The House of Commons was to Peel--what it had been to Pitt, his

illustrious predecessor--his world of thought and action. Pitt was 20

when he took his seat in Parliament by the influence of Sir James

Lowther. Sir Robert was 21 when he was returned for Cashel, by the

influence of his father. Both lived, and, so to speak, died on that

grand stage. If Pitt is to be recognised as the boldest and bravest

Minister that ever conducted a country through the perils and disasters

of a protracted war, Peel must be regarded as the most courageous

statesman that ever dared to guide a busy nation through the peculiar

dangers that environ a period of long peace. Pitt set up a principle of

action as his guiding star, and steered his course by its light, against

the bitterest opposition and the most vehement remonstrance, and died,

still proclaiming the safety of his chosen path. Peel, in a later age,

and under different circumstances, sacrificed, year after year, his

strong convictions, in order to direct within safe channels the popular

current which in spite of all his efforts to resist it, flowed on until

it threatened to destroy and drown all obstacles--good or evil--that

opposed its progress. Had Pitt lived in the days of Peel, his sagacity

would have compelled the same policy. The proof of Peel’s sound wisdom

was emphatically witnessed when he ceased to be Minister in 1846, but

continued, until his cruel and untimely end, to exercise the greatest

influence of all living men, over the destinies of his country. More

potent than even the Prime Minister who had unseated him, was Sir Robert

Peel, from 1846 until 1850. Many are the claims of Peel upon our

gratitude. He reformed our criminal code; he advanced the cause of

religious freedom; he repealed the corn laws. His attainments as a

scholar were great, and he was a warm encourager of literature and art.

His secret charities to men of genius--revealed since his death--declare

the goodness of his heart. It is said that he had few friends in public

life. It may be difficult for a politician to enjoy this luxury. In the

bosom of his own family he was beloved.

[This fine colossal statue, which will be found at the south-west

angle of the great Transept and Nave, is by Baron Marochetti. It is

executed in bronze.]

473. SIR MICHAEL O’LOCHLEN. _Lawyer._

[Born 1789. Died 1842. Aged 53.]

A judge in Ireland, of high legal attainments, great practical

knowledge, and unwearied industry. The first Roman Catholic created law

officer of the Crown, and raised to the bench, since the Revolution of

1688. A member of the Church of Rome, he owed his promotion to the

Liberal party. Appointed Attorney-General 1835, Baron of the Exchequer

1836, and Master of the Rolls 1837. He was earnest in his endeavours to

promote the ends of justice, courteous in manners, and kind in

disposition. All parties esteemed and admired him for his judicial

conduct, and, after his decease, Lord Lyndhurst, a political opponent,

paid a just and feeling tribute to his memory.

[By Christopher Moore, for the Incorporated Law Society of Dublin.]

474. LORD JOHN RUSSELL. _Statesman._

[Born 1792. Still living.]

The third son of the sixth Duke of Bedford. Has served many offices of

state, amongst others that of Prime Minister of England. The recognised

leader of the Whig party, and the representative of the school of

Charles James Fox. The author of a work on the Constitution of England,

of a tragedy, and of other books. The editor, also, of the Memoirs of

Thomas Moore, the poet. Lord John Russell is considered one of our first

constitutional statesmen. His course is not always so distinctly marked

as to be obvious and intelligible to every looker-on. Now he is too

liberal for Conservatives, now too conservative for Liberals; to-day he

offends the lovers of religious toleration by his legislation against

spiritual freedom; to-morrow he will distress bigotry by his zeal for

religious independence. Yet Lord John is a man of mark and influence:

and when he suffers his soul to be kindled into warmth, the sympathies

of men rally involuntarily around him. The prominent feature in the

character of this distinguished statesman, is the supreme absence of

self-mistrust, be the matter in hand what it may.

475. DAVID SALOMONS. _Alderman._

[Born in London, 1797. Still living.]

The first Hebrew gentleman who has held civic appointment, and sat as

member of parliament, though but for a day, in the House of Commons. Was

elected sheriff of London in 1835, and alderman of Aldgate-ward in

1836; but could not take his seat in consequence of the existing state

of the law, which practically excluded Jews. In the year 1844, elected

alderman of the ward of Portsoken, but the election again annulled. The

law having been altered by Sir Robert Peel’s government in 1847, elected

without opposition, in that year, alderman of Cordwainers’ ward. In

1851, returned to parliament for the borough of Greenwich. Taking his

seat, he maintained his right to remain there; but he was ordered to

withdraw, the law of the land forbidding his presence until he could

take the necessary oaths. The claims of the Jews to equal rights with

their fellow citizens are identified with the name of David Salomons, as

they have been maintained chiefly by his untiring exertions.

[From the marble by Edward Davis.]

476. SIR WILLIAM FOLLETT. _Lawyer._

[Born in Devonshire, 1798. Died in London, 1845. Aged 46.]

The most celebrated advocate of his time. Remarkable for the lucidity of

his intellect, for his extensive and accurate legal knowledge, for his

acute discrimination, his intuitive sagacity, and for his power of

rapidly transferring his whole attention to anything that might be

brought before it. His reasoning faculties were of the highest order,

and his memory was singularly quick and retentive. His manner calm,

dignified, and graceful, and his temper serene and unruffled. His

labours at the bar were excessive, and prosecuted in the midst of pain

and sickness. He died comparatively early, worn out by disease and work.

He had served Her Majesty as Solicitor-General, and, had he lived, would

inevitably have taken the highest position open to his profession.

[By W. Behnes.]

477. THE EARL OF DERBY. _Statesman._

[Born 1799. Still living.]

Has been Chief Secretary for Ireland, Secretary of State for the

Colonies, and Prime Minister. Has served with the Whigs under Lord Grey,

and with the Conservatives under Sir Robert Peel. Since the death of Sir

Robert, has headed the extreme Tory party. Lord Derby is one of the

readiest, most eloquent, clever, and fluent speakers in the House of

Lords. When in the House of Commons, he was styled by Mr. Disraeli “The

Prince Rupert of Debate.” As a lieutenant, he was brilliant, fierce, and

irresistible in assault. As a leader, he did not discover the

comprehensive grasp, the knowledge, and administrative skill of his

illustrious predecessor and chief, Sir Robert Peel.

[By Christopher Moore. 1839. Executed for Lord Skelmersdale.]

478. GEORGE WILLIAM FREDERICK VILLIERS, EARL OF CLARENDON. _Statesman._

[Born 1800. Still living.]

A Minister who has honourably and usefully served his country in many

capacities. Has been Envoy Extraordinary at Madrid, President of the

Board of Trade, and, during a stormy period of incipient rebellion, Lord

Lieutenant of Ireland. At present, Her Majesty’s Secretary of State for

Foreign Affairs. An excellent man of business, and a consistent Liberal

in politics.

[By J. E. Jones.]

479. SIDNEY HERBERT. _Statesman._

[Born 1810. Still living.]

Half brother of the Earl of Pembroke. Was educated at Oxford. Entered

Parliament in 1832. Has been ever since a follower of the policy

identified with the name of Sir Robert Peel. From 1841 to 1845,

Secretary to the Admiralty. In 1845, appointed Secretary at War. Retired

from office with Sir Robert Peel in 1846, but became again Secretary at

War, in Lord Aberdeen’s administration, 1853. Mr. Herbert has acquired a

well deserved reputation for his benevolent exertions on behalf of the

unemployed industrious classes of both sexes.

[By Macdonald of Rome.]

480. LORD CANNING. _English Peer._

[Born 1812. Still living.]

The only surviving son of George Canning, Prime Minister of England. Has

been Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and for a short time,

in 1846, was Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests. He was Chairman of

the Council of Juries in the Great Exhibition of 1851.

[By Macdonald.]

480.* WILLIAM HULME HOOPER. _Naval Officer._

[Born in London, 1826. Died there 1854. Aged 27.]

One of the intrepid Arctic explorers, whose spirit of enterprise has

impelled them to invade the ocean, in his sternest and most terrific

domain, through hope to solve the mystery hanging over the fate of Sir

John Franklin. Lieutenant Hooper commanded the second cutter in the

remarkable voyage of the boats of Her Majesty’s ship “Plover” from Icy

Cape to Cape Bathurst. Lost for three days and nights in an Arctic snow

storm, quartered two long and lonely winters away from his ship in

log-huts with a few of his men, under every privation, he brought home

the fastened malady of the lungs which so early cut short his ardent

career.

[This bust is by David Dunbar.]

PRELATES AND THEOLOGIANS.

481. CARDINAL WOLSEY. _Minister of State._

[Born at Ipswich, 1471. Died at Leicester, 1530. Aged 59.]

A butcher’s son, with an inordinate appetence for place, power, and

money. A magnificent pluralist, whose insatiable desire for wealth was

redeemed only by the noble uses to which he applied a portion of his

worldly goods. His revenues almost equalled those of the crown, and many

of his acts were princely, as became the rival of a king. Wolsey founded

several lectures at Oxford, built Christ Church in that University, and

erected Hampton Court, which, in his splendid generosity, he presented

to Henry VIII. He owed his first advancement to Henry VII., who sent him

on an embassy to the Emperor of Germany, and afterwards made him Dean of

Lincoln. His rise was, thenceforwards rapid. He became, under Henry

VIII., Cardinal, Lord Chancellor, and Pope’s Legate. His fall was

headlong. Offending the king by refusing to sanction his divorce, he was

disgraced in an hour, and compelled to disgorge his enormous

acquisitions. He was arrested at York, but, falling sick on his way to

London, died at Leicester. Much of Wolsey’s wealth was, no doubt,

ill-gotten; his ambition knew no bounds; his insolence was

intolerable;--but he had in many respects a grand and royal mind, and

the benefits conferred by him upon learning are never to be omitted in a

history of his remarkable life.

[Presented by Mr. John Archbutt, London.]

482. CHARLES JAMES BLOMFIELD. _Bishop of London._

[Born 1786. Still living.]

Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, of which he was Fellow. Bishop

of Chester, 1824--of London, 1828. Distinguished for his classical

attainments, and before his elevation to the bench, known as the

accomplished editor of the tragedies of Æschylus. As a churchman,

Charles James Blomfield has endeavoured to take a middle and

conciliatory course, notwithstanding his decided bent towards the high

church party. It is no reproach to the Bishop of London to say that he

has occasionally stumbled, upon a difficult and slippery path.

[By W. Behnes.]

482A. CHARLES JAMES BLOMFIELD. _Bishop of London._

[By Henry Weigall.]

483. FATHER THEOBALD MATHEW. _Temperance Reformer._

[Born at Thomastown, in Ireland, 1790. Still living.]

A modern crusader, who has drawn his spiritual sword against one of the

deadliest foes to religion, civilisation, and human happiness. An

apostle who carries glad tidings to every hearth, irrespectively of the

altar raised there for divine worship. A proselytiser who converts

Romanist and Protestant, with equal advantage and safety to both. He was

educated at Maynooth; is a Romish priest; and his whole life has been

spent in an anxious and a humane endeavour to release mankind from the

self-imposed yoke of Drunkenness. He is the founder of the “total

abstinence” principle, in virtue of which self-denying ordinance

“pledged” men abstain from any use whatever of intoxicating liquors. The

success of the good and courageous man has been equal to his deserts:

both are inestimable. Under his teaching the most hardened drunkards

have become abstemious, and the most reckless and improvident have been

won to self-respect and virtuous conduct. No preacher in the olden or

the modern time has surpassed his earnestness or his labour. Hundreds of

thousands have taken the pledge from his hands in Ireland, in this

country, and in the United States. If some of the number have been

unfaithful to their plighted word, the weakness of humanity will explain

the defection. That thousands are the better, the wiser, the happier,

and the purer for his labours, is beyond all doubt. A few patriots like

Father Mathew, would have changed the face of nature in Ireland years

ago. His work, now, is productive of hourly good. The man who only

checks the growth of Drunkenness is a benefactor of his kind. He who

extinguishes the vice in a hundred thousand beasts, is one of the

mightiest of human conquerors.

[By Christopher Moore, 1845.]

484. CARDINAL WISEMAN. _Chief of the Romish Church in England._

[Born at Seville, in Spain, 1802. Still living.]

Came to England in 1808. Educated at the English college in Rome, where

he took his degree of D.D. in 1824. Consecrated Bishop of Melipotamus in

1840, and made Vicar Apostolic of the London district in 1849. Created

Cardinal, 1850. Cardinal Wiseman is a man of vast learning and eminent

ability. His lectures on the Connexion between Science and Revealed

Religion constitute a noble and masterly vindication of the cause which

the lectures are intended to maintain, and are full of the happiest

illustration. The style of Cardinal Wiseman is forcible, logical, and

eloquent; and it is said that he writes with equal ease the language of

nearly all the European nations. He is the seventh English Cardinal

since the Reformation.

[By Christopher Moore. 1850.]

KINGS AND QUEENS.

485. EDWARD III. _King of England._

[Born 1313. Died 1377. Aged 64.]

An accomplished monarch, brave, and for his time enlightened. In his

day, and by his act, the power of the Commons rose, and the pretensions

of the Barons were reduced; several constitutional acts found their way

to the statute book, and greater security was given by law to property

and person. Glorious battles were fought in France; the field of Cressy

was won, and Calais surrendered in 1346. Edward, Prince of Wales,

surnamed the Black Prince, was the worthy son of this redoubtable sire.

