CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
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BY HENRY SIRR
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THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
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CEYLON
ud io
Tr
AND
It
is
a goodly sight to see
hath done for this delicious land
PD
What Heaven
F
—
St
THE CINGALESE.
blush on every tree
fruits of fragrance
What
goodly prospects o'er the
de
sk
What
hills
expand
!
!
!"
Byrok.
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CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE; THEIR
AND
HISTORY, GOVERNMENT,
RELIGION,
THE
ANTIQUITIES, INSTITUTIONS, PEODUCE,
REVENUE, AND CAPABILITIES
OF THE ISLAND; WITH
ia
l
ANECDOTES ILLUSTRATING
Tr
THE MAKNEES AND CUSTOMS
ud io
OF THE
St
PEOPLE. BY
PD
F
HENRY CHARLES
SIRR, M.A.,
OF
Lincoln's inn, b arrister- at-law,
sk
ANn
de
LATE DEPUTY QUEEN's ADVOCATE SOUTHERN
FOR THE
CIRCUIT IN
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON.
VOL.
I.
LONDON:
WILLIAM SHOBERL, PUBLISHER, 20,
GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 1850. SEntcrtlJ at ^tatiomriS' Hall.
l ia Tr ud io LONDON
G. J.
F PD sk de
:
PALMER, SAVOY 8TREKT, STHAND.
St
PRINTED BY
THE MOST NOBLE AND RIGHT HONORABLE
D.C.L.,
Tr
MARQUIS OF SALISBURY, K.G
ia
l
JAMES BROWNLOW WILLIAM GASCOIGNE CECIL, ,
&c.
&c.
St
&c.
ud io
LORD LIEUTENANT OF THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX,
F
C!)uS E23ork t^, fin pcrmtji^ton, rcspcctfulln Uctliratclr,
PD
BY HIS LORDSHIP'S
MOST OBEDIENT,
sk
V
/T
HUMBLE SERVANT,
de
"N
J^
THE AUTHOR.
F
PD
sk
de ud io
St l
ia
Tr
Tr
ia
l
PREFACE. the
extraordinary interest created by
ud io
From
recent events in Ceylon, and the desire for inforall classes
upon the subject of
St
mation evinced by
the late Rebellion, we have been induced to prepare
in a
PD
which appeared
F
the following pages for the press,
after our return
some portion of
leading periodical shortly
from the Colony.
Our object has been
sk
to unfold the capabilities
de
of this beautifid island,
undeveloped resources
:
and
call attention
be classed the proposed emigration Ellia,
and
and amongst the
latter the
essential undertaking
ancient tanks
named
—the
to
Newera-
long talked
of,
— the restoration of the
whole credit of which
proposition, a recent writer,
visited the Colony, has
to its
amongst the former may
last-
who has never
most unjustly claimed
himself, although the greater
number
of,
for
if not all,
vm
PREFACE.
who have sojourned
authors
in the "
Cinnamon
Isle" have referred to the subject.
we have endeathat we have con-
In the performance of our task,
voured to notice, and believe
of interest,
every topic
sidered,
general features of the countiy,
and habits of
As a book
its
and
its
the
glorious an-
illustrated the cha-
mixed population. we have essayed
l
racter
literature,
ia
and
tiquities
described
to
Tr
of reference,
render these pages useful, by the classification
The
ancient history of Lanka-diva has been
glanced
at,
and
its
modem,
or that portion tliereof
connected with European rule, has been
St
which
ud io
of chapters, each devoted to a particular subject.
is
being brought down to the
F
fully entered into, and, it
includes a
complete account
PD
present period,
OF THE LATE KaNDL^N REBELLION, ITS ORIGIN,
sk
AND CONSEQUENCES, together with an expose of
de
the supposed grievances of our fellow-suhjects, (ind the critical position of the colonial govern))ieni.
We tion
have also ventured, from personal obsei'va-
and
facts, to
show the
inefficiency of death,
as a punishment, or example, amongst a population professing the tenets of April, 1850. 1,
New
Square, Lincoln's Inn.
Buddhism.
——
IX
l
CONTENTS
ud io
Tr
ia
OF THE FIEST VOLUME.
CHAPTER
I.
—Beauty of the scenery aud —Arrival of steamer—Scene on boai'd—Native — Touters lodging-bouses — Custom the House — Grotesque appearance of Cbitty Man — De— Guai'd-house — Queen's house scription of the your comDwellings — Moonnen— Pettah — Paying Canoes
to
PD
F
ti-aders
liai-bour
St
Poiut de Galle
fort
..... for
sk
de
plexion.
CHAPTER
Page
1
II.
Going to call the coach, instead of the coach calling for you Preparations for Departure Description of the Royal Mails in Ceylon The Colombo road Wild PeaBentotte cock Guano ^lonkeys Toddy di-awers Kestive horses Anecdote Caltura Beauty of scenery Cinnamon plantations Pagoda tree The fashionable Curious Colpetty The Galle Face quarter of Colombo Arrival of the Royal Mail, gives gazers at new-comers
—
—
—
— —
—
— —
—
— — —
—
—
— —
—
—
—
CONTENTS.
X
rise to conjectures as to
the new-comers are, and
who
wherefore they have come to Ceylon.
CHAPTER
.
.
19
III.
— Harbom* — Custom-house — Animated scene — — —Troops — Queen's House—Public in the Fort—Pettah — Native traders—Chui'ches, chapels, and table institutions— Public in the Pettah—Native — Slave Island — Galle Face —Colonial manners The climate upon the female character — The drive — Beauty of the spot—Sunset— Seabreezes — E vening — — Cinnamon—Tribute manded by the Portuguese — Cultivation introduced by the Dutch —Value of the monopoly the Dutch and English governments—Description of the —Uses of every portion of the cinnamon-laurel—Peeling knives — Number of crops in the year—Prei)aring the spice — ChaUiasor cinnamon peelers—Punkahs—The of an unexpected downfall — Dessert — Crows, their boldness and
Colombo
Derivation of the name of the Port
Fortifications
offices
religious
chari-
l
offices
ia
police
Tr
effect of
fasliionable
de-
ud io
Fii-e-fiies
to
PD
F
St
shiTib
.
.
.
.
CHAPTER
.
.39
IV.
de
sk
audacity.
result
Kandy—Route — Bridge of boats—Paddy —Aspect of the people —Ambepusse—Mountain zone—Kadaganawa pass— Mountain scenery— Talapat, or great fan palm—Animal —Draught elephants Peredenia — Bridge and Botanical gardens — Curious specimens of the vegetable kingdom—Travellers' fiiend — City of Kandy— lake — Bathing house of the Queen's — Palace — Native shops — Customs — Buildings Artillery-barracks — Deficiency of water— The governor's
Situation of
ter-
races
life
Artfficial
——
CONTENTS.
Xi
—Beauty of the architectm-e and —Views Doombera— Major Davie's —Groimds of the Pavilion—Lady Horton's road—Grandeur of neiy — Altitude of the mountains— Military on One-tree hUl— Legend —Kurunaigalla tunnel— Compulsory labour— Animals, and ia the residence
site
the valley of
of
tree
sce-
station
bii-ds,
rounding oountiy.
.
reptiles,
.
.
CHAPTER
sur-
.72
.
ia
l
V.
— Native suspension bridge—Caves —Remains of tanks—Difficulty of construct ing a portion of the road— Hot wells—Temperatm-e the waters— Beneficial application in certain diseases Legend attached to the waters — Coast and liarbour of Trincomalee— longitude— Size of harbour — Fort of Trincomalee — Town — buildings — Troops— Insalubrity of the climate — Tiincomalee named in ancient records— Colony of Malabars established there before 125 A.D. — Interesting religious ceremony on the promonotory in honour of Siva— Pillar the memory of Francia van Rhede — Melancholy histoiy — Fantastic appearance of the Quartz Rocks—Principal roads 99 Trincomalee
to
Dambool
-of
ud io
of
Tr
Route
PD
F
St
situation, latitude,
de
sk
to
CHAPTER
VI.
Newera EUia— The sanatorium of the island—The roadMountain conflagration Convalescent station for the
—
militaiy,
established
1829— Cascades
of
Rambodde—
— Scenery— European aspect of the dwellings— Vegetation— The town Public buildings— Salubrity of the climate — Farming experiments— Great capabilities and soU of Newera Ellia—Proposed plan of emigration — Price of stock and Newera
Ellia a royal residence in 1628
fertile
—
CONTENTS.
Xll
—Iron found on the plain—Carnage roads^Foot—Horton Plains, the highest tahle-land in Ceylon— Luxuriant specimens or pitcher plant— Nelu, or of the Nepenthes
produce
path to the summit of Pedi'o-talla galla distillatoria,
honey plant.
.
CHAPTER
.115
.
.
.
VII.
—Minerals— Salt lakes — Revenue arising from them—Tanks—Agiicultm-e— Nawhen the paddy trodden out plough— Mystic —Cultivation—Lemon grass —Value and uses of cocoanut trees— Cinnamon — Coffee— Sugai*— Cotton— Tobacco — Areka nuts—Ambuprasudana, or water nut—Jack and — Indigo—Mulbeny trees—Talapat pahii — Mee —Ebony tree—Calamander —Red sandal and satin-wood — The Kabook —^Variety of the vegetable world— The bo, or sacred — Capabilities of cultivation and extraordinary of the — Expense of housekeeping— Prices of provisions at Galle and Colombo — Meat— Poultry — Fish and —Fnxit Vegetables — Servants' wages — House-rent — Same tive
ia
l
Geological character of the island
is
bread-fi-uit trees
tree
ti'ee
tree
tree
soil
fertility
PD
F
St
trees
ud io
Tr
rite
tisheries
de
sk
Kandy and Newera EUia.
....
CHAPTER
at
134
VIII.
—Elephants of Ceylon spoken of by Pliny —Sagacity —Trained be executioners by the kings of Kandy — Ancient mode of valuing elephants — Anecdote— Catching elephants with the atmaddoo
Natural histoiy
and Dionysius
to
Ornaments made from the coarse hairs of the
tail
— King
of Kandy's personal inspection of captm'ed elephants
—Knox's account — Rogue-elephant—Elephant—Major Rogers — His miraculous escape — Siu-
Tyranny sljooting
——
CONTENTS.
Xlll
—Elephants ascend the moxmtains—Tusks — Elks —Deer—Walmeenya — Wild buffaloes—Bears— Cheetahs, Beauty and or leopards — Kandian mode of snarmg them — Distinctive pecuUarity—Wild hogs— Animals found in jungle — Eats —Shrew—Anecdote of a musk-rat— Ornithological mens—Land-leeches —Ticks— Snakes—Anaconda— Cobra or the sacred naga of the Cingalese —Warning gular death
found buried in the jungles docility
speci-
capello,
Hau--breadth escape—Tic polonga— Legend—Ichneiimon
— Crocodiles — Hunting — Crocodile—Native method of catching and destroying crocodiles— Fecundity — Number of eggs— Pugnacity of — White ants—Destructive prothe yoimg—Insect 183 pensities — Then-
ia
l
attacking a cobra
Tr
charmers
.... ud io
tribes
nests.
CHAPTER
St
IX.
—
Size, fertility,
classical writers of antiquity
PD
—Mentioned by
F
Geographical position of Ceylon
and produce
— Hindoo and
sk
Cingalese records— Date of the submersion of the island, nearly coincides with the Mosaic Indian conqueror, Wijeya— Aborigines Island visited by the Eomans
—
—
Rome— Account
de
Ciagalese ambassadors visit
given in the
—
centmy by Cosmas IncUcopleustes Island first Native accoimt visited by the Portuguese in 1505 Portuguese and the between Wars Ceylon— in Dutch The Battles Affecting historical anecdote Dutch Portuguese possessions in Ceylon obtained by Oie Dutch sixth
—
—
—
in 1658
—List of the Portuguese Governors. CHAPTER
— .
218
X.
Historical account continued fi-om 1659 to 1795,
when
the
——
CONTENTS.
xiv
Dutch
maiy
capitulation, their possessions in
—List of Dutch Governors— Suniof Portuguese and Dutch rule upon character — Philalethe's account of the
to the British
of the effect
Cingalese
the
by
siu-venderecl,
Ceylon
254
same.
CHAPTER
XI.
—Personal appearance—Cingalese of the —Native governmentslowlands — —Customs—Mode of smelting ii-on— British King's English rule from 1795 to 1805 — Governor North — established Judicature Court of Supreme — governor Kandian war— Fearful massacre of British troops conduct of Major Davie DastaixUy and Extraordinaiy escape of two soldiers— Summary of poIL events —False poUcy of General Macdowall —Noble conduct of Captain Nouradeen— Braveiy of Major JohnThomas Maitland succeeds the Honourson —Suable Frederick North— The judicious rule of Governor
Kaadian character
ia
l
Character of the women
Fii-st
ud io
Tr
officers
disgi-aceful
.
.
sk
North.
PD
F
St
tical
.
CHAPTER
.
.277
•
XII.
de
Adikar — Wila-ama's tyi-anny— —Affecting account of the execution Heroic conduct of the wife and son —Babe taken from the mother's breast to be decapitated—Rebellion in Kandy—Martial law proclaimed—Tranquillity restored Dalada rehc —Death of the King of Kandy— Governor Sir CoUn Campbell— His policy — Bishopric of Colombo conBishop Dr. Chapman— His exertions —The causes and character—Rebellion in Kandy —The disturbance—Pre* —New taxes and of
From
1805 to 1844
Sri
Fii'st
family mm'dered
stituted
first
Piiests'
dissatisfaction
first
—
CONTENTS. tender
proclaimed
— His
progi-ess
destroy the public biiildings
—
from Kandy
at
— Rebels enter and —Troops march
Matele
Conflict with rebels— Martial law proclaimed
— Reward offered Pretender—Destniction of Kumegalle — Observer newspaper exciting discontent —Alarming for
—
meeting of natives near the seat of Government Attack Mr. Elliot addi-esses the mob Reinforce-
of the police
—
—
— — — —
ments sent to Kandy The Commandant takes possession of the Dalada relic Pretender's brother shot Result of Couits Martial Special sessions of Supreme Court The Cluef Justice's charge His recommendation to mercv Lord Torrington's reply. . .318
St F PD sk
ia
Tr
.
ud io
.
de
—
l
—
F
PD
sk
de ud io
St l
ia
Tr
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VOLUME
I.
View of Colombo
l
ia Page
Chitty
Man
Tr
of the Island of Ceylon .
Man
Cingalese
"Woman
St
Cingalese
ud io
Map
Frontispiece
11
.
279
.
282
.
284
PD
F
Ratramahatmeer
I
sk
VOLUME
de
The Lake of Kandy Kandian
Woman
IL
.
.
.
.
.
.
Frontispiece
.35 36
Cingalese Pins, or Ornaments for the Hair
.
Buddha and
.116
Priests
Profile of Cingalese
.
Woman
.
.
.
.
.
1
74
F
PD
sk
de ud io
St l
ia
Tr
F
PD
sk
de ud io
St l
ia
Tr
82
SIO
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud io
Tr
ia
l
Point Fe
80 Ea^t Fai>lis/ir/:t />y
Lon^xtwdbt.
W. S/u>^// , 2o,
82
Sll
OtMvUorou^A
.^reeii.
'
ia
l
—
ud io
Tr
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
I.
St
CHAPTER
F
—Beauty of the scenery and harbour —Arrival of steamer—Scene on board—Native lodging-houses — Custom traders — Touters the House — Grotesque appearance of Chitty Man — Description of the — Guard-house — Queen's house your comDwellings — Moormen—Pettah —Paying
PD
Point de Galle
Canoes
de
sk
to
fort
for
plexion.
Prosaic language
is
inadequate to convey a
faithful portraiture of the exquisite scenery, truly
in the Cin-
oriental in its character, that
abounds
namon Isle, the
and painter's pencil,
poet's plume,
being alone calculated for the purpose. VOL.
I.
B
The
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
2
extreme
fertility
of the
soil,
and the magnificence
of the vegetable kingdom, in no part of Ceylon are
more perceptible than
in the
of Point de Galle, the traveller's
neighbourhood eye dwelling
with delight upon the varied, and verdant foliage
which
encircles
sea
the
shore.
The
pellucid
azure of the cloudless skies, the sun's glittering reflected in millions of sparkling rays
on
the
bosom
Tr ia
l
beams
of the blue ocean, the waves rolling
and dashing
in
volumes of snowy surf over the all
that
io
dark yellow rocks, present a picture of
The harbour
of
ud
sublime and lovely in Nature.
is
Point de Galle
lies
at
the
St
southern exti'emity of the Island of Ceylon, being
F
an inland bay of a semicircular or horse- shoe
PD
form, constructed by the all-bounteous hand of
Nature, and
80" 17' 2"
sk
long.
is situate lat.
in lat. 6°
O
Skirting
the harbour, are
59° north,
and
de
masses of rock, riven by the dashing of the surge,
and worn by the hand of time
fantastic
and picturesque forms.
ground are
cocoa-nut palms
into
many
In the back
(Cocos nucifera)
with their stately but slender trunks o'er-topping all
the other trees, and outvieing the rest of the
vegetable world in majestic graceful loveliness.
Nothing can be more elegant than the elongated green leaves,
with their feathery fringe, which
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. wave
in a
3
canopied form fi'om the summit of the
droop around the slender stem,
tree,
gently to and
among them.
fro
the
as
moving
sea-breeze wantons
Clusters of nuts (or fruit) of an
oval shape, measuring from seventeen to twenty
inches in diameter, grow amongst the leaves close to the trunk of the tree
green less
;
and these being of a
vivid than their brilliant
colouring,
dark brown bark of the trunk. these stately trees
is
Tr ia
l
contrast exquisitely with the subdued hue of the
Mingled with
the majestic bread-fruit tree
;
St
ud
its
io
umbrageous foliage, and enormous emerald-green leaves from the branches are suspended the large round fruit, (Artocarpus incisa) with
covered with a rough rind, gladdening alike eye heart, wdth the magnificent majestic beauty
F
and
Near
PD
of luxuriant vegetation.
seen the slender
papaw
to this tree will
tree, (Carica
be
papaya,) the
sk
stem gradually tapering to the top, where the
de
leaves spread fruit,
forth
bright yellow
in
a parachute form,
the
and melon shaped, hanging
beneath them. Interspersed amongst these monarch s of vegetation are various other trees, foliage, but of smaller
clothed
dimensions,
well with those of larger growth.
in
rich
contrasting
Imagine the
waves foaming and frothing, dashing against and B 2
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
4
over the yellow rocks, then a billow gracefully rolling appearing to gain increased strength as
reaches the shingly beach, on which
it
froth
remaining
it
pre-
is
shower of white spray, the
cipitately driven in a
a few moments on the
for
glis-
tening strand, and even as you gaze, becoming
On
a few
of
the
l
in
all
European
the varied
vessels
from the yards.
are
hanging
their furled sails
Tr ia
rays of Sol,
undulating bosom
the
ocean sparkling with the bright
swelling blue
in
prismatic
tints,
riding at
anchor,
graceful
festoons
io
absorbed.
ud
Intermingling with these craft
St
are the canoes of the natives, rudely constructed
barks hollowed out of the trunk of a
of the canoe
benches
;
tree,
to
with
one side
fastened an outrigger, formed of
PD
is
sticks for
F
some transverse
a slender spar nearly of equal length with the
sk
vessel to which
it is
attached by two curved arms
de
this outrigger floating
upon the water, prevents
the possibility of the canoe being capsized.
These primitive to
twenty
feet,
craft vary in length fi-om twelve
and in width from two
to three,
being propelled by paddles three feet and a half long, roughly wrought into a battledore shape,
the three or at
either
canoe.
more men using them being seated and in the centre of the
extremity,
These
fragile barks
are
usually laden
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. with luscious articles of
5
vegetables, fish,
fruits,
other
or
an edible nature, for the use of our
ships; and the native occupants of the canoes, are men and youths of bright bronze complexion,
with well-formed features, and soft black almond-
shaped eyes, the luxuriant long black hair of the former being twisted into a thick knot at the back of the
shoulders
scarf, or
latter,
bare,"
a
allowed to flow " o'er small
handkerchief,
l
their
;
Tr ia
of the head
piece of cotton, tied around their loins
forming their sole clothing.
ud
io
Place all these inanimate and animated adjuncts under cloudless skies, and a tropical sun, with the thermometer conception
St
standing at ninety-six, and a faint
may be formed
of the scenery around, and har-
the steamer from
PD
As soon as
F
bour of Point de Galle. equal excitement
England
arrives,
sk
on board the vessel and on the shore, and as we wish to edify our prevails
de
indulgent readers
mendo," we
"Delectando pariterque mo-
imagine the vessel to have
will
ar-
rived during the night, and the captain as anxious to take in his supply of coal, and pursue his
voyage, as
the
passengers are to touch
terra
firma again, after passing days or weeks without
enjoying that luxury, although for
a few hours.
The
it
may
only be
day has dawned,
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
6
morning gun has boomed over the waters, wakening all slumberers, and those amongst the pas-
who
sengers
about to make Lankadivas *
are
verdant shores their busily
employed
home
for a time, are
packing up then*
in
soon
ti*avelling
appurtenances, anxious to avail themselves of the
boat that pushes
first
off,
to take
them
to the
Many, buoyant with hope, and in the and vigour of manhood, looking
Tr ia
l
shore. full
strength
forward with eager anticipation to the comple-
schemes and projects, whereby they hope
make
io
to
a fortune, resolving to devote the whole
ud
tion of
St
energy of their natiu'e to ensure the accomplish-
ment of their
Could some of the dreamers
plans.
F
but raise the veil
shrink back appalled
PD
numbers would
of futurity, ;
for,
in lieu of wealth
and
renown, they would see the phantoms of disease
de
sk
and untimely death throwing around their gloomy shadows, and hovering in their path. But, as sun rises in
casting the
red blush
the
orient
around on land and visions of
of
life,
what
like,
unclouded of
sea, so
morning beams
his
man
is to be, until
splendour,
revels in bright
the dull realities
clouds obscuring the brilliant
beams
of the planet, cast their shade over the rays of
hope. *
The ancient name used by
tlie
natives for Ceylon.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
To return
7
As
to our description of the harbour.
soon as the sun has
teem with canoes,
risen, the waters
hastening
some bringing provisions,
appear to
the
to
sengers and their baggage,
whilst large
heavily freighted with coal, force their
tween the lesser
The scene
craft.
steamer,
others to land pas-
boats
way
be-
of confusion
on board the steam-vessel soon becomes
inde-
packages into the canoe that to the shore,
Tr ia
l
scribable. Passengers are seen tossing their various is to
and hurriedly attempt
bear them
to
descend
baskets
carrying
ud
encounter coolees ascending,
io
the ladder at the steamer's side, but in so doing,
other, in the attempt
St
of coal, and each then jostles and hustles the
made by
F
pursue their respective routes.
party to
either
Then
arises
and
PD
resounds a confusion of tongues and languages, only to be equalled by that of Babel, exclamain
English,
sk
tions
Cingalese,
French,
Tamil,
de
Portugese, Hindostanee, in short in every known,
and almost unknown, language in the world assail the ear, with comments neither polite, nor peculiarly complimentary
upon the
tawny sons of Adam.
A
agility of the
native
minute portion of dirty rag, attached through the
around his
medium
with a very to his
person
of a piece of coir rope tied
loins, will step
upon the deck, with
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
8
some
trifling
and possibly en-
for sale,
article
counter a blushing bride, or fair damsel fresh
from Albion's shores. The
fair
lady retreats a pace
or two, with a slight scream at sight of the un-
placing her hand before
clothed dusky figure,
her eyes to exclude the disagreeable vision.
Then
Moorman
will follow a
with shaven head,
with cotton,
on the
placed
cranium to protect
it
Tr ia
l
a round embroidered cloth cap, thickly padded top
of
shorn
his
from the sun's powerful rays,
io
with at least six yards of cotton, either white or
showy
silk
ud
coloured, tied round his loins with a
handkerchief, forming a kind of petticoat reach-
St
ing to his ankles, (called by the natives Comboy,)
F
but leaving him in a complete state of nudity
some
This demi-nude speci-
of humanity has in all probability brought articles of vertu
sk
men
PD
from the waist upwards.
or curiosity to
at all
sell,
de
events what he considers so, consisting of knife-
handles, and snuff-boxes, cut out of the molar tooth of the elephant, some fine samples of various coloured glass off"
which he endeavours
as precious stones
and gems of the
to
first
palm
water.
These are accompanied or succeeded by divers other natives and inhabitants of the island, some of them offering tortoise-shell and silver bodkins for the hair, others
calamander work-boxes inlaid
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
V
carved ebony caskets, and baskets
with ivory,
made from the porcupine's quills, Amongst the multitude who regard
for
sale.
the steam
boat gentlemen, travellers being thus designated
by
the native denizens of Ceylon, as their
all
lawful game, are the touters for the so
lodging-houses
for
Jiottels,
by these copper-
are called
The touter is invariably a half-caste, or burgher, who generally abounds in a very undue appreciation of his own dignity, and position, and this gentleman, in his own
io
Tr ia
l
coloured gently.
estimation, will place a card in the hands of a
and descant most
ud
traveller
fluently
in
broken
and comforts that are
So soon
to
be found
F
which he has the
in the parti-
felicity to represent.
PD
cular hottel
St
English, upon the good cheer, moderate charges,
as the eloquence of the touter has in-
self or
trust
him-
themselves to his guidance, he intimates
a coolee that
de
to
sk
duced a passenger, or passengers, to
it is
his will
and pleasure,
such and such baggage should be placed
that in
a
particular canoe, not condescending to lower his
dignity
by touching,
lifting,
manteau, carpet-bag, hat-box,
When
or
carrying port-
or dressing-case.
these minor arrangements are completed,
he precedes the traveller down the ladder,
bowing
el-
his way, vociferating in an authoritative
B 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
10
manner, to clear a path as he rudely thrusts the
Most ludicrous
coolees aside.
who
of these half-castes,
contempt by the
dulged in at
—" he burgher man,"
and many a hearty gujfaio their expense by Europeans.
landing-place
is
(or in-
a pier, extending some
two hundred feet into the water,
end of which
is
l
is
Tr ia
The
the assumption
held in supreme
full-caste natives, their greatest
term of reproach being half-caste,)
is
are
at
the shore
a rude building, bearing a strong
bam
Custom-house, and
baggage
is
consists
solely of
io
resemblance to a dilapidated
ud
to it the if
St
and the inquiry made personal
it
effects, or if there is
If
the
reply
F
intermixed.
this
is
the
taken,
any merchandize
is
packages are passed unopened,
PD
;
satisfactoiy, after the
the
owner
has signed a declaration that he has no article
sk
for sale or barter; for should there
be any mar-
the packing-cases are de-
de
ketable commodities,
and duties levied. Never shall we forget our amazement at the grotesque costume and appearance of one of the subordi-
tained to be examined,
nate Custom-house officers, the
Malabar
who was
a native of
coast, of the Chitty caste, or those
professing belief in the doctrines of the
Church. velvet
The man
carried on his
Romish
head a black
cap about six inches in height,
which
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
CHITTY MAN.
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
11
projected forward in a hom-like manner, on either side of his head, the edges of the head-dress being
His long black
trimmed with a thin gold cord. hair, redolent of "^from the
cocoa-nut
oil,
was combed back
copper-coloured face, and twisted into a
nape of the neck, protrudIn each ear were three ing beneath the head gear. gold rings, studded with coloured stones, and to the
being
ear-rings
upon
diameter, rested
fully
thirteen
l
these
down
inches in
Tr ia
knot, close
the shoulders,
a square
piece having been cut out of the lobe of the ear,
io
and
the insertion of these ponderous
barbarous decorations.
This mortal had on a
ud
to allow
to
St
white cotton jacket, open in front, thus exposing
view his hairy breast, although to one side of the
round
;
PD
F
vest were attached innumerable jewelled buttons his loins
were longitudinally rolled several
sk
yards of white calico, (forming the petticoat or
comboy,) the end of which being brought round
de
hung down the fi'ont The comboy was confined round
his body,
of his
person.
his loins
by a
handkerchief folded crossways, the extremities of
which
being pendant at his
back, formed a
novel caudal termination, not hitherto mentioned
by
naturalists.
The comboy reaching
to
his
ankles, which were guiltless of covering, as well as his
unshod splay
feet,
which appeared doubly
a
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
12
brown from petticoat.
being
with
contrasted
the
white
This gentleman carried in his hand
as a protection against the sun's rays, a Chinese
umbrella,
a
bamboo
made
of black varnished
handle
stick for the
;
paper, with
and we do not
think that our visual organs ever beheld a more ludicrous spectacle than the tout ensemble of this
being presented.
We
Tr ia
l
cannot dwell upon the impression pro-
duced on the minds of those fresh from Europe, for the first time
upon a crowd
io
when they gaze
of half or rather unclothed Asiatics,
who throng
gentlemen"
to
to
induce the " steam-boat
St
by the desire
lated
ud
around them when they land, some being stimupurchase their goods, whilst others,
from mere curiosity and indolence,
will
F
PD
staring,
open mouthed
;
stand
the boys with no other
all,
sk
covering save that which nature has bestowed on
namely that of
their long hair streaming
down
de
their backs, clamorously asking for pice, or half-
pence.
The Fort
of Galle, as the tow^n
is
called, is
approached by an ancient moss-grown archway, which, with the ramparts and town, were built
by the Dutch
after
they had obtained possession
of Galle, A.D, 1640. is
indebted for
its
Tradition affirms that Galle appellation
and symbol
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. cock
—
13
an error of the Portugese conquerors,
to
who preceded the Dutch in Ceylon. The natives named this spot most appropriately, as it is surrounded by rockSj Galla, which but
:
garrisoned by a
Portugese confounded this
the
word with Gall us,
company
and a detach-
Kaifres,
The uniform
Ceylon.
in is
dark
green,
and
ud
is
stationed;
you enter, by our own
PD
the ai'chway, as
St
judicious officers.
way, a sentinel
tenanted either as
the
sk
Asiatics,
Ceylon
Malays make
when com Under the gateand opposite to
active than the Kaffi-es,)
manded by
F
and
ser-
(being far more in-
tolerably efficient soldiers, trepid
is
of the
the
on
Tr ia
of whatever regiment of the line
Rifles
generally
io
vice
is
of the " Ceylon Rifles,"
composed of Malays and
ment
Galle
or cock.
l
rock
for
the Cingalese
is
duty
is
the guard-house,
soldiers or
alternates
by the
between the
de
regiment of the line and the Ceylon Rifles.
In
the verandah of this building, the soldiers lounge
when
off"
may be
guard, and
if
our
men
are there, they
frequently seen enjoying the luxury of a
cheroot with extreme gusto
;
but, if the Flifles are
on duty, the Malays and Kaffies are invariably to
be seen masticating a compound of the leaves
and nuts of the areka palm and chunam, bespattering the whole
verandah and ground with the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
14
disgusting red saliva, produced by chewing their favourite combination called betel.
nor's
ascent, a short distance from
upon an
Situate
the guard-house,
the Queen's house, a gover-
is
when he
residence,
Galle.
visits
This
building was erected in 1687, and over the door-
way
the date
the
local
inscribed, above
is
symbol
— the
which appears
A
cock.
verandah exis
Tr ia
l
tends the whole length of this residence, which
shaded by some magnificent trees
introduced
from Java by one of the early Dutch governors,
name of these splendid exotics is Mimusops Elengi. The ramparts extend about
ud
io
the botanical
St
a mile and a quarter, enclosing the town, which principal
of three
consists
sti'eets,
F
intersected by several minor ones.
on either sides of the
PD
built
sist
— or
The houses
streets, are
but one
speak more correctly, con-
to
sk
story in height
these being
merely of ground
floors,
and, to the best of
de
our remembrance, there w ere but three residences at Galle
had an upper
that
called an up-stairs.
