Some Glimpses Into Life in the Far East [by J. T. Thomson]. [with] Sequel

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIX. KEDDAH DISTURBANCES. All south Asiatic nations seem to exist in a chronic state of rebellion, and their governments seem to maintain their preponderance by setting neighbouring districts at loggerheads. In order to weaken these, they cherish local antipathies, by way of gaining leisure to themselves. Anarchy is thus the rule, not the exception. Where there is no law, the strongest does as he likes. Every petty rajah, or son of a rajah, maintains his consequence by disorderly armed retainers, and the only casual relief to the subject is when these quarrel amongst themselves, for in this case the retainers have to fight their foes, instead of oppressing their fellow-countrymen. This state of matters reduces the producing power of the populations to the minimum. Nothing is produced but absolute necessities; no wealth is accumulated by the subjects. All are steeped in poverty, all are discontented, all hail revolution and change. The populations bear extortion and tyranny with the most abject servility, till the culminating points are arrived at, when the smouldering flame of discontent bursts forth with spasmodic energy. The effort is short and violent, and is succeeded by another term of dormant apathy. The native of the tropical East has not the vigour and intelligence of the European; he can, therefore, neither combine for general protection, nor organize such a system of government as is capable of maintaining order. Thus Eastern governments, to be strong--or even useful--must of necessity be despotic. A despotism in the hands of a just ruler is a blessing to Eastern nations--not a curse. Keddah was a weak Eastern state, situated at the fag end of two powerful ones, viz., the Siamese and Burmese. It was expected to serve...