Following in the steps of his father, he won, in 1355, the battle of

Poitiers, took the French king and his son prisoners, and brought them

to London. In this reign, Queen’s College, Oxford, and Clare Hall,

Pembroke Hall, Trinity Hall, and Caius, all colleges at Cambridge, were

founded. Windsor Castle also was built by Edward III., William of

Wykeham, afterwards Bishop of Winchester, and Chancellor of England, and

the founder of Winchester College, being “Clerk of the works.” Under

Edward III., the first toll was levied for mending the highways; the

highway concerned being the road between St. Giles’s and Temple Bar.

Upon the whole, a grand time for England.

[From the Effigy.]

486. ELEANORA OF CASTILE. _Surnamed The Faithful. First Queen of Edward

I., of England._

[Born in Castile, 1243. Died at Grantham, 1290. Aged 47.]

A queen who has been described as “a loving mother to our nation, the

column and pillar of the whole realm,”--godly, modest, merciful. The

united influence of loveliness, virtue, and sweet temper, inspired in

the heart of her renowned lord an attachment as deep as it was true. She

was the mother of the first Prince of Wales. When, in 1269, her husband

took up the Cross, Eleanora resolved to share the dangers of his Syrian

campaign. Her ladies of the Court endeavouring to dissuade her from the

journey, she replied, “Nothing ought to part those whom God has joined;

and the way to heaven is as near, if not nearer, from Syria, as from

England or my native Spain.” She was a patroness of literature and art,

and civilisation advanced under the auspices of her well-regulated

Court. Taken ill at Grantham, whilst her husband was in Scotland, she

expired there. Edward followed her body thence to Westminster in the

bitterest grief, and on the spot marked by the close of every stage,

vowed to erect a cross in memory of his _chère reine_. The crosses of

Northampton and Waltham still remain, models of architectural beauty.

Charing Cross was the last resting-place before the body was carried

into Westminster Abbey.

[From the Effigy.]

487. HENRY VII. _King of England._

[Born 1456. Died 1509. Aged 53.]

A monarch whose greatest vice was avarice. He was inordinately fond of

money. He had 14,000_l._ a-year allowed him by his first Parliament for

his Household expenses, and 2000_l._ a-year for his wardrobe; yet he

left behind him a sum equivalent to 16,000,000_l._ at the present day.

With no worse quality than avarice, he had no quality that can be called

great. He was brave, politic, attentive to business, reserved,

suspicious. His chief merit consisted in closing the civil wars, and

securing peace and order in the country. He died at Richmond, and was

buried in the magnificent chapel at Westminster, erected by himself. He

also built “The Great Harry,” the first ship in the English Navy, ships

before this time having been hired or pressed from merchants. It cost

14,000_l._ The King seems to have had remorse for his rapacity on his

death-bed. He issued a general pardon for all offences, released all

debtors, himself paying the debts of many; converted the Palace of the

Savoy into an hospital; built several religious houses; and ordered

restitution to be made to all men whom he had wronged by his extortions.

It is unnecessary to state that his successor being his son, Henry

VIII., not the slightest effect followed from the “restitution” clause.

488. ELIZABETH. _Queen of England._

[Born 1533. Died 1603. Aged 70.]

A mighty sovereign, and the last of our absolute monarchs. Her rule,

despotic, but grand, and wholly in the interests of her country. A true

Englishwoman, ambitious of England’s glory, and capable of inspiring her

servants by her example, with unbounded zeal, patriotism, and heroism.

As a woman, the picture less fascinating. Too selfish to be amiable, she

was vain, imperious, violent. She had favourites, but none whom she

would raise to the throne, for she hugged power with a passionate

embrace, which no generous sentiment could unfasten, and no tender

consideration induce her to divide. She stood above law, and she knew

it. A man sharing her throne might have been less fortunate. Her

successor proved so; and the son of that successor, trying the perilous

ascent, lost his head in the attempt. Wondrous was the reign of

Elizabeth in its effects upon the civilisation of the world. It produced

Bacon in philosophy, Shakspeare and Spenser in poetry, Gresham in

commerce. Drake and Raleigh also belong to this time. It was the era of

the re-establishment of Protestantism, and of the rescue, on the sea, of

spiritual liberty from the threatened onslaught of Spain. Undoubtedly

Elizabeth was surrounded by great men, but her masculine spirit sat at

the helm, and directed, for nearly fifty years, the course of the State

vessel. Her vigilance was sleepless, her ability unbounded, her sagacity

penetrating and quick; yet she had a love of finery that was frivolous,

and to the last laboured under the impression that she was beautiful.

The spirit of maritime discovery was now alive in England, and commerce

flourished. When dying, Elizabeth was asked by Cecil who should succeed

her. She answered, “No rascal. My seat has been the seat of kings. Who

should succeed me but a king?”

[From the Effigy.]

489. EDWARD VI. _King of England._

[Born 1537. Died 1553. Aged 16.]

The son of Henry VIII. by Jane Seymour, who died two days after the

birth of her child. Edward was ten years old at the time of his

accession to the throne. Before his character could be permanently

formed he died, yet his form stands out in English history illuminated

with intelligence, gentleness, and wisdom. He was fond of books,

diligent in business, a lover of justice. He kept a diary, which still

exists. Therein he noted down the characters of the good men by whom he

was surrounded, how they lived, and what example they offered for his

pious imitation. Well acquainted with foreign matters, and with the

history and geography of his own country; zealous for knowledge, and

ambitious of governing well. In this reign the first journal of the

proceedings of the House of Commons was kept; the Common Prayer Book was

established by Act of Parliament; Sternhold translated the psalms into

English metre; and the king gave his palace at Bridewell for the lodging

of poor travellers, and for the correction of vagabonds. Christ’s

hospital, for the education of youth, and the hospitals of St.

Bartholomew and St. Thomas, for the reception of the sick, were also

founded by him. His concern, Alfred-like--and so young!--for exalting

the character, by the instruction, of his people, was shown in the

foundation of numerous free schools throughout the kingdom, which still

bear and endear his name. Edward was very handsome. He died of

consumption, brought on by an attack of small-pox and measles.

[Presented by Mr. John Archbutt, London.]

490. MARY STUART. _Queen of Scots._

[Born, 1542. Died, 1587. Aged 45.]

A queen whose calamities fill our eyes with tears, so that we can hardly

see the frailties of the woman. Her loveliness, her learning, her

misfortunes, her wit, and fascinating manners, have attached to her

memory an interest and affection which even the deeply-founded suspicion

of her crimes cannot efface. Various judgments have been pronounced upon

her conduct. But one report has come down to us of her perfect beauty of

countenance, her winning manners, and her elegance of form. Grave

historians speak with admiration of her jet black hair, her exquisite

complexion, her delicate white arm and hand, her stature that rose to a

majestic height. Her treatment of Darnley, brutal though he was, and her

marriage with Bothwell after Darnley’s assassination, are blots that

still cling to her character. But even these offences would seem more

than expiated by her eighteen years’ imprisonment, and her unwarranted

execution, that foulest stain upon the reign of our own Elizabeth. Mary

Stuart was violent in her attachments, vivacious, indiscreet, fond of

flattery, and conscious of the power of her charms. It is said that her

heart was warm and unsuspicious. It may be questioned whether she was

always sincere. One of her recent biographers in France has styled her

the “eternal enigma of history,” “the most problematical of all

historical personages.” Disastrous as was her own story, the fate of her

immediate descendants was even worse. A curse was upon the line. Yet her

lineage flourishes now. It is found in England, Prussia, Denmark, and

Hanover; in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Naples, Sardinia, and Modena.

[From the Effigy.]

490.* CHARLES THE FIRST. _King of England._

[Born 1600. Beheaded 30th January, 1649. Aged 49.]

Grandson of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, whose misfortunes and drear

fate he inherited, if he did not invite. A monarch whose exaggerated

notions of prerogative, whose obstinacy, wilfulness, untruthfulness, and

double-dealing, justified the resistance of a people awakened to a sense

of their rights, and roused to the vindication of their liberties; yet a

man whose sorrows, whose dignified bearing in misfortune, whose private

virtues, love of literature and art, and gentle demeanour, render him an

object of the deepest commiseration, and the most plaintive interest.

His death was deliberate murder; and there is too much reason to fear

that they who thought least of defending liberty, were the most thirsty

of his blood. Yet some palliation for the guilt is found in the

circumstance that in the public dealings of Charles with his Parliament

his plighted word was not worth the paper upon which it was given.

Irresolute and double-minded, he had never kept faith with his people.

It was the misfortune of Charles to be born at a period when the

conflicting elements of Royalty and Democracy were seething into tumult.

Had he lived a little earlier, or a little later he would not have lost

his head upon the block. A little earlier, the “divinity that doth hedge

a king” would have shielded him in England from the sacrilege. A little

later, he would have been hunted from English soil, as his son was. The

catastrophe of his unhappy reign can never be re-enacted. His blood

purchased that security. Never had the character of Englishmen, in many

respects, looked so fair to the world as during the civil wars of

Charles the First. The true-hearted loyal gentlemen who, knowing by

experience the character of their master, yet clung to his cause and to

his person until the last extremity, counting all sacrifice as

delightful service, were not surpassed by the professed knights of

chivalry. The devoted Republicans, who for the sake of man’s rights and

God’s blessing seized arms for the first time in their lives, and became

great Generals and Admirals--the glory of their country, and the terror

of the world--take rank in the estimation of history, side by side with

her most splendid heroes. We receive from them our cherished charters,

and the liberty which finds no harm even when Europe is in

conflagration. Terrible indeed must have been the state of the

atmosphere in 1649, when the thunderbolt fell that struck down Charles,

but purified the air for ever afterwards.

[The statue of Charles the First, which is in the South Transept, is

from the bronze equestrian statue by Hubert le Sueur, which was

erected at Charing Cross in the year 1674. It had been cast in 1633,

near the church in Covent Garden, but never placed: and during the

wars it was sold by Parliament to a brazier “living at the Dial, near

Holborn Conduit,” with strict orders that he should break it up. The

brazier concealed the statue and horse underground until after the

Restoration. Le Sueur was a Frenchman, and pupil of John of Bologna.

He arrived in England about 1630, and died here. The pedestal is by

Grinling Gibbons, who was born about the middle of the 17th century.]

491. JAMES II. _King of England._

[Born in England, 1633. Died in France, 1701. Aged 68.]

The second son of Charles I., whose fate he challenged by his obstinacy,

wilfulness, and double dealing. He was a Roman Catholic, and in the

blind defence and advocacy of his faith against the Constitution and

laws of the country he governed, he perilled his crown which he lost,

and his life which he ignominiously saved. He was not without good

qualities. He was personally brave--not unmindful of the services of

friends, and he exhibited devotion in the maintenance of the religious

cause which he believed it his paramount duty to uphold. But he was

bigotted, cruel, and wrongheaded. He could not be trusted whenever he

was acting in the interests of the Pope. Louis XIV. in vain remonstrated

with his royal cousin of England. James II. was too sincere a zealot to

listen to reason. Louis Quatorze was too fine a gentleman, and too

practised a courtier, to be betrayed into fanaticism. When James went a

fugitive and an exile to France, Louis received him with a magnificence

worthy of a triumphal progress.

[From the well-known statue by Grinling Gibbons in Privy Gardens,

Whitehall. Represented in the costume of a Roman Emperor, according to

the taste of the day.]

492. GEORGE III. _King of England._

[Born 1738. Died 1820. Aged 82.]

The grandfather of her Majesty Queen Victoria. He reigned during sixty

years, although during the last ten, he could take no part in public

affairs. A king with many good qualities of heart and head, but

obstinate, self-willed and not always sincere in his dealings with his

Ministers. He is styled “The father of his people;” and his honest

desire to secure their well-being and happiness, according to his own

ideas of government, entitled him to the enviable distinction. In

private life, George III. offered an admirable example for imitation to

his subjects. But his wilful persistence in the maintenance of what he

conceived his Royal prerogative, plunged England into war with America,

and caused the premature loss to the country of that magnificent British

colony.

[By John Bacon, R.A., when the King was 30 years old.]

493. GEORGE IV. _King of England._

[Born 1762. Died 1830. Aged 68.]

In 1811, during the lifetime of his father, this prince was appointed

Regent: and in 1820, upon the death of George III., he succeeded to the

throne. The reign of this monarch is rendered memorable, by the

scandalous proceedings instituted against Queen Caroline, and by the

passing of the Act in 1829, which tolerated the Roman Catholic religion

in the United Kingdom. George IV. was considered the first gentleman in

Europe whilst he lived. Since his departure, history has pronounced him

heartless, sensual, self-absorbed, and negligent of the true interests

of his subjects, though not without some kingly qualities.

494. WILLIAM IV. _King of England._

[Born 1765. Died 1837. Aged 72.]

The third son of George III., and uncle of Queen Victoria. He succeeded

his brother George IV. in 1830. His reign is remarkable as that in which

the Reform Bill passed, changing the constitution of England by widening

its basis. This King was before his marriage the father of several

children, since ennobled, the mother being Mrs. Jordan, one of the most

fascinating actresses and kind-hearted women of her time.

494A. WILLIAM IV. _King of England._

[Medallion by Chantrey, modelled for the coinage.]

495. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE. _Prince of England._

[Born 1774. Died 1850. Aged 76.]

Youngest son of King George III., and one of the most popular princes of

his family. He was for many years Viceroy of Hanover, where he endeared

himself to the people. An amiable and innocent man.

496. HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. _Whom God Preserve!_

[Born May 24th, 1819.]

497. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT. _Consort of Queen Victoria._

[Born August 26th, 1819.]

[Modelled from the life, by Emil Wolf.]

497A. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT. _Consort of Queen Victoria._

To whom the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, a development of the original

Palace in Hyde Park, is indebted for its existence.

[By J. E. Jones.]

INDEX TO THE PORTRAIT GALLERY.

No. Page

460 Adams, John Quincy, President of the United States, 210

113 Agrippa, Marcus Vipsanius, Roman General, 49

96 Agrippina (the Elder), 44

97 Agrippina (the Younger), 44

497 Albert, H.R.H., Prince Consort of Queen Victoria, 225

124 Alcibiades, Athenian General, 25

22 Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, 24

386 Alexandra, Empress of Russia, 168

180 Alfieri, Vittorio, Poet, 73

152 Allegri, Antonio. (_See_ Corregio.)

134 Angelico da Fiesole (Fra), Painter, 57

458 Anglesey, Marquis of, English Field Marshal, 209

307* Anne of Austria, Queen of France, 130

52 Annius Verus, Roman Prince, 35

79 Antinous, Bithynian Youth, 41

17 Antisthenes, Philosopher, 21

47 Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor, 34

10 Aratus, Astronomer, 18

2 Archilochus, Greek Poet, 14

176 Ariosto, Luigi, Poet, 71

8? Aristides, Athenian Patriot, 17

239 Arnauld, Antoine, Theologian and Controversialist, 99

464 Ashburton, Lord, English Peer, 211

26 Aspasia, 26

340 Auerbach, Berthold, Poet and Novelist, 149

278 Augereau, Pierre François Charles, Marshal of France, 117

35 Augustus, Roman Emperor, 29

51 Ælius Verus, Adopted Emperor, 35

8 Æschines, Greek Orator, 17

6 Æschylus, Tragic Poet, 15

3 Æsop, Writer of Fables, 15

420 Bacon, Francis, Chancellor of England, 188

190 Bandineri, Giovanni Medici, Italian Soldier, 77

431 Baily, Francis, Astronomer, 194

128 Balbinus, Decimus Cœlius, Roman Statesman and Emperor, 54

142 Bartolomeo, Fra, Painter, 60

257 Bayard, Pierre de Terrail, Seigneur de, Warrior, 109

321 Beethoven, Ludwig Van, Musical Composer, 140

261 Belloy, Pierre Laurent Buirette de, Dramatist, 110

160 Berettini, Pietro di Cortona, or Pietro, Painter, 66

274 Berthier, Pierre Alexandre, Marshal of France, 115

252* Berthollet, Claude Louis, Chemist, 105

354 Berzelius, Jan Jacob, Chemist, 156

281 Bessières, Jean Baptiste, Marshal of France, 118

356 Beuth, Peter Kaspar Wilhelm, Member of the Council of

State, in Prussia, 156

11 Bias, Greek Philosopher, 19

482 Blomfield, Charles James, Bishop of London, 219

360 Blucher, Gebhardt Lebrecht Von, Prussian Field Marshal, 158

224 Boileau, Nicolas, Poet and Satirist, 94

355 Boisserée, Sulpitz Von, Architect and Archæologist, 156

295 Bossuet, Jacques Beninge, Prelate of France, 123

368 Boyen, Hermann Von, Prussian Minister at War, 160

138 Bramante, Francesco Lazzari, Architect, Painter, Poet, 58

443 Brassey, Thomas, Railway Contractor, 199

467 Brougham, Henry, Lord, Lawyer, Statesman, Educator, 213

181 Brunelleschi, Sculptor and Architect, 56

107 Brutus, Lucius Junius, Roman Consul, 46

112 Brutus, Marcus Junius, Roman General, 49

245 Buffon, Georges Louis Le Clerc, Comte de, Naturalist, 102

361 Bulow, Friedrich Wilhelm, Prussian General, 158

311 Buonaparte, Napoleon. (_See_ Napoleon)

143 Buonarotti, Michael Angelo, Sculptor, Painter, Architect, 60

468 Buren, Martin Van, Ex-President of the United States, 213

450 Burke, Edmund, Orator, Writer, Statesman, 203

410* Burns, Robert, Poet, 182

404 Butler, Fanny, Actress, 176

418 Byron, George Noel Gordon, Lord, Poet, 187

156 Cagliari, Paolo. (_See_ Veronese)

40 Caligula, Roman Emperor, 32

469 Calhoun, John Caldwell, American Statesman, 213

495 Cambridge, Duke of, Prince of England, 225

287 Cambronne, Pierre Jacques, French General, 120

415 Campbell, Thomas, Poet, 185

480 Canning, Lord, English Peer, 218

168 Canova, Antonio, Sculptor, 68

60 Caracalla, Roman Emperor, 37

158 Caracci, Annibale, Painter, 65

155 Caravaggio, Polidoro Caldare da, Painter, 64

184 Caro, Annibale, Writer, 75

70 Carinus, Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 39

439 Carlyle, Thomas, Writer, 198

357 Carus, Karl Gustav, Physician and Anatomist, 157

110 Cato, Marcus Porcius, Roman General, 47

111 Cæsar, Julius, Roman Dictator, 48

398 Chantrey, Francis, Sculptor, 174

254 Chaptal, Jean Antoine, Chemist, 106

296* Charlemagne, King of the Franks and Emperor of the West, 124

490* Charles I., King of England, 223

195 Charles Albert, King of Sardinia, 79

300 Charles V., Emperor of Germany and King of Spain, 126

303 Charles IX., King of France, 127

449 Chatham, William Pitt, Earl of, Statesman, 203

406 Chaucer, Geoffrey, Father of English Poetry, 178

232 Chaussée, Pierre Claude Nivelle de la, Dramatist, 96

421 Chetham, Humphrey, “Dealer in Manchester Commodities”, 189

120 Cicero, Marcus Tullius, Roman Orator, 51

167 Cimarosa, Domenico, Musical Composer, 67

208** Clairon, Mdlle., French Tragic Actress, 87

478 Clarendon, George William Frederick, Earl of, Statesman, 217

38 Claudius I., Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus,

Roman Emperor, 31

194 Clement XIII., Pope. (_See_ Rezzonico.)

117 Clodius Albinus, Decimus Clodius Ceionius Septimius,

Roman General, 50

261 Colbert, Edouard, Minister of State, 112

267* Colbert, Jean Baptiste, Statesman and Financier, 113

188 Coleoni, Bartolomeo, Soldier of Fortune, 76

260 Coligny, Gaspard de, Marshal and Admiral, 110

279** Collard, Pierre Paul Roger, Statesman and Philosopher, 117

182 Columbus, Christopher, the Discoverer of the New World, 74

56 Commodus, Lucius Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 36

268 Condé, Louis II. de Bourbon, Prince de, and Warrior, 113

250* Condorcet, Marie-Jean-Antoine Nicolas Carétat, Marquis

de, Mathematician and Philosopher, 104

73 Constantius Chlorus, Flavius Valerius, Roman Emperor, 40

116 Corbulo, Cneius Domitius, Roman General, 50

161 Corelli, Arcangelo, Violinist and Composer, 66

218 Corneille, Pierre, Dramatist, 91

222 Corneille, Thomas, Dramatist, 93

326 Cornelius, Peter, Painter, 142

152 Correggio, or Antonio Allegri, Painter, 64

160 Cortona, Pietro di, Painter. (_See_ Berettini.)

206 Coysevox, Antoine, Sculptor, 86

445 Creasy, Edward Shepherd, Historical Writer, 201

228 Crébillon, Prosper Jolyot de, Dramatist, 95

101 Crispina, Roman Empress, 45

402 Cruikshank, George, Caricaturist, 176

453 Curran, John Philpot, Lawyer, 206

256 Cuvier, Georges Léopold Chrêtien Frédéric Dagobert,

Naturalist, 107

269 D’Aguesseau, Henri François, Chancellor of France, 114

256* D’Alembert, Jean Le Rond, Mathematician and Philosopher, 107

291* D’Amboise, Georges, Cardinal and Minister of State, 121

208* Dangeville, Marie-Anne-Botol, French Comic Actress, 87

279* Dannon, Pierre Claude François, Statesman and Writer, 117

173 Dante Alighieri, Poet, 69

247* Darcet, Jean, Chemist and Physician, 103

443* Dargan, William, Railway Contractor, 200

405* Darling, Grace, Lighthouse-keeper’s Daughter, 177

405** Darling, William, Lighthouse-keeper, 178

209 David, Jacques Louis, Painter, 88

288 Davoust, (Prince D’Eckmuhl,) Louis Nicolas, Marshal of

France, 120

63 Decius, Caius Messius Quintus Trajanus, Roman Emperor, 38

438 De La Beche, Sir Henry Thomas, Geologist, 198

19 Demosthenes, Greek Orator, 22

252 Denon, Dominique, Egyptian Traveller, 105

477 Derby, Earl of, Statesman, 217

283 Desaix, Louis Charles Antoine, French General, 119

238 Descartes, Réné, Mathematician and Metaphysician, 99

229 Destouches, Philippe Nericault, Dramatist, 96

333* Devrient, Edward, Player, 145

217 Diane de Poitiers, 91

72 Diocletian, Caius Valerius Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 40

18 Diogenes, Philosopher, 22

442 Disraeli, Benjamin, Writer and Politician, 199

159 Domenichino, Domenico Zampieri, called, Painter, 66

44 Domitian, Titus Flavius Sabinus, Roman Emperor, 33

94* Domna Julia (Pia Felix Augusta), Roman Empress, 43

133 Donatello, Donato di Niccolo, di Betto Bardi, Sculptor, 57

215 D’Orsay, Comte, 90

114 Drusus, Nero Claudius, Roman General, 50

235 Du Barry, Marie Jeanne Vaubernier, Comtesse, 98

227 Dufresny, Charles Rivière, Dramatist, 95

248 Duhamel, Jean Pierre, Man of Science, 103

272 Dumouriez, Charles François, French General, 115

265 Duquesne, Abraham, Vice-Admiral of France, 111

485 Edward III., King of England, 220

489 Edward VI., King of England, 222

65 Elagabalus. (_See_ Heliogabalus.)

454 Eldon, Lord, High Chancellor of England, 207

486 Eleanora of Castile, first Queen of Edward I. of England, 220

488 Elizabeth, Queen of England, 221

20 Epicurus, Philosopher, 23

5 Epimenides, Poet and Prophet of Crete, 15

192 Eugene, François Eugene of Savoy, called Prince, Military

Commander, 77

312** Eugénie Marie Guzman, Empress of the French, 134