The
story
— these
were
roofs are tiled, project-
ing beyond the outer walls, being supported by
w^ooden or
pillars,
verandah,
tats, to
thus forming a covered balcony,
in
subdue
front of tlie
which are suspended
intense
glare of the sun's
beams, and exclude the gaze of the
inquisitive
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. These
passers by.
thin coir or string,
ciles in
composed
tats, or blinds, are
by the interlacing of
of split reeds, held together
of the verandah
and are attached
The
by rope.
15
to the roof
roofs of all domi-
Ceylon, whether tenanted by Europeans
or Asiatics, slope outwards from the centre walls?
which are considerably higher than the external ones
tlie
timbers resting upon the walls, leave
l
;
the admission of air
Tr ia
a space between the wall-plate and the
—thus
The rooms
met with
— and
this
in all tropica
ud
countries.
is
io
current to pass through the residence
arrangement of roof
for
tiles,
allowing a thorough
are usually lofty
and large
used,
doors and windows being alike
left
F
are
St
and, instead of glazed windows, Venetian blinds
PD
wide open, a white screen being placed before the former, to prevent the persons all
and actions of
who choose
and a thin blind of open cane-work
de
look,
by
sk
the inmates being observed
sionally affixed to the
windows.
is
to
occa-
In short,
all
privacy and retirement are sacrificed to that great
desideratum in a hot climate
and being
in as
much
—namely,
obtaining
cool air as possible.
One street in Galle is inhabited principally l)y Moonnen, some of whom are extremely wealthy, although the external appearance of their dwellings frequently indicates
poverty, com-
abject 7
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
If)
These men
bined with uneleanliness.
precious stones, rice, paddy, grain of tions, cottons, prints, salt,
poultry, saltpetre
;
fact,
m
descrip-
hardware, groceries,
fruits,
in short, in every imagina-
commodity whereby money
ble
all
traffic
is
to
be made. In
they even trade in that valuable article
itself,
as they lend cash where they believe repayment
and where they can obtain exorbifor there are not more avaricious
usurers
—
the
in
l
certain,
world
Tr ia
is
tant interest
than
the
Ceylon.
little
of
has
one
io
of Galle, although a clean picturspot,
serious
ud
The town esque
Moormen
drawback,
St
namely, the want of pure water; and neither
Europeans nor natives poses,
as
F
fort for drinking or culinary pur-
peculiarly unwholesome.
PD
procured in the
will use the water that is
it
is
sk
prejudice of the natives
an extent, that very few,
de
persons with the water that
The
carried to so great
is if
is
any, will lave their
obtained from the
wells in the fort, as they declare that a disease
produced by they
call
it
is
resembling elephantiasis, which
a Galla leg.
purest description
is
Water
of the best
and
procured in the vicinity of
the fort, and the water-carriers gain a good livelihood by furnishing the inhabitants of the town with this essential requisite to health and comfort.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. Within the
17
Dutch church, which
fort is the
used also for the service of
is
Established
the
Church, and a Wesley an chapel, the Catholic
Mahomedans being The pettah or bazaar
places of worship, and the situated outside the fort.
—market with
in our phraseology
fish, fruits,
is
supplied
well
and vegetables, which are
and cheap, the prices of
all
alike
edibles being
l
plentiful
—
lower than at Colombo, or Kondy.
trade at Galle
which
is
confined principally to the
— consisting of native produce,
will
be given in a chapter devoted to the
purpose.
St
Having been informed
de
was printed
we intended proceed-
F
our astonishment was extreme
the following announcement, which
in large type
—" Fares
from Galle
Colombo, European gentlemen, £2 leors, native
lOs.
;
to
Mood-
noblemen, and their descendants,
10s.; proctors*
quiring,
to
to the coach-office to
sk
when we read
was necessary
if
PD
take them, and
it
we walked
secure places in the mail,
ing to Colombo,
£1
details of
io
exports
ud
The
Tr ia
materially
and
natives, £1.
we were informed,
there
or inferior places in the coach,
Upon
in-
was no outside
and that the same
* Attorneys are called proctors in the island, and, during
our residence in Ceylon, mostly
all
nity were burghers, or half castes.
belonging to
tlie frater-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
18
was enforced
scale of charges
to
whatever part
In vain we expos-
of the island the coach went.
tulated at this absurdity, trying to convince the
good-humoured proprietor, that our rank
cer-
and
our
tainly
ivas
lower
than a nobleman,
dimensions might be less than those of a proctor, but,
despite
smiling,
;
our rhetoric,
for said
and disclosing a
set of
we were
Mr. Christoffaletz well-shaped white
l
native,
obliged to pay the fare
Tr ia
or
which would be envied by many une belle dame, " You cannot say you are not a European
teeth,
clusive, the
money was
This argument was conforthwith placed in his
sk
PD
F
St
hands.
de
io
— can you.?"
ud
gentleman,
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
CHAPTER
19
tlie
coach, instead of the coach calling for
io
G'oing to call
Tr ia
l
II.
—Description of the —Wild PeaKoyal Mails in — — Bentotte — cock— Guano — Eestive horses— Anecdote — Caltiu'a— Beauty of scenery —Cinnamon plantations—Pagoda —The fashionable quarter of Colombo — Colpetty— The Galle Face— Curious of the Royal Mail, gives gazers at new-comers—
—Preparations
Departure
for
ud
you
St
Ceylon The Colomho road Monkeys Toddy di-awers
PD
F
tree
Ai-rival
sk
rise to conjectures as to
who
the new-comers are, and
de
wherefore they have come to Ceylon.
The
journey from Galle to Colombo occupies
eleven hours,
or
eleven hours and a half, the
coach usually, or rather nommally, starting at gun-fire,
five
o'clock in the
morning.
It
not
unfrequently happens, that the passengers have to
go and call the coach, instead of the coach
calling for them,
and
this
has occurred to our-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
20
more than once whilst resident
selves
the
for
place
little
;
Asiatics,
value either on time or punctnalit)\
The gun has
fired,
—we
walked
have
working ourselves nearly into a
and
at Galle
most
of Ceylon, like
natives
about,
state of fusion,
quite into a very ill-humour,
by anathema-
want of punctuality of the Cingalese, length resolve to sally forth, and ascertain
tizing the at
why
coach has not come for us and our
l
the
We
baggage. is
reach the
dim
closed, the
Tr ia
and
office,
the door of which
light of a cocoa-nut oil
lamp
is
all are,
;
or appear to be, buried in sleep,
the coach also
and
St
ing
heard from within the dwell-
is
ud
Not a sound
io
seen glinnnering through the crevices of the portal.
a state of tranquillity, snugly
is in
These
comfortably reposing two natives.
PD
are
F
ensconced in the verandah, and under the vehicle
god are regarded by us
sk
sacrifices to the di'owsy
as personal insults, especially as
we have abridged
de
our matinal slumbers, for the sake of not keeping
coach
the
beyond
waiting
endurance, we
lustily for
for
us.
batter the
Exasperated house-door
two or three minutes, which
at last is
opened by a yawning Cingalese, with hair streaming over his shoulders, tone,
who
"what master want?"
too good.
Why
is
inquires in a sleepy
"Want, eh?
that's
not the coach ready that was
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. to
have called for us at gun-fire
master, being
21
The coach
?"
aroused by these noises, comes
and with many
forth from his sleeping apartment,
apologies, orders the coach to be prepared forthwith, calling loudly for the horsekeepers.
gentlemen are
still
revelling in the
These
arms of Mor-
pheus under the coach, and, despite the reiterated Finding
Tr ia
l
shouts of their master, continue to dose.
words useless, and patience exhausted, physical force is restored to, and,
by dint of sundry mani-
horsekeepers are
(to us),
away they
some
unintelligible jargon
St
orders being given in
aroused, and
ud
of the
faculties
io
pulations in the region of the ribs, the dormant
start in quest of the horses;
awakened do-
F
the master assisting the remaining
PD
mestics to pull the coach out of the verandah.
So soon as the horses are harnessed
sk
cle,
the baggage
is
although the quantity
de
to the vehi-
attempted to be collected, and is
short that
is
allowed to
be carried by each passenger, being but twenty
pounds, the time arranged,
or
each coolee
is
long before
placed upon the will
it
can be either conveyance, as
maintain that he cannot
carpet-bag without assistance,
and
lift
a
that a port-
manteau requires the united strength of four of This feat his brothers in colour and calling. Accomplished, then ensues the turmoil attendant
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
22
upon placing the baggage, as the sole receptacle for it is a board about three and a-half feet long, and a moiety of the width, placed at the back of
On
the mail coach.
this the
luggage
rests,
one
package being piled upon another, and attached of coir passed over
by pieces
and under, crossed
Tr ia
l
and re-crossed, until all is fairly secured. As we can well remember the astonishment with which we gazed upon the primitive machine, by the name of the " Royal Mail," we
dignified
and we
The
sers.
trust
amusement, of our peru-
ud
edification,
io
will attempt a description of the same for the
royal mails in Ceylon are placed
St
four wheels, and look like— what
?
— nothing
upon to
be
seen in Europe now, but the vehicles have a
to,
and bear a
resemblance
faint
PD
F
slight affinity with,
the lower half of an antiquated English stage
sk
coach, cutting off the upper half, and detaching the doors.
The
seat for the driver is attached to
de
the coach, so that his back,
and those of the pas-
The
sengers on the front seat, touch.
made
lined with cotton, iron
roof
is
and varnished, and supported by four slender
of leather, painted white
rods,
coach.
To
which shake with every
jolt
of the
this roof, leathern curtains are liung,
which can be either drawn
to protect the
gers from the sun or rain, or rolled
up
to
passen-
admit a
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. free
passage to the
The
air.
23
roof of this antedi-
luvian production projects over the driving seat,
thus covering seven persons, namely, the passen-
body of the conveyance, the driver, and whoever may be seated at his side, and the
gers in the
horsekeeper, self
who
indiscriminately perches him-
on the top of the luggage, stands on the
l
fixed protruding iron step, or clings to any part
Tr ia
of the vehicle most convenient to seize hold
of.
Picture this machine badly painted, lined with
starts forth.
Put
and worn
into holes, from
made from cocoa-nut
fibre,
ud
stuffing,
io
leather filthily dirty,
which the
on a carriage, with four
this
and worse groomed, caparisoned with worn the buckles and straps of which are
F
fed,
St
wheels of various colours, with two horses badly
PD
harness,
replaced with fragments of coir rope, and you will
sk
have some remote idea of the royal mails in the Island of Ceylon.
de
Let us now suppose
all
minor obstacles
sur-
mounted, such as dilatory drivers, and refractory horses,
and we
fairly clear of Galle,
en route for
Colombo, the seat of government.
The morning
breeze
and pleasant,
is cool,
the grey light soothing
and our good-humour restored, we are prepared gaze around, and note
We
all
to
worthy of observation.
were particularly struck
in
the tropics
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
24
by
the
non-existence of
immediately
sun sets
the
the absence of the
moon
twilight, it
is
almost
and
in
continues so, until he
The coach proceeds
re-appears.
for
dark,
leisurely
on
its
way, and soon our eyes are gladdened by the glorious spectacle of the sim's
rising
— as
gra-
dually Phoebus appears above the bed of waters,
Tr ia
l
on which he casts the effulgence of his beams. Now his rays are thrown upon a grove of waving palms, anon they rest upon the roof of a hut,
beauty bestowing bright glances
on
Soon we encounter a strangesomewhat like a two-wheeled
vehicle,
tilted cart,
ud
around.
with a thatched semicircular hood, a
St
all
looking
io
like a coquettish
white cloth being hung up at either end, to pre-
PD
F
vent inquisitive eyes fi'om prying into the interior.
This machine
answer
sk
in
to
is
drawn by one or two oxen, and
our inquiries we learn that
called a bullock-bandy,
it
is
and contains Moorwomen,
de
who have been, or are going to the bathing-place. The rumbling of the coach will occasionally rouse a family, (as many of the natives sleep in the verandah, instead of their dwellings, for the benefit of the cool air,) and, as they indolently lift
that
their heads, will gaze upwards,
day has positively
and finding
set in, will slowly rise
from the ground on which their sleeping mats
CEYLON AND THE CINHALESE. have been spread.
Along the
to the sea, the screw-pine
in
extreme luxuriance
;
25
coast, ahnost close
(Panclaenus) flourishes
and, as the whole shore
is
planted with cocoa-nut trees, which droop over the road, the lover of nature pursues his
way with especially when
feelings of intense gratification,
young beams
sun's
it
The
appears
Upon
reality.
io
than sober
river,
reflected.
enchantment, or a dream of fairy land,
like
coach
are
so exquisitely lojrely, that
reaching Gindura, the
ud
more
is
placed in a boat, and ferried across the
is
and
St
the
prospect
Tr ia
l
he gazes upon the waving palms above his head, then upon the blue ocean, upon whose surface
this spot is also a
scene of surpassing
beauty.
On
floats the
pink lotus, the tulip-shaped flower, being
F
bosom
of the tranquil stream,
PD
the
enshrined amongst the broad green leaves
sk
palms (Areca catechu) waving
de
into the river,
over,
Areca and drooping ;
and here and there a flowering
shrub of gorgeous hue, intermixed
among
the
stately trees clothed in their vee.Lure of brilliant
green.
Within a short distance of the opposite side of the
ferry,
the
constantly-varying panorama of
nature, becomes,
if
possible,
still
ing: the boundless ocean, with
hues on one yoL,
I.
side, its
its
more enchantever-changing
white spray dashing over c
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
26
the rocks, witli the dense groves of noble trees on
Cocoa-
the other, are alike sublimely beautiful.
nut trees planted on either side of the road, bend a shady
towards each other, forming
avenue
through which the coach passes. Occasionally young plantations of papns, the leaves spreading out thickly in an irregular fan-like
l
form from the root, will greet the eye, contrasting
Tr ia
whose slender naked
finely with the older trees, tall
trunks are surmounted by a crown-like diadem
by the sound of the coach-wheels, a
peacock, with a
shrill
ud
Startled
io
of leaves.
scream, will take
flight, his
way
to a noble
ebony
tree,
may wend
and alighting
his
there,
PD
will
upwards, or he
flight
F
wings his
St
gorgeous plumage glittering in the sun, as he
proudly raise his crested head, the feathers
sk
of his drooping tail intermingling with the luxu-
Sometimes a
de
riant foliage of the splendid tree.
guano
(a species of lizard,) will cross the
pursuit of his prey,
whose short clumsy
slothful ungainly movements, seem to enable
creature. little
is
him
to pursue, or enti-ap a
But
see
and
calculated
more
agile
—he has marked that beautiful
squirrel as his victim
:
how nimbly the reptile
ascending the tree after the poor
his
ill
road in
legs,
little
animal,
clumsy legs move quickly enough now
luckily the agile fellow has seen him,
and with a
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
bound
to
another
27 pursuer.
tree, gets clear of his
and we
reptiles are amphibious,
These hideous
have seen several that measured more than
five
and
it is
from the snout to the
feet
tip of the tail,
affirmed they possess such strength in that part, that with one
blow of
be broken.
They
their tail a
man's leg
will
are likewise omnivorous, for
your
Tr ia
l
they will alike steal and devour your fowls and fruit.
Indulging in gambols on the boughs of the
io
that skirt the road-side, are to be seen
treess
monkeys,
ud
of every size, and of numerous species, which in
cocoa-nut, and dash
St
the very wantonness of sport, will pluck a
on the earth
it
;
young
then run
F
along the ropes that attach one tree to the other,
PD
performing again the same mischievous
threatening gestures of the toddy-
despite the
who
have, for their
sk
drawers,
antic,
de
linked the trees together.
It
convenience, thus
would be impossi-
ble to travel seven miles in Ceylon,
distance
seventy,
the
without
seeing
fi-om
much
less
Galle to Colombo,
toddy-drawers
pursuing
their
calling, and the first time we saw the operation was during the journey now alluded to. The
liquor
is
obtained from the flower of the cocoa-
nut palm,
(Cocos nucifera,) in
being called toddy, which
is
its
fresh
state
a sweet refreshing c 2
;
28
AND THE CINGALESE.
L'EYLON
beverage the
when fcmiented,
;
intoxicating
The
known. plished
it
becoines
which
of
qualities
ascent of the tree
arrack,
thus accom-
is
the toddy-drawer knots a piece of rope
:
into a circle, passing his ankles through
the
resistance
him
to
well
are
offered
by
the
and
it,
enables
ligature
press the soles of his feet against the tree,
precluding the possibility
down
of slipping
Tr ia
l
naked trunk of the
whilst in the act of climbing,
the toddy-chatty, or jar, being slung at his back.
summit of the
the
is,
the
man
reached where
cuts off the end, suspend-
ud
the flower
tree is
io
When
ing the chatty to the orifice from whence the
Some
of the full-grown trees will
F
the incision.
St
liquid flows, binding the blossom tightly above
])ut
PD
yield from one to two hundred pints per
the trees that are tapped never bear
de
ropes, to enable other,
them
to
move from one
without the trouble
ascending see
fruit.
the tops of the toddy -trees, the drawers attach
sk
To
diem
these
and, although
;
men
to the
of descending
and
most unpleasant
it is
clinging with
hands and
to
feet,
whilst pursuing their aerial way, comparatively
but few accidents occur. i)en, it is
to
When
one does hap-
usually fatal, as the height of the palms
which these ropes are attached, varies from
sixty to one
hundred
feet.
The appearance 6
of a
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. fresh-drawn
chatty
of
toddy
25)
exceedingly
is
agreeable, as the form of the red clay jar approaches
the classical
the foaming frothing liquid over-
;
flowing the brim, and hanging in creamy dro])s
around the vessel
moreover, the toddy-drawers
;
twine scarves about their brows, to protect them
from the sun's rays, carrying their burthen upon
to the figures of antiquity.
technically, the coach breakfasts at
Bentotte at ten o'clock
;
Ceylon are equally
tlieh-
erratic
and
and horses
self-willed in
movements, the hour varies according
St
their
but, as drivers
io
To speak in
re-
Tr ia
l
turbaned heads, thus completing their
semblance
ud
their
tempers and inclinations.
to
All the inns, or
F
rest-houses, as they are called in Ceylon, are
Go-
PD
vernment property, and the men placed in them
sk
are only legally permitted to charge twenty-five
per cent, above the market prices, for the provi-
de
sions supplied by them, but
we never found
in
our peregrinations, these gentry content with this
ample per centage, be they cannot
in
vellers
Europe, Asia,
speak
America)
but, like all other innkeepers,
took
from every
pay as much
or
personal
Africa,
advantage,
making
is
we of tra-
as possible for the slightest
refreshment, or smallest accommodation. totte
(for
knowledge
a lovely spot,
and
the
Ben-
rest-house
fur
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
30 Ceylon,
is
tolerably good, that is to say, the roof
does not admit the pitiless storm, or the sun's rays
;
neither are there holes in the doors to admit when closed, pariah dogs, rejjtiles
are a table, a chair,
lirirther
however,
left
and there
guiltless of
one
in
of
the
This we can vouch was the case
Ceylon, but dejjonent cannot adduce
l
when we
and a bedstead,
curtains,
sleeping-rooms.
rats,
Tr ia
Mosquito
and
evidence as to the furniture in the other
apartments of the building.
Oysters are obtained
io
here from the river, and, although their appear-
good.
from
our own,
the flavour
is
rather remarkable that in no other
it
has
F
through which this river flows, nor fi-om
whence
its
PD
]nxrt,
It is
of a purplish tint,
St
differ materially
is
ud
ance, size, and colour, which
source, are oysters to be
met
with, Bentotte being the sole place.
sk
Again, the coach has to be placed in a boat
be ferried over the stream, and, upon reaching
de
to
we were highly diverted at witnessing attempts made by several horse-keepers, to
the shore,
the
harness two restive horses, and attach them to the Mail, the driver warning them, speaking or rather shouting at the highest pitch of his voice, to
hold
" Peter
Layard's head and keep clear
of Dr. Prin's heels,"
and requesting us
our seats as quickly^ as possible.
to
The scene
take that
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. ensued
beyond our powers of
is
we think
sequently
the adjurations
31
description, con-
better to narrate verbatim
it
the
driver
bestowed upon the
by defective
horses, endeavouring,
spelling,
to
imitate the half-caste's broken English.
" Now, genel-men, cos if
you
is,
you seated
is
the osses shall be
in the cocJi,
being returned, some orders
being-
Tr ia
l
affirmative
An
put to."
given by the driver in Cingalese to the horsekeepers, adding in English, " shall be soon off
We
But the horses were not
ready."
we
io
is
as ready to go as
were, and after some
ud
now, as you
diffi-
culty one
was harnessed
creature's
head being held securely by two horse-
coach, the other
St
to the
F
keepers, whilst two others dragged, more than led,
PD
the animal towards the vehicle
and attached the
and plunging, as much with two men holding his
sk
traces, the horse rearing
was possible, head. During the it
de
as
hazardous perfonnance
of
putting the horses to the coach, the driver placed his feet firmly against the splash-board, grasping
his whip, with a
most determined expression of
countenance, whilst we watched the whole proceedings in
a
state
of delightful
expectation.
At length the operation was achieved, and no sooner was the last trace buckled, than the horsekeepers
let
go the animal's head, rushing on
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
32
either side
an
celerity of
of his path, with the
arrow sent from a well-strung bow.
Tliis
horse
plunged
iJie
other
violently
forwards,
whilst
planted his four feet firmly in the loose ground,
move
evincing a resolute determination not to
one inch either
for entreaty or castigation.
Now commenced
a resolute battle for mastery driver,
who
thus alter-
l
between the horses and the addressed each.
aiately
Tr ia
" Peter Layard yer brute,
up yer ill-tempered lazy thing — yer vont,
kirn
V
Thump, bump on
the creature's back
io
rout yer
ud
went the butt end of the whip, the driver stand" Dr.
ing up to give greater force to the blows.
is eels lill
be in
battering
F
?
were
my tnout
away
in
the
at
PD
bits
St
Prins, yer ivillin, do yer vant to hrek the cocJi to minit.''''
(They
splash-board.)
"Peter Layard, yer hugly beast, kim up,
—
"
Another heavy
blow,
sk
doesn''t
if
yer
which com-
de
bined with the implied threat had the desired effect, for off started
both horses
at full gallop,
rushing close to a hut, the wheels grazing the dwelling,
and
catching
platted cocoa-nut leaves,
"
Now,
along
the
^ew6^/-men," said the
boo-tifu\, its
made it
of
away.
driver, "«£;e shall
honhj at fust starting that we
uve a bit of bother,
when we
screen
and dragging
I
dunt mind these
osses
hant got lady passengers, for they
do
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
33
when Dr. Prins begins is tricks, puts me hoid. You see ere we /<«/-vays osses halter the genel-raen we buys 'em whoever as a bad
£15
fights
Prins, he
he
he to us
sells
call the
on, for
we
;
giv
Prins,
shy of his work atfusi is
but as for Dr.
;
not worth alf the money, for he
l
and
is
oss
it's
and £18 for Peter Layard, a good un to go though he is hugly,
for Dr.
but he
that
;
Tr ia
squeal so
a arty feeder, werry lazy, werry
werry often kicks over the
traces."
ivicious,
is
and
Although we
we can bear testimony
ud
the quadruped Dr. Prins,
io
cannot vouch for the gastronomic capabilities of
St
to the driver's veracity, as regards the three latter
propensities of the animal.
stream, the Kalloo Ganga, has yet
F
The noble
be crossed, and again the ferry boat
PD
to
ed with the Royal Mail and place being celebrated for
Ellia,
The
and, before the discovery of
was regarded (almost
though of a the
fruit,
Newera
lovely in the ex-
that
around
and imposing
river being
with
tamarind,
is
equalling
less bold
banks of the
water's edge
The
as the Sanitorium of Ceylon,
scenery about Caltura
treme,
cargo.
pure water, and
its
de
^salubrity,
its
Caltura from Pantura, the former
sk
river divides
freight-
is
stately
and jack
character,)
wooded down
palms, noble trees.
Galle,
to the
bread-
Scattered be c 5
34
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
tween these majestic specimens of vegetation, is
the pomegranate-tree
with
bright scarlet
its
flowers, the cinamon-laurel with
delicate white
its
blossom, and the tube-rose shrub, loading the atmosphere with the fragrant aroma of their flowers.
On
the ]3ellucid
rippling waters float luxuriant
aquatic plants, the numerous white water-lilies,
Tr ia
l
and pink lotuses being entwined with a small creeper, the elegant blossom of
which resembles
own " forget-me-not " in size and colour. From Caltiu'a to Colombo, the hand of nature and of art appear to combine to make the vista it
is
possible
to
St
as glorious as
ud
io
our
conceive
and
distant view of lofty mountains,
and palm-shaded bungalows,
the
situate in
F
of trees,
;
rich groves
PD
the midst of cultivated gardens, radiant with the
gorgeous hues of the tropical flowers. with the heaving ocean, on the
sk
this
float
de
which
numberless fishing canoes
low sandy beach,
;
the yel-
glittering with the bright scales
of the newly-caught
and
Combine bosom of
members
of the finny tribe
;
must admit the scene to be one of surpassing sublimity and loveliness. For some all
miles, as
you approach Colombo, the road runs
between cinnamon-plantations, the dark shining leaves of the laurel contrasting exquisitely with the pearly hue of the blossom
;
but the shrub
35
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. is
clad in
its
greatest beauty
forth its pristine vesture, the
when young
it
first
puts
leaves then
being of a pale delicate yellowish green, streaked with bright red.
On
the right-hand side of the road, (near to
the tamarind- tree, where the elite of the colony
go about six o'clock in the morning,
drink
to
fresh toddy,) grows one of the most magnificent
The
able.*
and
it
foliage
of
Tr ia
l
pagoda, or banian trees (Ficus indica) imagintree
this
is
splendid,
bears a minute fig-shaped, scarlet-coloured
nevertheless the principal beauty consists in
io
fruit;
by the branches, and there
ud
the innumerable fibres sent forth
earth,
St
which enlarge as they reach the
take root, fonning a complete grove, or series of trees
these fibres in their tm'n producing shoots,
F
;
which
PD
is
will again multiply
and take root
;
and
it
asserted, that in the province of Guzerat, one
sk
of these trees measures more than two thousand
near the bottom of the
circumference,
de
feet in
stems, the branches of which naturally cover a
much
larger space.
* This tree affirm the
is
Although the tree we allude
considered sacred by all Brahmins,
God Vishnu was born under
chai'acteristics of the deity are
Bo-tree
(Ficus religioso)
is
it,
emhlcmized in the
held sacred by
Buddhism being the national
and that
all
religion of Ceylon.
tree.
who tlie
The
Buddhists,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
36 to,
on the Colombo Road, does not cover near
the same extent of ground, its
we can speak as to when its illuminated by myri-
beauty, more especially after dusk,
numberless dark leaves are ads of flitting
(Elater noctilicus,) whose quick
fire-flies,
movements dazzle and
delight the be-
holder.
lombo,)
large
ground
floor,)
bungalows,
Tr ia
l
In Colpetty, (the fashionable quarter of Co(dwellings
on
the
surrounded by highly-cultivated
five
PD
do by half-past
the Galle Face, the ;
or six at the latest.
Hyde Park
Then
of the colony,
the fresh sea-breeze, as
sk
attained
in the
shops close, which they invariably
F
fort before the
make some purchases
St
ladies, hastening to
ud
io
compounds or gardens, become more fiequent, and occasionally a palaiiqueen carriage will be met, in which recline one or two European
it
is
blows over the
de
greensward, cooling the heated traveller's brow, vehicles of all descriptions are met, from the hac-
cary of the native, drawn by a bullock, to the carriage of to
one of England's merchant-princes,
which a high-bred Arab horse
inmates of
all
is
attached, the
these conveyances alike bestow-
ing inquisitive looks upon the passengers in the
Royal Mail
;
and, w'hen a sti'ange face
is
dis-
covered, every attitude and gesture of the starers
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. evince the utmost curiosity
new
believe us, no
for,
;
arrival in a country village, or
no presentation
land,
at a
37
town
in
drawing-room, of beauty
or bride, causes so great a sensation, as a
For
a colony.
arrival in
Eng-
in
new
a colony everybody
troubles his or her head with every one else's business, most philanthropically at times neglect-
own affairs to attend to other people's. The Mail is now at the end of the Galle Face, now it rattles over the drawbridge of the fortificanow it is under the archway now it tions has entered the Fort and now it jingles and rattles down the principal street of the " Fort of Colombo, " many of the inhabitants, of all
Tr ia
l
ing his or her
;
;
St
ud
io
;
F
shades of colour and denominations, being on the qui vive to see " who is in the Mail."
of luggage have
Mail
jolts
his small quan-
been disposed
and jumbles
sk
tum
PD
So soon as the last passenger and to its
own
of,
the Royal
halting-place,
de
the driver retailing every look and observation of the passengers, with, at times, sundry additions also,
and embellishments, spreading the news that one or more ^^ strange Englis' genel-
men " were come
to the colony,
have been domiciled. gives
an opinion
and where they
Every eager
concerning
the
listener then
new-comer's
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
.38
profession,
or
each individual with,
avocation, surmising
may
in his peculiar
I niucli
or be interfered
gain by, calling
how
by
this,
or those
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
" strange English gentlemen."
—
39
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
III.
Colombo
Tr ia
l
CHAPTER
— Harbour — Custom-house — Animated scene
Derivation of the name of the Port—Fortifications—Troops -Queen's House PubUc offices in the Fort Pettah
—Chiu'ches,
table institutions— Public offices in the
Face— Colonial manners—
St
police— Slave Island— Galle effect of climate
drive — — Evening —
PD
fashionable
breezes
upon
the female character
— Cinnamon—Tribute de— Cultivation introduced by the
Fire-flies
manded by the Portuguese
sk
Dutch—Value of the monopoly to
de
governments
— The
Beauty of the spot— Sunset— Sea-
F
The
and chari Pettah—Native
chapels, religious
ud
Native traders
—
—
io
—
—Description
the
Dutch and
of the slmib
portion of the cinuamou-laurel
—Uses
Englisli
of every
—Peeling knives— Nvmi-
year—Preparing the spice— Challias, cinnamon peelers Punkahs The result of an unex
ber of crops in the or
pected downfall
— — — Dessert — Crows,
their boldness
and
audacity.
Colombo
is
alike the seat of the colonial go-
verament, and the capital of the maritime pro-
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
40
vinces, being situate in lat. 6° 57" north,
50" east.
79*^
Tlie iiarbour
is
and
long.
semicircular, but
only boats and very small craft can find reluge size
being compelled
to anchor in the roads, from
one to two miles
within
it,
any
vessels of
Extreme caution is requisite in piloting a ship into Colombo roads, as there are sunken rocks, sand banks, and a coral
l
distant from the shore.
Tr ia
and the vraves break heavily on the bar
reef,
during the prevalence of certain winds.
carried
at the
at this port, consequently, the scene
Custom-house, during the hours of business,
one of great activity and excitement.
St
is
on
ud
is
io
The principal part of the export and import trade
Coolees,
oil,
bundles of the
PD
cocoa-nut
F
carrying bags of coffee, bales of goods, casks of
nuts, packages of cinnamon,
fibre,
each other, whilst the
sk
hustle
baskets of the
and sacks of shrill
grain,
cry
of the
de
bullock-driver, as he attempts to clear a passage
waggon, or bandy, serves only to make " confusion more confounded."
for his heavily-laden
During the time
this is
being enacted at one
part of the quay, boats loaded with various commodities, either endeavouring to land the articles, or take
them
to
the
outward-bound ships, are
trying to leave or approach the small landingpier
;
and, as the tawny boatmen pursue their
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE, task, sing at the top of their voices a
song.
