only hear of the existence of their Soveseems nearly as great, as it would be to reign once in thirty years. hold that the mention of the Azores, and Venerable Dutch traditions and fashions other islands west of the Straits of Gibral- survive among these sleepy tribes, as among tar,' would include both the West Indies Washington Irving's delightful New Nethand the British Islands. However, we have erlands. They believe firmly in their anno wish to anticipate controversies,-such cient mistress-the Dutch East India Comas commercial jealousy is ever imagining, pany-though the said Compania has been and not unfrequently produces. Sufficient extinct, we believe, for many a year. it is that there is ample room for both Pow- Children who have Dutch blood in their ers. And, surely, there is scarcely an Eu- composition are still called Anak Comparopean Power with whom we have so little nia'-an European officer is Orang Comoccasion to stand in relations of suspicion pania'-and a glass of arrack, in some isas the Dutch-our allies in blood and reli-lands, is Sopi Compania.' In one Island gion, our inferiors, beyond all comparison, the natives were found venerating an old in population and wealth, Whatever may be thought as to the meaning of the treaty, our ancient rivals surely have here room enough for the formation of a magnificent

6

chair, which was occupied by an equally old felt hat and truncheon-the last relics of the Compania's sovereignty; and on another, the people of the Dourga were accosted