9 Euripides, Greek Poet, 17

434 Fairbairn, William, Millwright and Engineer, 196

436 Faraday, Michael, Natural Philosopher, 196

105 Faustina, Junior, Annia Faustina, 45

203 Félibien, André, Sieur des Avaux et de Javercy, Writer on

Art, 85

296 Fénélon, François de Salignac, de Lamotte, Archbishop and

Writer, 123

349 Fichte, Johann Gottlieb, Philosopher and Metaphysician, 154

394 Flaxman, John, Sculptor, 172

258 Foix, Gaston de, Warrior, 109

476 Follett, Sir William, Lawyer, 217

447 Forbes, Edward, Naturalist, 201

452 Fox, Charles James, Statesman, 206

286 Foy, Maximilien Sebastien, French General, 120

299 Francis I., King of France, 125

387 Francis Joseph, reigning Emperor of Austria, and King of

Hungary, 168

343* Frank, Johann Peter, Physician, 151

424 Franklin, Benjamin, Statesman and Philosopher, 191

376 Frederic II., surnamed the Great, King of Prussia, 164

377 Frederic Louis Henry, Prince of Prussia, 164

374 Frederic William, Elector of Brandenburg, 163

375 Frederic William I., King of Prussia, 164

379 Frederic William III., King of Prussia, 165

384 Frederic William IV., Reigning King of Prussia, 167

391 Fuseli, or Fuessli, Henry, Painter, 171

39 Galba, Servius Sulpicius, Roman Emperor, 31

185 Galileo Galilei, Philosopher, 75

66 Gallienus, Publius Licinius Valerianus, Roman Emperor, 39

145 Garofalo, Benvenuto Tisio, called, Painter, 62

390 Garrick, David, Player and Dramatist, 170

328 Gärtner, Friedrich, Architect, 144

189 Gattamelata, Stefano, Warrior, 77

181 Gavazzi, Alessandro, Monk and Orator, 73

256*** Gay-Lussac, French Chemist, 108

492 George III., King of England, 224

493 George IV., King of England, 224

212 Gérard, François, Painter, 89

115 Germanicus Cæsar, Roman General, 50

61 Geta, Publius Septimius, Roman Emperor, 37

132 Ghiberti, Lorenzo, Sculptor, 57

140 Ghirlandaio, Domenico, Painter, 59

400 Gibson, John, Sculptor, 175

211 Girodet-Trioson, Painter, 88

154 Giulio Romano, Giulio Pippi di Giannuzzi, Architect and

Painter, 64

327 Gluck, Christoph, Musician, 143

366 Gneisenau, Augustus Count Herdart de, Field Marshal, 160

337 Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, Poet, 147

179 Goldoni, Carlo, Poet, 72

410 Goldsmith, Oliver, Poet and Man of Letters, 181

55 Gordianus Africanus, Marcus Antonius, Roman Emperor, 36

62 Gordianus II., Marcus Antonius, Roman Emperor, 37

67 Gordianus III., Pius, Marcus Antonius, Roman Emperor, 39

196 Goujon, Jean, Sculptor, 83

172 Grisi, Giulia, Italian Singer, 69

213 Gros, Antoine Jean, Painter, 89

214 Guérin, Pierre Narcisse, Painter, 89

135 Guidi, Tommaso. (_See_ Masaccio)

341 Gutenberg, Johann, Inventor of Printing, 149

358 Gutkow Karl, Journalist and Dramatist, 157

46 Hadrian, Publius Ælius Hadrianus, Roman Emperor, 33

346 Hahnemann, Samuel, Physician and Founder of Homœopathy, 152

332 Halbig, Johann, Sculptor, 145

446 Haliburton, Judge, Lawyer, and Writer, 201

314 Handel, George Friedrich, Musical Composer, 136

451* Hastings, Warren, Statesman, 205

316 Haydn, Franz Joseph, Musical Composer, 138

65 Heliogabalus, Varius Avitus Bassianus, Roman Emperor, 38

302 Henry II., King of France, 127

304 Henry III., King of France, 127

305 Henry IV., King of France, 128

487 Henry VII, King of England, 221

479 Herbert, Sidney, Statesman, 218

89 Herennius, Roman Emperor, 42

352 Hermann, Gottfried, Philologist and Critic, 155

435 Herschell, Sir John, Astronomer, 196

14 Hippocrates, Physician, 20

280 Hoche, Lazare, French General, 118

1 Homer, Great Epic Poet of Greece, 13

480* Hooper, William Hulme, Naval Officer, 218

119 Hortensius, Quintus, Roman Orator, 51

74 Hostilianus, Roman Emperor, 41

350 Hufeland, Christoph Wilhelm, Physician, 154

351 Humboldt, Alexander Von, Naturalist and Traveller, 154

367 Humboldt, Karl Wilhelm, Baron Von, Statesman and

Philologist, 160

466 Hume, Joseph, Political Reformer, 212

427 Hunter, John, Surgeon and Comparative Anatomist, 193

462 Huskisson, William, Statesman and Financier, 211

15 Isocrates, Rhetorician, 20

457 Jackson, General, President of the United States, 209

344 Jacobi, Friedrich Heinrich, Philosopher and Poet, 151

491 James II., King of England, 224

430 Jeffrey, Francis, Critic and Essayist, 194

419 Jerrold, Douglas, Writer, 188

425 Johnson, Samuel, Writer and Moralist, 191

388 Jones, Inigo, Architect, 169

282 Joubert, Barthélémi Catharine, French General, 118

95* Julia, Daughter of Augustus, 43

71 Julian the Apostate--Flavius Claudius Julianus, Roman

Emperor, 40

253 Jussieu, Antoine Laurent de, Botanist, 106

342 Kant, Immanuel, Metaphysician, 150

271 Kellermann, François Christophe, Marshal of France, 114

397 Kemble, Charles, Player, 174

275 Kleber, Jean Baptiste, French General, 115

325 Klenze, Leo Von, Architect, 142

334 Klopstock, Friedrich Gottlieb, Epic and Lyric Poet, 145

256** Laborde, Alexander Louis Joseph, Marquis de, Soldier,

Traveller, and Educator, 107

255 Lacépède, Bernard Germain Étienne, Naturalist, 106

277 Lafayette, Marie Paul Gilbert Motier, Marquis de, French

General, 116

220 La Fontaine, Jean de, Poet, 92

249 Lagrange, Joseph Louis, Astronomer, 104

284 Lannes, Jean, Marshal of France, 119

253* Laplace, Pierre Simon, Astronomer, 106

290 La Salle, Antoine Charles Louis Collinet de, General of

Cavalry, 121

273 La Tour D’Auvergne-Corret, Theophile Malode, Warrior, 115

396 Lawrence, Sir Thomas, Painter, 173

202 Lebrun, Charles, Painter, 85

276 Lefebvre, François Joseph, Marshal of France, 116

383 Leopold I., King of the Belgians, 166

230 Le Sage, Alain Réné, Novelist, 96

262 Lesdiguières, François de Bonne, Duc de, Constable of

France, 110

335 Lessing, Gotthold Ephraim, Man of Letters, 146

259 L’Hôpital, Michel de, Chancellor of France, 109

246 Linné, or Linnæus, Charles, Botanist, 102

93 Livia, Drusilla, Roman Empress, 43

122* Livy--Titus Livius, Roman Historian, 53

422 Locke, John, Philosopher, 189

482 London, Bishop of. (_See_ Blomfield.)

381 Louisa Augusta Wilhelmina Amelia, Queen of Prussia, 165

383* Louise Marie, Queen of the Belgians, 167

297 Louis XI., King of France, 125

298 Louis XII., King of France, 125

307 Louis XIII., King of France, 129

308 Louis XIV., King of France, 130

309 Louis XV., King of France, 131

312* Louis Napoleon. (_See_ Napoleon.)

312 Louis Philippe, King of France, 133

380 Louis Ferdinand, Prince of Prussia, 165

382 Ludwig I., ex-King of Bavaria, 166

205 Lully, Jean Baptiste de, Violinist, and Musical Composer, 86

371 Luther, Martin, the Great Reformer, 162

30 Lycurgus, Lawgiver, 28

463 Lyndhurst, John Singleton Copley, Baron, Ex-Chancellor of

England, 211

204 Mabillon, Jean, Antiquary, 85

183 Machiavelli, Niccolo, Political Writer and Historian, 74

429 Mackintosh, Sir James, Historian and Metaphysician, 194

401 Macready, William Charles, Player, 175

57 Macrinus, Marcus Opilius, Roman Emperor, 36

76* Magnus Decentius, 41

171 Malibran, Maria Felicitas, Actress, 69

102 Mamæa, Julia, Roman Empress, 45

207 Mansart, Jules Hardouin, Architect, 86

448 Mansfield, William Murray, Earl of, Lord Chief Justice, 202

136 Mantegna, Andrea, Painter and Engraver, 58

369 Manteuffel, Otto-Feodor Freiherr von, Prussian Minister, 161

151 Marcantonio Raimondi, Engraver, 64

286 Marceau, François Sévérin Desgraviers, French General, 20

163 Marcello, Benedetto, Writer and Musician, 67

108 Marcellus, Marcus Claudius, Roman General, 47

48 Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Roman Emperor, 34

53 Marcus Galerius Antoninus, Roman Prince, 35

310 Marie Antoinette, Joséphine Jeanne, Queen of France, 131

104 Mariniana, 45

490 Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, 222

135 Masaccio, Tommaso Guidi, Painter, 57

279 Massena, André, Marshal of France, 117

100 Matidia, 45

483 Mathew, Father Theobald, Temperance Reformer, 219

59 Maximinus, Caius Julius Verus, Roman Emperor, 37

378 Maximilian Joseph I., King of Bavaria, 165

68 Maximus, Caius Julius Verus, Roman Prince, 39

293 Mazarin, Cardinal, Minister of France, 122

91 Mæsa, Julia, Roman Empress, 42

187 Medici, Cosmo de, Merchant and Statesman, 76

190 Medici, Giovanni. (_See_ Bandineri), 77

306 Medici, Marie de, Queen of France, 128

372 Melancthon, Philip, German Divine and Reformer, 162

32 Menander, Comic Poet, 28

331 Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Felix, Musician, 144

315* Mengs, Anthony Raphael, Painter, 137

178 Metastasio, Pietro Bonaventura, Poet, 72

20A Metrodorus, Greek Philosopher, 23

143 Michael Angelo. (_See_ Buonarotti.)

199 Mignard, Pierre, Painter, 84

25 Miltiades, Athenian General, 26

408 Milton, John, Poet, 180

191 Mirandola, Francesco Pico della, 77

221 Molière, Dramatist, 93

251* Monge, Gaspar, Geometrician, 105

236 Montaigne, Michel de, Essayist, 98

461 Monteagle, Lord, English Peer, 211

234* Montenoy, Charles Palissot de. (_See_ Palissot.)