41
monotonous
Occasionally a wave will break over the
boat; then ensue shouts and exclamations not in-
tended for ears
polite,
from the cnnicople, or man
in charge of the merchandize, as
ers to perform
and
with
their task
he urges the rowgreater
caution
celerity.
in Cingalese historical it is
recorded that
l
mentioned
is
Tr ia
Colombo
annals, about a.d. 49(), where
one of their kings, Moongaallonoo, there erected " warlike defences."
Tradition declares that Ca-
io
name from a grove of mangoe trees, called also Calamha in Cingalese; but, in one of the most ancient native works extant, we read that Calamha signifies a sea-port, and a fortified place. What the origin of the cognomen may its
PD
F
St
ud
lamha derived
have been, can be a matter of
import, but
quite certain that the Portuguese conquerors
sk
it is
little
name
coiTupted or changed the to
de
Calamha
of the spot from
Colombo, in honour of
brated navigator, Columbus.
their cele-
In 1505, the Por-
tuguese visited this port, and obtained permission to traffic with the natives
we
;
disputes ensued, and
find that in 1518 the Portuguese
possession of Colombo, and the fortifications.
The Fort
promontory, which
is
had taken
commenced is
built
erecting
on a small
washed by the sea
for
more
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
42 than half
Dutch
and was completed by the
extent,
its
had expelled the Portuguese,
after they
and could contahi, on an emergency, nine or ten thousand
The
souls.
extent of the fortifications
exceeds one mile and a
half, the
ramparts being
well constructed, having eight chief bastions and several
minor ones, with banquets, parapets, &c.,
communicating one with the other, mounting
125 guns and six mortars.
by European
troops, the
Tr ia
l
&c.,
The Fort is garrisoned number of which vary,
and gun-lascars being stationed
io
the Cejdon Rifles
When
the governor
of the troops
civilian,
a military man, he has the
like
;
but,
when
the present
his
Excellency
Governor, Vis-
F
a
is
St
command is
ud
outside the Fort, in a spot called Slave Island.
is
PD
count Torrington, the commander of the forces usually a major-general. principal
sk
The
in
street
de
(^ueen Street, and in this
markably wide,
and
kept
the
Fort
called
is
which
street,
is
re-
scrupulously clean,
stands the Queen's or Government House, the gar-
dens of which are laid out with great care
;
for a
specimen of almost every flowering shrub or plant indigenous to the island,
is to
be found in them.
In the rear of Government House Ijighthouse, the l^eet
height
of which
is
stands the ninety-six
above the level of the ocean, and
sailors
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. that in
affirm
43
weather this building can
clear
be discerned from an almost incredible distance
Near
at sea.
Queen's House are
the
to
situ-
ated the various military and civil offices, one churches,
that
General Post
Office,
]irincipal Library.
From
Normal School, and the Queen Street, several
side
minor ones crossing
the
these
in
situated
are
houses and shops.
right
at
off,
and
Hospital,
Libraiy, with warethe
European com-
ud
All
angles,
Military
the
Museum and
Medical
the
branch
streets
l
the Banks,
Presbyterians,
Scotch
the
of
Tr ia
English
io
of the
mercial houses carry on their business within
the merchants
and nearly every one
of the
F
all
St
the Fort, be their trade wholesale or retail, but
PD
shopkeepers reside elsewhere.
Without the Fort, an extensive trade foreign
earned
by the Moormen, whose shops are situated in the Pettah, the main
de
which
street of
is
dity is here to
one continuous line of shops
Every
warehouses.
net to a to
is
both of native and
origin,
and stores
and
article,
sk
on in every saleable
imaginable
commo-
be procured, from a lady's bonanchor,
ship's
from a paper of pins
a marlin-spike, from a bottle of pickles
saddle,
fr-om
a web of fine muslin to
canvass for sails
;
in short,
it
to
a
strong
would be impos-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
44
enumerate
sible
to
sale,
and
^Yllat
equally
they have not. aihrm, these
vend
traders
their
demanded
is
European shop
the Fort.
positively
goods
at
one
at the principal
In the Pettah
is
edibles of every
and here also reside the greater
;
number
Tr ia
l
description
in
chief bazaar for
the
for
what
say
to
we can
Moreover,
half the price, that
situated
men have
these
impracticable
of the burghers, or half-castes
break off from the main
streets that
in the
;
street,
and
io
in the abodes of these people, is fi"equently to
ud
be seen some of the most exquisitely-carved
St
ebony furniture conceivable, the designs, usually of fruit and
being chiselled out with
flowers,
F
the utmost accuracy, depth, and sharpness.
PD
Adjoining the Pettah are places of worship for the English, Portuguese, and
Dutch
protestants,
sk
belonging to the established church, and in the
de
church of the all
the
island.
last are deposited the
remains of
Dutch governors who have died in the The Wesleyans, Baptists, and Roman
Catholics, have also their chapels, the
dans
their
mosque,
and
the
Mahome-
Brahmins
their
temple, the walls of which are decorated with carvings of
elephants,
lions,
and
tigers.
this district is situated the buildings that
to the Society for tlu
In
belong
Propagation of the Gospel,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
45
Promoting Christian Knowledge, Bible Associa-
Church Missionaries, Colombo Friend
tion,
Need,
Government
Schools,
Leper
the
Pauper Hospitals, the Dispensary, charitable
The
institutions.
and
Supreme
in
and other
Court
House, the District Court of Colombo, the Court of Requests, Police Office, Cutcheny,
and
Fiscals'
is
maintained
a very limited
Tr ia
Public order
l
Office, are all outside the Fort. (to
extent, however,) by a body of native police, are
similarly
organized to those
of
our
io
who
— or were
so
when we
left
efficient superintendants.
Colombo — of But zealous
Thomson and Colpepper were
in the
F
as Messrs.
St
tendence
two most
ud
Metropolitan force, and are under the superin-
tous, and, as to
soon as they had
visit
would
sit
down
number
of
some shady and eventually
in
de
the policemen
a street or
left
another, the gTeater
sk
district
PD
discharge of their duties, they were not ubiqui-
nook, commence chewing betel,
indulge in a siesta, until roused by the
visit
of
their superior officer, or relieved ft'om their active
occupation by a brother dozer. force are clothed in the police, with the
This
same dress
exception of the
efficient
as the liat,
a peaked
cap being substituted, and the effect produced tlie latter is
most ludicrous, as
(.?)
London b\-
their long hair is
46
cp:ylon
and the Cingalese.
twisted into a knot above the nape of the neck,
and on also
this the
is ill
comfort,
their
cap
Their European
rests.
the
stiff
most
trousers, being
ments of the
tight
collar,
coat and
distasteful to those Avho
been habituated, from infancy, Asiatics,
and
have
to the loose gar-
their clothing is as
conducive to their health as
it is
to their
Tr ia
l
little
attire
calculated either for the climate or for
ease.
The
artificial
Colombo runs at the back Edward Barnes, during his
lake of
and
Sir
io
of the Fort,
ud
Governorship, caused a lock to be constructed,
whereby the inland navigation
A
is
carried to the
small slip of land lies in the centre of
named Slave
Island, so called
by the
F
the lake,
St
sea.
PD
Portuguese and Dutch, who used here to lock up the government slaves after their day's labour. certain space
sk
A
was enclosed, around which huts
built, these
dwellings being surrounded by
de
were
a lofty wall, the gates of which were fastened at sunset,
tion
and unclosed
of slavery,
at sunrise.
all
Since the aboli-
these buildings have been
demolished, barracks for the Ceylon Rifles, and tasteful
bungalows
for
Europeans, having been
erected in their stead.
One
portion of Slave Island has the advantage
of the sea-breezes, being only separated from the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
47
ocean by an isthmus, called the Galle Face, and this
fashionable
the
is
evening,
from
When we
first
the
drive
or resort in
hours of
seven.
until
five
arrived in Colombo,
we
the
felt
much
astonished at finding but few external marks of
For instance, his
respect paid to the governor.
Excellency's
would
carriage
drive
round
the
Galle Face, and scarcely a hat would be raised
l
he passed, although some of the heads on
Tr ia
as
which the hats rested belonged of
them high
in
to civilians,
the government service
j
some or to
of the legislative council,
ud
members
position, as
io
merchants, who, from their birth, education, and
St
ought to have felt it their bounden duty to have rendered " honour to whom honour was due."
cannot be derogatory to any man, how-
F
it
PD
Surely
ever high his station or birth, to evince,
demeanour,
sk
courteous individual
who
is
deemed a
his sovereign, to
de
by
proper fit
respect
by a
for
the
and proper person
hold the reins of govern-
It
has been previously remarked, by those
who have
resided in colonies, that generally the
ment.
tone
of conduct
assumption permits
us
;
of most
colonists
and, as far as our to
is
one
of
own experience
form an opinion, we coincide
heartily in this observation, as too
many endea-
vour to assume a position that can only belong to the
Governor, and act as
if
they believed that
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
48
undue
and disrespectful demeanour
familiarity
would ensure the
superiors,
social position they
Although we thus
were endeavouring to usurp.
contemn the manners of men, we regret numbers of our
that
many
lose
fi'om a residence in a
We
colony, or presidency.
to say
countrywomen
fair
attractive attributes
to
believe a lengthened
is
it
Tr ia
l
sojourn in the East to be as prejudicial to the
mental as
to the physical
powers of the
female sex, the climate alike enervating body and
io
mind, rendering the one incapable of taking
ud
cient exercise to preserve health,
Thus,
in India,
after
its
own capa-
a comparatively short resi-
China, or Ceylon, a
woman
loses
F
dence
St
pursuing those studies that eidarge bilities.
suffi-
and the other of
PD
her vivacity, the princijjal part of her beauty, the
whole of her energy, becoming equally disinclined
sk
to corporeal or
mental exertion.
de
a lady's existence has but tropical sun
;
little
The
routine of
variety under a
the greater part of the
morning
is
passed reclining on a coucli, en dishabille, being
fanned by an Ayah, who tress
the
in
tries to
amuse her mis-
by relating the occurrences that take place abodes of her acquaintance,
this gossip
being duly embellished with scandal. After the fair \-
dame
will either receive or
The mid-day meal, denoniinated
in the East
is called tiffin.
tiffin,*
pay morning
liiuclieou in
England,
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
49
when more gossip and scandal are indulged or she will read some silly tale of excitement
visits,
in
;
to beguile the time, or
For
soothe her to sleep.
seldom, we grieve to say,
is
any intellectual occupa-
tion pursued that tends to strengthen the mind.
About four o'clock the
don equestrian gear
;"
in either case, the attire
of every friend that she meets cised,
and wonder expressed as
bands
can
severely
is
to
how
supply them
to
criti-
their hus-
with
this
io
afford
make
retires to
evening drive, or to
l
"
one
fair
toilette for the
Tr ia
an elaborate
ud
expensive finery, feeling quite sure they must be over head and ears in debt, strangely forgetting she, the
St
that, in all probability,
in, if
F
travagance, has assisted
of
sibility
her
preclude
the
own spouse returning many long years. Add
sk
native land for
which,
if
to
poshis
to this
practised in England, would
de
flirtation
may
not insisted upon,
PD
incurring debts, which
censurer of ex-
not be tolerated, and a slight idea
may be formed
of female occupations in a presidency, or eastern
Let
colony.
it,
however, be distinctly understood
that we do not thus ladies far
be
who it
condemn
the conduct of all
sojourn in presidencies, or colonies
from
oiu-
intention so to do, for
we have
known women who were as good wives and mothers, and as valuable members of society in VOL.
I.
D
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
50
every respect, bestowing attention alike on their
domestic
and
duties,
the
cultivation
of their
minds, with the same assiduity they did, or would
have done
in
Europe.
pels us, although
penning the
we
Nevertheless, truth com-
pang
feel a
line, to say,
of regret whilst
such estimable
women
as these cannot be regarded as specimens of the
when removed
fi-om the whole-
some if
restraints of
Tr ia
l
female character
English society, and enervated,
not demoralized, by the luxuries and customs
io
of the East.
ud
About half-past five o'clock, the Galle Face, or Hyde Park of Colombo, begins to wear an aniin motion, although the majority of
F
and horses
St
mated appearance, there being many vehicles
PD
the fair occupants of carriages alike listless in
and saddles, are
demeanour, and the eye of the
and seeks in vain, for the clear complexion, roseate hue of cheek and lip, vivacious expressive countenance, and sparkling
de
sk
stranger seeks,
eyes,
which are so pleasingly characteristic of
Albion's
veyance
daughters. is
to
Face, from the governor,
Every description of con-
be seen driving round the Galle
Long Acre
built carriage
of the
the dashing phaeton of the wealthy
merchant, the unassuming
gig, the country-built
palanqueen, and the humble bandy.
The horses
G
1
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. that
by
51
draw these vehicles are invariably attended
their keepers,
(grooms being called horse-
who run by the side of the when a gentleman, or coachman
keepers in Ceylon,)
conveyance, drives
;
at other times, they lead the animal, ac-
commodating
their
pace to that of the horse.
These men wear a
sort of livery, their turbans
tinted, or white calico, the
Tr ia
l
and loose clothing being composed of bright colours varying ac-
cording to the taste or fancy of their employer,
and many of
costumes are both pleasing
io
their
Galle Face,
is
The view
to the strange-
from, and of the
St
ness of the scene.
ud
and picturesque, adding materially
absolutely entrancing to the lover
is
you
will,
the
by the extreme There lies
involuntarily arrested
PD
gaze
F
of nature, for cast the eyes where
beauty of the surrounding scenery.
sk
the boundless ocean, its
de
gliding over the
natives
over
its
with
a ship in
full
sail
undulating surface, the canoes of
lightly
floating on,
and skimming
waters, whilst the waves curvetting
and
rolling,
dash in a shower of white foam on to the
shore.
Bordering the beach
is
the carnage-drive,
which encompasses greensward, whereon highbred Arab horses are bounding and prancing, in the full enjoyment of exuberaiit health istence.
On
the opposite side
is
and ex-
the race-course,
D 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
52
over whose variegated turf the steeds are caricol-
ing
m
divides
high glee, whilst the carriage-drive that the race-course from the
greensward
is
thronged with carriages of every shape and descrii;tion, principally, if
not entirely, occupied by
Eurojjeans, whilst the fantastically-clad Eastern
attendants run at the horses' head, or at the side of the vehicle.
Colombo,
of
the
race-course flows the lake
l
baclv of the
banks being studded
whose
drooping palms,
Tr ia
At the
branches
with
overshadow
lily
is
— whilst a bungalow, the
verandah
overgrown with graceful creepers, the
St
of which
ud
and white
io
the clear waters, on which float the pink lotus,
grounds belonging
to
it
being
filled
with gorgeous-
PD
F
coloured flowering shrubs, complete the vista of loveliness on that side.
Looking from the bun-
sk
galow, with nought to impede the view, save the
stand on the race-course, you can distinctly see
grey time-mossed ranjparts of the Fort
de
the
of
Colombo. In due time, smiset arrives,
—then
riously the planet sinks into the sea, in majestic tranquillity, as his
how globosom of the parting beams
illumine the gi'een waters, on which they glitter in
thousands of sparkling rays, whilst over the
azure vault of heaven float violet, crimson, and
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. golden-tinted clouds, which, as you
away,
in
ever-varying
tints.
No
53 gaze, fade
language can
describe the gorgeous, glorious, magnificent beauty
and
of the sun's rising
setting in
the tropics
;
hues
and numberless
constantly-changing
the
which tinge the clouds in constant succession, are
beyond the powers of language of the
orator,
now dipping
is
he almost
Tr ia
See Sol
to delineate.
l
the pen of the scribe, or the pencil of the painter, ;
appears to be toying with the waters, into whose
io
gloriously refulgent
how noble and
Gradually he sinks lower
and now he has gone
the
is
clearly defined is the
St
!
and on which he throws his
How
beams.
lurid
sun's hue,
arch
sinking,
is
ud
bosom he
—lower —
to illumine
low^er
another quarter
PD
F
of the globe, and cast around his life-imparting
beams.
sk
After sunset, the sea breezes
and,
as
they
are
become most
wafted
de
freshing,
waters, their delicious coolness
across
re-
the
invigorates the
wearied frame, exhausted by the depressing heat of the atmosphere during the day. trians
now seem
gentlemen gallops,
to
eques-
be more at their ease,
indulging
the
The
in
occasional
tlie
vigorous
ladies putting their steeds into u
gentle canter, the inmates of the carriages appear to
be
somewhat
less
listless,
and
will
gaze
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
54 around,
enter into
or
animation
of
degi'ee
arrest the
owner,
and
;
possibly a cavalier will
progress
horse's retail,
some
conversation with
to
salaam his
fair
or inquire the last on-dits,
as he leans on the carriage-door.
In the same ratio as Europeans enjoy the cool breezes,
do the Asiatics dislike them, and
so
l
frequently the horse-keepers will cast an implor-
their
countenances clearly implying "this you, but
to
'tis
death to us."
may be As
the
io
sport
Tr ia
ing look into the vehicle, giving a slight shiver?
shades of evening advance, gradually the Galle
the neighing of the horses and
St
fall,
ud
Face becomes deserted, and, long before nightbling of wheels are
the rum-
no more heard, the only
PD
F
sounds greeting the ear being the soughing of the night-breeze
and the breaking of
When
waves
night has thrown
sk
on the shingly beach.
tlie
her sable mantle o'er the earth, the aspect of the
de
scene changes, for over the lake hover myriads of
fire-flies,
air,
clouds of them
flitting
about in the
then alighting on the waving leaves of the
palms, causing the foliage to appear illuminated.
Some few the lotus,
will
settle
two or three
on the floating leaves of will creep into the flower,
sparkling like brilliants, then more of these lu-
minous insects
will alight
on other aquatic plants,
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and the waters
will glisten with
specks of
light.
wing
their
will
upwards
tall
Many
banana
leaves
will
the
until
air
shower of the moon's
appears replete with a
beams.
a million minute
innumerable numbers
Then, flight
55
then
settle,
on a
possibly
the outline of the gigantic graceful
;
being distinctly defined by the dazzling
specks of
Nought can be ima-
upon them.
fire
natural
panorama
and although
;
moun-
io
Face of Colombo.
and
characteristic,
tlie
truly
of the Galle
vicinity
St
one, than in
ud
a sublimer aspect, never does she
wear a more pleasing, oriental
in the
the face of nature
tainous parts of the island,
may assume
Tr ia
l
gined more exquisitely lovely than this varied
PD
F
The cinnamon-gardens in the neighbourhood of Colombo are the most extensive in the island ;
sk
and, although the beauty and fragrance of the
shrub are much exaggerated,
still
the plantations
de
present a most pleasing spectacle. asserted by many,
and
still
is
It
has been
by some, that the
aroma of the spice is perceptible at sea, even when a vessel is some miles distant from the " Cinnamon isle :" this statement is as complete a delusion as can well be imagined, effluvia of
cinnamon
the captain or
is
apparent at sea,
some one
else
for,
if the
it is
when
on board the vessel
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
56*
lias
rubbed a portion of
sails,
to
We
mystify travellers.
aromatic effluvia of peeling
upon the
iVagrant oil
tlie
admit that an
diffused, whilst the operation
is
being carried on, but this odour
is
is
only apparent close to the spot where the cin-
namon-peeler
performing his task
is
every bush in the island to
we
are perfectly
a mile on land from where the
l
would not be
be barked simultaconvinced the smell
felt
Tr ia
neously,
and were
;
and
w'ork Avas being effected,
that
it
would be
a perfect impossibility, for the scent of the shrub
ud
io
so to mingle with the atmosphere
ceived at sea.
endeavoured
St
Cavilists have recently
the Laurus cinnamomum not
of the
was introduced
early
traders,
sk
pabane
(Ceylon)
de
when speaking
among them
looking,
Ceylon by some
Roman and Greek
do not enumerate cinnamon
although
dually, this spice
prove
of the products of Tra-
our opinion, over-
strangely, in
;
that
to
be indigenous,
assigning as their most
cogent reason, that the early writers,
to
into
F
PD
])ut that it
as to be per-
not
mentioned
may have been
included
indivi-
among
the imnd)erless fragrant productions, for which this island
was celebrated.
ject farther, or authorities,
and
'to
To
pursue this sub-
attempt to prove by quoting
using
arguments that we are
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
57
borne out in asserting the Lanrus cinnamonmni be indigenous to Ceylon, would be alike un-
This
it
shrub
mental
;
and unnecessary
treat principally of to the Portuguese.
the
attracted
meida, who, with tion usually,
as
notice
the shrewdness
D' Al-
of
and observa-
not invariably apparent in the
if
organization
of
discoverers,
instantly
Tr ia
Ceylon, after
we became known
purpose
for our present
l
to
interesting to the general reader,
perceived the valuable article of commerce this
Ceylon was
become.
eventually
first
In
1505,
discovered by D' Almeida, (then
io
would
spice
ud
governor of Goa,) and permission was granted
monarch of Colombo
to the
Portuguese to
St
the
with the natives
we
year,
for the
find the
;
and, in the succeeding
crown of Portugal demanded
F
traffic
PD
by
protection promised to be afforded the
sk
Cingalese sovereign against his enemies, that a certain quantity of
This
de
given.
cinnamon should be annually
demand was complied
and,
with,
although no care was bestowed upon the
culti-
vation of the shrub, either by the natives or Por-
tuguese, the revenue derived by the sale of the
spicy tribute proved a considerable and welcome
addition to the finances of the king of Portugal.
Although the Dutch gained a footing in Ceylon in
1G40,
we
find
no attempt was made
D 5
by
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE-
58
them, to improve the staple commodity of the island
by
and no strenuous exer-
cultivation until 1765,
made
tions were
for the furtherance of the plan
and in
until 1770,
this
year the Governor Falck
adopt energetic measures
resolved to
for
the
In this he was
culture of the cinnamon-laurel.
opposed by the native nobles and
who
chiefs,
imanimously stated the quality of the spice would
tuitous
assurances,
l
Despite these gra-
Tr ia
be deteriorated by cultivation.
the governor caused several
plantations to be formed, and tended with the
The young shrubs
io
gTeatest
care.
and
throve,
upon
their cultivation,
when
sud-
St
capital bestowed
ud
promised to repay, by a superabundant crop, the denly every plant was found to be withered up.
Falck
F
instituted
PD
the
cause
that the
of this
rigid
investigation
had employed
sk
chiefs
a
men
de
offenders were
shrubs
ensued.
no
Many
vation
the
destruction
The reason
w^hy
chiefs, was,
in the first place, that
only in a wild
state,
of the
the
cinnamon was discouraged
of
and
severely punished,
attempt at
ulterior
pour
to
boiling water over the roots of the laurels. of the
into
phenomena, and discovered
when
culti-
by
the
it
grew
they were paid a certain
per centage for allowing their slaves to collect a stipulated quantity of the bark
;
as
no European
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. could
59
be found sufficiently courageous to risk
his health, or
life, in
was produced.
and jungles of the
the forests
Kandian provinces,
where
best cinnamon
the
In the second,
it
had become
was the intention of the Dutch
bruited that
it
government,
if it
should be found that cinnamon
could be improved by cultivation, to forbid any natives or Europeans trafficking in or having plan-
for
the
executive powers.
of the
benefit
Dispassionately regarding this
affiiir,
we cannot
Cingalese should discour-
io
feel surprised that the
and throw unlawful impediments
ud
age,
Tr ia
l
tations of the laurel, save those appertaining to,
and
in the path
St
of the cultivation of a shrub from which they had hitherto derived emolument,
and which was the
F
spontaneous production of their native
soil.
PD
So unjustly rigid was the monopoly of cinnamon ther the
sk
maintained by the Dutch government, that nei-
European nor native proprietor of
de
land was allowed to destroy, cut a the bark,
the
touch
stick,
or pluck the leaves of a shrub,
(the
seed of which might have been dropped by birds) that
grew on
their property
;
and they were
also
compelled to give notice to the superintendent of cinnamon-plantations
sprouted
from
the
when a cinnamon-laurel
earth's
penalties were imposed.
bosom,
or
severe
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE.
60
Every cinnamoii-slnub
\vas declared to
be the
property of the Dutch government, and the
sole
superintendent was authorized to send the peelers
man's grounds
into a
and,
search for the shrubs,
to
any were found, they were immediately
if
stripped of their bark, which Avas transported to
and the owner of the land
the public warehouses,
either fined or imprisoned for having infringed
Tr ia
l
the Dutch laws by not giving information that a
cinnamon-plant grew on his land.
The Portuguese
were
hard task-masters
in
io
Ceylon, but the yoke imposed by them, was not so
ud
oppressive as the iron fetters which shackled the
Dutch had
St
Cingalese during the period that the possession of the island.
The
sj)irit
of avarice so
Dutch
PD
of the
F
completely reigned lord paramount in the breasts rulers, that history affirms,
when
the
sk
bushes yielded a superabundant crop, bales of
cinnamon were burned, or otherwise destroyed,
de
both in Ceylon and Holland, exorbitant price for the spice.
to
keep up the
then demanded and
From
old Dutch records
obtained
we
learn
more than one hundred years, the revenue derived annually from the sale of cinnamon was seldom less than four hundred thousand pounds.
that for
When
the island
came
into
cinnamon monopoly was
our ])ossession, the granted to the East
II
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Company
()1
payment of the was ultimately increased to one hundred thousand, which sum was received by our government until 1823, when the right of cultivation and sale reverted to the Crown, and the amount realized by the sale of cinnamon varied to an almost incredible extent, India
for the
yearly
sum
of sixty-thousand pounds
the
annual receipts
:
this
fluctuating
between
fifty
])Ounds.
Tr ia
l
thousand, to one hundred and seventy thousand
In 1832, a commission of inquiry into
the effects of this
monopoly was
instituted,
and
io
by the judicious policy of obnoxious measure was aban-
in the following year,
ud
Lord Goderich this doned, and the cultivation
St
of the shrub has been
thrown open since that period.
Many
improve-
PD
F
ments have been introduced by private duals.
A cinnamon
somewhat resembles
sk
plantation
indivi-
a luxuriant laurel copse, as the bushes
ai'e,
by
de
constant priming, not allowed to exceed twelve or fifteen feet in height, except those that
be required for seed
;
and these
may
will occasionally
attain the height of thirty or forty feet, the trunk
of the shrub measuring from eighteen to twenty-
The propagation
three inches in circumference. of the Laurus
cinnamomum
facility, seeds, plants,
and
is
conducted with
roots, (if transplanted
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
(}'2
that consists of a pure quartz sand, Avhich
soil,
to
the depth of
many
inches
is
as fine as moist
and perfectly white it then assumes a and in some of the mountainous dis-
sugar,
grey
an appropriate
alike thriving in
with caution,)
;
tint,
moss are found immediately
tricts,
layers of black
under
this species of sterile
sandy
cinnamon plantations
l
in all
and
infest
in the island,
Tr ia
abound
It is re-
soil.
markable that although white ants
these destructive insects do not injure the bushes it is
a proverb with
of the Cingalese, that to have a thriving
ud
many
And
io
in the slightest degree.
plantation of cinnamon bushes four plenties are
—"plenty
St
namely
requisite,
sand,
foliage of the laurel is thick
PD
The
of
shining green
plenty of
and plenty of water."
F
sun, plenty of white ants,
when amved
and
of a dark
when
at maturity, but
as
sk
young, the leaves are exquisitely beautiful,
de
their colour then is a pale yellowish green, striped
from the old leaves a fragrant
with bright red
:
oil is distilled,
which the natives use
cinal puiposes,
many
uses.
and which
The
is
cinnamon
white, and scentless,
applied by us to
blossom
from this
is
is
the fruit or berry,
shaped and small, the hue of which as gradually changing from
medi-
for
it
pure
acomripens
green to purple,
and
obtained, by boiling, a substance like
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. wax,
which
made
frequently
is
and these emit
an
63 candles,
into
perfume whilst
agreeable
Some enormously large tapers made from this wax were found by our troops in the king of Kandy's palace. The spice is the inner
burning.
bark of the shrub, and, in order to ascertain this is in a
fit
state, the
if
peeler makes a diagonal
The
is
used
knives
in a
fit
for
state
Tr ia
readily separate, the shi-ub peeling.
l
incision in a shoot, and, should the inner bark
by the cinnamon-
side,
concave on the other, and
ud
convex on one
io
peelers are of a peculiar form, being heavy, long,
the point of the instrument
The bushes
are generally peeled twice in the
PD
second
sk
the
The mode
de
January. the
finest
quality.
The
obtained between the months of April and
August,
is
fine.
crop being the most abundant, and
producing cinnamon of the first is
remarkably
St
first
F
year, the
is
following:
between
November and
of obtaining the
cinnamon
the cinnamon-peeler cuts off
the shoots of a year old, which are of the thick-
ness of a man's finger, varying in length fi'om one to four feet. off
The leaves
and placed
are then carefully stripped
in heaps, the
peeler
makes an
incision with his knife the entire length of the shoot, separating the bark
from the wood; he
then carefully scrapes off the grey exterior skin.
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
G4
and the green inner epidermis, leaving free
from
all fleshy
baric
tiie
substance, about the thickness
The
of vellum, and of a greenish white coloiu'.
man
places the small portions of the bark
tlien
on the larger pieces, out in a
spreading
warm and shady
the
cinnamon
spot, so as to enable
The
the spice to dry gradually but thoroughly.
and atmospheric influence cause the
sun's rays
is tied
from
fifty
market
all
moisture
up to
is
seventy pounds, and
From
for sale.
is
the refuse of the bark, a
St
from the root camphor
;
weighing
sent to the
golden-coloured fine-flavoured aqueous distilled
is
fluid
is
procured, and
PD
F
the peeled twigs are converted into walking canes in short, there is
de
The men who
;
no part of the Laurus cinna-
that cannot be
sk
momum man.
.
evaporated, the cinna-
into sheaves, or bundles,
io
when
ud
and,
mon
Tr ia
l
bark to assume a brown hue, and pipe-like form
applied to the use of
peel the cinnamon belong ex-
clusively to a very low caste, called Challias, or
cinnamon-peelers
;
and no native woman or man
of a higher caste will associate with, or partake
of food that has been prepared
by these people
the poor Challia being despised in the maritime districts, as the
dian provinces.
unfortunate Rhodia
is
in the
Kan-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The abodes
C5
of all Europeans in Ceylon bear a
striking similitude to each other, the houses being-
constructed upon the same j^lan
window
alike
;
every door and
open, and the portals of distinct
apartments having moveable blinds placed mid-
way
in the frame-work.
ally
extends the whole length of the dwelling,
The dining-room
gene-
is
l
consequently the width of this apartment
and
in this
Tr ia
rally disproportionate to the length
usu-
;
hot climate, to enable the residents to partake of
meals in some degree of coolness, a punkah,
io
their
suspended
is
ud
nearly the length of the apartment,
from the ceiling over the dining-table. vivid recollection of the astonish-
St
As we have a
sk
PD
F
ment with which we gazed, the first time we saw one of these singular machines, we will describe what a punkah is like, believing there are many in this country who have not the most remote idea what
de
this essential requisite to comfort, in
dwelling resembles. of
w^ood,
In the
first
longer
considerably
an Eastern
place, a frame
than
wide,
is
covered with white calico, to the bottom of W'hich is
attached a deep
frill
—flounce we believe
to
be
the correct feminine term for this sort of garnishing.
