Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/157

 "In terrible contrast with the dress of the well-to-do, is the deep misery of the slaves. When these unfortunates become enslaved by usury and deceit, every measure is, generally speaking, taken to keep them in the lowest stage of poverty and want. In the possession of a great number of slaves consist, properly speaking, the wealth and the pride of a prosperous Tobanese. It is no rarity to find notables or headmen each possessing from 100 to 200 slaves, there being even families who possess as many as ten villages, all inhabited by slaves, who till the fields, build the villages, and serve as soldiers in the wars of their masters. We have still to name one pitiable class of men, namely the eunuchs who, however, save in Toba, are no longer found in the Batak country. Luckily they are few; they are used to accompany and attend upon women. For free people and headmen wives are very dear in Toba. In Silindong and Pangaloan, people pay 10 and more buffaloes for a young woman. In Toba the figure rises to 20 and 30, besides horses, gold, slaves, &c. In Toba alone the custom still prevails of keeping the skulls of deceased fathers and grandfathers. The dead man remains several years in a sopo, in a coffin closed with rosin, until the skull can at length be taken away without difficulty. On a suitable day the eldest son takes the skull of his father to the market place, shews it to the head men present, while he gives away a cow for public use saying "Our father wished once more to visit the market." Alter this there follows a series of festivities in honour of the deceased, for which the whole family bring together 20 to 30 buffaloes to be slaughtered. During the festivities the skull is adorned with a silk turban and gold rings. The skull at length finds a resting place in the grave. On domestic oceurrenees, and in war time, the skull plays an important part, together with the spirit of the deceased. Should a skull be made away with, it is considered as foreboding ill-luck, and as being the greatest disgrace that can befall a family."

 SIAMESE TITLES.

The following note is appended to Capt. Burney's map of the Siamese Provinces (referred to at p. 57) and is no doubt in Capt. Burney's handwriting. It was probably written in 1826, when the first Treaty with Siam was framed.

It is of course as difficult to define the exact meaning of Siamese Titles, as that of many English Titles and degrees of rank.

"Chow is Lord and Master, and Chow Mooung Lord or Gover-