251 Montgolfier, Jacques Étienne, Aëronaut and Inventor of

Balloons, 105

416 Moore, Thomas, Poet, 186

317 Mozart, Johann Wolfgang, Musical Composer, 138

399 Mulready, William, Painter, 175

149 Nani, Giovanni di. (_See_ Udine.)

311 Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of France, 132

312 Napoleon, Louis, Emperor of France, 132

455 Nelson, Horatio, Lord High Admiral, 207

36 Nero, Claudius Cæsar Drusus, Roman Emperor, 30

42 Nerva, Marcus Cocceius, Roman Emperor, 32

423 Newton, Sir Isaac, Astronomer and Philosopher, 190

285 Ney, Michel, Marshal of France, 119

385 Nicholas Paulovitch, Reigning Emperor of all the Russias, 167

256**** Nodier, Charles, Writer, 108

365 Nollendorf, Friedrich Hinrich von, Prussian Field-Marshal, 160

392 Northcote, James, Painter, 171

200 Nôtre, André le, Architect and Gardener, 84

34 Numa Pompilius, Second King of Rome, 29

465 O’Connell, Daniel, Orator and Lawyer, 212

473 O’Lochlen, Sir Michael, Lawyer, 216

347 Olbers, Heinrich Wilhelm Mathias, Astronomer, 153

130 Orcagna, or Orgagna, Andrea di Cione, Painter, Sculptor,

Architect, 56

441 Owen, Richard, Naturalist, 199

321* Paer, Ferdinando, Musical Composer, 141

170 Paganini, Niccolo, Violinist, 69

165 Paisiello, Giovanni, Musical Composer, 67

157 Palestrina, Di. (_See_ Pierluigi.)

234* Palissot de Montenoy, Charles, Dramatist, 98

155 Palladio, Andrea, Architect, 65

471 Palmerston, Henry John Temple, Viscount, Statesman, 215

294 Pascal, Blaise, Theologian and Philosopher, 122

472 Peel, Sir Robert, Statesman, 215

264 Peiresc, Claude Fabri de, Patron of Science, 111

210 Percier, Charles, Architect, 88

29 Periander, “Tyrant” of Corinth, 28

27 Pericles, Athenian Statesman, 27

291 Perier, Casimir, Statesmen, 121

250 Pérouse, Jean François Galaup de la, Navigator, 104

49 Pertinax, Publius Helvius, Roman Emperor, 34

139 Perugino, Pietro, or Pietro Vanucci della Pieve, Painter, 58

343 Pestalozzi, Heinrich, Educator, 151

174 Petrarca, Francesco, Poet, 70

69 Philip (the Younger), Marcus Julius Philippus II., Roman

Prince, 39

296* Philip III., King of France, 124

23 Phocion, Athenian Statesman and General, 25

157 Pierluigi, Giovanni, surnamed Palestrina, Musical

Composer, 65

7? Pindar, Greek Poet, 16

164 Piranesi, Giambatista, Engraver, 67

231 Piron, Alexis, Poet, 96

129 Pisano, Niccola, Sculptor and Architect, 56

28 Pisistratus, “Tyrant” of Athens, 27

456 Pitt, William, Statesman, 208

16 Plato, Greek Philosopher, 21

99 Plotina, Pompeia, Roman Empress, 44

470 Pollock, Sir Frederick, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, 214

409 Pope, Alexander, Poet, 180

106 Poppæa, Sabina, Roman Empress, 46

31 Posidippus, Comic Poet, 28

33 Posidonius, Greek Philosopher, 29

470* Pottinger, Sir Henry, Diplomatist, 214

198 Poussin, Nicolas, Painter, 83

58 Pupienus--Marcus Claudius Pupienus Maximus, Roman Emperor, 36

223 Quinault, Philippe, Poet, 94

216 Rachel, Madlle. Felix, Tragic Actress, 91

225 Racine, Jean, Dramatist, 94

370 Radetzky, Count Joseph, Austrian General, 161

146 Raffaelle, Sanzio, Painter, 62

323 Rauch, Christian, Sculptor, 141

244 Réaumur, Réné Antoine Ferchault de, Chemist and

Naturalist, 101

226 Regnard, Jean François, Dramatist, 95

194 Rezzonico, Carlo, afterwards Clement XIII., Pope, 78

292 Richelieu, Cardinal, Minister of France, 121

411 Rogers, Samuel, Poet, 183

242 Rollin, Charles, Historian, 101

219 Rotrou, Jean de, Dramatist, 92

243 Rousseau, Jean Baptiste, Lyric Poet, 101

247 Rousseau, Jean Jacques, Philosopher and Writer, 102

313 Rubens, Peter Paul, Painter, 136

474 Russell, Lord John, Statesman, 216

92 Sabina, Roman Empress, 43

255* Sacy, Antoine Isaac Silvestre, Baron de, Orientalist, 106

475 Salomons, David, Alderman, 216

103 Salonina, Cornelia, Roman Empress, 45

175 Sanazzaro, Giacomo, Poet, 70

147 Sanmicheli, Michele, Architect, 63

150 Sarto, Andrea del, Painter, 63

405 Sartoris, Adelaide, Vocalist, 176

270 Saxe, Maurice Comte de, Marshal of France, 114

109 Scipio, Africanus Major, Publius Cornelius, Roman General, 47

319 Schadow, Johann Gottfried, Sculptor, 139

363 Scharnhorst, Gebhardt David, General, 159

353 Schelling, Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von, Metaphysician, 155

338 Schiller, Christoph von, Poet, 148

324 Schinkel, Karl Friedrich, Architect and Painter, 142

373 Schleiermacher, Friedrich Ernest Daniel, Theologian, 163

329 Schnorr, Julius, Painter, 144

330 Schwanthaler, Ludovic, Sculptor, 144

333 Schwind, Moritz von, Painter, 145

413 Scott, Sir Walter, Poet and Novelist, 184

148 Sebastiano del Piombo (Fra), Painter, 63

234 Sedaine, Michel Jean, Dramatist, 97

122 Seneca, Lucius Annæus, Philosopher, 53

64 Severus, Alexander Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 38

54 Severus, Lucius Septimius, Roman Emperor, 35

407 Shakspeare, William, Poet, 178

137 Signorelli, Luca, Painter, 58

440 Skey, Frederick Carpenter, Surgeon, 198

426 Smith, Adam, Philosopher and Political Economist, 192

393 Smith, John Raphael, 172

13 Socrates, Philosopher, 19

436* Somerville, Mary, Mathematician and Astronomer, 197

7 Sophocles, Tragic Poet, 16

208 Soufflot, Jacques Germain, Architect, 87

414 Southey, Robert, Poet Laureate, 185

169 Spontini, Gasparo, Musician, 68

362 Stein, Karl, Baron Von, Prussian Minister of State, 159

433 Stevenson, George, Engineer, 195

395 Stothard, Thomas, Painter, 173

201 Sueur, Eustache le, Painter, 84

263 Sully, Maximilien de Béthune, Duc de, Minister of State, 110

177 Tasso, Torquato, Poet, 71

419* Taylor, Henry, Poet, 188

118 Terence--Publius Terentius, Latin Comic Poet, 51

345 Thaer, Albrecht, Physician and Agriculturist, 152

320 Thorwaldsen, Albrecht Bartholomäus, Sculptor, 139

237 Thou, Jacques Auguste de, Minister of State and Historian, 99

12 Thucydides, Greek Historian, 19

37 Tiberius, Claudius Nero Cæsar, Roman Emperor, 30

322 Tieck, Christian Friedrich, Sculptor, 141

339 Tieck, Ludwig, Author, 149

145 Tisio, Benvenuto. (_See_ Garofalo)

144 Titian, Tiziano Vecellio, Painter, 61

43 Titus, Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, Roman Emperor, 32

241 Tournefort, Joseph Pitton de, Botanist, 100

45 Trajan, Marcus Ulpius Trajanus, Roman Emperor, 33

266 Turenne, Henri de la Tour d’Auvergne, Vicomte de, Marshal

of France, 112

149 Udine, Giovanni da, Painter, 63

301 Valentino, Carlota d’Avesne, Duchess of, 127

98 Valeria Messalina, Roman Empress, 44

139 Vanucci della Pievo, Pietro. (_See_ Perugino.)

150 Vannucchi, Andrea. (_See_ Sarto.)

240 Vauban, Sebastien le Prestre de, Engineer, 100

194* Ventura, Padre, Italian Priest, 79

207* Vernet, Claude Joseph, Painter, 87

403 Vernon, Robert, Patron of Art, 176

156 Veronese, Paolo Cagliari, called, Painter, 65

51 Verus, Ælius. (_See_ Ælius.), 35

52 Verus, Annius. (_See_ Annius.), 35

50 Verus, Lucius Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 35

39* Vespasian--Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianius, Roman

Emperor, 31

496 Victoria, Queen of England, 225

141 Vinci, Leonardo da, Painter, 59

121 Virgil--Publius Virgilius Maro, Latin Poet, 52

41 Vitellius, Aulus, Roman Emperor, 32

233 Voltaire, François Marie Arouet de, Historian, Poet, and

Wit, 97

75 Volusianus, Caius Vibius, Roman Emperor, 41

197 Vouet, Simon, Painter, 83

444 Warren, Samuel, Lawyer and Writer, 201

364 Wartenburg, Yorck Count von, Prussian Field-Marshal, 159

451 Washington, George, First President of the United States, 204

428 Watt, James, Improver of the Steam Engine, 193

469* Webster, Daniel, American Statesman and Orator, 214

459 Wellington, Arthur, Duke of, Soldier and Statesman, 209

437 Whewell, William, Philosopher, 197

336 Wieland, Christoph, Poet, 147

494 William IV., King of England, 225

417 Wilson, John, Poet and Professor, 186

315 Winckelmann, Johann Joachim, Antiquary, 137

484 Wiseman, Cardinal, Chief of the Romish Church in England, 220

348 Wolf, Friedrich Augustus, Philologist, 153

481 Wolsey, Cardinal, Minister of State, 218

410 Wordsworth, William, Poet, 183

389 Wren, Sir Christopher, Architect and Mathematician, 169

193 Ximenez de Cisneros, Francisco, Cardinal and Regent of

Spain, 78

432 Yarrell, William, Naturalist, 195

159 Zampieri, Domenico. (_See_ Domenichino.)

318 Zelter, Karl Friedrich, Musician, 139

21 Zeno, Founder of the Stoic Philosophy, 23

359 Ziethen, Hans Joachim von, Prussian General, 157

166 Zingarelli, Niccolo, Musician, 67

BRADBURY AND EVANS, PRINTERS, WHITEFRIARS.

THE

NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT

OF THE

CRYSTAL PALACE DESCRIBED.

ETHNOLOGY.

BY DR. R. G. LATHAM, M.D.

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

BY EDWARD FORBES, F.R.S.,

Professor in the University of Edinburgh.

[Illustration]

CRYSTAL PALACE LIBRARY;

AND

BRADBURY & EVANS, 11, BOUVERIE STREET, LONDON.

1854.

BRADBURY AND EVANS,

PRINTERS TO THE CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY,

WHITEFRIARS, LONDON.

PREFACE.

The Natural History, which forms the subject of this Handbook, is of a

somewhat more comprehensive kind than the current meaning of the words

would suggest.

It comprises not only Botany and Zoology proper, but also ETHNOLOGY, or,

the Science of Human Races.

Ethnology, from the greater novelty of the subject and its comparative

importance, occupies the first and larger part of this little volume.

The second part is, however, absolutely necessary to the full

illustration of the first; and in order that each may reflect due light

upon the other, the reader will do well, after going through the notice

of each Ethnological group, to refer to the corresponding description in

the Botanical and Zoological portion.

In the heading of each group is indicated the page for reference.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

ETHNOLOGY. PAGE

GROUP I. TIBETANS 7

II. EAST INDIANS 8

III. SUMATRANS AND JAVANESE 11

IV. DYAKS OF BORNEO 19

V. ISLANDERS OF THE LOUISADE ARCHIPELAGO 25

VI. DANAKIL AND NEGRO OF THE EASTERN COAST OF AFRICA 39

VII. NEGROES 41

VIII. SOUTHERN AFRICA.--NEIGHBOURHOOD OF THE CAPE.--PORT

NATAL.--ZULUS AND BUSHMEN 51

IX. BOTOCUDOS AND PAMPA GIRL 60

X. INDIANS OF THE AMAZONS 61

XI. INDIANS FROM BRITISH GUIANA 75

XII. NORTH AMERICAN DANCING 75

XIII. GREENLANDERS 77

BIBLIOGRAPHY 79

PART II.

ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.

EASTERN OR OLD WORLD 81

CENTRAL ASIA 82

INDIA 82

NORTH AFRICA 83

NORTH-EASTERN AND EASTERN AFRICA 83

WESTERN AFRICA 84

SOUTH AFRICA 86

WESTERN OR NEW WORLD 88

ANTARCTIC AMERICA 88

SOUTHERNMOST REGIONS 88

TROPICAL SOUTH AMERICA 88

CENTRAL AMERICA 89

TEMPERATE NORTH AMERICA 89

BARREN GROUNDS 90

ARCTIC REGIONS 90

AUSTRALIA AND INDIAN ISLANDS 91

THE

NATURAL HISTORY COURT.

PART I.

ETHNOLOGY.

_Ethnology_ is compounded of two Greek words, the latter of which

scarcely requires explanation, because it already forms part of a

numerous class of compounds with which the learned reader is well

acquainted. The general reader, too, is perhaps equally familiar with

them. We have them in such words as Geo-_logy_. Astro-_logy_,

Physio-_logy_, and a long list besides. The Greek form of these would be

Geo-_logia_, Astro-_logia_, &c. The basis of the term is the substantive

_logos_, meaning a _word_. In its modified form, however, and in its

application as the element of a compound word, it means the

_principles_, or _science_, of the department (whatever it may be) that

is denoted by the root which precedes it. In the word before us it means

the _principles_ of that department of human knowledge which is denoted

by the form _Ethno_.

_Ethnology_ means the science, not exactly of the different _nations of

the world_, but of the different _varieties of the human species_.

It is not thought necessary to enlarge upon this further, since, it is

hoped, that the groups to which the visitor is directed will

sufficiently tell their own tale. The extent to which they differ from

each other is manifest. Still more do they differ from such groups of

Englishmen, Frenchmen, Germans, and other Europeans as may collect

around them.

As a general rule the varieties that are especially illustrated are

foreign to Europe; it being supposed that the character of most

European populations is sufficiently understood. Hence, the Ethnology is

that of Asia, Africa, and the New World. Of these, the most remarkable

varieties are found under the extremes of heat and cold; under the

tropics, and within the arctic circle. The intermediate and more

temperate parts of the different continents, though by no means

deficient in interesting and important varieties, supply fewer.

Of the populations within the arctic circle, it is only those of America

that are illustrated (viz., in the Greenland group). The character,

however, of the tribes thus far north, is pretty similar in all three

continents--in Asia and Europe for the new, in America for the old,

world.

The science of ethnology is, to a great extent, a new one, and this has

been our excuse for enlarging upon the meaning, and entering into the

origin of the word. Even ethnological museums are rare. The plan,

however, of the groups under notice, is different from that of ordinary

museums, and, at the same time, one which is, now, for the first time

attempted. The trees, plants, animals, and human occupants of the

different portions of the earth’s surface are grouped together--so that

the allied sciences of botany, zoology, and ethnology illustrate each

other. Hence, the arrangement is _geographical_.

The arrangement is so far geographical that, to a certain extent, the

visitor is enabled to place himself in respect to the objects before him

in the same relation as he would be to a map of the world. Here, the

North lies in front of him, the East to his right, the West to his left.

In like manner, the groups on his right belong to Europe, Asia, and

Africa; those on his left to America. In other words--the Old World is

on one side, the New on the other. The relations of North and South,

however, are given with less nicety. As a general rule, however, the

Southern parts of the two worlds (the old and new), are the parts

nearest the entrance--and the Northern parts lie beyond them.

In the Indian Islands the plan of giving the exact botany of the country

under notice has been departed from--owing to the difficulties of detail

in the case of an inter-tropical vegetation, of which but few specimens

are found in European collections.

GROUP I.

TIBETANS. (FOR ZOOLOGY, &C. _See_ p. 82.)

The figures here are Tibetans. The variety to which both belong is

usually called the _Mongolian_; by which it is meant that the most

remarkable examples of it are to be found in the Chinese province of

Mongolia--to the west of the Great Wall. Here it is where the

cheek-bones attain a greater breadth than is the case with even the

figures before us, where the nose is more flattened, and where the

distance between the eyes is greater. Here it is where one of the great

conquerors of the world arose, Jinjiz-Khan, in the thirteenth century;

under whom, and under whose successors, nearly half the world trembled

at the terrible name of _Mongol_. However, at present, their character

is a very different one. The Mongolians of the nineteenth century are

quiet, peaceable men, subject to China and Russia--chiefly, however, to

China.

Thus much has been said concerning the Mongolians, in order to explain

the meaning of the term. It has two powers. It is used in a general and

in a limited sense. When _limited_, it means the inhabitant of

_Mongolia_; when _general_, it denotes any one of the numerous allied

populations--allied in respect to their physical organisation.

Of all the Mongol populations, the Chinese are the most civilised;

unless we make an exception in favour of the equally Mongolian Japanese.

The Tibetans are subject to the Chinese, similar to a great extent in

form, similar to a great extent in creed, but dissimilar in habits.

The Tibetans are a _pastoral_, the Chinese an eminently _agricultural_

population.

As the southern frontier of the Tibetan family comes in contact with the

northern provinces of India--as some portion of the Tibetan area is

absolutely under either the British or some other Indian government--we

may expect to find the Mongolians on _both_ sides of the Himalayan

Mountains--in India, as well as in Chinese Tartary.

This prepares us for--

GROUP II.

EAST INDIANS. (_See_ p. 82.)

The Tibetan (the figure on the left) we have seen before. He differs

from those of Group I. only in belonging to the southern side of the

Himalayas;--to the parts drained by the Sutlej; to the water-system of

the Indus.

In India Proper the languages fall into two divisions: those akin to the

Tamul, spoken in the Dekhan, or Southern India, and those akin to the

Hindúi, spoken along the northern bank of the Ganges; in Oude, &c.

There are also in India Proper two types of physical form; in one the

colour is dark, or even black, the skin coarse, the face flattened, the

lips thick; in the other the colour is brunette, the nose aquiline, the

eyebrows arched, regular, and delicate, the lips of moderate thickness,

the face oval, the features intelligent. Each is represented in the

present group, though neither in the extreme form.

As a general, but by no means as an invariable, rule, the darker

complexions preponderate over the lighter ones as we go southwards,

except in the mountains, where the skin becomes fairer.