The frame-work
is
suspended from
the
ceiling by strong cords, while to the centre of the
punkah
is
attached a very
long rope, passing
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
66
which
through a pulley
pulled
by a man
outside the dining-room, and by this
stationed
means the machine
The
is
is
use of the flounce
punkah waves
and
to
kept in constant motion. is to
catch the air as the
fro
over your head, and
necessary and pleasant are the
very
artificial
breezes thus created by the waving of a certain of
wood-work and
calico,
Tr ia
eight. is
ninety-
to
one slight drawback to the delight of in the tropics, for
ud
owning a punkah, even
io
There
where the
l
quantum
thermometer ranges from eighty-six
almost certain that your careless servants
will
inspect the ropes by which the punkah
it
never
is
St
is
sus-
F
pended, to see if they ai"e worn by the friction, caused
PD
by the constant pulling of the punkah.
It is very,
very, very hot indeed, the mosquitoes are torment-
sk
ing you beyond endurance
;
you slap your own face
de
Jifty times, in the vain endeavour to annihilate
one of these toraienting insects
angiy despair, you
call
;
at last, in a
out to the
fit
of
punkah-puller,
" Can't you pull strong, you lazy mortal
?"
—The
biped, stimulated to exertion by your angry tone, gives
an energetic
earnest, as
much
you now, master
?"
pull
— one
as to say, "
You
above your head, look up
in
Does
right
good
that please
hear a sort of
rustling-
— crash— smash — down
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
67
comes the punkah on the dmner-table, making a most awful uproar, shivering all the glass and crockery, and, worse than
your meal.
utterly desti'oying
all,
This disaster assuredly does not
please you, although your orders were obeyed,
"to pull strong," but even the downfall of a punkah, under different circumstances, excites dissi-
human
breast.
l
milar passions in the
happen inyour own domicile, your appoo (or head servant) about his
you rave
at
Tr ia
If this contretemps
will
make him
stamping,
fuming,
disaster occur at a friend's
with the indifference of a stoic
PD
it
St
this
let
house, you view
and the
you
that
broken,
working yourself into both fever and
But
fury.
is
F
fretting,
vow
;
that
all
ud
&c.
&c.,
&c.,
replace
io
neglect of duty, carelessness, laziness, stupidity,
tranquillity of a philosopher, the equani-
sk
mity of your temper not being in the most remote
de
degree affected, or ruffled the table,
:
— quietly
you employ your
rising
from
serviette in wiping
fiom your waistcoat a portion of the contents of the cuny-dish, which delicious combination
vegetables and
and a fall
fish,
claret jug,
with some chicken cotelettes,
may have been
deposited by the
punkah
your lap, not to
of the aforesaid
in
the improvement of your white clothing.
tone of voice
of
is
mild,
Your
your speech deliberate,
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
68
your manner calm, as you beg your host rate his vexation, consoling
" That
it is
to
mode-
him by remarking
a horrid bore, to have a dinner spoiled
and the breakables demolished, but
it is
just like
these fellows, so insufferably indolent in every
way, neglecting their business to chew betel, and
The
your
for
at last insanely profuse
his apologies for the mishap.
host thanks
consideration,
and prolix
Tr ia
becoming
again
l
gossip about master's business."
you again and
You beg
of
in
him
to
away
the debris,
and see
if
some edibles
ud
to clear
io
say no more on the subject, but order his appoo
cannot be found either on the table or in the
St
cook-house, that will serve as a substitute for the
sumptuous and varied repast that was spread
PD
F
before you, in numberless dishes, but which the
perverse punkah has converted into an unpalata-
It
sk
ble pot-pourri, or hodge-podge. is
the invariable
de
upon the consists
table
of
custom
to place
after dinner, and,
every
variety
of
dessert
although this
tropical
fruit
in
season, none save recent arrivals, ever venture to eat fresh fruit in the after part of the day
older residents occasionally venture
upon a
:
the
little
dried ginger, or try an Euc/lish biscuit, the crisp-
ness and flavour of which have not been improved
by
its
travels.
We
have noticed the flush of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
69
delightful anticipation pass over a new-comer's
he gazed with evident satisfaction upon
face, as
the cool-looking tempting
garnished with
fruits,
gorgeous flowers, that were spread in trim array before
him
what delicious-looking pine-apples
;
and mangoes, what magnificent bananas and custard-apples, what luscious pumbelows and
Tr ia
l
guavas, what inviting water-melons and greenfigs The custard-apples are near " the new man," !
he takes one on his plate, and carefully bisects fruit,
preparing to devour the
io
the mellow, melting
His neighbour,
gusto.
ritably disposed,
and an old
is
almost certain to possess a yellow skin
may whisper
liver,
F
and diseased
produce cholera
away with extreme
de
with an I
;"
avidity
;)
it
(the plate is
" eat as
like at breakfast, or tiffin, that won't
the least."
The green thanks
the
air of
would advise
eat fruit after dinner, as
sk
likely to
to
PD
compassion for such ignorance, "
you not
cha-
which
resident, in
St
case he
if
ud
same with great
is
very
pushed
much as you harm you in yellow man,
resolving to indulge his gourmandise and affection for fruit the following
We the
morning.
cannot dismiss Colombo without noticing
immense
Colpetty
;
flocks of carrion crows that infest
these birds
abound
in every port of
Ceylon, but we think their number and audacity
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
70 are
more manifest
These creatures are much larger than
elsewhere. their
in this part of the island than
European brethren, the plumage
and more
glossy,
;
is much spewe think them very
in short,
No
handsome-looking, intelligent birds. first
haa, kha bers.
sooner
glimmer of daybreak appear, than
—haa, kha
l
and incessant guttural, kha
—haa,
Tr ia
did the
thicker,
and assuredly there
culation in their eyes
their loud
is
used to break our matinal slum-
The boldness,
thievish propensities, and per-
io
severance of these creatures, are almost incredible.
We
ud
have known a crow to
fly
into the break-
of
St
fast-room, hover over the toast-rack, seize a slice
bread, and
fly
PD
other marauders
with
at table
F
were people seated
off
hop on
it,
:
although there
we have witnessed
to the sill of the cook-
house-window, and there remain watching, with
sk
the utmost inquisitiveness, the
movements of the
de
cook, and no sooner was the man's back turned,
or a favom'able opportunity occurred, than
the
hare-faced feathered thieves would pounce
on
some
article of food,
and make
for the nearest
tree, or roof of the building, there to
their leisure.
We
devour
it
at
have heard, but did not see
the act perpetrated, that a crow appropriated a
piece of cake, that a child of six years old was eating, despite the efforts of the little unfeathered
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
71
biped to drive the feathered one away
;
but we
can positively affirm that we have seen the crows flying off with substances fi'om our dwelling in
Colpetty, that were nearly as heavy and bulky as their
own
we had
There was one fellow
bodies.
christened the
old
soldier,
whom
(from
his
bravery, and because he had lost the lower half
Tr ia
l
of one leg in the field of battle possibly, as a
piece of red rag was tied around the stump
;
for
aught we know to the contrary, this might have
been a novel order of the used absolutely
to
ud
io
garter,) whose daring and audacity were beyond credence. This bird
attempt to take food from a
at the creature
PD
snap or bark
F
St
dog whilst eating, and very frequently succeeded the animal would naturally open its mouth, to pulling at the food
would then
fix
or
avail
the beak in the
Constantly we have seen these
de
coveted morsel.
who was pecking
— the crow
opportunity to
sk
itself of this
;
daring exploits rewarded with success, the bird flying off in triumph with the sjjoil,
and perch
on the branch of a neighbouring which looked
tlie
ti'ce, under dog would stand angrily barking, as he
u]) at
the robber leisurely eating the food
in security, that
had been purloined absolutely
from between his
teeth.
—
IV.
Tr ia
CHAPTER
l
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
rl
io
Kandy—Koute— Bridge of boats— Paddy —Aspect of the people—Ainbepusse —Mountain zone —Kadaganawa pass— Mountain scenery— Talapat, or fan palm —Animal —Draught elephants Peredenia — Bridge and Botanical gardens — Curious specimens of the vegetable kingdom —Travellers' friend — City of Kandy— lake — Bathing house of the Queen's— Palace — Native shops— Customs— Buildings Artillery-barracks — Deficiency of water— The governor's residence —Beauty of the architecture and —Views of the valley of Doombera— Major Davie's —Groimds of Pavihon—Lady Horton's road— Grandeur of nery — Altitude of the mountains— Military station on One-tree —Legend—Kurunaigalla tunnel— Compulsory labour— Animals, in the and
Situation of
ter-
St
ud
races
life
Ai'tificial
sk
PD
F
gi-eat
de
site
tree
sce-
tlie
hill
birds,
reptiles,
siu--
roiuiding comitry.
Kandy, the former 1)V
capital of the interior, called
the natives Maha-neura, or the great city,
is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. in
situated
summit of an extensive
48' E,, at the
which
lies
is
more than 1500
The
the sea.
7^—21' N. and in
lat
feet
fertile valley,
above the level of to
Kandy
crossing
route
the
80"
long.,
Colombo
distance from
seventy-two miles,
78
the
bridge of boats, which was constructed during
government of
Sir
Edward Barnes,
tlie
to obviate the
cross
Mutwal-Oya
the
more than once led
;
Tr ia
boats, to
l
unavoidable delay attendant upon the use of ferry-
which delay
when
to serious results,
the
was required on the
opposite side of the river.
For the
ud
io
assistance of our troops
miles of the road, the scenery
is
first
eighteen
of the
same
is
manner
cultivated in a different
to
F
that rice
St
character as that on the coast, with this exception,
PD
that adopted in the southern provinces.
Instead of planting the grain on a level surface, this
district
it
sk
in
is
more general
de
teiTaces of irregular dimensions
the usual
mode being
centre of the
paddy
to
make an
field,
to
sow
it
in
and construction, elevation in the
round which a terrace
of less height extends, below which
is
a smaller
one, each one decreasing towards the bottom of
the artificial
mound.
Every
well supplied with water, and the terrace underneath,
l)y
arc perforations, to allow
VOL.
I.
it
level space is kept is
mud to
separated from walls, in
which
descend and E
irri-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
74
And
gate the lower terraces. galese agriculturist struction of the
although the Cin-
far surpassed in the
is
paddy
and regularity evinced
same by the Chinese,
in the formation of the
still
ance of the young rice
con-
by the ingenuity
terraces,
is
the beautifid appear-
everywhere
and
alike,
nothing can be imagined more pleasing than the
growing
l
exquisite brilliant tender green of the
Tr ia
paddy.
Soon the aspect of nature changes, the cocoa-
io
nut palm plantations become less frequent, groves
ud
of areka and suriya trees, (Habiscus zeilanicus,)
taking their place
gradually
;
the
latter
is
a
when
and,
it
is
covered with
F
elm,
St
majestic tree, bearing a strong similitude to an
ble.
air
of"
the people also varies considerably,
sk
The
yellow
irs
indescriba-
is
PD
blossoms, the lovely appearance
de
as the maritime districts are left in the rear
high
comb and long comboy
are
no longer
a handkerchief taking the place of the
—the
visible,
first,
and a
very short cloth or petticoat being used as a substitute for the last. is
The black paper umbrella
scarcely seen, a leaf of the talapat
palm being
used as a protection against the sun's rays in stead
;
priests of Buddha, with shaven heads,
flowing yellow robes, wending their
wav
to
its
and
some
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
75
much more numerous than
temple, are
southern province
impress upon the
traveller's
among
country and
mind, that he
a people totally
characteristics,
in all essential
in the
around tends
in short, all
;
to
to
is in
a
dissimilar
lowland
the
Cingalese.
The road
to
Kandy
is
planned, and the
skill
as
;
the hilly
and movmtaiii-
Tr ia
masterly manner
l
of the engineer has been displayed in the most
ous districts are ascended, the views become sub;
and the contrast presented
io
lime in the extreme
St
ud
by the huge masses of black gneiss rock, to the delicate and luxuriant flowering creepers that cling to some part of them, is alike wonderful and
The prospect from
the Rest-house at
F
delightful.
lombo,
is
thirty-five miles
Co-
from
PD
Ambepusse, situated
surpassingly fine. This building lies in is
sk
a valley that
formed by a semicircle of
de
which are wooded from base
to
hills,
summit, the luxu-
riance and gigantic character of the vegetation of
Ceylon, in the mountainous tinguishing
it
and North Wales.
Ambepusse district
is
alone dis-
Although the country around
is beautiful,
exceedingly
dents, both native to
districts,
from that of Switzerland, Scotland,
debilitating
and
its
soil fertile,
unhealthy,
the
and European, being
fever
and ague.
tlie
resi-
liable
From AmbeE 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
76
pusse to Attoomakandy, the eighteen miles,
land in sugar,
is
whole route,
enlivened by the spectacle of
highest state of cultivation
tlie
for
;
coffee,
and indigo crops alternately greeting the
traveller's
eye
and two miles from the
;
the mountain-zone
place,
commences
sublimity and stern grandeur.
latter
in all its
At the
first
view
Tr ia
l
of these stupendous and lofty mountains, which
an enormous chain, (and which, during
stretch in
successive native dynasties, had formed the boun-
Kandian monarchs'
io
daries of the
ud
which also enabled them,
for
tenitories, and more than three
war and English
St
centuries, to set at defiance all the arts of
practised by the Portuguese, Dutch,
districts,)
F
conquerors of the maritime
We
PD
progress seems to be debarred.
all
farther
believe the
road that winds round Kadaganawa Pass can be to
sk
compared
nothing of the same construction in
times, save the Simplon
de
modern
who planned the
to
first
and the officer had innumerable difficulties ;
contend with, in the shape of
sistants,
tropical sun
those
and
unskilful
unwilling
who executed
We
labourers,
a
and unhealthy atmosphere, whilst the latter task, were aided by
willing hands, ready hearts,
sphere.
inefficient as-
know
and a genial atmo-
that the sacrifice of
human
life,
whilst clearing the dense jungle for the fonnation
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
we
of the road was immense, and that
numbers of our
77
regret to say
were claimed by
officers
death, whilst superintending the tardy hxbours of
the natives, in the discharge of
A
series of views of the
tlieir duties.
most magnificent and
varied character open forth as the mountain
cended
;
bounded by dense
forests,
and
rocks, whilst
Tr ia
l
lands,
is as-
on either side of wliich appear cultivated
the clearness of the atmosphere enables the traveller to see the undulating lowlands stretching far
into the distance.
As
tain are climbed,
ravines and fissures are
mounwound
ud
io
the steep sides of the
on one
St
round, and often a perpendicular mountain rears its lofty crest
side,
and descends in the Sometimes a
F
same manner on the opposite. head, as
PD
brawling waterfall appears over the
traveller's'
threatening instant annihilation, by
if
sk
hurling him into the deep abyss below
;
then the
de
road will become so narrow^ that there appears to
be scarcely room stand
and
on,
sufficient
the
for
the vehicle to
strongest nerves
may be
shaken, as the eye glances below at the steep precipice, rolling,
down which some crumbling
loosened by the coach-wheels.
earth
To
is
this
circumscribed path, upon turning the next angle,
succeeds a wide road and view of the surrounding country
— terminated
by the Blue mountains
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
78
whose towering heads blend with
in the distance,
Adam's Peak rearing
the azure heavens,
notice
during
Pass
nearly incredible
is
of
and beautiful scenery, brought under
sublime
down
ing
The combination
above his fellows.
crest
his lofty
the
ascent
frightful
of
the
Kadaganawa
roaring toiTcnts dash-
;
from whose sides
abysses,
Tr ia
l
spring enormous trees, and at whose base are lands
teeming with grain.
Terrific chasms,
and over-
hanging masses of rock, where bright coloured and,
;
attained,
when
summit of the moun-
the
ud
tain is
io
flowering shrubs have taken root, rapidly succeed
each other
and the boundless extent and
St
beauty of the prospect fully perceptible,
many
to
express their sense of the might,
PD
utterance
F
beholders of this magnificent scene cannot find
majesty, and glory of the Almighty's works, and
humiliating feeling of their
sk
tlie
The
de
freshness
si)lendour of the
of
the
own
littleness.
atmosphere, and
scenery, are admitted
by
the all,
and extolled by numberless Europeans who have ascended the Kadaganawa Pass and amongst ;
those
who
are
keenly alive to the beauties of
nature,
and consequently possessing acute
bilities,
we never knew
sensi-
one, whose feelings were
not alienated from home, or blunted by a pro-
longed residence in the East, who did not de-
II
CEYLOM AND THE CINGALESE. clare they felt saddened, as the distant
and cooler
land, they
behold again,
—while
mountains
scenes and persons in
air recalled
native
their
79
never
might possibly
they compared the moun-
tains they
were then gazing upon
England,
Ireland,
Scotland,
to those
in
A
Wales.
or
column of noble design and just proportions
is
l
placed on the summit of the mountain, erected in
Tr ia
honour of him who planned the Kadaganawa Pass.
io
The remaining portion of the route to Kandy is by many beautiful specimens of the
ud
diversified
animal and vegetable kingdoms, as numbers of
PD
F
St
monkeys belonging to different species will spoit among the branches, whilst flocks of parrots and birds with gaudy plumage will wing their way from, or settle upon, the boughs of the trees adja-
Every
sk
cent to the road-side.
young
the
which
will
assuming a from
trees,
de
be seen upon the
its
leaf, to the
tint of
verdure
is to
from the bright green of
sombre
tint of maturit}-,
gradually subside into a rich brown,
brilliant
orange colom*, before
parent stem
;
it
drops
and as the eye wanders
farther into the jungle, the trees appear to forni
one vast natural bower. Attracted
by
speckled serpent
the
warmth,
may be
occasionally
u
seen gliding from his
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
80
retreat in the
underwood,
to
enjoy the
of the sun's beams, or the reptile
round the trunk of a
itself
power
full
may entwine some wing
tree in pursuit of
lovely bird, (not sufficiently strong on the
by
to elude
deadly fangs,) or
flight the creature's
to rob the nests of the eggs, or imfledged young.
would be impossible
It
to
enumerate a
tithe of
are to be
met with
Tr ia
l
the trees appertaining to different species that in this vast
garden
;
but what
principally attracts the stranger's attention, talapat palm
the
io
large
is
that grows a short distance
ud
from the right-hand side of the road, a few miles from Kandy.
the other gigantic monarchs of the vegetable
and
it is
utterly impossible to find
F
w^orld,
St
all
This magnificent tree towers above
its
words
splendid beauty.
PD
adequate to describe
talapat, or great fan palm, is designated
The
by most
it
Licuala spinosa. Leaving those botanists to
de
call
sk
authors as Corypha umbracidifera, but some few
settle
the disputed
for disputation,
tion
of this
we
name
that have a penchant
will give a cm'sory descrip-
celebrated palm
— which
height from seventy to one hundred
varies in
feet.
The
leaves frequently measure, from the exti'emity of the stalk to the point,
and the width
more than twenty-four
feet,
varies from twelve to seventeen,
and these are used by the natives
for fans
and
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. umbrellas.
Under
81
the native kings, none save
these belonging to the highest caste were allowed to use these leaves,
and the number was fixed
that each chief, according to his rank,
The
borne before him.
was
to
have
flowers spring from the
diadem of graceful verdure that crowns the palm, blossoms being of a most exquisite pale
and continuing
three months,
bloom
in
for the space of
l
yellow,
when they gradually disappear
Tr ia
the
as
the fruit forms.*
Near
be seen the banian
tree, the
bay
and the tick seed sunflower,
io
myrtle (Myrtus), the
ud
tree (Laurus,)
this gigantic tree, are to
which bears an immense number of goldenis
a species of Coreopsis
St
coloured blossoms, and
;
F
whilst on the opposite side fragments of yellow
PD
rock are clothed with luxuriant balsams, (Impaticus coccinea,) whose delicate white, and brilliant
sk
red blossoms, stand out' in bold relief fi'om the
Ever and anon, some sportive
de
shining foliage.
gi'een lizard will dart from out the long grass,
and run across the road, or large cai'penter bees, or beetles, whose wings are resplendant with the rainbow's hues, will in their airy flight poise on the wing, preparatory to settling
upon some sweet-
scented flower, thus giving the traveller an oppor*
For a detailed account of
this
palm,
see a future
chapter
E 5
82'
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
tunity of noting their several characteristic beau-
Possibly the eye
ties.
lizard,
may
upon a small
rest
whose delicate brown skin
is
spotted like
the tiger's, or striped like the leopard's, or on a
whose peculiar formation and move-
tree frog,
ments delight as well as astonish the former may be resting tranquilly on the trunk of the ;
and the
may be
Tr ia
toes, or other small insects,
l
with extended tongue, to catch the mosqui-
tree,
latter
creeping into the cup of the beautiful blossom,
io
also in search of food.
ud
not unfrequently happens, the next strange
It
object that arrests the traveller's attention,
in this district,) the driver
PD
by
used by the govern-
F
cart, (as these creatures are
ment
the animal's side,
sk
of enforcing his
maybe
harnessed to a roughly-made
St
a tame elephant
walking quietly
unprovided with any means
commands by
severity, the
pon-
de
derous brute obeying his keeper's voice with the docility
earth
of a well-trained
and
in
air
this
little
fertile
In
child.
island
fact,
teem with
such infinite variety of natural productions, that the
man
whose
devoted to scientific pursuits, and he
sole
aim
alike a wide
is
the acquirement of wealth, find
field
for
their respective occupa-
tions.
Three miles from the town of Kandy
is
Pera-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. denia, celebrated alike for
its
83
bridge and botaniof
cal gardens; the bridge being built entirely satin
seven
wood, one noble arch of two hundred and spanning the swelling waters of the
feet,
Mahavelle-ganga.
under the
The
Botanical gardens, whilst
superintendence
were maintained
admirable condition, and every
by
that talented
was
l
afforded
facility
and courteous man,
Tr ia
in
celebrated
the
of
oriental botanist, Dr. Gardner,
for
the student or enquirer to obtain information.
io
We believe these extensive gardens contained tree,
a
indigenous
ud
specimen of every plant, shrub, or
(with the exception of the talapat
as Dr.
Gardner was indefatigable in the
tree,)
St
to the island,
fi'om the
mountainous
district,
whose
PD
mens
F
performance of his duty, and many rare speciexist-
ence w^as previously unknown, were obtained by
Among
sk
the energetic exertions of this gentleman.
the curious foreign plants in these gardens,
Madagascar, called friend,"
owing
to
by many the "
Every member of
this tribe is
but the beauty of the one
outvies
its
Traveller's
the sweet aqueous fluid
flows fi-om the sheath of the leaf
ful,
a
banana (Musa sapientum), native of
de
species of
is
that
when punctured.
exceedingly grace-
now
alluded to far
compeers, as the leaves sprout with
extreme regularity from either side of the stem,
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
84
in regular gi-adations,
each leaf elegantly droop-
ing over a lesser one, from the base to the summit
The trunk also
green as the leaves, and peculiar, as
it is flat,
specimen
we have
although tliis
formation
its
height of this extraor-
nearly eighteen feet, and,
given an exact description of
beautiful tree, Ave feel that
we have not been
able to impart an adequate idea of singularity.
lei-chee
but as we had seen them
St
attention,
did
PD
F
not feel the pecidiar interest
otherwise
might
sk
shape of which
is
delicious, varying
plum
de
small
;
have
done.
The
oval, is considered
in size
a tough,
the portion that
thin,
size,
that
fiaiit,
in
we the
extremely
from a damson to a is
eaten,
transparent jelly-like substance, that in
trees,
(Dimacarpus), usually attract
parent land growing to an enormous
this
we
excessive
its
ud
natives of China
much
The
io
and
loveliness
most
is
stems had been
if tlu'ee
The
is
same beautiful
l
dinary
the
and has a platted appear-
ance, looking exactly as regularly entwined.
is
Tr ia
of the stem.
is
a semi-
contained
when dried and can now be
rough, red rind
these fruits are very palatable,
is
:
obtained in England, but in oiu estimation the lei-chee to be eaten in perfection, should be pre-
from them by the compound as can well
served;
the jelly prepared
Chinese,
is
as delicious a
I
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The trees belonging
be imagined.
85
to this species
in the botanic gardens have not attained
admired in size
;
their
universally
are
the foliage resembles that of the laurel
and
colour,
suspended from the bark
they
nevertheless
growth,
full
is
and the
fruit
grows in bunches
stalks six or eight inches long
a rich shade of bright brown, and in
lofty as a full-grown
oak
now
Tr ia
and
large
l
China, these trees, when arrived at maturity, are as ;
those
luded to at Peradenia are only of a moderate
al-
size.
io
Although not in these gardens, we cannot refrain
ud
from noticing one of the most noble specimens of vegetation in the world, that
Mahomedan
is
and ;
St
This
giant's tree
be found in the
a tamarind
tree,
F
indicus,)
enormous
called fi-om its
PD
island.
is to
burial-ground at Putlam,
the height
is
in
this
(Tamarindus size the
ninety-eight feet,
sk
seven feet fi'om the root, the solid stem
and
is thirty-
into
de
nine feet in diameter: just above, the tree divides
feet,
two branches, one of which
and the other twenty-seven
ference.
The
size annually,
natives affirm that
and that
it is
dred-and-thirty years old. trees,
but of a smaller
jungles, but
is
twenty-one
feet in circumit
increases in
not more than a hun-
At one time tamarind
used to abound in the immense numbers have been desize,
stroyed in the formation of coffee estates, and
;
86
AND THE CINGALESE.
CEA-LON
many have been
felled to obtain their exquisitely
which
variegated timber,
often manufactured
is
into furniture.
The diva,
beautiful
as
is
and romantic as can be
depicted by the most vivid
well
Lanka
position of the former capital of
imagination
being situated in a valley, partially surrounded
of
trees,
enormous
betoken these were saplings in ages past,
girth
in height)
are nearly in the form of
when clear
waters,
enchantment than
an amphi-
shadows are reflected
their
St
and, lake's
theatre, in the
(varying from 300 to 2000 feet
io
The mountains
the
scene
is
This
reality.
more
artificial
F
like
Avhose
Tr ia
verdure
l
mountains, which are clothed in the
lofty
perpetual
ud
by
PD
lake was formed by the last tyrant monarch of
Kandy, out of paddy-fields, up
to
sk
the owners
to yield
men were compelled
which he forced ;
and many thou-
to labour without
de
sands of
him
the slightest compensation, at the embankments,
and numbers of wives were made widows, as score of the
labourers
victims
score
after
to the
unwholesome exhalations of the disturbed
stagnant waters.
Notwithstanding
fell
all
the atro-
cious associations connected with the construction of this lake,
it
is
a most refi'eshing sight,
as the silver stream extends nearly a mile and
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. quarters
three
A
the
length,
in
widest part exceeding
five
87
breadth at the
hundred and ten
feet.
winding road encircles the lake, which being
at the
base of the surrounding
hills,
is
sheltered
some measuie by them from the scorching rays of the sun consequently, Europeans can indulge in pedestrian and equestrian exercise at a later hour in the mornmg, and an earlier in
Tr ia
l
;
one in the afternoon, than they can either at Galle,
A
Colombo.
or
small
island
artificial
an
is
io
stands in the centre of the lake, on which
Kandy
ud
octagonal building that was used by the Queens as a bathing-house
had possession of the
capital,
St
of
;
since
it
the palace,
Near the lake
although the building has
and,
PD
is
F
verted into a powder-magazine.
suffered
fearfully
from the wanton
destruction
much remains
show what
still
sk
of our troops,
we have
has been con-
magnificent decorations
its
hour of pride.
de
its
The massive
press of the sculptor's
remarkable for their
art,
to
must have been
in
walls bear im-
and they are equally
solidity.
From
the ])Hlaee to
the side of the lake, runs a beautiful low trellised wall, in size,
which are perforations of every shape and
for
casions
the purpose of illumination of
public
rejoicing
and
upon
festivity
;
oc-
and
nothing can be conceived more picturesque than
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
88
the view of this low wall fi'om the opposite
Alas
we
!
grieve to say,
elegant structure
this
was fast crumbling away, and, as paired, in a comparatively short of
vestige
will
it
Kandy
of interest in
The
remain.
it
time not a
them
we omit
of
insalubrious, as
is
rmming
io
and the
lies
effluvia
from
ud
streets,
it
at either side
filth,
especially after rain,
St
of the principal
Improvements were
these receptacles of is
l
Kandy
o])en drains
in a basin,
will
especial
Tr ia
The town
objects
and tombs
of the kings, and as a full account of
given in a future chapter,
not re-
is
great
are the temples
be mention of them here.
hill.
absolutely pestiferous.
F
commenced, by covered drains being constnicted,
PD
and stagnant waters drained off, but as bour proceeds in Ceylon in an inverse ever)
it
will
ratio to
be years before
these sanitary measures are
de
(if
sk
the growth of vegetation,
all la-
effected.
present town consists of two main streets
The
Colombo and Trincomalee
called
and and the principal market
foi-mer running east
south
;
Streets,
west, the latter north
the
and
for edibles is
situated in the middle of the intersecting roads.
On
either
side
shops, Avhere
of the
the
streets
are
indolent owners
small open sit
chewing
betel, being almost too lazy to serve a customer
89
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. with their wares, oriental customs
presenting a correct type of
Spread upon
and productions.
small wicker trays, are
sorts of spices,
all
romid black peppercorn
the small
from oval
to the
nutmeg and long pipe of brown cinnamon
;
in-
termixed with these, are heaps of brilliant red
are
and golden turmerick, whilst suspended bunches of the
l
rice,
chillies,
Tr ia
white
from the roof
green and yellow plantains, and mat bags containing curry stuffs, coffee,
and
sugar.
In one
a pile of oranges and citrons,
io
may be
corner
ud
whilst the others are occupied with
and undivested of
covering.
Occasionally
cocoa-nuts
then* exterior green
St
divested
these
articles
are
so
almost tempted to believe an
is
PD
that one
F
an'anged, and the colours blend so harmoniously, artist's
hand alone could thus have placed them. buyer approaches one of these recepta-
sk
When a
and the proprietor
is sufficiently
de
cles,
roused from
employment of betel-chewing, to state ]mce of the required commodity, a wordy
his favourite
the
war immediately ensues, let
him
traffick in the
for the native purveyor,
cheapest
est jewel, invariably asks article
he has
probability stufi'
for sale.
requires
fruit,
or the costli-
double the value of the
The
native buyer in all
a fanam's-worth of curry
or spice, double the
amount
is
asked, until
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
90 fraction
by
agreed
to
fraction
is
abated, and the just price
be taken
;
each, party chaffering with
as
much vehemence,
as
if
three
and
energy,
gesticulation,
thousand rix-dollars were
at stake,
instead of three-halfpence.
During the Kandian monarchy, the
relatives
and connexions of the royal family resided
in
Tr ia
l
a particular district, situated in a south-easterly
and palace,
direction from the principal temple
now
is
called
ruling despot invariably
Malabar
deeming
The
Street.
it
io
and which
essential to
ud
be prepared for rebellion, naturally placed
upon his relatives. The Kandian laws forbade to
constmct
F
and chiefs
St
liance
PD
bricks, or kabook, or to roof
save the nobles
all
their
re-
dwellings
them with
with
tiles,
or
them from the ground the domiciles composed of a compound of mud and sticks, called waretchie, and roofed with platted cocoa-nut leaves, or paddy to elevate
;
de
sk
of all of inferior rank being
straw. \^"as
A Kandian
chief informed us the following
the original plan of the city
;
all
the streets,
including the principal, being five in number,
ran in straight lines, inclining from west and east to the north, forming a triangle based
by
the artificial lakes.
There are a few good shops where European
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
91
can be obtained in Kandy, but on account of the expense attendant upon inland
aiticles
The
transit, the prices are exorbitant.
religious
and public buildings are of the same deColombo, but their number materially less. A very handsome church was
edifices
scription as those at is
by subscription, and consecrated by the Chapman, the present and
built
Bishop of Colombo.
