Letter from Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles to Revd. John Lindeman

Résumé du livre

This letter, written by Raffles from Bencoolen, is to Reverend John Lindeman, Raffles' uncle. In this letter Raffles asks his uncle's opinion of his "History of Java", published in 1817. Raffles goes on to write that the Sumatrans are "at least a thousand years behind the Javans in civilization and the arts of life - but yet they are able reasoners and have many interesting peculiarities - far removed above Savages, they have many things in common with the patriarchal tribes described in the old Testament - their System of Bondsmen and marriages accord in a striking manner - but I fear their History will hardly excite sufficient interest to deserve a Volume". This was a jibe at William Marsden, whose "History of Sumatra", 1783, was the first work on the natural history and languages of the island. Raffles includes a brief discussion of his work towards the spread of Christianity - " ... all agree on the advantage of generally educating the Population. In Sumatra we are not idle ... ". He also suggests Lindeman sends his son out to the East.