Daily National Democrat

The Malays,

Captain Walter M. Gibson lectured on the Malayan Archipelago, (which he has visited) a few nights ago in San Francisco. He gives in the following remarks a somewhat different idea of the Malays from that generally entertained of them:

Captain Gibson believed that the aggregate population of the island would number 40,000,000 souls, and included a variety of races such as would astonish the explorer to behold. The Malay proper, was a noble specimen of the genus homo. He had never seen a genuine Malay in this country: all that had been pointed out to him as such were either Lascars or Papuanses. The Malays have a high respect for woman, and are chivalrous and constant. Woman, with them, is a far more important personage than she is among any other of the Asiatic tribes. Out of thirteen sovereigns which he enumerated as ruling various peoples in the group, nine were women. During the reign of one of the English Jameses, an incident occurred in this connection which was worthy of note. The Monarch—the lecturer was not certain of his identity—sent Sir James Lancaster on an embassy to find out whether the ruler of the Achinese was a male or a female. Sir James proceeded to the aboriginal Court and desired an interview with the sovereign. The interview was granted, and during the conversation, the exalted personage asked to be permitted to feel the Ambassador's wig. This was granted, and Sir James was happy to report to his master that he was satisfied that the ruler of the Achinese was a woman!

The veneration which the natives have for the weaker sex is accounted for by an incident which occurred in the Island of Celebes in the sixteenth century. The renowned Albuquerque went there with a well equipped army in order to subjugate the natives. When the gallant soldier beheld the force which was brought out to war against him, he hesitated, and sent a messenger to the Chief to tell him that he did not desire to slaughter his people as he was in position to do, but that the battle should be settled by single combat. The offer was accepted, and Galrao rode forth as the Portuguese champion. When, however, the Chief who was to fight him saw his undaunted mien, he became frightened and fled. The sister of the runaway was greatly mortified, and determined to wipe out the stain which her brother had cast upon her tribe. Seizing a lance, she charged upon Galrao, who at once retreated and declared that not for worlds would he fight a woman. Albuquerque then generously offered all concessions that were required, and ever since the Celebes, as well as the natives of the other islands, have held woman in extreme veneration.