Golden Chersonese

Even in the last two decades of the nineteenth century, Isabelle Bird, by then an established travel writer, was able to refer to the Malay Peninsula as an almost unknown land. Travelling back from Japan, the intrepid travel writer stopped off in Singapore where the British Colonial Secretary offered her the opportunity to vist the native states of the Western Archipelago. Because she had such a good introduction, she went and was taken everywhere by local officials. And so Miss Bird's journey was less rugged than her many other trips, but, rather more comfortable and well connected, she enjoyed it immensely.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER The Aurea Chersonesus-The Conquest of Malacca-The Straits Settle­ments-The Configuration of the Peninsula-A Terra Incognita-The Monsoons-Products of the Peninsula-The great Vampire-Beasts and Reptiles- Malignant and harmless Insects-Land and Water Birds-Traditions of Malay Immigration-Wild and Civilised Races Kafirs-The Samangs and Orang-utan -Characteristics of the Jakuns-Babas and Sinkehs-The Malay Physiognomy-Language and Literature-Malay Poetry and Music-Malay Astronomy-Edu­cation and Law - Malay Sports - Domestic Habits - Weapons - Slavery and Debt Bondage-Government- No Information. Letters I to X, A CHAPTER ON SELANGOR. Letters XIV to XVII, A CHAPTER ON PERAK. Letters XVIII to XXIII.

Isabella Lucy Bird was perhaps the most prolific and popular female traveller and writer of the 19th century.