It is not considered necessary to enlarge upon what is called the system

of _caste_ in India. It means that the son follows the business of the

father, so that the descendants of (say) a blacksmith will be

blacksmiths, and so on. It also means that between individuals of

different _castes_ there are certain prejudices; certain points whereon

there is a reluctance to intermix. Hence, individuals of a higher,

refuse to intermarry with those of a lower _caste_. They refuse also to

take their meals with them.

Now, as a general, but by no means as an invariable, rule, the higher

the _caste_ the greater the predominance of the second type of form,

_i.e._, the finer the features, the clearer the complexion.

* * * * *

India and China, we must remember, are countries that have long been

civilised--civilised after their own peculiar fashion. More than this,

they are countries from which a civilisation has been diffused over

districts more or less barbarous. On the other hand, the Mahometan creed

has diffused, and is diffusing itself, over India, at the expense of

the original (so-called) Braminical and Buddhist religions.

The extent to which Indian civilisation has (after first spreading

itself abroad) been modified by a subsequent diffusion of Mahometanism,

will be seen when we move from India to the Islands of the Indian

Archipelago--Sumatra, Java, Borneo, &c.

Here the division of the human species to which the populations belong

is the _Malay_---just as that to which the Chinese and Tibetans were

referred was the Mongolian.

Just, too, as the word _Mongolian_ had a _wider_ and a _narrower_

signification, so has the term _Malay_. A true and proper Malay is a

Mahometan, from either certain parts of Sumatra, or certain parts of the

Malayan Peninsula--from Sincapore, from Malacca, from Penang, from

Bencoolen, &c. On the other hand, a member of the Malay family, in the

wider sense of the word, may be a Pagan in religion, an Indian in

doctrine, or a native of Java or Borneo, in respect to his locality.

The Malays, in the wider sense of the word, whatever may be the minor

differences between them, have the same general physiognomy; being short

rather than tall, darker than the generality of Mongolians, though

lighter than the southern Indians, and broadfaced, though less so than

the more extreme Mongolians. When in contact with the sea, they exhibit

decided maritime habits. Many other of their customs in detail deserve

notice.

_Bodily disfigurations under the idea of ornament._--The Malay dress is

becoming; but the habit of permanently disfiguring parts of the body

under the idea of ornament, is of sufficient prominence to take place

amongst the characteristics of the branch.

_a._ _Tattooing._--This is sometimes limited, sometimes general:

sometimes over the whole body, sometimes confined to the arms only. In

Africa the patterns vary with the tribe. In certain Malay districts, an

approach to the distinction may be found; for instance, we hear in

Borneo of some tribes that always tattoo, of others that partially

tattoo, of others that do not tattoo at all. Nay more; the habit of

tattooing seems in some cases to go along with certain other habits--by

no means naturally connected with it. Thus certain of the Borneo

non-tattooed tribes never use the _Sumpitan_, or blow-pipe; whilst

others are tattooed, and use it.

So at least Sir J. Brooke was informed; although I think the careful

peruser of his journal will find that the coincidence is not always

complete.

_b._ _Depilation._--Depilation is effected either by quick-lime or

tweezers. Generally, I believe, the parts of the body which are meant to

be kept smooth are rubbed with quick-lime; and the isolated hairs that

afterwards appear, are plucked out carefully by tweezers in detail.

_c._ _Filing the teeth, dyeing the teeth._ This is a Malay habit, and

there are not less than three varieties of this operation.

1. Sometimes the enamel, and no more, is filed off. This enables the

tooth to receive and retain its appropriate dye.

2. Sometimes the teeth are merely pointed.

3. Sometimes they are filed down to the gums.

Dyeing may follow filing, or not, as the case may be.

In Sumatra, where a jetty blackness is aimed at, the empyreumatic oil of

the cocoa-nut is used. Even, however, if no dyeing follow, the teeth

will become black from the simple filing, if the chewing of the

betel-nut be habitual.

_d._ _Distension of the ears._--Many of the tribes that file their

teeth, also distend their ears. Both are Malay habits. In some parts of

Sumatra, when the child is young, the ear is bored, and rings are put

in. In other parts, however, the rings are weighted, so as to pull down

the lobe; or ornaments, gradually increased in diameter, are inserted;

so that the perforation becomes enlarged.

Simple perforation may extend to a mere multiplication of the holes of

the ear. In Borneo, the Sakarran tribes wear more earrings than one, and

are distinguished accordingly; “when you meet a man with many rings

distrust him” being one of their cautions. Mr. Brooke met a Sakarran

with twelve rings in his ear.

_e._ _Growth of the nails._--In parts of Borneo, the right thumbnail is

encouraged to grow to a great length. So it is in parts of the

Philippines.

_Running-a-muck._--A Malay is capable of so far working himself into

fury, of so far yielding to some spontaneous impulse, or of so far

exciting himself by stimulants, as to become totally regardless of what

danger he exposes himself to. Hence, he rushes forth as an infuriated

animal, and attacks all who fall in his way, until having expended his

morbid fury he falls down exhausted. This is called _running-a-muck_.

_Gambling._--This habit, or rather passion, is shared by the Malays, the

Indians, the Chinese, and the Indo-Chinese; quail-fighting and

cock-fighting being the forms in which it shows itself. A Malay will

lose all his property on a favourite bird; and, having lost that, stake

his family; and after the loss of wife and children, his own personal

liberty: being prepared to serve as a slave in case of losing.

_Narcotic stimulants and masticatories._--Chewing the betel-nut is

almost universal in some of the Malay countries; the use of opiates and

tobacco being also common.

The nut of the _Areca catechu_, is wrapped in the leaf of the _piper

betel_, the first being astringent, the second pungent. The addition of

lime completes the preparation. This stimulates the salivary glands,

tinges the saliva red, and discolours the teeth.

Of the chief islands occupied by the Malay family, the first two under

notice are

SUMATRA--and

JAVA.--These being taken together, give us

GROUP III. (p. 91.)

A. SUMATRANS. B. JAVANESE (OPIUM SMOKERS).

A. The populations of Sumatra exhibit different degrees of civilisation

to an extent found in few areas of equal size: the difference in their

religious creeds being proportionately broad. There are the extreme

forms of rude paganism; there are traces of the Indian forms of

religion; and there is Mahometanism. The least clothed of the figures

before us is a _Lubu_, one of the wildest, rudest, and weakest of all

the populations. The position of the Lubus in Sumatra is that of the

Bushmen of South Africa, for they are a fragmentary population, driven

into the more inaccessible districts by tribes stronger than themselves;

without arts, and without settled habitations.

The next are _Battas_, whose civilisation is some degrees above that of

the Lubus. A great part of their present area belonged to this last

named population, who are, probably, Battas in the very lowest stage of

development. These require further notice. They belong to the northern

half of Sumatra, though without reaching the northern extremity of the

island.

At the very northern end we have the kingdom of Atshin, Achin, or

Acheen, where the religion is Mahometan, and where the alphabet is the

Arabic; Atshin being the part of Sumatra where the influence of the

Arabian trade, Arabian religion, and Arabian language, have been the

greatest.

South of Atshin is the Batta country. Here there is only an imperfect

Mahometanism, with no use of the Arabic alphabet, and but little

tincture of Arab cultivation.

The rivers in the Batta country are inconsiderable, so are the forests;

for the country is an elevated platform--dry, exposed, and parched. The

luxuriant vegetation of so many regions in this part of the world, finds

no place here; and instead of it, we have sand, hardened clay, bare

rocks swept by strong currents of wind and exposed to an equatorial sun.

The Battas are cannibals; they are also a lettered population. It is

believed that this combination of rudeness and civilisation occurs

nowhere else, a combination which, however, is beyond doubt.

In the Batta alphabet we have books, almanacks, &c.

On the Batta cannibalism, hear so competent an authority as Marsden.

“They,” the Battas, “do not eat human flesh as the means of satisfying

the cravings of nature, for there can be no want of sustenance to the

inhabitants of such a country and climate, who reject no animal food of

any kind; nor is it sought after as a gluttonous delicacy.

“The _Battas_ eat it as a species of ceremony, as a mode of showing

their detestation of certain crimes by an ignominious punishment, and as

a savage display of revenge and insult to their unfortunate enemies. The

objects of this barbarous repast are prisoners taken in war, especially

if badly wounded, the bodies of the slain, and offenders condemned for

certain capital crimes, especially for adultery. Prisoners unwounded

(but they are not much disposed to give quarter) may be ransomed or sold

as slaves, where the quarrel is not too inveterate; and the convicts,

there is reason to believe, rarely suffer when their friends are in

circumstances to redeem them by the customary equivalent of twenty

_binchangs_, or eighty dollars. These are tried by the people of the

tribe where the offence was committed, but cannot be executed until

their own particular _raja_ has been made acquainted with the sentence,

who, when he acknowledges the justice of the intended punishment, sends

a cloth to cover the head of the delinquent, together with a large dish

of salt and lemons. The unhappy victim is then delivered into the hands

of the injured party (if it be a private wrong, or, in the case of a

prisoner to the warriors) by whom he is tied to a stake; lances are

thrown at him from a certain distance by this person, his relatives, and

friends; and when mortally wounded, they run up to him, as if in a

transport of passion, cut pieces from the body with their knives, dip

them in the dish of salt, lemon-juice, and red pepper, slightly broil

them over a fire prepared for the purpose, and swallow the morsels with

a degree of savage enthusiasm. Sometimes (I presume according to the

degree of their animosity and resentment) the whole is devoured by the

bystanders; and instances have been known where, with barbarity still

more aggravated, they tear the flesh from the carcase with their teeth.

To such a depth of depravity may man be plunged, when neither religion

nor philosophy enlighten his steps! All that can be said in extenuation

of the horror of this diabolical ceremony is, that no view appears to be

entertained of torturing the sufferers, of increasing or lengthening out

the pangs of death; the whole fury is directed against the corpse, warm,

indeed, with the remains of life, but past the sensation of pain. A

difference of opinion has existed with respect to the practice of eating

the bodies of their enemies actually slain in war; but subsequent

enquiry has satisfied me of its being done, especially in the case of

distinguished persons, or those who have been accessories to the

quarrel. It should be observed that their campaigns (which may be aptly

compared to the predatory excursions of our Borderers) often terminate

with the loss of not more than half-a-dozen men on both sides. The

skulls of the victims are hung up as trophies in the open buildings in

front of their houses, and are occasionally ransomed by their surviving

relations for a sum of money.”--_Marsden’s Sumatra_, pp. 391-2.

The Battas have, probably, been more civilised than they are now--India

being the source of their civilisation. This is shown in the following

imperfect sketch of their creed--which is Indian, corrupted and

degenerate.

“The inhabitants of this country have many fabulous stories, which shall

be briefly mentioned. They acknowledge three deities as riders of the

world, who are respectively named, _Batara-guru_, _Sori-pada_, and

_Mangallah-bulang_. The first, say they, bears rule in heaven, is the

father of all mankind, and partly, under the following circumstances,

creator of the earth; which from the beginning of time had been

supported on the head of _Naga-padoha_; but growing weary at length, he

shook his head, which occasioned the earth to sink, and nothing remained

in the world excepting water. They do not pretend to a knowledge of the

creation of this original earth and water; but say that at the period

when the latter covered every thing, the chief deity, _Batara-guru_, had

a daughter named _Puti-orla-bulan_, who requested permission to descend

to these lower regions, and accordingly came down on a white owl,

accompanied by a dog; but not being able, by reason of the waters, to

continue there, her father let fall from heaven a lofty mountain, named

_Bakarra_, now situated in the _Batta_ country, as a dwelling for his

child; and from this mountain all other land gradually proceeded. The

earth was once more supported on the three horns of _Naga-padoha_; and

that he might never again suffer it to fall off, _Batara-guhu_ sent his

son, named, _Layang-layang-mandi_ (literally ‘the dipping swallow’), to

bind him hand and foot. But to his occasionally shaking his head they

ascribe the effect of earthquakes. _Puti-orla-bulan_ had afterwards,

during her residence on earth, three sons and three daughters, from whom

sprang the whole human race.

“The second of their deities has the rule of the air, betwixt earth and

heaven; and the third that of the earth; but these two are considered as

subordinate to the first. Besides these, they have as many inferior

deities as there are sensible objects on earth, or circumstances in

human society; of which some preside over the sea, others over rivers,

over woods, over war, and the like. They believe, likewise, in four evil

spirits, dwelling in four separate mountains; and whatever ill befalls

them they attribute to the agency of one of these demons. On such

occasions they apply to one of their cunning men, who has recourse to

his art; and by cutting a lemon ascertains which of these has been the

author of the mischief, and by what means the evil spirit may be

propitiated; which always proves to be the sacrificing a buffalo, hog,

goat, or whatever animal the wizard happens on that day to be most

inclined to eat. When the address is made to any of the superior and

beneficent deities for assistance, and the priest directs an offering of

a horse, cow, dog, hog, or fowl, care must be taken that the animal to

be sacrificed is entirely white.