Previously to the erec-
tion of this edifice, divine service
Tr ia
first
l
pious prelate, Dr.
was performed
Kandy
for the reception of
which was, and is
ambassadors,
used also as the Court-house.
garrisoned by a detachment of our
St
The town
is,
ud
kings of
by the
io
in the Hall of Audience, formerly used
and of the Ceylon Rifles, the barracks ample accommodation for a large number of soldiers. Near the tombs of
PD
F
troops,
for both affording
sk
the kings are the artillery barracks, situated in
a most picturesque spot, the grounds of which
and many
stocked with flowering shrubs,
de
are
European vegetables, by the
that are reared
and tended
soldiers with the greatest care
taking pride
in,
;
the
men
and bestowing extreme attention
upon, the well-kept garden.
Scattered over the
lower hills are some houses of a better descrip-
have been erected within the last few and are inhabited by the government em-
tion, that
years,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
92
ployes and Europeans.
and
commodious,
are
Although these dwellings built
in
comparatively
one most essential
salubrious spots, they have
drawback, namely, want of a plentiful supply of
good water water
for as gneiss forms the
;
difficult to
is
bed of Kandy,
obtain in certain situations,
being particularly scarce on the
hill sides.
for
the
en-
is
and,
the representative of the Sovereign
of Great Britain.
treme value upon
F
although this
PD
is
frequently
It is
that
a fact of which most
Eastern nations place ex-
St
are cognisant,
too
who
Asiatics,
is
io
is
abode of one
government of
with the
moreover,
Tr ia
calculated trusted
only structure in Ceylon that
the
is
ud
lion,
l
His Excellency's residence, called the Pavi-
all
appliances of state,
the
admitted theoretically,
disregarded
practically,
it
is
and
de
sk
we have heard the remark made many times, both by highland and lowland nobles, that the Queen's House of Colombo "was plenty small for gi-eat
man,
all
same Rajah."
Surely
it
is
unwise to practise niggardly parsimony in such matters, giving a people,
quered,
and wish
to
(whom we have
our notions of wealth and power,) tion that
suitable
we
con-
impress with an idea of the convic-
either cannot, or will not provide
residences for the
sent to rule over them.
Governors who are
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
The Queen's House
at
93
Kandy was planned by
Lieut.-Colonel Brown, R.E., and built while Sir
Edward Barnes was Governor. is
This building
composed of a centre and two wings, which
form in the rear three sides of a square,
is
elegant
and commodious, combining every requisite
for
a dwelling in a tropical climate, and beautiful architectural
proportions.
The
house
sur-
is
surface
of this
handsome
edifice
Tr ia
l
rounded by regular coUonades, and, as the entire encrusted
is
whole
of
io
with a preparation that bears a high polish, the the building has the
appearance of
commands a view
The
pavi-
of the principal part of
St
lion
ud
being constructed of white marble.
the town, as well as an extensive prospect of the
and
it
F
;
PD
adjacent country
would have been immore advantageous
possible to have selected a in
every way.
sk
site
The house
stands
in
the
centre of a large lawn, about which are planted
trees
:
de
at regular intervals
groups of magnolia and palm
the park-like grounds cover a large space,
and are well stocked with flowering kept in excellent order. sides of the hills,
exotics,
The park extends
and
to the
and beautiful views of the moun-
tain landscape valley of
Doombera, and the mean-
dering river are obtained. But in the centre of this lovely valley stands a gentle elevation,
on which
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
94 is
a large and solitary tree, that recalls mournful
recollections, for it
was
called Davie's tree
is
it
and
;
1803 the fearful massacre
in this vicinity in
of our poor soldiers took place, occasioned by the cowardice
them, Major Davie his country
The
who commanded man who alike disgraced
of the ;
officer
a
and humanity.
beautiful grounds were planned
round the
Pavilion
is
still
name
Lady Horton's
l
in the rear of the
and known only by the
called,
ud
of
hills
Tr ia
that winds
io
Sir
laid
Wilmot Horton, Edward Barnes, and the road
out during the government of Sir
who succeeded
and
road.
The
rapid suc-
St
cession of magnificent views that meet the eye
from this mountain path are most glorious, as the
PD
F
rapid waters of the Mahavelle ganga flow below, the forest-clothed mountains, and
hills,
on which
sk
every tint and variety of foliage are to be dis-
From
de
cerned. to the
the
main road, a minor path leads
one that encircles the lake of Kandy, (whose
level is sixteen
hundred and
fifty feet
above the
ocean,) the height of the mountain immediately
over is
it,
being three thousand
A
feet.
mile beyond
the rocky ridge of Hantanna, which
thousand three Hoonasgiri
hundred
again
feet high
towers above
;
the
this,
is
four
Peak of and the
summit of the Knuckles, then proudly rears
its
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. loft}'^
crest towards
95
the heavens above
all,
the
height of this mountain exceeding six thousand
one hundred
feet.
From
Lady
other parts of
Horton's road, various mountains are perceptible, besides those already enumerated, whose altitude varies fi'om three to five thousand feet; but al-
though we can give the heights of the eminences,
Tr ia
l
we cannot impart an idea of the transcendant sublimity and grandeur of the scenery that surrounds Kandy. Citadel,
Kandy,
is
or stronghold of our troops at
situated
io
The
upon one-tree
hill,
ud
cating by signals with Atgallee, which
communiis
distant
and
a military station of great importance, as
is
F
stands upon rising ground that
PD
it
St
seven and a half miles on the Trincomalee road,
vast extent of country,
and
commands
this part
sk
the utmost service during the late rebellion.
On
approached by mountain and through one of these ran the cele-
every side
is
de
passes
Kandy
a
proved of
;
brated Kurunaigalla tunnel, w^hich was five hun-
dred and thirty-seven feet in length.
through the tunnel united at
The road
the base of the
mountain, with the principal route to Colombo thus enabling troops advancing on Kandy, to heights
near the Kadaganawa Pass.
tunnel was
constructed by order of Sir
turn the
This
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
9j8
Edward Barnes, British
power
session
;
to consolidate,
after
so to speak, the
Kandy came
for a legend has
into
our pos-
been extant, from time
immemorial, that no foreign power could
re-
Kandian dominions, until a path was BORED THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN. And a chief tain the
when they saw
countrymen beheld
his
their hearts
failed
through the bowels of the earth,
was
their destiny to
be ruled by a nation who
io
it
them, but,
men walking they then knew
completed, and
it
this
l
when
task commenced,
Tr ia
told us, that
The tunnel
w^as
ud
could pierce rocks, and undermine mountains.
completed on the 8th of De-
St
cember, 1823, but we regret to say this has
and the road
is
impassable.
F
(collapsed,
and bridges,
PD
tunnel, the principal carriage roads,
now This
never could have been constructed, had not the
sk
system of compulsory labour been adopted by
de
our government, as the native
it
By
dynasty.
Council, in 1832,
had been carried on under
all
order of the King in
compulsory
services,
and
forced labovn* of every description was declared illegal
and abolished.
Whilst making the exca-
some
vations for the tunnel,
rare
and valuable
gems were discovered, and the only ruby we have ever seen without flaw or defect in colour,
was fomid
at that period.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
97
Wild animals and game abound in the neighbourhood of Kandy, as the jungles and forests afford them safe retreat. For as the surrounding country consists alike of mountains and valleys, hills
and
dales,
woods and
rivers
plains,
and
streamlets, every animal from the elephant to the
cheetah, every bird from the peacock to the snipe,
l
every reptile from the python to the centipede,
Tr ia
or amphibious guano, can find secure shelter in
one or other of their respective haunts. have known discredit cast upon an
io
who
stated that during Sir
Edward Barnes'
ud
tion,
We
officer's asser-
government, he had heard continually after nightthe shrill cry of the elephant, and bellowing
St
fall,
F
of the elk, in the jungle behind,
and
certain
was
strictly
that every syllable of this statement
as
;
we have heard Kandians
sk
correct
close to the
We feel
PD
Governor's temporary residence.
affirm, that
de
formerly beasts of prey would constantly come into the city during the night,
when pressed by
hunger, and that leopards have often been found
drowned
in the wells.
Much
that surrounded the town is
of the dense jungle
now
cleared away,
but we can positively declare that very recently
a cheetah was seen close to a dwelling-house, in
the
early part of the
shouts of the servants, VOL.
I.
day, and, despite the
pounced ujion a large F
"^
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
98
turkey, deliberately walking off with his prize,
not bounding, into the neighbouring plantation.
we
Neither can
forget that during our residence
Kandy, a cobra capello was seen within a hundred yards of our abode, nor that we killed in
a black scoi-pion, tribe,)
fully
nine
(the
most venomous of
inches
in
length,
in
this
the
which we mistook
for
a piece of stick,
Tr ia
reptile,
l
verandah, narrowly escaping treading upon the
nor that we were roused from our slumbers by
crawling
kill
up the bed-post under the mosquito
sk
PD
F
St
curtains.
de
who was endea-
an enormous centipede, that was
ud
vouring to
io
the efforts of a favourite dog,
— •
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Route
to
Trincomalee
l Tr ia
V.
io
CHAPTER
1)9
—Native
suspension bridge— Caves
Dambool
ud
of construct—Remains of tanks— —Hot wells— Temperature of the waters— Beneficial application in certain diseases Legend attached the waters — Coast and harboiu- of Trincomalee — Situation, longitude — Size of har— Fort of Trincomalee — Town — Buildings — Troops— Insalubrity of the climate — Trincomalee named in ancient records — Colony of Malabars established there 125 A.D. — Interesting religious ceremony on the promontoiy in honour of Siva— the memory of Francina van Rhede — Melancholy lustory — Fantastic appearance of the Quartz Rocks—Principal roads. of
Ditficulty
PD
to
F
St
ing a portion of the road
latitude,
de
sk
boxu-
befoi-e
The in is
route from
Pillar to
Kandy
objects of novelty
to
and
situated six miles from
Trincomalee abounds interest
;
the
first
one
Kandy, and consists of
a cane suspension bridge, thrown over the DeF 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
100
The
deioo-oya.
medium
construction
of this
of a rapid stream, evinces alike the
and readiness of the natives of those
fragile
of oomnumieation to the opposite sides
means most
ingenuity
to avail themselves
and calcu-
easily obtained,
lated for their purpose.
This
structure
is
composed of
cable-rattan,
two
hundred yards
;
and
varies but little in thickness
from one end to the other,
The
and tough.
is
extremely
bridge
is
light,
commenced
io
flexible,
Tr ia
l
which frequently grows to the length of
entwining canes a few feet apart round the
ud
b}'
trunks of two large trees that grow on the oppo-
banks of the stream, and whose branches the river
;
when
the required
number
F
bend over
St
site
securely fastened in this manner,
PD
of canes are
portions of the same material are laid across to
sk
form the path, which
is
the
same breadth as the Rattans
de
circumference of the stems of the trees. are then placed at a sufFicient height
hand-rails,
by
thin
these
From
form
being attached to the bridge
bamboos, or
and retain the
to
sticks,
rails in their
which
alike support
proper place.
the overhanging boughs are suspended
cane or coir ropes, which are attached to the bridge,
thus
strengthening
lessening the vibration.
the
The
structure,
means
and
of ascent
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. are
101
by a ladder composed of the same materials,
which
rests against the
trees
and
;
fearlessness
men
trunks of the opposite
perfectly astonishing to see the
is
it
with
which
women,
or
children,
can-ying heavy burthens, will cross one of
these aerial structures.
from Kandy
Dambool, Buddhist
miles
rock cave temples, which
among
may
the wonders of the
world,
as they are
perseverance,
skill,
io
complete specimens of man's
almost be classed
Tr ia
Thirty-five
l
is
near which place are the celebrated
The remains
once
fertilized
by
their waters
now
suffered to
fall
of tanks,
ud
and ingenuity. *
St
into decay,
whole
that
districts,
becoming choked
up with dense underwood and rank vegetation
F
are continually passed
causing
sensations
and pain, that our government
such sources
sk
suffer
;
PD
sui-prise
of wealth
to
of
sliould
become
the
focus of disease, instead of having them repaired,
de
and applying them
to the
purpose
for
which they
were constructed.
The
last thirty miles of the
road are peculiarly
interesting to the antiquarian, as they lie through
a
foiest,
in
which are scattered remains
temples, tanks,
and
villages.
The
officer
of
who
* For tbe detailed account of these extiaordiuary exmvatious, see the chapter devoted to the autiqiiities.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
102
traced tins portion of the road, had to overcome
and endure both
innumerable
difficulties,
and privation
in the performance
nearly the whole
was traced
fi"om
great difficulty
of this
was
portion
of the
summit of the
the
toil
of his task, as
experienced
road
trees,
and
obtaining
in
number of men was indefatigable in his exertions, and the road was completed in an incredibly short time and we cannot do better than quote his own words, showing the obstacles he had to surmount, and the sufficient
water for
the large
employed.
Captain Atchison
;
remains
ud
io
Tr ia
l
necessarily
of
brought
to
St
light.
"The
that were
civilization
ruins of Wihares (temples), remains of
PD
F
deserted villages, tanks, and other remnants of antiquity, prove that the vast wilderness of beau-
new
and valuable
forest-trees
through which the
sk
tiful
line of road passes, heretofore
supposed a
de
trackless desert, obnoxious to the existence of
man, and
destitute
of
water and
once contained a considerable
whose labours an extensive
inhabitants,
population,
tract
of
by
irrigated
lands was regularly cultivated."
Seven miles from Trincomalee, near a ridge of
wooded
hills,
are the hot springs of
Kanya
:
there are seven wells of various sizes, containing
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. pure water, the temperature of which
is
103 uuequal,
the thermometer ranging in different wells from
The
100° to
112^^.
are, is
about forty feet long, and eighteen wide,
enclosure in which the springs
being surrounded
by a wall of kabook, each
The
well likewise having a low embankment. of the waters
taste
is
not unpleasant, although
they are not drank, the natives believing only in exter-
l
when applied
Tr ia
their restorative qualities,
nally.
These waters are considered
efficacious
in
chatties
of water are
springs are
PD
The
person.
F
whilst
is by affiision, upon a square stone tablet,
of using these waters
invalid standing
St
The mode tlie
their application.
ud
men recommend
our medical
io
cutaneous and rheumatic diseases, and some of
poured
over
deemed sacred by
his
the
and under the especial protection of Ganeesa, (the Hindoo god of wisdom,) to whom is
erected a temple near the spot, and in
is
a stone statue of the god; and the fol-
de
there
sk
natives,
which
lowing legend
is
extant
among
the natives re-
garding the origin of the springs,
which they
view with awe and reverence.
The
god, Vishnu, being resolved to prevent the
hero King, Rawana, going to war, with one of his devotees, assumed the form of a venerable man,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
104
and appeared before the monarch, just as he was
tations
and with loud lameninformed him that his mother, Kanya, was
dead.
The
setting forth to battle,
king,
deeply
afflicted,
immediately
ordered his soldiers to their homes, stating that
he could not go forth
war
to
until the solemnities
and ablutions were gone through that were en-
might
be
monarch,
for
deceased
fearing
but,
his
Tr ia
Vishnu disappeared,
encountered
accidentally
relatives.
favourite
l
joined to be performed
by
the
he went to the bath, caused the hot
if
io
springs to burst forth on the spot, and as the
and from that time have
St
appeased his wrath,
ud
king laved his person, the waters miraculously
never ceased to flow
;
being called Kanya, after
of the coast
PD
The beauty
F
the mother of the monarch.
and harbour of Trin-
sk
eomalee has been expatiated upon by many, and the eulogies bestowed
upon the immense
tracts
de
of inland forests, groves of palmyi*a palms, ad-
jacent country, and bold shores, are fully merited.
Trincomalee vince,
and
is
is
the
capital of the lat. 8°
situated in
in long.
81° 13' 2" east,
which
invaluable for
size
;
is
naval
•
men have
eastern pro-
33' 5" north,
and
possessing a harbour
its safety,
position,
and
declared in our presence,
the greater portion of our men-of-war could find
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE. room, and ride in
with the utmost security.
it
The inner harbour
lOO
or
bay
land-locked, and
is
being nearly unfathomable, vessels of every class
can there find shelter from, and in the most violent storms.
The entrance
to the
harbour
nearly five miles
is
wide, and lies between Foul Point on the south-
and Fort Frederick on the north-west, the
east,
Norway Point
south-west,
the
to
the
to
northward.
the principal depot for
is
St
this
Indian navy, as there
is
tlie
an excellent dockyard
F
arsenal, capable of holding
and
refitting the
PD
and
Chapel
io
Trineomalee harbour
During war,
ud
denly,
and
when it expands sudand forms Great Bay to the southward,
Island on the north-west,
and
Tr ia
l
width gi'adually decreasing to three miles between
largest man-of-war. fort of
Trineomalee extends over a space
sk
The
exceeding three and a half miles, and commands
de
the entrance to the inner bay
;
within the walls
are buildings, erected for the defence of the low
ground by the landing-place. of Trineomalee sea,
and on
is
a
cliff
Three miles west
which projects into the
this is the citadel called Fort
burgh, which
is
built
Osna-
exclusivel}^ for the defence
of the harbour, and which cannot be taken, until the lower fort has been captured. F 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
106
The town easterly
of Trincomalee extends in a north-
along the outer bay, being
dh-ection,
situated in a well-wooded, hilly country,
Although the population
when compared with they are at the
Colombo, the houses
much
greater extent than
seat of government, settled
quently the society
is
l
who
io
ud
native j)opulation
is
are stationed
composed
chiefly of
who pay comparatively
St
Malabars and Moors,
to agi'icultural pursuits,
attention
few
restricted to the families of
there.
little
but
Trincomalee, conse-
at
the military and civil officers
The
extremely limited
is
Tr ia
Europeans have
is
that of
scattered over a
are
and
by a wide esplanade.
separated from the fort
conse-
F
quently large tracts of valuable land remain un-
The government
PD
cultivated.
;
offices are
for the
compa-
the religious edifices are calculated
sk
ratively few
accommodation of much larger congrega-
de
tions than are likely ever to
their walls, as,
fill
from the insalubrity of the climate, few Euro-
peans would reside sity
and
at
compels them
Roman
Catholics
jjlaces of worship,
their temples
The
fort is
Trincomalee unless neces-
to
do
so.
The Wesleyans
have each appropriate
and the natives likewise have
and mosques. garrisoned by a detachment of our
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. soldiers,
and the Ceylon
Rifles,
107
and our troops
evince great dislike to being sent to this station,
and excessive heat of
as the enervating nature
the climate, the thermometer ranging from to 91°
throughout the year,
74",
almost incapacitate
Europeans from exerting themselves, especially when encumbered with a soldier's uniform and Occasionally spasmodic cholera
accoutrements.
break out suddenly in a most virulent form,
Tr ia
l
will
attacking and destroying alike in
a few hours
the European and the
drunken and
native, the
ud
io
the sober, the brave man and the coward, the happy and the wretched, and after committing
Never-
always more
prevalent in
theless,
cholera
is
suddenly cease.
St
fearful ravages will as
of Ceylon.
we
are
appears to
it is
on
spot,
de
ages, as this
to
credit
traditions,
Trincomalee
have been well known in the earliest
sk
If
PD
F
Trincomalee and Jaffnapatam, than in other parts
stated there
that
continent of India.
was a temple erected
was celebrated
all
over the
Brahminical records declare
that in the earliest wars of the gods, three of the
peaks of the Maha-meru, or abode of beings,
were
thrown
down,
various parts of the earth,
and
celestial
and driven
into
that one of thestf
108 is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Trincomalee, and that
it
immediately became
the abode of Siva, or Eiswara.
The
Manoo
heir apparent of
Salen, sovereign
of the Coroniandel coast, hearing of the sanctity of Trincomalee,
his
left
dominions,
father's
erected a temple to the god, on the summit of the rock,
chief
built a town,
governor
the
constituted
of the
city
a Malabar
and adjacent
emigrants to settle there.
Tr ia
l
country, inviting his father's subjects and other
This
is
stated to have
occurred 1589 B.C., and, although this early date
io
cannot be authenticated by the testimony of con-
Tamil tongue that profess
in the
St
works
ud
temporary writers, the Malabars possess several scribe the beauty of this temple
F
buildings.
Cingalese
PD
historical
to de-
and other sacred
records to
some extent
corroborate the Tamil, as they say their King,
de
sk
Gaja Bahoo, who reigned between 1 13 A.D., and 125, gave rice-fields and lands as endowments
to the
temple for entertaining the inten-
tion of destroying the fane of Siva,
anew one account
to
Buddha
also states that
natives of the
sent
them
to
and building
The Cingalese Gaja Bahoo took the
in its place.
Coromandel coast prisoners, and Trincomalee
;
whilst
the
Tamil
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. writers their
a
declare that at
had
forefathers
much
109 period,
earlier
voluntarily emigrated
to
this spot.
Without attempting
to
flicting statements, it is
in the
con-
these
reconcile
an indisputable fact, that
second century of our
reign of the Cingalese
and during the
era,
monarch, Gaja Bahoo,
a colony was established at Trincomalee, and
at
many
it
of the Malabars
l
rather remarkable that
Tr ia
is
Trincomalee can distinctly trace back their
pedigree to the period above named.
the fort
io
The promontory on which
is
dedicated to his
first
oriental
temple
to)
was
scholars maintain
that
son before alluded
sk
Siva means desti-oyer, whilst Wilson,
who
is
no
authority, states in his Sanscrit dictionary,
de
mean
is
Avith
by the Prince Kala-
F
Some
erected.
service,
king's
PD
(the
built
by the god's worshippers, as
they believe that on this spot the
kootu
is
regarded
St
peculiar veneration
ud
dedicated to Siva, and this rock
that Eiswara, the ancient designation for Siva,
is
" an universal spirit."
Although every vestige of the temple has long since been obliterated, at stated periods oblations are offered to the
god on the presumed
his original temple.
Brahmin
priest
site
of
Shortly before sunset, the
ascends the rock,
wearing a
no
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
peculiar costume for the occasion, which consists of a yellow cloth twisted round his loins, and a
chaplet of large and many-coloured beads
bound
The
climbs
around his brow.
to a lofty part of the
officiating priest
rock that overhangs the
sea; the subordinate priests standing upon the
adjacent crags, some of the worshippers ranging
themselves by their side, whilst others stand or
priest
Tr ia
The
l
kneel in more secure situations.
performs various ablutions,
first
then makes several low salaams towards a deep in the rock, (in
which the deluded beings
io
chasm
that rolls below
;
sun.
then again bows lowly to the in
a devotional attitude gazing
So soon as the sun touches the
PD
upon the
ocean
F
chasm, and stands
into the fathomless
St
and betel leaves
ud
suppose the god they worship dwells,) casting rice
censer
sk
waters, a subordinate priest hands a species of to
his superior,
who holds
the
de
above his head with one hand, waving fi'o
in the air
;
it
vessel to
and
he then ignites the incense, which
being composed of inflammable and fragrant preparation, bursts instantaneously into lurid flames, diffusing a powerful perfume around.
When
flame has subsided, the priest casts two
cocoa-nuts into the
ocean,
the
young
and receives
the
oblations and offerings of the congi'egation, for
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
When
the god.
111
these have been collected, both
and people make low reverences, in the
priests
direction of the chasm,
and the
service concludes
with a few muttered words from the officiating
Brahmin.
The
flowers,
and cocoa-nuts, and,
l
presented, the coins are generally
This ceremony
copper.
from
is
undoubtedly
is
is
Tr ia
when money it
of
value, as they consist of small quantities of
rice, betel leaves,
as
the devotees are
remarkably interesting,
one of great antiquity
;
and,
being performed upon a lofty precipice, o'er the deep,
ud
whose steep sides beetle
io
little
made by
offerings
and wildness about
and
it,
that bears a stronger
F
nity to romance, than to the realities of
affi-
life.
PD
As recently as 1622, an extensive range temples
dedicated
sk
the Portuguese,
de
possession,
and
to
Siva,
were
levelled
when Trincomalee was they
to the construction
applied
at
of mystery
St
the hour of sunset, has a character
the
of
by
in their
materials,
of a portion of the
fortifi-
cations.
Above
the part of the promontory where the
officiating priest
mental
pillar,
worships the god,
erected to the
memory
is
a monu-
of Francina
van Rhede, who in 1687 committed suicide by leaping from a projecting crag.
A
lengthy in-
112
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
scription
was
originally carved
but time and exposure
upon
pillar,
tlie
elements have
the
to
nearly obliterated the whole, leaving merely the
name,
and a few words
date,
has handed
down
visible.
Tradition
and
the cause of the sinful act,
some descendants of the
lady's family are
still
in Ceylon.
in the
government
had formed an attachment
an
to
sei-vice
and
;
Tr ia
Dutch gentleman
the daughter of a
l
Francina van Rhede was
in the
officer
army, which was sanctioned by her father, and
was
fixed for the celebration of the nup-
io
the day
and other matters being
St
of the bride's dowry,
ud
Misunderstandings arose as to the amount
tials.
disputed, the intended bridegi'oom broke
girl,
The
after
the
obtained leave to return
unfortunate
PD
Europe.
and misguided
rendered desperate by the desertion of her
lover,
resolved that
sk
to
F
match, and shortly
ofi"
he
de
island during her lifetime
should ;
not leave the
and, having obtained
information as to the time of the ship's sailing,
watched
from her
chamber-window the
spread that were to waft
him from
the
sails
cinnamon
isle.
Before clearing the coast, the vessel was compelled to tack, and pass close to the precipices that
bound
the southern part of the Fort.
For
113
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. this
moment
she had watched
she rushed from
;
her dwelling, darted along the edge of the
under which the swift vessel was gliding, instant balanced
cliffs,
for
an
on an overhanging crag, then,
with a wild exclamation of revengeful despair,
leaped from the giddy height, and was dashed against the rocks below.
With some
difficulty,
her mangled remains were collected, by the order receive christian
Tr ia
burial
l
of her heart-broken father, to
we can only hope the act was perpetrated during temporary as that alone can extenuate the com-
and, although
;
io
of self-murder insanity,
ud
mission of so fearful a crime, we have often
St
surprise that the family should have
rated so awful an occurrence
felt
commemo-
by the erection of
Some
PD
F
a pillar in this conspicuous situation. of the quartz rocks at Trincomalee have
a low
sk
a most picturesque appearance from the sea, and hill,
(that extends a distance of nearly
de
miles,) from Chapel Point
to the opposite
two
one of
Fort Ostenburgh, has a fantastic and singular aspect.
The
sides of the rock are precipitous,
being perfectly bare, standing out like denuded veins, exhibiting a strong similitude to the ruins
and columns of ancient monastic
edifices.
The
principal route through the island ends at Trin-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
114
comalee
;
for
though roads diverge
at various
points both at Galle, Colombo, and Kandy, the
main road commences
former town and
latter.
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
terminates at the
at the
—
CEYLON AND THK CINGALESE.
CHAPTER
—The
VI.
Tr ia
l
115
io
—The road the — Convalescent station estahlished 1829 — Cascades of Ramhodde Newera EUia a royal residence in 1628 — Scenery— European aspect of the dwellings — Vegetation—The town Public buildings — Salubrity of the climate—Farming periments— Great and soU of Newera EUia— Proposed plan of emigration — Price of stock and produce —Iron found on the plain— Carnage roads— Footthe summit of Pedi'o-taUa galla— Horton Plains, path the highest table-land in Ceylon— Luxuriant specimens or pitcher plant— Nelu, or of the Nepenthes sanatorium of the island
ud
Newera EUia
Mountain conflagration
for
PD
F
St
military,
de
to
ex-
fertile
sk
capabilities
distUlatoria,
honey plant.
The
road to Newara Ellia, the sanitoriura and
convalescent military station of Ceylon, (called
by the natives the City of the Plain,) commences at the
Peredenia bridge, three miles from Kandy,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
116
whence
it
runs through
tlie
mountainous parts of
which are celebrated
the island,
Cingalese
in
records from being connected with the names of the heroes,
The
Rama, Rawana, and
the lovely Seeta.
route winds round precipitous slopes, the
recesses of which, from their peculiar formation, are called the Devil's Punchbowls, and, during
the whole of the journey, wide-spread valleys,
Tr ia
l
gently undulating ground, flowing rivers, towering
mountains, gushing cascades, and a well-wooded
delighted traveller.
io
country, are passed in quick succession by the
Moreover, the invigorating
enables
an
St
reached,
exquisite scenery
European
enjoy
to
Some
comfort.
will
the journey in the after part of the
PD
commence
in
F
the
ud
coolness of the atmosphere, as the higher ground is
day, remaining at Gampola, twelve miles from is
sk
Kandy, (where there
the
in the island,) for the express
best
Rest-house
purpose of witness-
de
ing the sublime spectacle of a mountain conflagration,
which frequently occurs during the hot
and dry season.
The mountain pala,
of
Ambulawe overhangs Gam-
and the coarse vegetation which clothes
frequently ignites spontaneously
:
much
it
of the
grass grows to a height of seven or eight feet,
being distributed over the
hill
in patches
;
this
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
117
peculiar herbage being one of the characteristic
productions of Ceylon,
lemon-grass,
called
Andrapogon Schsenanthus, and
or
in this part of the
island generally covers the hills that are not over-
underwood and jungle.
gi'own with
The appearance magnificent
of this burning grass
is
most
a lurid flame suddenly bursts forth
:
mountain, and the con-
flagi'ation
Tr ia
l
in distinct spots over the
goes on rapidly against the wind, the
breeze causing the long grass to bend towards the flames, which drying
instantaneously, im-
io
it
bome
aloft
with the volume of dense
means
fire
PD
of grass, set
or,
;
F
illumine the atmosphere tufts
light.
the blaze has subsided, myriads of sparks,
St
When
ud
mediately ignites, casting around a lurid
to
falling
them
smoke,
upon other
also.
By
these
the conflagration extends, a loud crackling
sk
sound being perceptible
in the
immediate neigh-
de
bourhood, and in the distance a roaring hollow sound, until the advancing flames are arrested by the dense
woods
that clothe each ravine.
appears extraordinary
is,
Andrapogon Schaenanthus
are
neither
nor desti'oyed by the conflagi^ation, two-days' rain,
;
and
in
the
injured
for, after
a
from the midst of the calcined and
blackened masses the young shoots forth
What
that the roots of
will burst
a week the whole mountain will be
CEYLON
118
A.ND
THE CINGALESE.
again dotted over with patches of waving grass of the most brilliant green.
Newera
Ellia
was
visited
first
by Dr. Davy
in
1819, and, although he at once saw and stated the
be contended with in the formation of the
io
to
Tr ia
l
immense advantages to be derived from its salubrious and temperate atmosphere, it was not until ten years had elapsed that a military convalescent station was established on this spot, and this desirable measure was adopted in 1829 by Sir Edward Barnes. Many serious difficulties had from Rambodde to the
ud
latter part of the road, as
plains the route through the pass
St
clined plane, which ascends
Even now much
PD
enced in keeping the road in repair, ally
masses of
soil
on an
and stones
is
experi-
for continu-
roll
from the
sk
mountain's sides and block up the path. rather singular that
it
in-
one foot in every
difficulty
F
fourteen.
is
It is
should have been during
de
the government of Sir Edward Barnes that nearly
every important road in Ceylon was either com-
menced
or completed,
and these vast undertak-
ings were carried into execution before the abolition of compulsory labour.
