a most wicked and
profligate people, who often commit atrocious murders for very
trifling gain. They profess the Mahomedan religion, but are so
absolutely devoid of moral principle, that they even make a boast and
merit of cheating Christians. Their last chief was publicly whipped
and branded for his frauds and villainies, his goods confiscated, and
he himself banished to Ceylon; since when they have been ashamed
to elect another chief. Their habits are of silk or cotton, the men
wearing a piece of cotton round their heads, and their black hair tied
into a knot behind.

The blacks or negroes at Batavia are mostly Mahomedans, who come
chiefly from Bengal, dressing like the Malays, and living in the same
quarter of the city. Some of them work at different mechanic trades,
and others are a kind of pedlars; but the most considerable of them
trade in stones for buildings, which they bring from the neighbouring
islands.

The _Amboinese_ are chiefly employed in building houses of bamboos,
the windows of which are made of split canes, very nicely wrought in
various figures. They are a bold boisterous race, and so turbulent
that they are not permitted to reside in the city, but have their
quarter near the Chinese burying ground. The chief of their own
nation, to whom they pay the utmost submission, has a magnificent
house in their quarter, well furnished after their manner. Their arms
are chiefly large sabres and long bucklers. The men wear a piece of
cotton cloth wrapped round their heads, the ends of which hang down
behind, and adorn this species of turban with a variety of flowers.
Their women wear a close habit, and a cotton mantle over their
shoulders, having their arms bare. Their houses are built of boards,
thatched with leaves, usually two or three stories high, the ground
floor especially being divided into several apartments.

The _Mardykers_ or _Topasses_ are idolaters from various Indian
nations, and follow various trades and professions; and their
merchants, under licences or passports from the company, carry on
considerable commerce among the neighbouring islands. Some of these
people are gardeners, others rear cattle, and others breed fowls. The
men of this mixed tribe generally dress after the Dutch fashion, but
the women wear the habits of other Indians. These people dwell both
in the city and country, their houses being better than those of the
other Indians, built of stone or brick, several stories high,