“They have also a vague and confused idea of the immortality of the

human soul, and of a future state of happiness or misery. They say that

the soul of a dying person makes its escape through the nostrils, and is

borne away by the wind; to heaven, if of a person who has led a good

life; but if of an evil-doer, to a great cauldron, where it shall be

exposed to fire until such time as _Batara-guru_ shall judge it to have

suffered punishment proportioned to its sins; and feeling compassion

shall take it to himself in heaven: that finally the time shall come

when the chains and bands of _Naga-padoha_ shall be worn away, and he

shall once more allow the earth to sink; that the sun will be then no

more than a cubit’s distance from it, and that the souls of those who,

having lived well, shall remain alive at the last day, shall in like

manner go to heaven, and those of the wicked be consigned to the

before-mentioned cauldron, intensely heated by the near approach of the

sun’s rays, to be there tormented by a minister of _Batara-guru_, named

_Suraya-guru_, until, having expiated their offences, they shall be

thought worthy of reception into the heavenly regions.”

The remaining male figures represent two warriors from Pulo Nias, a

small island on the Western coast of Sumatra; the cap and coat of one

being made of the fibres from the leaf-stalk of the _gumuti_ palm.

“The Nias people are remarkable for their docility and expertness in

handy-craft work, and become excellent house-carpenters and joiners;

and, as an instance of their skill in the arts, they practise that of

letting blood by cupping, in a mode nearly similar to ours. They are

industrious and frugal, temperate and regular in their habits, but, at

the same time, avaricious, sullen, obstinate, vindictive, and

sanguinary. Although much employed as domestic slaves (particularly by

the Dutch) they are always esteemed dangerous in that capacity; a defect

in their character which philosophers will not hesitate to excuse in an

independent people torn by violence from their country and connexions.

They frequently kill themselves when disgusted with their situation, or

unhappy in their families, and often their wives at the same time, who

appeared, from the circumstances under which they were found, to have

been consenting to the desperate act. They were both dressed in their

bed apparel (the remainder being previously destroyed), and the female,

in more than one instance, that came under notice, had struggled so

little, as not to discompose her hair, or remove her head from the

pillow. It is said that in their own country they expose their children,

by suspending them in a bag from a tree, when they despair of being able

to bring them up. The mode seems to be adopted with the view of

preserving them from animals of prey, and giving them a chance of being

saved by persons in more easy circumstances.”--_Marsden’s Sumatra_, p.

476.

B. The three opium-smokers are Javanese of the lower orders.

Java differs from Sumatra in its higher standard of civilisation, and in

the greater extent to which it has been acted upon by Indian influences.

At one time, these were generally diffused over the island; not,

perhaps, to the utter and absolute extinction of the original Paganism,

but, still, largely and generally. At present, however, the prevailing

influences are Arab, _i.e._, Mahometan; and Mahometanism has superseded

Hindúism in all parts of the island, except one interesting

locality--the range of the Tenggher Mountains.

“To the eastward of _Surabáya_, and on the range of hills connected with

_Gúnung Dasar_, and lying partly in the district of _Pasúruan_, and

partly in that of _Probolingo_, known by the name of the _Teng’ger_

mountain, we find the remnant of a people still following the Hindu

worship, who merit attention, not only on account of their being the

sole depositaries of the rites and doctrines of that religion existing

at this day on Java, but as exhibiting an interesting singularity and

simplicity of character.

“These people occupy about forty villages, scattered along this range of

hills, in the neighbourhood of what is termed the Sandy Sea. The site of

their villages, as well as the construction of their houses, is

peculiar, and differ entirely from what is elsewhere observed on Java.

They are not shaded by trees but built on spacious open terraces, rising

one above the other, each house occupying a terrace, and being in length

from thirty to seventy, and even eighty feet. The door is invariably in

one corner, at the end of the building opposite to that in which the

fire-place is built. The building appears to be constructed with the

ordinary roof, having along the front an enclosed veranda or gallery,

about eight feet broad. The fire-place is built of brick, and is so

highly venerated that it is considered a sacrilege for any stranger to

touch it. Across the upper part of the building rafters are run, so as

to form a kind of attic story, in which are deposited the most valuable

property and implements of husbandry.

“The head of the village takes the title of _Peting’ gi_, as in the

low-lands, and is generally assisted by a _Kabâyan_, both elected by the

people from their own village. There are four priests who are here

termed _Dùkuns_ (a term elsewhere only applied to doctors and midwives),

having charge of the state records and the sacred books.

“These _Dùkuns_, who are in general intelligent men, can give no account

of the era when they were first established on these hills; they can

produce no traditional history of their origin, whence they came, or who

entrusted them with the sacred books, to the faith contained in which

they still adhere. These, they concur in stating, were handed down to

them by their fathers, to whose hereditary office of preserving them

they have succeeded. The sole duty required of them is again to hand

them down in safety to their children, and to perform the _púja_

(praisegiving), according to the directions they contain. These records

consist of three compositions, written on the _lontar_-leaf, detailing

the origin of the world, disclosing the attributes of the Deity, and

prescribing the forms of worship to be observed on different occasions.

When a woman is delivered of her first child, the _Dúkun_ takes a leaf

of the _alang_ grass, and scraping the skin of the hands of the mother

and her infant, as well as the ground, pronounces a short benediction.

“When a marriage is agreed upon, the bride and bridegroom being brought

before the _Dúkun_ within the house, in the first place bow with respect

towards the south, then to the fire-place, then to the earth, and

lastly, on looking up, to the upper story of the house where the

implements of husbandry are placed. The parties then, submissively

bowing to the _Dúkun_, he repeats a prayer, while the bride washes the

feet of the bridegroom. At the conclusion of this ceremony, the friends

and family of the parties make presents to each of krises, buffaloes,

implements of husbandry, &c.; in return for which the bride and

bridegroom respectfully present them with betel-leaf.

“At the marriage-feast which ensues, the _Dúkun_ repeats two _púja_. The

marriage is not, however, consummated till the fifth day after the above

ceremony. This interval between the solemnities and consummation of

marriage is termed by them _úndang mántu_; and is in some cases still

observed by the Javans in other parts of the island, under the name,

_únduh mántu_.

“At the interment of an inhabitant of _Teng’ger_, the corpse is lowered

into the grave with the head placed towards the south (contrary to the

direction observed by the Mahometans), and is guarded from the immediate

contact of the earth by a covering of bambus and planks. When the grave

is closed, two posts are planted over the body: one erected

perpendicularly on the breast, the other on the lower part of the belly;

and between them is placed a hollowed bambu in an inverted position,

into which, during successive days, they daily pour a vessel of pure

water, laying beside the bambu two dishes, also daily replenished with

eatables. At the expiration of the seventh day, the feast of the dead is

announced, and the relations and friends of the deceased assemble to be

present at the ceremony, and to partake of entertainments conducted in

the following manner:

“A figure of about half a cubit high, representing the human form, made

of leaves and ornamented with variegated flowers, is prepared and placed

in a conspicuous situation, supported round the body by the clothes of

the deceased. The _Dúkun_ then places in front of the garland an

incense-pot with burning ashes, together with a vessel containing water,

and repeats the two _púja_ to fire and water.

“The clothes of the deceased are then divided among the relatives and

friends; the garland is burned; another _púja_ is repeated; while the

remains of the sacred water are sprinkled over the feast. The parties

now sit down to the enjoyment of it, invoking a blessing from the

Almighty on themselves, their houses, and their lands. No more

solemnities are observed till the expiration of a thousand days; when,

if the memory of the deceased is beloved and cherished, the ceremony and

feast are repeated; if otherwise, no further notice is taken of him: and

having thus obtained what the Romans call his _justa_, he is allowed to

be forgotten.

“Being questioned regarding the tenets of their religion, they replied

that they believed in a _Déwa_, who was all-powerful; that the name by

which the _Déwa_ was designated was _Búmi Trúka Sáng’yáng Dewáta Bátur_,

and that the particulars of their worship were contained in a book

called _Pángláwu_, which they presented to me.

“On being questioned regarding the _ádat_ against adultery, theft, and

other crimes, their reply was unanimous and ready--that crimes of this

kind were unknown to them, and that consequently no punishment was

fixed, either by law or custom; that if a man did wrong, the head of the

village chid him for it, the reproach of which was always sufficient

punishment for a man of _Teng’ger_. This account of their moral

character is fully confirmed by the Regents of the districts, under

whose authority they are placed, and also by the residents. They, in

fact, seem to be almost without crime, and are universally peaceable,

orderly, honest, industrious, and happy. They are unacquainted with the

vice of gambling and the use of opium.

“The aggregate population is about twelve hundred souls; and they

occupy, without exception, the most beautifully rich and romantic spots

on Java; a region in which the thermometer is frequently as low as

forty-two. The summits and slopes of the hills are covered with Alpine

firs, and plants common to an European climate flourish in luxuriance.

“Their language does not differ much from the Javan of the present

day, though more gutturally pronounced. Upon a comparison of about

a hundred words with the Javan vernacular, two only were found to

differ. They do not marry or intermix with the people of the

lowlands, priding themselves on their independence and purity

in this respect.”--_Raffles’s History of Java._

GROUP IV.

DYAKS OF BORNEO, A. MALES; B. FEMALES.

The native, and aboriginal tribes of Borneo, have no general name by

which they designate themselves, neither have they a general name for

their island; and this is a fact which occurs pretty generally

throughout the Indian Archipelago. A mere islet, a piece of land visibly

and palpably surrounded by water--takes the name of _pulo_ (_island_);

but the _larger_ masses like Celebes, Borneo, Sumatra, and (as Mr.

Craufurd writes) each and all of the islands with the single exception

of Borneo, are treated as continents,--so narrow is the knowledge of the

inhabitants and so limited their powers of comprehension and

generalisation. Hence, _Borneo_ is an European rather than a native

term; taken from the name of a particular portion of the island and

extended to the whole. It was first used by Pigafetta, a companion of

Magalhan, during his voyage round the world in 1521. This gave it a

currency in Europe which it has maintained ever since.

As to the different divisions of the population, they generally take

their designation from the name of the stream on which they reside; so

that when we hear of such tribes as the Sarebas, the Lundu, the

Sakarran, &c., we may safely conclude that rivers so called form their

several occupancies.

The natives, then, have no general name by which they designate

themselves collectively. But _we_ have. _We_--_i.e._, the

Europeans--call them _Dyaks_. _Dyak_ is a Malay word--much such

a word as _Savage_, or _Barbarian_--so that expressions like _Dyak_,

_Sarebas_ (the _savages of the Sarebas_), &c., are only partially

native--partially native and partially Malay.

The Malay origin of the word indicates the existence of a Malay

population in, or in the neighbourhood of, the island; a Malay

population as well as a native. And such is the case. Over and above the

proper aborigines, we find in Borneo, Chinese from China, Bugis from the

Island of Celebes, and (as aforesaid) Malays from the Malayan Peninsula

and Sumatra.

It is the aborigines, however, who alone are represented in the group

before us--the Dyaks as opposed to the Malays. And the particular Dyak

division is _not_ the one with which an Englishman is the most

familiar. The Sarebas Dyaks, the Lundu Dyaks, the Sakarran Dyaks, &c.,

are the best known to us, inasmuch as it is those who come in contact

with the Rajahship of Sarawak, and the parts under the influence of Sir

James Brooke. But the Dyaks before us come from the south and the

south-east, rather than from the north-west and west, and from the Dutch

parts of the island rather than from the English.

The aborigines of Borneo belong to the great Malay family, so that they

are essentially the same as the aborigines of Sumatra and Java, &c. But

they have this important characteristic; they have been the least

touched by either Indian or Arabic influences. They are the least Hindu,

the least Mahometan, the most Pagan. Neither have they any alphabet; at

the same time, some vestiges of Indian culture undoubtedly exist.

The Dyak of Borneo is the Malay in his most unmodified and primitive

condition, and it is amongst the Dyaks of Borneo that the characteristic

customs are to be found. They are divided into, probably, 100 different

tribes, with, probably, 100 dialects; so far are they from the

organisation of a concentrated political power. As some tribes, however,

are more powerful than others, and as such tribes encroach and conquer,

the tendency towards consolidation exists.

Of such tribes, the most important are the Kayans, occupants of the

central part of the island, cultivators of the soil, domesticators of

animals, forgers of iron. They are a dominant and encroaching

population; the Kanawit, and the other tribes more immediately allied,

being their tributaries. The names which they give to both the other

Dyaks and the Malays, are derisive and insulting; and other

circumstances besides this show the extent to which they are a proud,

self-respecting population. Their dignity of manner and deportment is

favourably contrasted with the comparative servility of the Malays. As

to their morals, the accounts are conflicting. The utter absence of

female chastity, affirmed by Mr. Law, is denied by Mr. Burns, whose

opportunities for acquiring knowledge seem to have been the better, but

who writes somewhat in the spirit of an advocate and admirer. The same

author considers that their taste for head-hunting has been exaggerated;

at any rate, the custom of handing down heads from generation to

generation, as honourable heirlooms, wants confirmation, and besides

this, has certain positive facts against it. When two of their chiefs

changed their residence, an accumulation of 400 skulls was thrown away,

instead of being removed with care and honour. Human sacrifices, on the

other hand, are admitted by Mr. Burns to exist; with the reservation

that the practice decreases, and that the victim is a member of some

other tribe.

It was from the parts about the Kayan river that they began their

conquests. Successful in holding their own, they suffer from disease

rather than war. At intervals of twelve or fifteen years, the small-pox

rages as an epidemic; whilst fever, ague, dysentery, and rheumatism, are

endemic. To tattoo the body, to bore and stretch the ears, to wear

pendant ear-rings of twenty ounces, so that the ears and breasts meet,

are the more characteristic elements of the Kayan cosmesis. In the first

of these operations the performer pricks the pattern with a needle, and

then engrains the smoke of a dammer torch; so that the process is

partially that of the simple tattoo, and partially that of inustion.