The cascades
of
Rambodde
are
superb,
and
during the rainy season the vast volume of the torrents that dash
down
is
incredible, the noise
6
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. waterfalls being
of the
heard
119
distinctly
Near Rambodde
considerable distance.
lovely valley of Kotmaale, through vphich
ders
stream,
a flowing
at
a
the
is
mean-
whose waters possess
peculiar efficacy, according to the superstitious belief of the natives
woman
as they assert that whatever
;
bathes in the river within three months
becomes a
be blessed with a
wife, will
numerous, and fortunate family.
beautiful,
From
Rambodde Pass
the summit of
Newera Ellia
is
the
first
obtained, which
io
clear view of
about six thousand three hundred feet above
the sea
and, although
;
ud
lies
Tr ia
l
after she
it is
called a plain,
St
not such in reality, as a chain of
hills,
running
unequally.
took possession of this place, in 1829,
PD
When we
it
is
F
from south-west to north-east, divide
it
the only vestiges found of former occupants were
sk
the remains of a temple,
although
it
de
ings,
Queen
of
Kandy,
is
an
and one or two buildhistorical fact, that the
in 1628, here took
up a tempo-
rary abode after her second marriage,
was compelled
to leave the capital
when
she
by the Portu-
guese.
Game abounds Iftie
in
this district,
and
it
was
in
pursuit of elk that a party of our officers dis-
covered the plains, some natives having volunteered to
conduct them to a spot where the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
1-20
The boldness
animals abounded.
of the scenery
aroimd Newera Ellia can only be equalled by
Snowdon, as
encircled on every side
it is
amongst which
mountain
in
whose towering peak hundred
The
feet
plain
level.
dotted over with white-washed
is
many home
recollections,
on the roof of every dwelling are ;
the cool fires
ing, but causing
To
and bracing atmosphere not
them
those
this
be seen
pleasant morning and even-
who
to
St
sary.
be absolutely neces-
have
not visited
the
remark may appear puerile, but
F
tropics
to
io
chimneys
only rendering
ud
for
the
thousand three
rises eight
above the ocean's
recalling
residences,
is
Ceylon, Pedro-talla-galla,
Tr ia
loftiest
l
that of
by craggy mountains,
be fully appreciated by those who have
PD
will
sojourned in the east, for none can
tell,
save the
mind when
the
beholder
first
looks upon
de
the
sk
latter, the feeling of strangeness that pervades
dwellings unmarked by this sign of the household
hearth.
Nothing about Newera Ellia Plain tropics,
walk out
the bracing air enabling at
frame
is
tone,
of the to
any hour of the day, the mental and
1)odily faculties
its
tells
Europeans
soon regain their
lost vigour,
the'
invigorated, the palled appetite recovers
and speedily the hollow sallow cheek
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
becomes rounded, and assumes hue
many
;
health's roseate
a desponding invalid, whose large
family and slender native
121
means forbade return
to his
has reason to bless the day the
land,
sanitorium of Lanka-diva was discovered.
The liar
beauties of vegetation also wear a fami-
aspect as the eye
floral
appertain especially to the temperate
l
gifts that
gladdened with
is
damask, and pink rose-trees,
Tr ia
zone, such as rhododendrons, the white guelder, violets, sweet-peas,
io
acacia, peach, apple and pear-trees, with nearly
us,
can be met with in the imme-
neighbourhood.
And
St
consumed by diate
ud
every fruit and vegetable that are produced or
all
this
is
found
F
upon the summit of a mountain seven degrees mometer has
fallen
below
inch in thickness
sk
half an
PD
from the equator, where occasionally the ther28°, is
and where
ice
sometimes found
de
in the morning.
The town 6,300 feet
Newera EUia stands upon a plain, above the level of the sea, and from this of
table-land mountains rise in various directions, diversified
over
which
with gentle slopes and undulations, are
scattered
various
residences.
Perpetual cascades burst from the sides of the
neighbouring mountains, and pure rapid streams of wholesome water wind VOL.
I.
through the valleys,
G
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
\-2-2
whilst
and
much
valuable
timber clothes the
hills
an extent of several miles well watered,
for
and alternate
plains,
and
hills
give the
dales,
sunounding scenery the appearance of a natural A church has been built near the Gopark.
and there are
house,
vernor's
residences
also
belonging to the Bishop, Commander, Colonial
Newera are
excellent.
servants.
troops
always
is
above 65° Fahr., and, although
St
of
the
:
F
unheard
PD
months resembles
a fine October in
temperature
the
bracing
the
of
frosts
snow
not unfi'equent during the night,
are
from
district,
end of April, the thermometer
to the
rises
at
hospital, &c.,
ud
seldom
our
and their barracks, Throughout the
Ellia,
November
of
l
and other governmeiit
detachment
io
A
Tr ia
Secretaiy,
is
winter
atmosphere of
and the summer
England,
sk
months combine the genial Avarmth of August
de
with the beneficial showers of April tlie
oppressive
atmosphere
of
unknown at Newera Ellia. The soil varies as in Great rich
brown
to the black loam,
the
in short,
;
tropics
is
Britain from the
and
all
English
produce succeeds in a most luxuriant manner, although hitherto the farming has been almost entirely in the
withstanding
hands of the natives, who, not-
their
ignorance
of
the
subject,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. have amassed tion
large
potatoes,
of
vegetables
;
sums
carrots,
their farming
from
128
the
cultiva-
aud
turnips,
other
experiments not ex-
Many
tending beyond these simple endeavours.
gentlemen for their amusement have planted Engwheat, oats, barley, beans, peas,
lish grass, clover,
and have found green crops of every description and yield
in the
most extraordinary man-
Tr ia
l
thrive ner.
has afforded us great pleasure to peruse the
Ellia,
glowing language,
which
the
located himself at
PD
lately
and where an
been made
for
field for agricultural enterprise
also a system of emigration,
sk
advantages
agricidtural
this district possesses,
rangement has
new
who has
wherein he sets forth in most
St
Newera
ud
prising gentleman,
io
Mr. Baker, an energetic and enter-
F
It
circular of
;
which
ar-
opening a suggesting offers
both
de
peculiar advantages to the colonist, and ensures
him, on his aiTival in Ceylon, a comfortable farm with a dwelling-house and requisite buildings,
ready for his immediate occupation.
This fore-
thought for the emigrant's comfort, the
writer
very justly remai'ks, obviates his exposure to the usual hardships experienced by those,
who under
ordinary circumstances seek to improve their fast-
decaying prospects in their fatherland, by migratG 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
124
ing to uiiknown shores
;
and the
fact
undeniably
bespeaks a most favourable impression for the honesty, integrity, and sincerity of the promoter
Mr. Baker
of the scheme.
is
said to have en-
gaged the services of seventeen English fannservants of both sexes, who, with a large supply of farming implements, have ere this, in all pro-
stationed exerting himself in the
is
Tr ia
gentleman
l
reached their destination, where that
bability,
development of his laudable plan, which,
and the new
alike beneficial to the
if
suc-
colony,
io
must be
cessful,
settlers.
ud
Although we are not prepared to agree with
St
Mr. Baker in all his sanguine expectations of the
from Newera Ellian emimaking due allowances, we think his
plan
is
still,
PD
gration,
F
results likely to accrue
most deserving of the serious considera-
amongst our own
sk
tion of those
Irish fanners,
who
de
contemplate a change, and we wish him, and those British subjects
success
who may
which his energy,
thought
so
follow him, the
honesty, and fore-
eminently deserve.
The
circular
before us draws most forcibly the contrast be-
tween the rica,
and
settler
the
proceeding to Australia, or Ame-
emigrant to Ceylon, the former
landing in a wild and barren country, houseless
and
friendless, with nothing but the certainty of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the greatest privations before is
him
;
1*25
while the latter
landed free of expense in Ceylon, and without
delay takes possession of his farm, and, settled in
commence
his house, is ready to
his operations
immediately.
We
can bear witness
in this
mountain
to the
advantages offered
district for a
European
settle-
ment, and the only matter of astonishment
years of British rule should have
elapsed before the attempt was made. is
ud
way adapted
production of those necessaries of
moment
life,
for the
which
at
are imported into the colony at an
St
this
Newera
a district blessed with a peculiarly salu-
brious climate, and in every
io
Ellia
is,
l
many
Tr ia
that so
beyond the wants
PD
plies considerably
F
enoraious expense, and capable of raising sup-
habitants, for which ready markets
the
five
says
natives,
Mr.
may be Baker,
ob-
now
successive crops of potatoes fi'om
de
produce
The
sk
tained.
of the in-
same land
quality of the
Stock of
:
thus,
even from their ignorant
adduce a proof of the pecidiar
farming, they
soil.
all
kinds
the draught buffalo
is
is
remarkably cheap, and
an animal which entirely
supersedes the horse for
all
heavy work, not only
on account of his great strength, but from the fact of his requiring
no other food than pasture.
126
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Cows and
buffaloes
40.?.
per head
to Is.
may be purchased from 25*.
sheep, from
;
fowls, from 7s. per
;
36".
dozen
Mr. Baker proceeds
ditto.
to 7s.
to
ducks, from 12*.
;
show
that, notwith-
standing the very low price of stock, fine meat
unknown
in Ceylon, the beasts
and slaughtered without
is
being unfattened,
discretion.
many parts of the island the
to
pigs from 3«.
;
Although in
calf is permitted to take
Tr ia
l
the whole supply from the mother, yet not a cheese
has ever been manufactured in Ceylon, and but2.5.
Qd. per pound.
Notwithstanding
io
ter sells for
the abundance and cheapness of pigs,
are
consumed
hams and
and yet
;
in large
all
these
quantities,
St
articles
ud
bacon have never been cured
and
imported from England at an enormous price,
PD
F
cheese, hams, and bacon being generally sold at
per pound.
2*.
may be prepared
sk
All these articles
at
Newera
EUia, with the same
facility,
the
produced in England, and
de
cost,
of those
would therefore
sell
at a large
home consumption and island toes,
are
for
supplied by
at one-fourth of
profit
at
Newera
Ellia
sell
Bombay at
28.s".
to dig,
and one
The
with pota-
now
per cwt.
months from the planting of the
fit
both for
exportation.
but those of a superior quality
duced three
is chiefly
and
pro-
In
sets,
they
set has frequently
been
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
known
1*2/
Wheat has been
to yield fifty potatoes.
experimented upon, and the quality produced proved
infinitely superior to the seed
and yet Ceylon
entirely
is
rica for the supply thrive
imported,
dependant ujjon AmeOats and beans
of ilour.
but have been neglected,
well,
conse-
quently the horses in the island are fed expen-
paddy and is
imported from India:
a most extensive market
is
open
to
thus
supply the
market, as well as that of the Mauritius.
Mr. Baker
offers to the enterprising
io
home
principal
the
l
portion of which
gram,
Tr ia
upon
sively
farmer of
ud
small capital, a comfortable and most profitable
his industry
at
St
fann, free from those heavy taxes which burthen
home, where he may not only fortune,
F
amass a considerable
PD
happy, luxurious
life,
with
may
but
the
live
a
advantages of
residing in a comparatively civilized society, with
sk
a school for the education of his children, and
de
the house of
We
feel
Baker's,
God
within his reach.
bound
who
to
correct
an error of Mr.
states that cheese and
hams were
never produced in Ceylon, as the former have
been made, and we believe are
still,
of Delft, near Jaffna, and also at latter
at the island
Manear
;
the
have been cured at Newera Ellia by British
soldiers
— however
this
has nothing to do with the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
128
which must be apparent
fact,
to the
pacity, that were those articles
era
EUia equal
meanest ca-
produced
to the English, they
remunerative prices to the farmer.
New-
at
would bring
We
should
also observe another mistake, namely, that the entirel}-
dependant upon America
large quantities being
flour,
from the
Bombay
for
annually imported
Presidency.
In respect also
we
fear the
Tr ia
to the successive crops of potatoes,
l
Colony is not
promoter has overlooked the necessity of manure,
and
his circular
makes no mention of whence he
io
]3roposes to derive his supply, as well as the fact,
ud
that in all probability the market
would be limited
European population of the
island.
We
St
to the
have been informed that recently potatoes grown
Newera
F
market
Ellia were
at 24^. per cwt.
PD
at
offered in the
Colombo
being four shillings less
We
sk
than stated by Mr. Baker. repeat that the scheme of Mr. Baker
de
highly deserving of consideration of the climate, circumstances,
settlement little
is
perfectly correct,
;
what he
is
states
and position of the and there can be
doubt that the fattening and improving of
the breeds, both of cattle and poultry, would be
remunerative, as well as the gi-owing of seed and
green crops
— luxuries and enormous fortunes are
out of the question
— some comfort and an honest
129
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. livelihood are to be found that there
and we should think
;
a good opening for some able-bodied
is
families, their
who
are
more inured
English neighbours
stantly
employed
;
their wives
and
industrious Irish labourers,
the
to
hardships than
men
could be con-
in this delightful climate in the
cultivation of the soil, while their
employment
women might
in dairies
and poultry-
Tr ia
l
find profitable
and
yards.
The
which encompass the
difficulties are great
want of a sure supply
local press is full of constant
ud
The
of labourers.
io
agriculturist in Ceylon, for
complaints and communications on the subject such as these, " Some estates are hard up for
St
—
and very few are appearing from
F
coolees, coast.
Indeed
their
own country
PD
if it
be
true, as
fine rains
it is
tTie
said, that in
have fallen
after
long
sk
drought, filling their tanks and fertilizing their
we cannot expect men, for it is only in work in their own country, that the Malabars come here."
de
lands, their
exigency, having no
" Accounts of the most deplorable nature continue to reach us on the difficulty of obtaining coolees.
There
is
every reason to apprehend
that a large portion of the crops will be lost for
"A friend
has just been here on
Four Korles
in search of coolees.
want of hands." his
way
to the
G 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
130
He
Nearly little is
a most
gives
of
scarcity
all his
coolees have bolted, and there
hope of being able
the
on an
thirty coolees
hundred acres
is
Happy
to replace them.
man who can muster
estate of three all
melancholy account of the
labour which prevails everywhere.
Nearly
in bearing.
the superintendents have gone to look for
and the
comfortable conviction, that
must be
if
they do not suc-
Tr ia
ceed, the crop
l
coolees, with but faint hopes of success,
entirely lost.
man."
the foregoing, our readers will perceive that
ud
By
io
large estates the coolees have fled to a
On some
the agriculturist in Ceylon
upon the periodical
entirely
dependant
visits of the
St
for labour
is
rice,
which consists
for the
coolees
little
for
most part of
PD
their support,
F
from the Malabar coast, who require but
and when they have acquired a small sum immediately return to their families,
re-
sk
in wages,
de
gardless of acquiring more money, and leaving their
employers without notice, or redress.
Taking
this fact, therefore, into consideration,
as well as the utter hopelessness of being able to
induce the Cingalese to work, cient food to
with very slight to
if
they have
suffi-
and which they can procure exertion, it would appear to us
eat,
be indispensably requisite, as an element of
success in Mr. Baker's undertaking, to secure the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. assistance of a sufficient
number of
131
Irish, English,
by
or Scotch labourers, who, being accompanied
would not have the same inducemake a speedy retreat after the Malabar
their families,
ment
to
The Irish, we know from experience, many good qualities, and that of attaching themselves to those who give them food and raifashion.
have
Paddy
is
is
not
a right good fellow
Tr ia
the least; and
l
ment, and treat them with consideration,
at
when beyond
the reach of political agita-
tion.
For
particulars on the subject of
all fiu'ther
Newera
lar is dated
W.
from No.
Baker, Esq., whose circu-
4,
F
tenham.
we refer our reader
ud
to the promoter, S.
Ellia,
Wolseley Terrace, Chel-
St
the settlement at
io
heart,
is
found on the plain, and
PD
Iron of good quality
the natives say that formerly precious stones were
met with in the swamps about Newera Ellia. This statement is disbelieved by many, although excavations are still to be setn that were made by the gem-seekers and we, w lit) know the inert disposition of the Asiatics, can
de
sk
also occasionally
;
hardly imagine they would have exerted themselves,
arise
had they not anticipated and found proht
from their
toil.
Dr.
Davy
alludes to these
jewel-hunters, for he writes, in 1819,
good reason
to believe that
tlie
"There
is
individuals en-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
132
gaged in
and
this pursuit,
chiefly
are not very numerous,
Moormen, would be
cultivating
in
who
ground
the
better
that
employed
they ransack."
Carnage -roads and paths have been constructed around and through the plain, which branch into the surrounding valleys
mountain's base
;
off'
and wind round the
and a foot-way has been con-
Pedro-talla-Galla.
The
ascent of the mountain
Tr ia
l
structed that leads to the cloud-capped crest of
remarkably steep
is
io
and fatiguing; nevertheless, we have known ladies
ud
attempt and accomplish this hazardous journey,
and have been well rewarded wove rock," the
St
by
for their exertion
sublime scenery that surrounds "
the
F
PD
dred feet above the
is
eight thousand three hun-
sea.
The
richest
sk
luxuriant parts of Ceylon, namely.
Lower Ouva,
we have
altitude of which, as
previously remarked,
Mat
and most
Upper and
are seen in the distance,
and
in the
de
background towers Samenella, or Adam's Peak, clothed in perpetual verdure; whilst the projecting
mass
of the nearer mountains are distinctly visible,
whose bold
sides are clad with impervious forest
and dense underwood.
The
highest table-land in the island
is
situated
some few miles from Newera Elba, and is called Horton Plains, as it was discovered during the
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. time Sir
133
Wilmot Hortoii governed Ceylon.
This
district is celebrated for the rich botanical speci-
mens
that
it
affords, the
the pitcher plant, thrives
most curious of Avhich
(Nepenthes
and grows
in great
is
distillatoria,) that
luxuriance, as the
extraordinary blossom, or vessel from which the plant derives
its
name,
is
frequently ten or eleven
is
productions, as the breeze plays
among them,
Tr ia
tiful
l
inches long, and the graceful effect of these beau-
indescribable.
called
by the natives nelu, or honey-plant, as
ud
is
io
In this neighbourhood a plant flourishes that
the flowers emit a powerful effluvia resembling
This
is
a jointed plant that flowers
St
new honey.
but once in eight years, and, as the blossoms
PD
F
decay, large numbers of bees appear to be attracted by the peculiar effluvia
;
and so delighted
sk
are the insects, that chisters of
them
will hang-
Around
for hours.
de
suspended from the branches
the nelu-plant a leafless parasite often entwines,
whose beautiful blossoms are bell-shaped, having
amber hearts and
scarlet edges
;
and as these
appear to be united with the nelu at the
root, the
natives declare that this plant bears two kinds of flowers,
colour.
which are
totally distinct in
form and
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
VII.
l
CHAPTER
Tr ia
134
— Minerals—Salt lakes — Revenue arising from tliem—Tanks—Agriculture—Native plough — Mystic when the paddy trodden out —Cultivation—Lemon grass —Value and uses of cocoanut trees— Cinnamon — Coffee — Sugar— Cotton — Tobacco —Areka nuts—Ambuprasudana, or water nut— Jack and bread-fruit trees — Indigo — Mulberry trees — Talapat palm —Mee tree—Ebony tree—Calamander —Red sandal and satin-wood trees— The kabook tree—Variety of the vegetable world—The bo, or sacred — Capabilities of cultivation and extraordinary of the — Expense of housekeeping— Prices of provisions at Galle and Colombo — Meat— Poultry — Fish and —Fruit Vegetables — Servants' wages — House-rent — Same is
PD
F
St
rite
ud
io
Geological character of the island
sk
tree
tree
de
fertility
soil
fisheries
at
Kandy and Newera
The likened,
simile is
Eilia.
of a pearl,
to
which Lanka
is
most peculiarly appropriate, not only
in reference to the
form of the island, but from
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the natural beauty of
ness of
its soil,
We
kingdom.
its
135
scenery, the productive-
and the richness of
mineral
its
have previously referred to the
beauty of the scenery, which we have witnessed with such deepfelt gratification, and
we
purjjose
devoting this chapter to the mineral construction,
produce, revenue, and capabilities of Ceylon.
tinguishable for uniformity little
;
primitive rock, with
exception, constituting the whole
island.
consist of recent fonnations,
and
io
The exceptions
is dis-
l
geological character of the country
Tr ia
The
ud
are only to be found in the neighbourhood of
Jaffnapatam, and at a few places along the shore. varieties of primitive rock are innumerable,
defined and few.
F
ill
the most dominant species, whilst
quartz,
and hornblend, are
Granite domolite,
less li-equently to
be
Gneiss and granite exist in countless
with.
sk
met
PD
is
St
The
but the species are
and
de
varieties,
mineralogist,
offer considerable difficulty to the
who attempts
to
name them.
grained grey coloured granite
is
Fine-
occasionally to
be met with, and the best we have seen was at Point de Galle, but graphic granite
common.
We
is
still
less
have seen, however, veiy beautiful
specimens from the sea shore in the vicinity of Trincomalee, in which the quartz
is
of a grey or
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
13b'
blackish-coloured rock crystal, and the felspar of
a vivid fleshy hue.
Gneiss and sienite are found in the Kandian provinces tiful,
and
the former
;
is
very abundant and beau-
composed of quartz and white
is
felspar,
with black mica and innumerable garnets of a
Hornblend, dolomite, and quartz
pale colour.
Horn-
are rarely to be seen in massive forms.
tions of hills in the
Tr ia
l
blend and greenstone are plentiful, forming por-
Kandian provinces, but
it
is
any
hill,
Dolomite
or mountain.
ud
tion of
io
not believed that they constitute the whole formais
found
in as large varieties as granite, generally crysta-
it is
imbedded, and in
veins,
in
Kandy
;
and
it
It is
in
this
met with form
it
while small hills are com-
sk
abounds posed of
fre-
formed of rhombs, which a blow of a
separates with facility.
F
(piently
hammer
and very
colour,
St
and of a pure white
PD
line
in other parts
of the
island.
In
de
ancient days, dolomite was exclusively appropriated
for the use
of the
king.
Quartz
abundant, and a very remarkable
is
hill is
very
com-
pletely formed of this rock in the neighbourhood
of Trincomalee hill is laid
;
bare,
on the side towards the sea the
and presents
to the spectator the
appearance of a mass of ruinous buildings, and
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. possibly owing to this, the
was given
to
one end of
name
137
of Chapel Point
this hill.
In the north of the island, at JafFnapatam, which is at
once the most populous and productive por-
tion of Ceylon,
we
find two instances of recent
namely
formation,
sandstone
and
Sandstone however cannot be said as
district,
places, extending
is
it
found in a variety of
round the
l
this
limestone.
be confined
coast, in general be-
Tr ia
to
to
tween high and low water-mark, where
and
to black,
io
is
seen
very dark coloured, approaching
in others
it is
of a greyish yellow
St
colour.
ud
the sandstone
it is
In some instances,
in horizontal stratified beds.
F
Limestone however has been considered, and
PD
believed, to be confined to the north
;
it
is
is
very
compact, of a fine grain, containing innumerable a pale brown or grey colour, and conchoidal.
is
de
fracture
its
sk
shells, of
Iron and manganese are the only metallic ores of any consequence which have been discovered in
Ceylon
found
bog
all
:
the former
is
plentiful,
and may be
over the island, either as magnetic iron,
iron, red hematite, iron pyrites, specidar iron,
or blue phosphate of iron. of any
But we do not know
vein, or large bed, of iron ore
yet been discovered in Ceylon.
having as
Black oxide of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
138
manganese occurs scattered and imbedded
in
gigantic rocks in small quantities, but at so great a
distance inland, that the can-iage would be too
expensive to admit of a profitable export trade. It is
very remarkable, that no other metals have
as yet been discovered, in a country, where the
nature of the rock would indicate their existence.
However, although some authors have asserted, in Ceylon,
l
and mercury are found native
Tr ia
that gold
such we believe to be most incorrect, and we
have never heard, that either lead, copper, or
tin,
io
has as yet been discovered.
;
and
hyalite, ^chalcedony, iron flint,
St
rock-crystal,
ud
Lanka-diva abounds in every variety of the quartz family
which latter
is
found crystallized and
PD
F
massive, in great quantities, and of a variety of
This
colours.
employ
it
of
by the Cingalese, from
lenses for spectacles
for statuary
also abundant.
and
it,
and ornamental purposes.
quartz, phrase, amethyst,
de
Rose
made use
sk
who form
is
The Ceylon
valuable in existence, and
and
cat's
is
cat's eye, are
eye
is
the most
much more
prized
there, than in Europe.
Topaz and schorl are also found is commonly of a yellowish,
former
colour, but perfect crystals of
be met with.
Common
it
in
Ceylon
;
the
or bluish-white
are very rarely to
schorl occurs very plenti-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. fully
ill
granitic rocks,
mixed with
felspar
casionally to be
in
some
met
;
places,
tourmalin
is
it
is
oc-
with, but of a very inferior
and these are either of
description,
honey
and
and quartz
139
red, green, or
colour.
In the
granitic rock, garnet,
cinnamon-stone
and pyrope abound, and the common garnet however are
crystals
The
and
diminutive
ill-
Tr ia
the
defined.
l
found diffused in gneiss through the whole
is
island,
precious garnet occurs in horn-
Cinnamon-stone
ud
but of an inferior description.
io
blend rock in the neighbourhood of Trincomalee,
has heretofore been exclusively found in Ceylon, it is
very abundant, although confined to is
found
in weight,
sk
by the
de
Cingalese
which
is
found in the island,
The
" Matura is
in
masses of
very large
and small pieces of
gular form in the granitic alluvial. called
met with
principally
in
PD
It is
many pounds
and
F
Matura.
St
where
particular districts,
irre-
zircon,
diamond,"
considered to be
the best in the world; besides zircon
and hyawhich
is
Zircon
is
cinth, there is another species in Ceylon,
opaque, uncrystallized, and massive.
found both of yellow, green, red, and light grey colours,
which the native merchants dispose of
respectively
diamonds.
for
topaz,
tourmalin, rubies,
and
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
140
Ceylon has
renowned
for
a considerable period been
which there are four
for its rubies, of
namely sapphire,
species,
and corundum, which are found
The
chrysoberyl,
spinell,
in granitic rock.
principal varieties of sapphire, such as red,
purple, yellow, blue, white,
and
star
stone, are
met
size,
and
in perfec-
sometimes of large
purple, or oriental amethyst, still
more
Spinell
so.
is
The
and other places. is rare,
l
tion at Matura, SafFragam,
and the green
Tr ia
with,
very rare, and
occa-
is
met with in the clay-iron ore in the Kandian provinces, where gneiss is abundant. Chrysoberyl is peculiarly rare, and is said generally to come from SafFragam. Corundum is very
St
ud
io
sionally
Battagammana, where
found on the banks of a small
PD
it is
F
plentiful at a place called
Agiri
Kandura
in the
form of large six-sided prisms.
it is
de
In the family of felspar, tablespar,
compact
river, called
of a brownish colour, and
sk
;
Ceylon
is
produces
Labrador stone, adularia, glassy felspar,
felspar,
brador stone
is
and common
felspar.
The La-
found at Trincomalee, and adula-
ria is plentiful in
Kandy.
Common
hornblend
is
abundant, and glassy tremolite and pitch-stone occur in the neighbourhood of Trincomalee.
Mica, forming a component part of granite and gneiss,
is
very plentiful, and frequently
is
found
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. enclosed in these rocks, where extensive flakes,
but
;
is
and pea-green
common quartz.
occurs in very
it
which the Cingalese employ
Green earth
ornamental purposes.
common
]41
is
for
rather un-
found in Lower Ouva of a green
At Galle and Trincomalee
colour.
chlorite
found
is
scattered
through
Talc, dolomite, carbonate of magnesia,
Tr ia
l
and native carbonate of magnesia, are occasionSulphur and graphite also occur, ally discovered. the former rarely, but the latter
and
nitre are very
abundant
in
common, and
ud
Nitrate of lime
io
SafFragam.
is
the nitre caves appear to be formed of carbonate
St
of lime and felspar.
F
Salt lakes exist to a large extent in the district
PD
called Megam-pattoo, on the sea shore, in all probability are supplied
and which
fi'om the sea, as
nature.
The
salt
de
lar
sk
the saline contents of both prove to be of a simi-
government a yearly
monopoly
produces the
revenue of 5t'42,000, and,
were this portion of government property superintended and conducted upon scientific principles,
there can be
would be twice, It
if
little
doubt that the revenue
not three times the ainount.
appears to us rather extraordinary, that the
attention of the
home and
colonial government
has not been directed to such a legitimate source
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
142
of revenue, in preference to the tax vipon dogs,
and such
like,
which has created so much discon-
amongst the followers of Buddha.
tent
All the soils of the island appear to have origi-
nated from decomposed granite rock, gneiss, or
and
the
majority of cases
clay-iron
stone,
quartz
the largest, and frequently nearly the
is
sole ingredient.
in
very remarkable that the
l
It is
Tr ia
natural soils of Lanka-diva do not contain more
than between one and three per cent, of vegetable
may be
attributed to the rapid
io
substance, which
by a high degree of
ud
decom])osition, occasioned
temperature, and heavy
of rain.
falls
St
The most abundant crops is
are produced in the
formed from decom-
F
dark brown loam, which
which
PD
posed granite and gneiss, or in reddish loam, is
The
soils,
which have been found
to pro-
sk
stone.
formed from Kabook stone, or clay-iron
de
duce inferior crops, are those in which a large proportion of quartz
is
contained.
rived fi-om clay-iron stone
is
The
soil de-
of a reddish
brown
and has the property of retaining water for a very long time, to which may be attributed its To the practical and scienproductive quality. colour,
tific
agriculturists,
Lanka-diva affords abundant op-
portunity for experiment and investigation, where the soil
by
is
in a state
of nature,
and unimproved
the admixture of any description of manure.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
143
Ceylon possesses one great advantage over
many
other countries, namely, a very abundant
supply both of spring and river water, which, in
most instances,
is
The
of a pure description.
ancient inhabitants of the island seem to have
been
fully cognisant of the advantages of iiriga-
tion,
and they availed themselves of the best to secure a constant supply of water for
l
means
Tanks and lakes were constructed
by them, which
irrigated the
Tr ia
the purpose.
whole island, " and
ud
io
were hardly suii^assed by the kindred wonders of Egypt," and the ruins of these stupendous works indicate a degree of prosperity, civilization,
and
scarcely be credited by
St
population, which can
who visit the country at the present day. It is much to be regretted that a British Colonial Government, which has now been established upwards of half a century
sk
for
PD
F
those
in
Ceylon, should
de
not have learned a lesson from these
remains, and restored them to the useful for
gigantic jjui'jioses
which they had originally been constructed.
Had
such a course been adopted, capital and
labour would have been ex])ended to some purpose, occupation
been given
and employment would have
to a population,
dolent, the country
who
ai'e
naturally in-
would have produced more
abundant crops, and the land would have been rendered doublv valuable.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
144
This important question has been under the consideration of various
governments,
colonial
commencing with Sir Thomas Maitland, in the year 1806, who proposed the restoration of the tanks,
and the Colonial Engineer of that period.
Captain Schneider, made his report upon the subject,
wherein he estimated the expense of
and considered that
Tr ia
thousand pounds,
five
l
restoring the Giant's Tank, Cattoekare, at twenty-
would occupy three years. of this
giants,
which
to the
by no means unreasonable,
is
the people in those days
present race.
when compared with
F
situated in a large tract of
the
low
PD
is
as
must have been giants
St
at all events in energy,
The tank
work
national
io
construction
ud
the
it
Tradition attributes
land near Mantotte in the northern province, and
sk
covers a space of twenty thousand parrahs of
de
sowing land, a parrah being equal to about an English bushel and a third it is bounded from ;
north-west to south by an earthen dyke, to confine
the water in the rainy season
;
and,
when
necessary, to irrigate the paddy-fields, which are
now
broken, and in several places scarcely trace-
able.
