arcity of provisions, having nothing of that kind
except various sorts of fish. The princes of the adjacent countries
and their subjects are all notorious pirates, and give much
disturbance to the trade of India; but are particularly inimical to
the Dutch company, and omit no opportunity of doing all the evil
in their power to its subjects. These people suffered formerly some
severe reverses from the Portuguese, who were formerly established
here, and since from their successors the Dutch, which has gradually
reduced their power, so that they are now much less able to carry
on their depredations. The natives of Malacca are of a very dark
complexion, but brisk and active, and greatly addicted to thieving.
Some are idolaters but they are mostly Mahometans.

When the Portuguese were masters of Malacca, they had no less than
three churches and a chapel within the fortress, and one on the
outside. That which is now used for worship by the Dutch stands
conspicuously on the top of a hill, and may be seen for a great
distance up or down the straits. It has a flag-staff on the top of its
steeple, where a flag is always displayed on seeing a ship. The fort
is large and strong. A third part of its walls is washed by the sea:
A deep, narrow, and rapid river covers its western side; and all the
rest is secured by a broad, deep ditch. The governor's house is both
beautiful and convenient, and there are several other good houses,
both in the fort and the town. But, owing to the shallowness of the
sea at this place, ships are obliged to ride above a league off,
which is a great inconvenience, as the fort is of no use to defend the
roads. The straits here are not above four leagues broad, and though
the opposite coast of Sumatra is very low, it may easily be seen in
a clear day: Hence the sea here is always quite smooth, except
in squalls of wind, which are generally accompanied with thunder,
lightning, and rain. These squalls, though violent, seldom last more
than an hour.

The country of Malacca produces nothing for exportation, except a
little tin and elephants teeth; but has several excellent fruits and
roots for the use of its inhabitants, and the refreshment of strangers
who navigate this way. The pine-apples of Malacca are esteemed the
best in the world, as they never offend the stomach; while those of
other places, if eaten in the smallest excess, are apt to occasion
surfeits. The _mangostein_ is a delicious fruit, almost in t