Mutual friendships or brotherhoods, are ratified by the not unusual

ceremony of mixing blood. This Mr. Burns considers as peculiar to the

Kayan amongst the populations of Borneo. That of drawing omens from the

flight of birds is common to them and the other tribes.

After death, the body is kept in the house from four to eight days.

Torches are kept burning beside the coffin which contains it; and if one

of them go out, bad luck is augured from its extinction. For four or

five days, too, after the removal of the corpse, they are still kept

alight. Previous, however, to the removal, a feast is prepared; some of

the food being placed beside the coffin, whilst the remainder regales

the relatives of the deceased. The mourning of the women is loud,

passionate, and full of gesticulation. They hug the decomposing body;

they inhale its odours, and finally, they attend it to the place of its

ultimate disposal, which is the loft of a small wooden house, built on

pillars, about twelve feet high.

The burial ceremonies are more elaborate than those which accompany the

birth or naming of children; those of marriage are the simplest. To

swim, to wrestle, to blow the sumpitan, to use the sword, and to throw

the spear, are the chief elements in the training of the Kayan

youth.[33]

[33] Burns, in “Journal of the Indian Archipelago.”

This notice has contained some remarkable suggestions. What means the

allusion to the head-hunting? No trophy is more honourable among the

Dyaks of Borneo, than a human head; the head of a conquered enemy. These

are preserved in the houses as tokens; so that the number of skulls is a

measure of the prowess of the possessor. In tribes, where this feeling

becomes morbid, no young man can marry before he has presented his

future bride with a human head, cut off by himself. Hence, for a

marriage to take place, an enemy must be either found or made.

It may easily be imagined that this engenders a chronic state of warfare

between tribe and tribe; to which, we may add, as another of the

scourges of the Dyak population, the piracy that is practised along the

whole of the sea-coasts, and on the lower courses of the numerous

rivers.

Cannibalism in Sumatra; head-hunting in Borneo--such are the

characteristics of two of the more important branches of the Malay

family, and they are practices which are manifestly condemnatory to the

moral character of the nations in which they occur. We must, however,

take the evidence to their existence as we find it. On the other hand,

it is a good rule to receive with caution all accounts that violate the

common feelings of human nature, and to allow ourselves to believe that

causes, as yet imperfectly understood, modify and diminish practices so

horrible. That it should be so general as the theory demands is

incompatible with the proportions between the male and female

populations, which are much the same in Borneo as elsewhere. So it is,

also, with the express statement of Sir J. Brooke, who says, that the

passion for heads has much diminished amongst certain of the Sarawak

tribes. In one case, an offer of some was refused; the reason alleged

being that it would revive fresh sorrows. The parties who thus declined,

gave a favourable account of some of the customs by which the horrors of

a Dyak war were abated:--

“If one tribe claimed a debt of another, it was always demanded, and the

claim discussed. If payment was refused, the claimants departed, telling

the others to listen to their birds, as they might expect an attack.

Even after this, it was often the case, that a tribe friendly to each

mediated between them, and endeavoured to make a settlement of their

contending claims. If they failed, the tribes were then at war.

Recently, however, more places than one have been attacked without due

notice, and often by treachery. The old custom likewise was, that no

house should be set on fire, no paddy destroyed, and that _a naked

woman_ could not be killed, nor a woman with child. These laudable and

praiseworthy customs have fallen into disuse, yet they give a pleasing

picture of Dyak character, and relieve, by a touch of humanity, the

otherwise barbarous nature of their warfare. Then there is what is

called the _Babukid, bubukkid, or mode of defiance_, which is appealed

to as a final judgment in disputes about property, and usually occurs in

families when the right to land and fruit-trees comes to be discussed.

Each party then sallies forth in search of a _head_; if only one

succeed, his claim is acknowledged; if both succeed, the property

continues common to both. It is on these occasions that the Dyaks are

dangerous; and perhaps an European, whose inheritance depended on the

issue, would not be very scrupulous as to the means of success. It must

be understood, however, that the individuals do not go alone, but a

party accompanies each, or they may send a party without being present.

The loss of life is not heavy from this cause, and it is chiefly

resorted to by the Singé and Sows, and is about as rational as our

trials by combat. This babukid must be a check of a permanent sort.

_Houses._--“With certain of the Dyak tribes the houses are not huts, nor

yet mere dwelling-houses of ordinary dimensions. They hold from one

hundred to two hundred persons each; and are raised above the ground on

piles.

_Religion._--“The notions of the Dyaks respecting the spiritual world

are in general much confused, and at variance with each other. They

agree, however, in the belief in good and evil spirits. The good spirits

are divided into two classes, viz., spirits of the world above, or of

the higher regions, who come under the collective denomination of

‘Sengiang;’ and spirits of the lower regions, or more properly, such as

have their dominion in the waters, in great rivers, and these are called

‘Jata.’ The collective name of the evil spirits is ‘Talopapa’ which word

signifies, in general, all bad things.

“It is to be observed here that the Dyaks describe the aspect of the

regions above as similar to the terrestrial world. Mountains, valleys,

streams, lakes, &c. &c., are found there, as well as here beneath; and

the dominions of various spirits are bounded by the different streams

and branches of the rivers.”--_From the Rev. T. F. Barker’s “Mythology

of the Dyaks,” Journ. Ind. Archip._, vol. iii. p. 162.

“In the interior, men are still occasionally sacrificed, principally on

the death of chiefs, and other considerable persons. In Sirat, the

furthest inhabited point of the Kapus River, where I some years ago made

a journey of investigation, they had a short time before our arrival,

sacrificed two women. An acquaintance who had been present, gave me the

following account of the horrible event:--One morning at Sirat, there

gathered a great number of people, who streamed in on all sides to

celebrate a great feast. There was firing of guns--the open plain before

the Kotta (fort) was prepared for the occasion, and adorned with

branches, flowers, and cloths; a number of hogs were killed; and when,

finally, by midday, everything had been arranged according to use and

wont, the real objects of the festival were brought forward--two women,

still young, who had been purchased for the purpose from another race.

They had to seat themselves on the side of the ready-dug graves, and

contemplate for some time the noisy rejoicings of the feasters. A lance

of about thirty feet in length was then brought and laid on one of the

victims. All now hurried to take a part in the impending detestable

deed. A hundred hands seized the long lance, and the instant the

customary sign was given, they threw themselves, amidst the loud

acclamations of the multitude, on the unfortunate wretch, and pierced

her through and through, even transfixing her to the ground. They then

cut off the head of the fallen victim, and carried it during the rest of

the day, dancing and singing round it. The same fate also befel her

unfortunate companion. Those who are thus offered become, in their

belief, in the other world, slaves of the deceased friend to whose

memory they are offered.”--_From “Some Remarks on the Dyaks of

Banjarmassing,” in the Journ. of the Ind. Archip._, vol. i., p. 30.

The blow-pipe, with which so many of the figures before us are

furnished, is called, in the native language, _sumpitan_. It is made of

the wood of the palm, bored with the greatest possible nicety. The

arrows, which are from four to six inches long, fit the bore, and are

poisoned--at least with some of the tribes. At twenty yards the

_sumpitan_ is sure to hit; at one hundred it attains its longest range.

Since the ones before us have been in England, more than one _amateur_

has tried them--both with the Dyak arrows, and with little pellets of

clay. They have succeeded in bringing down sparrows from the house-tops

with the latter. The aim is sure, and a little practice accomplishes it.

The male in the sailor’s dress is a Philippine Islander, who spoke the

Iloco language. The female is a half-blood Spanish and Manilla-Indian.

GROUP V.

A.--ISLANDERS OF THE LOUISIADE ARCHIPELAGO--PAPUANS. (_p._ 91)

A. THE PAPUANS. B. AUSTRALIANS.

When we move eastwards from the more eastern of the Moluccas we reach

New Guinea, of which the very name suggests the likelihood of a change

in the character of the population. How did it arise? Much in the same

way that such a term as _West Indies_ did. There was something in the

new country which reminded the discoverers of an old one. Now the large

island under notice reminded the early voyagers of the coast of _Guinea_

on the western side of Africa. Why? Because they found there a

population of _Blacks_; a population that reminded them of the negro; a

population unlike the Malay tribes of islands westward.

A. _New Guinea._ This is anything but a native name; indeed, it is a

name that no New Guinea men know anything about.

Just what occurred in Borneo, occurs here. There is no _general_ name at

all; neither one for the island itself, nor one for the population of

it--no _native_ name at least.

There is, however, a Malay one. The word _Papua_ means _frizzly-haired_.

Originally and, more properly, applied to occupants of the north-west

coast, it has since been extended--for the purposes of Ethnology at

least--to a whole family. Hence, the Papuan stock contains, not only the

inhabitants of New Guinea, but those of the islands to the east, and

south thereof--the Louisiade Archipelago, New Britain, New Ireland, New

Hanover, Solomon’s Isles, New Hebrides, Loyalty Isles, and New

Caledonia.

No part of the world is less known than these Papuan islands--the

interior of New Guinea being as much a mystery as the interior of

Africa. There are certain points, however, on which attention has been

concentrated. Thus--

_a._ The western coast of New Guinea itself has been described, more or

less incompletely, by the Dutch.

_b._ The south-eastern part, along with the islands of Torres Straits,

has been surveyed by H.M.S. the Fly.

_c._ The Louisiade Archipelago, &c., by H.M.S. Rattlesnake.

_d._ The parts about Tanna, Mallicollo, and New Caledonia, by Captain

Erskine.

The figures before us are from drawings made on the spot by Mr. Huxley,

naturalist to the Rattlesnake, and as they were from the pencil of an

anatomist as well as an artist they may be relied on as characteristic.

The chief notices are from Mr. M‛Gillivray’s “Voyage of the

Rattlesnake.”

The Louisiade houses (or huts) in their simplest form consist of a roof

of palm-leaves on four wooden uprights, each of which pierces a round

piece of wood. This prevents rats and vermin from finding their way

upwards and into the dwelling.

[Illustration]

The larger and more elaborate contain several families--the following

being a section of the part occupied. In parts subject to inundation

they stand upon high props--upon _piles_ as it were. This mode of

building is common in New Guinea, on certain islands of the Indian

Archipelago, the more swampy parts of inter-tropical America; like

adaptations occurring in like localities.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Next to the domestic architecture that of their canoes deserves

attention. These, always, or almost always, are built without

riggers--sometimes with a sort of stage or platform projecting from the

sides, the structure of a raft being superadded to that of a boat. The

sailing vessels take the following form. Less nautical than the

Malays--the Papuan family is more so than the Australian.

[Illustration]

With some varieties the hair is far more elaborately dressed than with

those of the present group; being twisted into long curls, likened to

the thrums of a mop, stiffened with oil, and washed in alkaline leys,

which give a red tinge. When this kind of ornamentation attains its

fullest development, the frizzled mass of strong and stiffened hair

makes the owner unable to lie down without disarranging his head-dress.

In this case a neck-pillow becomes necessary; just as it does with

certain tribes of Africa, with whom the care of these head-gear is one

of the primary employments of life.

[Illustration]

The chief weapons are the bow and arrow, their political organisation of

the lowest and simplest kind; that of small tribes living in a state of

chronic hostility with each other. Woven cloth they have none. On the

other hand they show some skill in the art of pottery. In New Guinea, at

least, they defend their soil with tenacity and resolution, eschewing

European intercourse. In the more southern and smaller islands, however,

this is less the case than in the more northern and larger ones. They

contrast more favourably with the Australians than with the Malays.

But little is known of their languages.

The islands of Torres Strait, even when they lie nearest to the coast of

Australia, are not Australian, but Papuan, so that the following

extracts from the “Voyage of the Fly” apply to a population allied to

one under notice--allied, but not identical.

In _Darnley Island_ the natives “were fine, active, well-made fellows,

rather above the middle height, of a dark brown or chocolate colour.

They had frequently almost handsome faces, aquiline noses, rather broad

about the nostril, well-shaped heads, and many had a singularly Jewish

cast of features. The hair was frizzled, and dressed into long pipe-like

ringlets, smeared sometimes with ochre, sometimes left of its natural

black colour; others had wigs not to be distinguished from the natural

hair, till closely examined. The septum narium was bored, but there was

seldom anything worn in it. Most of their ears were pierced all round

with small holes, in which pieces of grass were stuck, and in many the

lobe was torn and hanging down to the shoulder. Their only scars were

the faint oval marks on the shoulder. The hair of their bodies and limbs

grew in small tufts, giving the skin a slightly woolly appearance. They

were entirely naked, but frequently wore ornaments made of

mother-of-pearl shells, either circular or crescent-shaped, hanging

round their necks. Occasionally, also, we saw a part of a large shell,

apparently a cassis, cut into a projecting shield-shape, worn in front

of the groin. The women wore a petticoat round the waist, reaching

nearly to the knees, formed of strips of leaves sewn on to a girdle.

These formed a very efficient covering, as one or two were worn over

each other. The grown-up woman’s petticoat, or nessoor, was formed, we

afterwards found, of the inside part of the large leaves of a

bulbous-rooted plant, called by them teggaer, of which, each strip was

an inch broad. The girl’s nessoor was made of much narrower strips from

the inside of the leaf of the plantain, which they called cabbow.