On rains,
the
south side,
carries
the
the
river,
during heavy
water from the high
lands
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the
above
and
sea, its
at
banks, notwithstanding the bed of the
river is twelve feet in
depth
is
;
about nine miles
dam
from the south end of the there
rises nine feet
some seasons
of Cattockare,
another, six hundred feet long, from forty
and from eight
to sixty broad,
built of large
and eight
hewn
to twelve in height,
some measuring seven
stones,
from three to four in
feet in length,
Tr ia
and from two and a half
l
to
145
breadth,
to three
in
thickness, firmly cemented together, which must
dam
there
is
water to the tank, but
a canal to lead the river-
ud
to this
it
now
has
the appearance
St
of not having been completed, and
The height
places
it
sea varies
of the
is
broken
dam above
considerably,
at
PD
of the
level
F
several places.
is
Near
io
have been constructed at enormous labour.
thirty-six feet, while at others
at
the
some it
is
sk
sixty-seven.
The
de
natives consider that the water of the rivu-
lets running into Cattockare, independently of the river,
this
would be
be the case
sufficient to it
supply the tank;
if
would cost a much smaller sum
than Captain Schneider's estimate, and would consequently take a plish.
much
Villages have
shorter time to accombeen formed ivithin the
tank, whose inhabitants have constructed smaller
tanks for the irrigation of paddy-fields, which are VOL.
I.
H
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
146
same
also cultivated within the
Tank,
now
is
large
unproductive, which might be con-
verted into paddy-fields
means of
if
the people had the
irrigation
artificial
calculated that
be
A
limits.
of country in the vicinity of the Giant's
tract
it
has been
the tank were repaired,
if
sufficient to irrigate land,
it
would
capable of producfifty
thousand bags
l
ing annually one hundred and
This one instance, therefore, we consider
Tr ia
of rice.
and
;
sufficient for our purpose, without reference to the
io
other tanks and lakes of Ceylon, as ex uno disces
ud
omnia.
rigg
Thomas Maitland, Sir Robert Brownsupported this measure, who was followed in
the
same views by
St
After Sir
and Mr.
Sir Robert Plorton,
F
PD
Stewart M'Kenzie,
all
of
whom
concurred in the
opinion that the undertaking should be ;
still
question lay dormant until Sir the
a
and the whole Emerson Tennent,
continue unrepaired,
de
the tanks
made
no scheme was arranged,
sk
government one
Secretary resuscitated
present Colonial
from the colonial archives, and
it is
to
it
be hoped
same energy which has restored it to will ere long devise a scheme whereby the
that the light,
tanks and lakes
may be gradually restored to
original purposes
which according
their
of irrigation, an undertaking
to the report of the
6
Committee of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. Finance and Commerce "
is
147
so certain to repay
and more than the whole
the revenue the whole,
of the expenditure incurred."
As
now compelled, either money towards the con-
the inhabitants are
to contribute
labour or
struction or repairing of roads, this labour, or
subsidy,
if
very fairly employed in
the
not more beneficial work of repairing
l
equally,
may be
Tr ia
these ancient fountains of wealth, whereby the
colony would become not only self-supporting,
now
exports specie.
ud
quantity for which she
io
but would export rice equal in amount to the
Agriculture has been conducted in Ceylon
by
namely, the dry, and wet.
The
chenas, or
PD
tions,
by them being of two descrip-
F
vation pursued
St
the natives on the simplest principles, the culti-
grounds which are overgrown with underwood,
sk
are cultivated in the dry manner, which
de
menced by
cutting
in that portion
down
which
is
the jungle,
is
com-
by fencing
intended for cultivation,
and by consuming the timber which has not been employed for the latter purpose the groimd is immediately after turned up and sown. Great ;
care
is
subsequently required to protect the crops
from the wild animals which abound in Ceylon,
and accordingly the natives are obliged strict watch during the night.
H
2
to
keep
148
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Those crops which are can,
and Indian corn
grown
chiefly
ground consist of a species of
rice,
these are occasionally
;
weeded, and no further trouble
is
taken by the
agriculturist until the time of harvest,
crop
either reaped, or the
is
are cut
com
crops the second year,
l
owing
heads of the
the
underwood, which soon springs
to the
Tr ia
up
when
in case the straw is not preserved.
off,
The chenas do not grow first
in dry
called corri-
into a plentiful crop, never having
been pro-
is
never employed.
however,
poorest classes,
and
is
very inconsiderable in
is
F
comparison with the wet, which
of cultivation
and
is
requires
entirely
used
last description
an abundant supply of
followed by the natives in every part
sk
water,
is
This
growth of paddy.
PD
for the
This dry
only adopted by the
St
cultivation,
ud
of maniu'e, which
io
perly extirpated, and secondly, owing to the want
de
of the island and in every locality, where sufficient
commanded for the
The
devoted to the cultivation of paddy
water can be
successive stages
of the paddy. fields
by embankments each field is flooded with water between tw^o and three inches
are suiTounded
in
depth,
and,
;
when
sufficiently
ploughed while under water repeated, or the gTound
is
;
saturated,
is
this process is again
trodden by buffaloes
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. whole
until the
thus formed
drawn
is
is
worked
made
perfectly level, the water
and the paddy-seed, which has already
off,
germinated, owing to water,
is
The mud
mnd.
into
I4!>
its
thrown over the
having been steeped
muddy
surface.
in
Imme-
diately after the seed has struck root, the apertures in the
embankments, by means of which the off,
ai"e
closed up and the field
l
water was drawn
Tr ia
is re-flooded.
ud
io
The weeds are carefully eradicated from the paddy when it has attained about thi'ee inches in height, and those parts of the field which appear too thin, are supplied from others where
tlie
The
under water until the paddy
nearly ripe,
St
has sprung up too thickly.
F
again drained, and
when
kept
field is
when
ripe is reaped,
and
PD
it is
is
paddy
immediately trodden upon the threshing-floor by
During the whole period from sowing
sk
buffaloes.
de
time until harvest, the farmer tinually to
watch the
corn-field,
is
obliged con-
day and night, to
prevent the destruction of his crop by wild animals.
Where
a sufficient supply of water can be
had, two and three crops are annually grown in the same
field,
a supply
in the rainy season he can only
one crop.
but where the farmer can only get
This circumstance alone
to prove the great advantages
grow
is sufficient
which would accrue
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
150
to the colony,
from the repairing of the ancient
tanks and lakes. Froro the want of water in the lowland districts, as
we have
said, only
one crop can be grown, and
the fields are generally of a large size
mountainous and higher
districts,
;
but, in the
irrigation
is
more conveniently managed, there being a more abundant and easy supply of water ; and here, as
up the
l
sides of
in the form of terraces, and the paddy
often be seen in
its
may
various stages, in adjoining
the newly
fields, fi'om
sown
to that
io
hills
carried
Tr ia
in China, cultivation is
which
is
being
a
St
ud
reaped, and trodden out by buffaloes, or oxen. The plough which is used in Ceylon is of
most simple natm-e, the shear and single upright timber
;
PD
F
handle being made out of a cui^ved piece of the single handle
at the curve
between the handle and shear,
sk
de
while a yoke pole,
surmounted with a
fastened into a mortice with a
cross-tree, a pole
wedge,
is
is
which
buffaloes or
is
is
attached by coir ropes to the
fastened by coir cords to a pair of
oxen
j
one
man
in general holds the
plough, and guides the buffaloes, or oxen, with a goad, occasionally urging them with his voice.
On
every occasion where the plough
is not,
or
cannot be used, the mehmotte, or large ,hoe, of an
unwieldy nature,
is
employed, which in their
{
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. hands
made a most useful implement.
is
151
Instead
of a harrow after ploughing the ground, they em-
ploy an implement which they call anadatpoorooa,
which
a board with a pole, to which oxen or
is
and upon which the
buffaloes are yoked, sits.
A
lighter
implement
is
like a rake without teeth, for the
paring the
mud for paddy
seed.
purpose of pre-
The jungle-hook,
axe, and reaping hook, are
all
own implements The treading
paddy
l
Tr ia
need description.
to
out of the
is
performed
io
prepared for the purpose by
floor,
beating the clay
too similar to our
before the natives begin the
ud
upon a hard
driver
used with the hand,
;
rite
and incantation
are
St
work, however, a mystic
observed by the owner of the paddy, in the ex-
F
pectation of preserving the produce from the evil
PD
The ceremony
spirits.
is
performed by describ-
sk
ing three circles, one within the other, on the centre of the floor, with the ashes of wood, which
de
the owner scatters from a large leaf; the circles are equally quartered
by a
cross, the four points
of which are terminated by a character resembling
a written
letter
M
;
within the inner circle, the
owner lays some paddy straw, upon which he places a few pieces of quartz and a small piece of the
kohomba
covers
over with paddy-straw
tree,
the whole j
of which
he
he then walks
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
152
round the cabalistic figure three times, and stops one of the ends, salaams three times with up-
at
raised hands, and finally prostrates himself the earth,
Wlien
paddy
repeating incantations.
ceremony has been completed, the
this is
the time
all
upon
upon the concentric
piled
circles,
and
the buffaloes are immediately after urged to the
task of treading the corn.
Tr ia
l
In the vegetable kingdom, sweet potatoes, yams, occus, brinjals, and other Eastern vegetables are cultivated, but the natives
do not construct regu-
gardens for the purpose.
In Newera Ellia
io
lar
ud
English potatoes, cabbage, peas, and other Eu-
have been introduced, and
St
ropean vegetables
they are grown there with great success, which
PD
F
the climate will not admit of in other parts of the island.
the most characteristic
sk
We must here inti'oduce
production of Lanka-diva, the
Andropogon
de
nanthus, or lemon-grass, which
is
schce-
a hard grass,
growing from two to eight feet in height, emitting when crushed a powerful smell of lemon; very agreeable in the the effluvium in taste ter
;
dian
it is
is
first
instance, but after a time
most oppressive
aiid sickening;
an acid of a very refreshing charac-
this grass is the usual clothing of the hills,
and when young
is
Kan-
considered choice
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
We
pasture for buffaloes. essential
have seen a very
would no doubt be most valuable
The cocoa-nut (Cocos
summttm honum
The
cultivation of
found
to
indeed nearly the
encircled with this useful and
productive tree, which
it is
;
may be of the is
it
justly designated
native population.
l
is
to perfinners.
rapidly increasing, for
Tr ia
whole island
fine
which
nucifera) is very exten-
Ceylon
sively cultivated in
the
grass,
extracted fi-om this
oil
15-3
be a most valuable and safe invest'
ud
io
ment of property, as it requires a trivial outlay, and little further care than the planting, except protection from cattle during the it
does most luxuriantly in sandy
PD
value of the produce of a single tree
per annum.
sk
is
a rix dollar
no part of
unproductive to the owner
de
is
is
This tree fi'equently exceeds one
hundi'ed feet in height, and there
which
soil,
The estimated
fruit in the fifth j'ear.
F
and bearing
St
thriving as
two years
first
;
it
from the
flower he obtains toddy, from which the finest
arrack in the world is
also
and from which prepared a coarse-grained brown sugar, is
distilled,
called by the natives jaggery, and an excellent
description of vinegar.
The green fiiiit age to the weary
yields a delicious cooling bevertraveller,
and a vegetable
highly esteemed by the natives
j
pul]),
the ripened fruit
H
5
134 is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
also used as food, or oil
which
and the
soap,
feeding cattle
or
refuse, ;
known
cake,
coir, is
which
used for
is
now
stuffing
and from which cordage and
mattresses, &c.,
The leaves, when make excellent
matting are manufactured.
Tr ia
l
interwoven, are called cajan, and thatch,
used for
is
while the external husks, after
England, and
in
it,
candles and
into
oil
long soaking, are beaten into well
extracted from
is
now manufactured
is
and afford protection from the sun's rays, or,
when burned,
are converted into an alkali.
young leaves
are used by and ornamental purposes,
io
ud
of usefid
and
arches
particularly
festive occasions,
when
St
the latter on joyous
bamboo
The
the natives for a variety
decorated with them, and
are
medicinal
oil
PD
A
F
brooms and mats are made from the young pine. is
extracted from the bark,
which the native practitioners use as an
remedy
sk
cious
in cutaneous diseases
de
also used for medicinal purposes, fibres are
woven
the timber
;
and
effica-
the root
is
elastic
its
into strainers for liquids, while
may be used
in building, or conveil^ed
into beautiful articles of fm-niture-.
But
would
it
be endless to describe the various additional uses to
which every portion of
convertible,
this valuable
tree is
which are said to be upwards of one
hundred, and have formed the theme of
many
1^0
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
There are annually exported from the colony about eight thousand pounds' worth of cocoa-nuts, thhty thousand pounds' worth ot
native poets.
cocoa-nut
oil,
seven thousand pounds' worth ol
and ten thousand pounds' worth of Cinnamon (Laurus cinnamonum) is a
arrack,
Ceylon, but
upon
of barking the twigs, as
A
in a former chapter.
cultivated, or the mode we have described both
l
it is
very accurate account
Conte, not only
During the
appearance, but also of the manner in which
the bark
was prepared
in his day.
St
its
is
De
given of the shrub by Nicolo of
not neces-
Tr ia
sary for us here to enter the gardens, in which
it is
the appearance of
io
in
staple
ud
produce
article of
coir.
de
sk
PD
F
sway of native rulers, as well as that of the Dutch and Portuguese, cinnamon was a government monopoly, and was so continued after the establishment of British authority in the island, until the year 1833, when it was abolished, and many large
cinnamon gardens, which had been previously by government, were disposed of to private individuals, and those that remained in
cultivated
the
hands of the crown were farmed
to
the
highest bidder.
The enormous sum was levied upon 3'^ear
1842,
when
all it
of two shillings per
pound
exported cinnamon until the
was reduced one
half.
Still
it
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
156 M'as
found incompatible with the existence of the
export trade in this article to continue this
duced duty
as from careful investigation
;
it
re-
was
proved that cinnamon could not be cultivated, prepared for market, and delivered in London,
paying a shilling per pound export duty, under shillings
and four^^ence per pound
was of course without allowing in 1848, the
out-
Accordingly,
io
fourpence per pound, with a duty of
parent country
;
pound on importation into the and the government confidently
ud
threejjence per
St
to
which
tariff was considerably altered, upon cinnamon was again re-
whole
the export duty
duced
any description.
;
upon
Tr ia
hiy, or interest of
profit
l
two
expect the trade in this spice, which has fallen
F
more than one
But
half, will
hope seems
be revived. us to be fallacious,
to
fear that this tardy legislation will not
sk
and we
this
PD
off
enable Ceylon to compete with the East India
de
Company's possession on the coast of Malabar, or with the
Dutch settlement
in Java,
where the
shrub has rapidly increased in cultivation, since the prohibitive export duty of two shillings was
imposed by Ceylon duce.
We
legislation
on
its
own
pro-
say this advisedly, pailicularly with
regard to Java, as the cost of the grower there
has been calculated
at a
considerably smaller
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
sum than
157
and
that of his competitor in Ceylon,
cinnamon
the former can import his
into
this
country paying sixpence duty, which gives in duty alone, the advantage of
him
one penny under
more remains to the cinnamon pro-
the latter, therefore something
be done by our legislators for prietors of Ceylon.
upon
of export duty
this article in 1844,
was
fifty
three
l
received
The amount
while, in 1846,
it
amounted
Tr ia
tliousand one hundred and ninety-seven pounds to only
(Coffea arabica)
we
believe to be in-
ud
Coffee
io
sand and eight3^-two pounds.
;
twenty thou-
digenous to the island, as we have questioned
St
an erudite priest and noble upon the subject, and
F
they both agreed in stating that a decoction from
beny had been used by the natives from time immemorial. Some authors state that coffee was
PD
the
sk
introduced into Ceylon, fi'om Java, by the Dutch, seedlings from Mocha,
in
de
who procured
1723,
and that under the auspices of the GovernorGeneral of Batavia, Zwaardenkroom, the
first
plantations were formed in Java.
When and and cultivated
wherefore
coffee
was introduced
in other settlements,
it
is
not our
we treat solely of productions but we feel convinced its Ceylon and the coffee shrub has been known in the island in
purpose to investigate,
as ;
158
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
a wild state for ages past. tivated in 1820,
Coffee was
first
cul-
and has become an object of
great speculation amongst British residents,
who
have expended large sums of money in clearing,
and
planting,
some few
Many
cultivating estates.
duals have been
indivi-
ruined by coffee plantations,
have
succeeded in improving their
who were
financial resources,
sufficiently
prudent
and
either
had experience
Tr ia
l
or fortunate to purchase land at a fair valuation,
guide them in the
to
personal superintendence of their properties, or
management
to
who were
quality of the
Ceylon
candidly confess
St
considerably improved by cultivation
is
like
coffee
we
own
for our
:
prefer
F
berry
many
those
The
ud
worthy of their confidence.
io
entrusted the
part,
;
we
Mocha, and we have
PD
very rarely tasted coffee in Ceylon, which could
bear comparison with
into
eight
a coffee estate, have been calculated at
pounds per
clearance
ness
;
it.
of clearing jungle, and forming
de
it
sk
The expense
is
acre.
The
first
the plantations being formed on the
tain sides, the
they notch half
way up
moun-
coolees are set to work on the
forest trees at the base of the hill,
their
step in this
both curious and imposing to wit-
to
way
whose trunks
through, thus labouring on
the mountain's
summit, upon
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. attaining
which the uppermost trees are com-
and these simultaneously
pletely felled,
on those beneath, cany them, with a in
downward
their
like
159
The
course.
falling
crash
terrific
falling
mass,
avalanche, increasing at each step in
the
bulk and weight, acquires fresh impetus in progress, overpowering
obstacles,
all
its
and thus
with the roar of thunder, thousands of noble forest
trated
timber
ashes.
The
is
pros-
and reduced
usually fired
to
seedlings are generally planted out
to prevent
them from being over-
ud
season,
and attention
io
and require constant care
in the rainy
grown with weeds, and jungle
of a coffee estate in flower
the
F
beautiful,
grass.
St
The appearance truly
The
l
few seconds.
in a
Tr ia
low
trees are laid
bushes
being
is
completely
PD
covered with a mass of silvery white blossoms,
by
sk
which are thrown out in strong and bold
Then
the glossy, deep-green coloured leaves.
advanced
de
in the
changed
stage,
when
relief
these blossoms are
into ripened berries of a
deep red colour,
under whose weight the branches yield, the spectacle
is
extremely pleasing,
nessed to be appreciated our word for
it,
;
the
and must be
wit-
reader must take
that at these periods the sight
is
one of immense beauty, while the general appearance of the coffee estate
is
somewhat
like
an
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
160
extensive plantation of evergTeens, dotted here
and
there, with
left in
young
the
enormous
forest trees, purposely
clearing the jungle, for the protection of
The
plantation.
1846 amounted to one
coffee exported in
hundred and seventy-three thousand eight hunewt.,
1847 to two hundred and
will not
millions
1849, forty
pounds have passed over the roads
We
thousand cwt. of
Tr ia
during the year
and,
which was increased in
forty-five
l
dred and ninety-two
to the coast.
go through the mechanical prepa-
io
ration of the berry for the market, but glance at
ud
the difficulties that to a greater or lesser extent
first
place,
soil
if
In the
St
every planter must have to contend with.
impossible to ascertain from the
it is
is
F
a plantation
certain to succeed or not,
we have known contiguous coffee estates, although the same attention has been bestowed
PD
as
sk
and plan pursued upon both, produce
totally dif-
de
ferent crops, the one having thriven, the bushes
yielding an abundant harvest, whilst the other
has been a total
gnawed
failure,
from the
insects having entirely ruined the
or
rats
having
the roots of the plants, or the attacks of
from some inexplicable cause.
young
shoots,
The
coffee-
plant also speedily exhausts the productive quality
of the
soil,
and, unless manured, the earth
1
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
10
becoming
loses the elements of fertility, finally
incapable of producing even a scanty crop.
Labour likewise
is
extremely
difficult to
be pro-
cured at times, as the planter depends in a great
measure upon the labourers who arrive from the
and possibly they may have amassed a
coast, ficient
suf-
sum, and choose to return home either
the crop is ready for gathering, or
beiTy
is fit
coffee
are
Thus
the
large quantities of
Tr ia
for peeling.
when
l
when
Many
annually spoiled.
capitalists
io
have suffered severely fi'om this cause, and those
whose superintendents maltreat the
ud
especially
by beating them, or by mulcting them of their scanty and hardly-earned wages. We feel convinced that a more certain supply of labour might be depended upon, were the unfor-
PD
F
St
coolees, either
tunate coolees treated with the consideration due
human
beings
— which
we regret
to say they
sk
to
too fi'equently are not.
many
de
It is
years since the cultivation of the
sugar-cane was
first
commenced, but the planta-
tion at Caltura failed, owing principally to want
of experience on the part of the cultivator, in the selection of a congenial soil.
The
estate of
Mr.
Hudson, at Peradenia, however, having been more judiciously formed, led to a successful result,
was the cause of many planters following the
and in-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
162
defatigable proprietor's spirited example.
sugar plantations are
now
actively
Several
and success-
managed, producing an article inferior to none grown in the East, either in appearance or for use, and at no distant period, we may fairly
fully
conclude, that the sugar of Ceylon will be a most
important article in her export trade. is
the island, although there
every just ground to
is
capable of producing as fine a
any which has ever been grown
deed the importance of
in-
;
branch of produce
this
io
quality as
it is
neglected in
Tr ia
believe, that
much
very
l
Cotton-cultivation
ud
has not, as yet, arrested either the attention of the
opinion
we
St
local authorities, or of the agriculturist.
are fortified
am
Company's
service,
of opinion, from what I
PD
reports, " I
F
in the East India
climate, temperature,
In this
by an American planter
and
soil,
that
who
thus
saw of the
Ceylon
will
sk
produce cotton equal in quality, and when the
de
comparatively small ainount of capital required considered, T doubt not
is
the
article
cheaper than
it
ive
where a large sum must be
may even produce can in America,
laid out for labour^
and where the expense of food and clothing
much
is
greater than the cost of importing labour
into Ceylon, independently of the risk of a mortality
among
chased."
the labourers after they
had been pur-
163
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The advocates of amongst the first
slave emancipation shovild be
encom'age the growth of
to
cotton in Ceylon, and produce an article which
can
fairly
compete with the slave-grown cotton of
A
America.
commencement has been made
the neighbourhood of Batticaloa, where
seed has been sown, and country cotton
in conjunction with maize, or Indian
quantity of cotton however which has
l
The
com.
grown
is
heretofore been grown
is
Tr ia
by some
in
American
insufficient for the con-
sumption of the island.
for a considerable
io
The tobacco-plant has been and
its
quality is held in high estimation
St
Jaffna,
ud
period grown, and very extensively cultivated at
PD
F
amongst the Malabars and Malays, so much so, that some years ago the Rajah of Travancore contracted for an annual su])ply
sk
quantity of tobacco
amounts
in value to
now
some
of
it.
The
exported from the island thirteen thousand
pounds
de
per annum.
The Areka,
or Betel-nut tree (x\reka-catechu)
flourishes in great It is
a slight
tall
abundance through the
palm, with
much
island.
smaller leaves
than those of the cocoa-nut, and more feathered in their appearance
by a tough
:
these are attached to the
which
is
used by the natives to carry their provisions
in.
tree
impervious
skin,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
164
The
nuts hang in luxuriant branches, one tree
producing several hundreds, which are used by Easterns with chunam, for the chewing.
A
purpose of
filthy
large export trade
is
annually car-
ried on in this article, amounting to about the
value of thirty thousand pounds, which
be
to
increased,
since
become much esteemed
is
a dentifrice has in this country,
which
is
The ambuprasudana,
Tr ia
l
prepared from the nut.
likely lately
or water-nut,
a most
is
valuable provision of nature, for purifying
muddy
ud
io
and unwholesome water; the natives use it for this purpose by rubbing it over the internal sur-
St
face of their water chatties, wdiich has the pro-
perty of precipitating
impure and earthly par-
F
thus rendering the water pure and drink-
PD
ticles,
all
able.
sk
The jack-tree (Artocarpus an enormous
size, is
integrifalia)
de
duces an immense quantity of
branches and trunk.
The
is
fruit
and pro-
both from
fruit are of
in size varying
five or six in cii'cumference
ing
to
a most beautiful object in
nature, affords most agreeable shade,
what oval form,
grows
;
its
a some-
from half a foot to
their external cover-
rough and of a greenish hue, and their sec-
tion of a whitish colour, containing a
number
of
kernels, enveloped in a yellowish coating, which
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. is
165
of a most luscious flavour, but peculiarly dis-
The
agreeable to the olfactory nerves. are the size of a pigeon's egg,
make
good
timber
is
it
mahogany, and tured of
approaches to a light-coloured
all
ordinary furniture
is
manufac-
it.
The bread -fruit- tree size,
l
(Artrocarpus incisa)
is
also
and abundantly productive.
Of
Tr ia
one of large
two descriptions, the one bearing
this, there are
is
io
much larger than the which has no seed. The greater and
with seed and which
ud
fruit
curry. The when polished
and excellent
food,
of a yellow colour, but
with bees-wax
kernels
and when cooked
other,
St
lesser sort are both used in culinary preparations,
as well in the green, as in the matured state, the
F
making a curry of one, whilst Europeans
PD
natives
eat the fruit as a vegetable either boiled or fried.
native
who has a
bread-tree, cocoa-nut-tree,
sk
The and
jack-tree, has nearly all his wants provided
for,
and
it is
to this bountiful provision of nature,
de
we may
attribute the inactive disposition of the
people.
Indigo was formerly during Dutch
rule
that the plant
is
;
exported from
Ceylon,
notwithstanding, however,
indigenous to the
soil,
which
with the climate oflers every inducement for cultivation,
and that the greatest
facilities
its
for
CEYLON AND THK CINGALESE,
166
manufacture are at hand,
no step has yet
still
been taken since Great
Britain
has had
we
tion,
was made
believe,
to
the
A proposi-
island, to unfold this source of wealth.
government in the
year 1817 to embark capital in this cultivation,
upon condition that the speculators should be assisted with a grant of land, which, in the event
abandonment
of the design, should revert
This does not appear to have
l
government.
been entertained, and
it
enterprising individual
the
example
and
St
tree flourishes in the island,
be propagated, for the nourishment ;
had the natives a moiety of the
F
of the silk-worm
PD
industry and perseverance of the Chinese,
no reason
in
in the culture of the
ud
The mulberry might
set
Hudson did
sugar- cane.
easily'
remains for some other to
io
indigo, as Mr.
Tr ia
of the to
why
silk of as fine
we
see
a quality as any ex-
sk
ported from the Celestial Empire, should not be
de
])roduced in Lanka- diva.
The most
island
is
glorious vegetable production of the
the Tala, or Talapat palm, (Carypha
umbraculifera,) which varies in height from seventy to
one hundred
feet.
The circumference
trunk near the ground
is
about nine
of the
feet,
and
gradually tapers to the summit, where the gigantic
leaves droop
and spread out
in a parachute
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
wherever a leaf
form
;
has
sprung from the trunk of the
it
delihle
fact, that
a singular
is
mark
167
an
tree,
in-
The
the leaf has fallen.
is left after
more than commences to
natives affirm, that the tree never lives
one hundred years, and that
it
decay as soon as the blossom has arrived at per-
The
fection.
flower
is
and of a most exqui-
large
yellow; whilst in blossom this
is
enclosed in
l
site
Tr ia
a sheath, which bursts with a loud explosion as
soon as the flower has arrived at maturity.
remain in
bloom
full
for nearly
The
three
io
flowers
which
The
is
about the size of a plum, ripens.
leaves of this magnificent tree frequently
St
fruit,
ud
months, when they gradually disappear, and the
measure, from the extremity of the stalk to the
F
of the leaf, twenty-five feet, and the width
PD
tip
varies from twelve to seventeen feet
when
de
natives to various purposes leaf without preparation, fan,
by
and
this is
also
and used
pith,
from the form of the
;
can be folded like a
it
The
leaves are also cut into
for olas
and books, a thatch
made from them, which
to dwellings.
im-
by the
borne before the chiefs and nobles
their retainers.
strips
— these
dried, are applied
sk
perishable leaves,
In the trunk
is
is
serves as a roofing
found a species of
which when dried yields a
fine
meal
;
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
168 natives
most
delicate
We the
make
regret that
name
leaves,
cakes,
this into
and
and the
flour is
delicious.
we
are unable to give the reader
of a tree which grows in Ceylon,
owing
to their roughness,
cai-jienters instead of
used by native
whose
are constantly
sand-paper
;
they have also the property of extracting stains
from fiuniture, and are known by the name of
The mee-tree grows
an enormous
size,
branches afford a welcome shelter
weary
traveller
from the noonday sun
is
especially unwholesome.
when they
F
buds, that
to
and the
neverthe-
;
is
a minute
most unpleasant, and some affirm
St
white flower,
blossom, which
ud
less, the effluvia of its
io
the
to
Tr ia
l
" carpenter's leaves."
So luxuriant are these
fall to.
the gi'ound the earth
PD
appears to be covered with snow for some dis-
sk
tance around the parent tree, and the natives say, that
when
the periodical heavy rains
wash down
de
an accumulation of these^ pestiferous blossoms into the tanks,
and they
are allowed to remain
floating on the waters, the exhalation invariably
])roduces disease. tion,
Notwithstanding this convic-
nothing will induce them to
because the
fruit
they apply to
many
fell
produces pungent purposes.
a mee-tree, oil,
which
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
109
The magnificent ebony-tree (Dyospiras ebonum) is most peculiar in its aspect, as the foliage is
almost black, the bark of the trunk nearly
white, feet
and the branches sprout
from the
grand
giving the tree a mournfully
root,
The
appearance.
much sought
aft'^'r
usually jet
is
and weighty,
both by Europeans and
l
is
Avood
invariably extremely hard
black,
and
forth about thirty
and high prices
niture,
are readily obtained for
oldest and best
trees,
are generally found in the
forests of the eastern province.
most majestic, time, this
also
much
ebony,
prized.
scarce,
as
sk
for articles of furniture than
de
beauty of the wood, which
it
is
grained, will bear a high polish, and
The red
as the
more
striped
is
is
or
close
worth a
sandal and satinwood trees
are natives of Ceylon, but these are
met with
is
ebony, fi'om
mottled with black and shades of brown,
large sum.
is
At one
was exceedingly common in the
but has become
;
esteemed the
is
PD
forests
and
ti'ee
The Calamander
hirsuta,) or variegated
St
(Dyospyrus
F
tree,
The
io
specimens, that are elaborately carved.
ud
fine
Tr ia
the wealthy natives, for articles of decorative fur-
now
as rarely
Calamander tree, and for the same
reason.
The Kabook
tree,
a species of teiTninalia, attains
a large size, the timber being exceedingly duraVOL.
I.
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
170 ble,
and of a brick-dust colour
the peculiarity of
;
on the
this tree consists in its flourishing, alike
banks of streams,
and also at an elevation of two thousand three hundred feet, and what is more remarkable still is, that the in level districts,
natives believe, (and with apparent justice,) that
wherever
this
with near
its
tree
is
found, water will be met
lowermost roots, and those who
Tr ia
l
have caused the experiment to be made, invariably declare that by digging close to the tree
water has been always discovered. to notice
a
of the trees and
io
Were we
tithe
therefore
;
shall but give
PD
bo-ti-ee,
the
is
would not
a description
tree
sacred
or Ficus religiosa.
to
Under
magnificent tree, Buddhists believe the god
sk
this
we
more, and that
Buddha, the
have slumbered, when he became the incarna-
wisdom.
de
to
St
in this fertile spot, volumes
F
suffice
of one
ud
vegetable productions worthy of remark, that are
met with
tion of
The
foliage is peculiarly luxuri-
ant and beautiful, the broad leaves being heart-
shaped; and so sacred were these considered, that their
semblance was only permitted to be carved
or painted
upon the palace,
or articles of furni-
of the reigning
ture intended for the sole use
monarch.
