There is a very pretty custom among the Malays, to visit their friends on the great feast-day that terminates the fast, and to endeavour to do away with any ill-feeling, jealousy, or animosity, that may have arisen during the past year, by asking pardon of all their friends for any shortcomings. They do this to all, as they thus avoid any peculiar notice of the offence, and seek forgiveness also for any unintentional annoyance they may have given. Anything that varies the monotonous life led by the people of the capital is seized upon with avidity. They, therefore, delight in story-tellers, conjurors, and dancers. There are several female professional story-tellers, who go from one harim to another, relating, in a sort of chant, metrical tales of former days. They are supposed to improvise, and may occasionally vary the tale and embellish it with fresh incidents, but they generally rely on the Malay versions of Indian poems. These women are eagerly sought after by the court ladies, as they not only thus amuse them, but are the collectors of the news and scandal of the day. I have occasionally listened to them, but not with much interest. There are also women who pretend to be possessed with a spirit, and whilst under its influence are supposed to speak in an unknown tongue--uttering unearthly sounds, and making violent contortions of their faces. They likewise pretend to be able to discover stolen goods, and to cure diseases; they will even assist a jealous woman to destroy the life of another by incantations, making a little wax image, and as that melts away so does the woman fade whom she endeavours to destroy. She compounds charms and philtres for the love-sick, and will make some mysterious marks on a bit of paper, which, placed near the sleeping-mat of man or woman, will suffice to change the affections of the occupant of that bed. Many are also adepts in the art of procuring abortions, and practice has given them so much perfection that, by mechanical means, they succeed in their designs without injuring the patient. They drive a thriving trade in the capital, and prevent the necessity of infanticide, which therefore very rarely occurs. When it is considered that the rajahs part with their concubines after the birth of one or two children, it is not surprising that a favourite should take any means to uphold her influence. They are never taught morality when young, and they follow eagerly in the footsteps of their elders. More than half the daughters of the nobility cannot procure husbands, as they are not allowed to marry a person of inferior rank, and must receive a large marriage portion. There is very little restraint on the conduct of these girls, none but such as they place upon themselves, as it is quite impossible, with their slight houses, to prevent nocturnal visits of lovers; but should they prove with child, it is considered a great scandal. I believe Brunei to be the most immoral city of which I have heard.