Fail of Ashes--Singing Fish--Curious Method of Catching Prawns--Tuba Fishing--Superstition--Money--Coinage of the Capital--Cloth--Iron--Gun-metal--Good Manufacturers of Brass Ordnance--A 12-pounder--Similarity of Customs--The Sultan--The Heir to his Subjects--Makota and his Gold. Borneo Proper is one of the few Malay kingdoms that remain in the Archipelago possessing the semblance of independent government; and as a type of what was, and what we may hope is passing away, it is worth a short description. Nominally, this kingdom extends from Sarawak to Maludu Bay and the islands to the north of it; but, in reality, it possesses no power, and exercises little influence over its dependencies. The government consists of a sultan, now dignified by the higher title of Iang de per Tuan, freely to be translated by “He who governs.” The office is at present held by one who has no claim by descent, but was chosen to avoid a threatened struggle between the popular, but illegitimate, sons of the late sultan and the more legal aspirant to the throne. He is in general a well-meaning man, but tainted by a grasping avarice. Neither in theory nor practice is the sultan despotic: he must consult on all great occasions with his chief officers, and all important documents should bear at least two of their seals. The four principal officers of state are: the bandhara, for home affairs; the de gadong, for revenue and government stores; the pamancha, for home affairs likewise, and who on certain occasions may supply the place of the bandhara, and transact business for him; and the tumanggong, who is supposed to protect the coast and lead all warlike expeditions. There is a fifth officer, of lower rank, the shabandar, to look after the affairs of commerce, and regulate the intercourse with strangers frequenting the port. Each of the four great officers is entitled to eight assistants of noble blood, besides others of inferior rank; but, as the sultan feelingly observed, the glory of Brunei, called by themselves Dar’u’salam, the Abode of Peace, has departed, and he can only find a few who care to be promoted to these offices, which bring neither profit nor consideration. The names are there, but the reality is gone. There is a class of officers who possess very great influence in Borneo; they are the ministers chosen from the ranks of the people, the chief of whom is called the orang kaya de gadong. Seldom is anything of importance undertaken without consulting them, as they are known to have a powerful following, and greatly to influence the minds of the people. At the demise of a sovereign, their influence is especially felt, and if they were united, I believe they would carry out their views in spite of any opposition.