The blossoms
are
fragrant, being bell- shaped,
most lovely and
the
colour a milk-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
171
white, save in the centre of the flower, which
delicately tinged
with
These
gold.
by terraces of
carefully guarded from injury,
and
stone,
and some
fi'om their
is
are
trees
earth
huge cavernous
trunks appear to have braved the sun's beams,
and the
lightning's flashes for centuries.
In the early morning, the perfume of the orange, wild
shrubs,
is
and
jessamine,
flowering
other
Tr ia
l
citron,
beyond conception, and ex-
delicious
quisite as these floral beauties are at all times,
their trunks
more so by the
fragile
vines, that entwine aroinid
when met with
in
a wild state.
It
impossible to enumerate the luscious fruits of
St
is
still
and pepper
ud
parasites,
io
they are rendered
F
the island, as every one, save the
PD
that grows in the torrid zone, is prolific soil of
;
from the stately tamatrees
to the small delicate chillie, all alike spring
de
down
Lanka-diva
Shaddock papaw mangol, and banana
sk
rind.
mangostein,
produced by the
spontaneously from the teeming earth.
What
especially
European
demands the
agriculturist
is,
that
attention of the in
the various
parts of the island, the peculiar productions of
Europe and Asia
will
alike
thrive,
if
care
bestowed upon the cultivation of the former that while the fragrant
with
all tropical
nutmeg and
;
is
so
clove-tree,
productions, attain the utmost I
2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
172
luxui'iance
on one portion of the
soil
wheat,
;
and other European potatoes, vegetables, will yield renumerative crops, and And we believe that no flourish upon another. barley,
turnips,
portion of the globe possesses the same capabilities for
cultivation
as are to be found on this
whose internal resources are comparatively undeveloped thus offering a fair opening for the island,
l
;
and industrious emigrant.
The expense ;
of housekeeping in Ceylon
is
con-
for, although the prices of provisions
io
siderable
Tr ia
enterprising capitalist
cles required,
ud
are generally moderate, the multiplicity of arti-
and used, by the living,
St
bined with the style of
servants,
com-
render the domestic
expenditure, fiequently, very great. Moreover,
it is
PD
F
impossible to keep such a check as to avoid peculation, as the appoo, or head-servant, invari-
sk
ably goes to the bazaar to purchase daily consmnption
;
thus
it is
all articles
of
absolutely impracti-
de
cable for the head of the household to ascertain the con-ect price of food, as
it
not only depends
upon the supply and demand, but upon the honesty or cupidity of the appoo.
This only applies to native produce, as
European productions,
comestibles,
other import are paid for monthly
— and
conscientiously aver that either the
all
and every
we can
importers,
173
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
make
exporters, or consignees, ought to
rapid
and immense fortunes, as the price demanded
and frequently
often trebled,
there
is
Thus, good butter will
a scarcity.
is
quadnipled, when fre-
quently fetch two shillings and half-a-crown the
pound, cheese the same, ham, bacon, dried and pickled tongues, preserves and pickles,
The same
now
prices of all viands are
nearly the
and Colombo, although before the
at Galle
edibles
that
were
we have
materially
ud
informed
io
steamers touched at the former place,
been
being
ratio.
l
same
Tr ia
sold in the
Mutton, when
cheaper at the former place.
can be piu'chased in the market, which
St
is
it
but
F
seldom, fetches an enormous price, being sold at
PD
the rate of a rupee or two shillings per pound,*
but a good succulent haunch or joint of mutton
and,
sold,
and used as a
when
the creatures are young,
well fed, a quarter of one roasted
cable dish
pence *
to
From
;
the price per
pound
any
price.
and have been
is
not a despi-
varies from six-
sevenpence halfpenny. this aiises
Mutton Clubs, a
tlemen, generally four, forming feed them,
at
substitute for sheep,
de
Kids are
sk
cannot be procured in the bazaar
tlic
certain
number of gen-
club, pm-chase shoe]).
and divide the expeubc amongst them.
then the price
is
enormous.
But even
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
174
Beef
invariably tough, and lean,
is
the
Poultry
is
geese
and sixpence
;
same
from
shillings
in
four
and
fowls from ninepence
one shilling and sixpence each
observe that although the price
and
is
;
but we must
low, the birds
are generally sold before
io
are never fatted,
grown, therefore the expense of feed-
ud
full
the
ducks from three to four shillings
and sixpence the couple
they are
is
l
;
selling
seven
to
is
and moderate
plentiful
and
turkeys
sixpence each
to
best
pork
Tr ia
as beef
shillings
:
animal food that can be procured in
best
Ceylon, and the value of good meat
price,
the
pound
parts being sold at sixpence per
The
fishes
St
ing them materially adds to their original cost. of Ceylon are numerous, and
F
of their varieties are unsurpassed,
if
many
not unequalled
delicacy of flavour and lusciousness, and the
PD
in
prices of the best descriptions are tolerably rea-
sk
The
sonable.
seir-fish,
de
the
fish,
par
which
excellence, of the island is
is
a species
of scomber,
having much of the appeai'ance and flavour of the finest
salmon, which however
the flesh less
is
when
infinitely excels;
of a delicate pink, but becomes colour-
subjected
This delicious is
it
fish is
solely found in
to
any culinary process.
caught with hook and
salt water,
some whose weight
line,
and we have seen
exceeded
twenty pounds.
;;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The
bull's-eye pomfret is likewise
and the beauty of
this
fish
is
175
much esteemed,
indescribable, as
the head, body, and fins are of a brilliant red, the scales being tinged with
Soles, whiting,
gold.
mackarel, and mullet are also plentiful, attain a large size, are cheap
and good, and the method
adopted by the natives is
somewhat
singular.
l
tioned fish
catch the last mei:-
to
The
when they have reached
sunset; and,
man waves
a favourable
a torch over the water, and
io
spot, one
Tr ia
fishermen push off in their canoes after
another
and
remain floating
man immediately
near
darts a
St
surface,
ud
the fish apparently fascinated, speedily rise to the the
torch
pronged iron
instrument, (not unlike a large horse-comb,) at-
PD
F
tached to a wooden handle, into the creature's back, and hauls
it
into the canoe.
would be impossible
to
enumerate the mem-
sk
It
bers of the piscatory tribe that supply the table of
de
Europeans, or the means adopted by the natives to ensnare them.
water
fish,
Suffice
the hook,
it
to say that
for salt-
pronged instrument,
and
nets are used, whilst for a particular fresh-water fish,
kraals are
nature, that in
some
slips of
it is
constructed
of
places, conical baskets
bamboo
so
impossible for the
in
escape
made from
which an aperture
a
intricate
fish to
is
left
thin for
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
176
hand
the
are used
lowered over the
this
:
fish,
machine
and the prize
is is
cautiously
seized hold
of by the fisherman.
So primitive are some of the means employed by and for the poor, that
to catch the smaller fry,
we have seen
the
rice to a piece of
men
cocoa-nut
side of their canoe,
a grain of boiled
attach
fibre,
hang
it
over the
and patiently catch, and de-
Tr ia
l
tach fish after fish, for hours; the market value of
which would not exceed three farthings. Crabs, and prawns, are to be procured along
craw-fish,
be met with in the
river
only
that flows through
ud
to
for food are
fit
io
the entire coast, but oysters
St
Bentotte, and these the divers detach from the
rocks with mallets.
The most remarkable
F
cumstance connected with the
cir-
latter edibles is,
PD
that although the stream flows for a considerable
distance beyond, and has not
its
source at Ben-
only at that place the oysters are found.
sk
totte, it is
cannot avoid expressing our
de
We
conviction,
that the importance of the fisheries in Ceylon,
both in reference to the consumption of the island,
and as a great source of export attracted the attention
considerable
demand
it
trade, has not
deserves.
There
is
a
for salt fish in the interior,
and the Roman Catholic population alone amounts to nearly two hundred thousand, who generally
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
177
To
observe most strictly the fasts of the church.
meet
this
demand, there
is
an import trade of
salt
or preserved fish, amounting annually to the value
The waters which wash the swarm with the finest fish of and a number of boats are em-
of some 0615,000.
coast on every side
every description,
ployed in fishing, particularly in the vicinity of
very small quantity of
pre-
is
it
In a tropical
peculiarly defective.
io
is
commences rapidly
ud
Cingalese
;
however,
and the mode of salting adopted by the
climate decomposition
death
fish,
after
is obvious, therefore, that a fish should
be salted immediately
is
it
caught, whereas the
any except that portion which
F
natives rarely salt
St
A
served,
Tr ia
l
Colombo, during the prevalence of the south-w est monsoon.
of,
PD
they have not been fortunate enough to dispose
and the curing never takes place
until after
sk
exposure to the powerful rays of the sun on a
gether,
de
sandy beach.
Sand and
and the
result can
namely, that such peans, who,
if
salt are
fish
thus mixed to-
easily
be imagined
cannot be eaten by Euro-
they could succeed in eradicating
the sand, cannot cure the incipient putridity.
The most
judicious method for salting that
we
have heard of is that which has been suggested by Mr. Bennett, namely, to adopt the practice I
5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
178
observed by the nutmeg-curers
beneath a thatched
roof,
composed of
bamboo,
dimensions
split
;
and construct,
of open platforms,
tiers
at
distances and of
correspond with the size of the
to
Thus, any quantity might be cured by smoke,
fish.
proceeding from the ignition of damped paddystraw,
beneath
placed
lowest
the
tier,
which
would thus ascend to the roof, passing through progress.
It
has also been sug-
l
tier in its
Tr ia
each
gested that, as the boats employed
in
fishing
little room enough to carry their cargo, a dhoney* should accompany a certain number of them laden with salt, whose crew could be occu-
after it
fish,
as rapidly as possible
St
pied in salting the
ud
io
have
had been caught.
It
must be observed
upon the improvement of the
PD
prejudicially
The
F
that the extravagant price of salt has acted most fisheries.
attention of the government appears to have
sk
been directed to the importance of
this
branch of
Edward when an ordinance was passed imposing
de
industry during the Government of Sir
Barnes,
a duty of fifteen per cent
of
all salt fish
upon the prime cost
imported into the island, and per-
mitting the exportation, free of duty, of
all
fish
cured in the colony.
The
vegetable productions indigenous to the *
Or native sailmg- vessel.
8
179
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. tropics are both
abundant and cheap and, although ;
the mangols do not equal those of Bengal, nor the
pine-apples those of Singapore, nevertheless the delicious fruits of
Ceylon
for their exquisite
are, as a
flavour
and
body, unrivalled
variety.
Potatoes
and dear, and we
are at times exceedingly scarce
sevenpence
have occasionally paid
at Galle
penny per pound
them, and never less at
for
half-
Tr ia
l
Colombo than threepence. Some years ago, the was dependant upon Madras and Bombay
island
supply of these vegetables, but in 1823
the
potatoes were planted
Kandy, and
in
io
for the first
still
remains dear and comparatively
St
this article of food
ud
good crops are now annually procured, but
demand from
scarce, as there has arisen a greater
F
the influx of Europeans.
wages are not high, but the sum paid
PD
Servant's
monthly
most establishments
sk
in
portion to the income
India,
far
Europe. from
;
as the
large in pro-
number of domes-
although not to equal the retinue kept up in
de
tics,
is
exceeds
a
The appoo,
fifteen
to
moderate
household in
or head servant, receives
twenty-five
rix
dollars *
per
month, a good cook the same, the table-servant from ten
to twelve, the horsekeepers,
and there
is
one to each horse, receive the like sum, the coolee, *
A lix
dollar is one sliiUing
and sixpence.
180
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
or servant that sweeps the rooms,
menial
offices,
and performs
six or seven, the cook's
boy
five,
the grass-cutter for each horse three rix dollars,
and the ayah, or native female attendant where there is a lady or children,
is
remunerated accord-
ing to her knowledge of needlework, but never receives less than the table-servant
and,
;
if
she
understands her business thoroughly as ladies'as the appoo.
these must be added the water-carrier,
Tr ia
To is
much
l
raaid, or nurse, frequently as
make
St
a second time upon the table
spoil
;
their appearance for,
according to
rats, dogs, or heat,
everything
that
disappears.
PD
and
F
your domestics' account, the purloin
not the
to provide the domestics with food; never-
theless few edibles ever
ud
custom
It is
io
quantity of water required daily.
Unmarried men,
if
economically disposed, (but
sk
few are in the East,) can make two or three
de
vants suffice; but, although families have a larger
number of domestics than to
our recol-
any that had a smaller establishment
the whole household of duties as efficiently as
ser-
we have known many
we have enumerated, we cannot recall lection
in
who
paid according to the number of baths and
men
will not
;
and
perform their
two women servants would
England. House-hire
is
comparatively low, as there are no
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
181
taxes, but in particularly healthy or fashionable
quarters, the rent will
in
be found
little
England, and
The
demanded in
for
lower than that which
is
paid
some instances much higher.
Kandy
price of provisions at
more than
a good dwelling,
one- third
is
Colombo, and
at Galle, or
at times
edibles of every description are exceedingly scarce,
and
difficult
be procured
upon
any terms.
wages and house-rent are also exceed-
Those who
ingly high.
Newera EUia,
and
sojourn
ud
money
the whole or portion of a domicile
sum paid
obtained, the
for
at
at times a residence,
not to be procured for
St
when
is
or
pay exorbitantly
io
for every article of food,
or lodging,
reside
are compelled to
Tr ia
l
Servants"*
to
is
;
and, to
be
temporary accommo-
by
F
dation, equals if not exceeds, the rent extorted
PD
the lodging-house keepers of a fashionable water-
ing place during the height of the season.
Dutch and Portuguese
de
the
have been informed by the descendants of
sk
We
the price of
part of the island, have .
that wages, house-rent,
provisions and furniture, in every
become more than
trebled
since the English obtained possession of Ceylon
and they have pathetically bemoaned each year the value of everything strangely
forgetting that,
although
;
to us that
increased
:
individuals
might have to pay a higher sum than they
for-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
18-2
merly did, the diffusion of specie must benefit the majority of the inhabitants, as lands become cultivated, and the market-price of the produce mate-
enhanced by augmented consumption
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
rially
——
183
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
VIII.
Tr ia
l
CHAPTER
Natural histoiy—Elephants of Ceylon spoken of by Pliny and Dionysius— Sagacity— Trained to be executioners by
io
Kandy—Ancient mode of valuing elephants —Anecdote— Catching elephants with the atmaddoo
ud
the kings of
St
Ornaments made from the coarse hau-s of the tail— King of Kandy's personal inspection of captm-ed elephants-
—Knox's account— Rogue-elephant—Elephant—Major Rogers—His ninaculous escape — Sindeath — Elephants ascend the mountains—Tusks found buried in the jungles— Elks— Deer—Walmeenya — Wild buffaloes—Bears— Cheetahs, Beauty and or leopards -Kandian mode of snaring them — Distinctive peculiarity — Wild hogs— Animals found in jungle — Rats —vShrew—Anecdote of a musk-rat—Ornithological mens— Land-leeches — Ticks—Snakes—Anaconda — Cobra or the sacred naga of the Cingalese — Warning Hair-breadth escape—Tic polonga— Legend—Ichneumon attacking a cobra — Crocodiles — Hmitiug — Crocodile chai-mers—Native method of catching and destroying crocodiles—Fecundity— Number of eggs — Pugnacity of
F
Tyranny
PD
shooting
sk
gulai-
de
docility
speci-
capello,
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
184 the
In
—Insect tribes — Wliite —Tlieir nests.
young
}teiisities
this
chapter
scientifically the
we do
ants
—Desti-uctive pro-
not pretend to classify
mammalia, or ophidia, of Ceylon
we merely give sketches that we think interesting and amusing to those who desire general information. From historical records we find that Lanka-diva has been celebrated for the tusks of
its
elephants
sius dilate largely
Tr ia
l
from a remote period; and both Pliny andDiony-
upon the superior
quality of
the ivory, which they represent as being whiter, less
porous nature, than the tusks of
io
and of a
ud
other animals of the same species.
St
In ancient times also, the monarchs of the peninsula eagerly sought for the Ceylon elephants,
believed that the greater
PD
it is
F
on account of their superior docility and courage and
phants that were used in battle
;
number of eleby Pyrrhus, as
sk
well as during the whole of the Punic wars, were
who
de
obtained from Ceylon, by the Phoenicians,
shipped them to the Persian Gulf, or the ports of the
Red
Sea.
palmy days of and
spices,
Cingalese annals
slate, that in the
their island, the traffic in elephants
formed their principal exports, as
the Eastern potentates, either
when
at
all
war with
their neighbours or for purposes of stately
show,
eagerly sought, and gave large sums for these
ponderous but sagacious creatures.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Some
185
authors have attempted to cast discredit
upon the natural
intelligence of the elephant, but
from our personal observation we can conscientiously say, that
we
sagacious of
quadrupeds, and most capable of
all
them
believe
be the most
Although we make
receiving man's instruction. this statement,
to
we do not mean
to affirm that all
all
men, nevertheless few would be
;
neither
Tr ia
do
l
elephants exhibit extreme intelligence
sufficiently
fool-hardy enough to declare, that the characteristic
manhood was
stupidity, because
That elephants possess
memory
to
ud
few are especially obtuse. the faculty of
some
io
quality of
an extraordinary extent,
St
has been evinced in numberless instances, and
meaning of
lan-
guage has been distinctly proved, and we
will
adduce
the
following
in
corroboration
sk
assertion.
PD
F
that they also understand the
de
During the native dynasty to train elephants to
it
of
our
was the practice
put criminals to death by
trampling upon them, the creatures being taught to
prolong the agony of the w^retched sufferers by
crushing the limbs, avoiding the the last tyrant-king of
mode
Kandy
vital parts.
this
was a
With
favourite
of execution, and as one of the elephant-
executioners was at the former capital, during our sojourn there,
we were
particularly anxious to test
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
186
the creature's sagacity
was mottled, and
The animal
and memory. enormous
of
and was
size,
quietly standing, with his keeper seated
neck
;
the noble
who accompanied us
man to dismount, and stand on one The chief then gave the word
upon
his
desired the
side.
of
command, !" The
ordering the creature to " slay the wretch
it,
as
if
l
elephant raised his trunk, and twined
motions as
if
Tr ia
around a human being, the creature then made he were depositing the
man on
the
it
alternately
upon the spots where the
ud
placing
io
earth before him, then slowly raised his fore-foot,
limbs of the sufferer would have been.
This he if satis-
bones must be crushed, the elephant raised
F
fied the
St
continued to do for some minutes, then, as
above his head and stood motionless; the chief then ordered him " to complete his
PD
his trunk high
sk
work," and the creature immediately placed one foot, as if
upon the man's abdomen, and the other
de
upon his head, apparently using his to crush,
entire strength
and terminate the wretch's misery.
When we
bear in mind the monarch was de-
throned in 1815, and the animal had never since that period been called
upon
to
perform the bar-
barous task to which he had been trained, few we believe will be disposed to cavil, concerning the
extraordinary intelligence and
memory
evinced by
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
187
Space will not permit us to bring
the creature.
forward other instances, to demonstrate our assertion,
but volumes might be written in proof of the
elephant's
sagacity and
memory, being second
only to those of man.
mean
Cuvier, no
authority, slates that a
marked
difference is manifest in the formation of the Afri-
l
can and Asiatic elephant, and writes, " Elephas
rhom-
Tr ia
capensis, fronte convexa, lamellis malarium
Elephas Indicus, fronte plano-con-
boidalibus.
height of a full-grown Ceylon
and a half
varies from eight
is also diversified,
bodies, whilst
many
their
some of the tuskers
are
mottled
all
over their
are of the usual elephantioe
White elephants have been occasionally
sk
hue.
as
and
head and ears of a speckled
F
others
colour,
PD
flesh
their
elephant
to ten feet,
St
colour
have a portion of
ud
The
io
cava, lamellis malarium arcuatis undatis."
but rarely found in the island, and the natives
de
affirm this breed is not indigenous, but
was
intro-
duced from Siam. Although
all
tusk-elephants are males, not more
than three or four in a hundred have these valuable protuberances
;
the remainder being provided
with short tusks like the females, which project eight or ten inches variably incline
beyond the mouth, and
downwards.
The
in-
tusks vary in
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
188
length from three to seven
feet,
and
their
weight
ranges between thirty to one hundred and twenty
pounds, but sixty-five or seventy are the average
weight of those appertaining
a full-grown
to
animal.
Formerly the
traffic
pally carried on
was
by the Moormen, and,
as their
singular,
we
They measured from
the
was
of valuing the creature
l
subjoin a statement.
princi-
Tr ia
mode
in elephants
extremity of the fore-foot to the top of the shoulder,
and
for
every cubit they
demanded one thoufor
Numberless extraordinary
ud
the Ceylon elephants.
io
sand rupees, and readily obtained that sum
St
anecdotes are extant connected with the acknow-
ledged superiority of the island elephants, even
vouch
will not
F
own
species
we have never
elephant
and, although
we
seen an African and Ceylon
we who
in juxta-position,
de
anecdote from Tavernier, tell
;
for the accuracy of the statement,
sk
as
their
PD
by those of
you hardly
to
give the following writes, "
be believed, which
is,
One
I will
that
when
any other king or rajah has one of these elephants of Ceylon,
them,
in
if they bring any other breed before any other place whatever, so soon as the
other elephants behold the Ceylon elephants, by
an instinct of nature, they do them reverence, by laying their trunks upon the ground, and raising
them up again."
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE, In their native jungle,
tlie
elephant
by a large species of mosquiio, sect called the tick,
excessive pain
;
tormented
and an
in-
which pierces the hide, causing
and, to baffle these tiny but in-
exorable enemies, the huge creature the earth, and,
is
or fly,
189
rolls itself
on
when a wild elephant emerges from
the jungle, the skin
is
of a dingy brick-dust colour,
Tr ia
l
from the sand and particles of red earth that cover the hide.
io
The elephants are now only found in the thickl}'wooded forests of the interior, although under the first
English
ud
Dutch, and during the rule of the
governor, the Honourable Frederick North (since
St
Lord Guildford), the great elephant-hunts used
to
F
take place in the maritime province, and at times
many weeks
is
the
mode
de
As
in snaring elephants, or driving them
sk
into kraals.
generally the
we
of snaring and hunting elephants
same and has been
will only allude to
often described,
one of the former, that
believe to be peculiar to the island, and which called are
ATMADDOO,
made
either
in
we is
The ropes
or hand-snaring.
from buffaloes' or bullocks' hide,
and have a running noose lie
for
PD
one or two thousand men would be employed
at
one end
;
the hunters
wait in a jungle where they find recent
tracks of the elephants
;
concealed in the trees,
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
190
they readily perceive the approach of the animal,
and allowing
pass their ambush, stealthily
to
it
creep in the rear, getting close to the creature,
and awaiting
moment
the favourable
slip
the
noose under a hind-foot, another hunter twining the opposite end of the rope around the trunk of
a
tree. is
The
elephant in attempting to pursue the
checked and tripped up,
stumbling
finally
;
l
route
Tr ia
the other hunters immediately rush forward with
by twisting
additional ropes, and secure the legs
neighbouring
trees,
securely
ud
the elephant is then
io
cords from one to the other in a figure of eight
St
the animal until sufficiently
with safety.
tamed
to
to
the
to protect
be removed
F
the native dynasty, the successful ele-
PD
Under
fastened
and a shed erected
phant-hunters were highly rewarded by the mo-
sk
narch, and were allowed to pluck out the long coarse hairs that are occasionally found at the
de
extremity of the
tail.
These
are highly valued
by the Kandian women, who weave them into bangles and anklets. The Kandian kings only retained the tuskers and speckled elephants, the others being set at liberty.
Sometimes,
to please
the potentate, the herd would be driven into the city
and captured
was a prisoner
in
in his presence,
Kandy
for
and Knox, who
twenty-one years,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
191
says,
" If the elephants caught did not please the
kmg
he ordered their liberation, but
he selected some spot near the
if
they did,
and there
city,
they were kept until he ordered them to be se-
This might not take place
cured.
three years, during
if
the beasts did
headsmen summoned
l
beyond the royal bounds, the their followers to bring
back again immediately,
them
Tr ia
stray
to
two or
which interval headsmen and
watchers were set over them, and
chance
for
were one only
for,
lost,
It
is
little
short of death."
known
well
these
ud
which was
io
they were apprehensive of the king's displeasure,
animals are usually
St
found in herds, and when a solitary elephant
is
seen, the Cingalese say that
it is
" liora
expelled for nefarious
F
who has been
PD
alia^''
a rogue-elephant,
elephant
sk
and turbulent conduct by the other members of It is strange, that whenever a solitary the herd. is
found or heard
of,
the creature is in-
de
variably viciously mischievous, destroying crops,
and taking human
life,
apparently in wantonness
and without provocation, and a rogue-elephant in former
days used frequently
to lie in
wait near
a road, rush upon the unwary travellers, trample
them
to death, then quietly return
to the jungle.
Such an occurrence took place a comparatively short time ago.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
192
In certain parts of the interior, materially
suffer
at
times
the
depredations of herds of elephants; sionally,
paddy-fields,
will
trees,
natives
from the destructive
and occa-
and topes of cocoa-nut
be completely devastated in the course
Elephants have a strong partiality
of the night.
for the leaves of the
cocoa-nut
;
and,
when they
cannot reach them with their trunks, they throw
whole weight against the
and, by con-
l
tree,
Tr ia
their
tinued pressure, succeed in laying low the stately
palm.
sense of smell and hearing, in these ani-
io
is
extremely acute, but a strong
ud
The mals
light, or the
their eyes
St
vivid glare of the sun, is evidently obnoxious to
and, for this reason, an experienced
;
will
F
elephant-shooter
invariably
endeavour
PD
place himself in such a position as to allow,
beams
sk
possible, the
forehead, as
it
is
de
if
upon the elephant's
to fall
near the eyes, at the top of the
skull, the vulnerable spot
will inflict
to
no serious
is
to
injury,
of the animal is perforated
;
be found. unless
when
in the time of a passing thought,
this is the case,
the ponderous
and motionless of the comparative, pigmy destroyer. creature lies prostrate
Balls
the brain
at the feet
As elephant-hunters cannot conveniently bag their
game,
it
is
customary
to cut off their tail,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and bear
it
away
as a trophy,
193
and some amusing
anecdotes are current in Ceylon connected with
new arrivals and young sportsmen, who have commenced docking a live, instead of a dead elephant, the creature having been merely stunned
by the shot; and the pain of the
incision acting
as a counter-irritant, causing the animal to regain scattered senses and feet, the animal shuffling
l
its
one direction, and the inexperienced hunter
Tr ia
off in
running swiftly in the opposite, bawling loudly
io
for assistance.
was Major Rogers, and
it
this
has been stated to us
adventurous
St
by those who knew
ud
celebrated elephant-hunter in Ceylon
The most
man
well,
elephants.
slain more than fourteen hundred His hair-breadth escapes were mira-
culous, and
among
F
he had
PD
that
sk
which, although
it
the
many we
will cite but one,
savours of the wonderful,
is
de
strictly correct.
The Major had ball glanced off,
shot at an elephant, but the
merely inflicting a flesh-wound
the creature, infuriated with pain, raised
which
uttering the terrific trumpet-like squeal,
they always
make preparatory
;
trunk,
its
to a charge.
The
elephant seized Rogers with the proboscis, and carried
him
him on
a short distance, then dashed
the ground, into a deep hole, and trampled VOL.
I.
K
upon
^
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
194
him, breaking his right arm intow several of his ribs;
and
it
places,
and
was only the small
size
had been thrown that the elephant had not sufficient
of the hole into which he
saved his
room
to
life,
as
use his
When
full strength.
sportsmen came up
to the
his brother
Major, they found him
lying senseless, and, so soon as he recovered his
the elephant both seized
and trampled upon
Tr ia
when
l
speech he stated, that he was perfectly conscious him, but that he knew attempting to escape, or
was worse than futile, and that he was entirely passive upon principle, as he had often reflected upon such an event occurring, and to
remain perfectly motionless.
St
had resolved
ud
io
struggling
We
mind over matter, or was ever recorded ihan this. The death of this courageous man was as melancholy as extraordinary he was travelling in the interior with a gentleman and his wife, on
PD
resolution,
F
believe no greater mastery of
de
sk
:
the 7th of June 1846, and the party were taking
refreshment at a Rest-house, preparatory to pursuing their
journey.
A
violent thunder storm
came on which detained the travellers for some time it had abated, the sun was again shining and preparations were making to resume their tour, when the Major stepped into the verandah, saying that he thought the rain had entirely subsided, and it was time to set out. ;
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
195
Suddenly, a vivid flash of lightning was seen, a loud crash of thunder heard called to him, saying they
longer
;
companions
not receiving a reply, the gentleman went
;
corpse,
lifeless
but a few moments previously, was
Thus
and apparently out of danger,
shelter
often braved the heat of the
the elephant,
of
who had
battle, the fury of
and who had never shrunk from a
io
hazardous undertaking.
cannot conclude our observations upon
ud
We
full
died one whilst under
l
and merriment.
Tr ia
who
his
better wait awhile
and there lay poor Rogers a
out,
life
had
ele-
St
phants, without remarking upon their capability of enduring extreme atmospheric changes, of these
F
Cej'lon, the tracks
for, in
animals are found
PD
alike in the valleys of the interior,
and on the
elevated thickly-wooded mountains, and
many
of
sk
these elevations exceed six thousand feet, above
de
the ocean's level, the thermometer varying in the valleys,
and on the mountains
forty-five degrees.
These clumsy animals appear also to delight in climbing steep hills, and slippery rocks, and ofttimes their mutilated bodies are found in precipices and abysses below.
Frequently tusks of a large size are discovered in the jungles,
by the
natives,
but whether they have been buried
and forgotten, or have been forced K 2
196 into
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the
though fall
earth it
is
upon
by the animals, none can
tell;
asserted that elephants in flight will
their
own impetus and
tusks, their
weight snapping them
off close to the
sockets.
But, even presuming the latter statement to be correct,
is
it
how
a problem to us
the tusks can
be found beyond their own depth, unless in the of lime
accumulated over
the soil has
Tr ia
l
course
them.
In the central province elks abound and afford
io
good sport; these animals approximate closely
to
ud
the red deer of Scotland, and at a distance might
St
readily be mistaken for them.
When
they are
full-grown their height varies from four to five half, their colour a
dark reddish brown,
F
and a
vvliich
gradually shades into black upon the neck
PD
feet
and hinder
part.
There are several species of
sk
deer indigenous to the island, that are remarkable elegant forms and beautiful coats, and
de
lor their
among them Albinoes llie
are occasionally seen, with
red eyes peculiar to the colour,
and these
animals are highly prized by the Kandians.
We
shall only describe the smallest of the deer
tribe called
by some
the Linuffian
name
the
Cingalese
creatures,
naturalists
of which
is
Walmeenya.
perfect in
their
the musk-deer,
Moschus meminna, These diminutive
proportions,
are
the
197
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. most exquisitely lovely of beauty of
qnadrupeds
all
We
scription.
fourteen
;
had a full-grown
not exceed
height did
eyes,
lustrous
delicate limbs,
their
spotted skins, and graceful forms baffling
the
;
de-
all
whose
male,
and length
ten inches,
the throat, neck, and stomach, were milk
white; the remainder of the body was grey, regu-
with black, over which were equi-dis-
The head
tant yellow spots.
Tr ia
l
larly striped
gradually tapered to
the snout, whilst from either side of the mouth
io
protruded a small but perfectly-shaped tusk; the short,
and
was under
five
of
the Lilliputian
St
weight
the
ud
eyes and ears large and open, the
pounds.
was curious
to observe
how
kindness con-
F
It
tail
had him,
lift
if
an attempt was
;
made
when we to
handle
him, he immediately snorted and resisted,
sk
first
or
PD
quered the animal's natural timidity
de
kicking violently, and small as he was, he could inflict
strong kicks with his slender pointed hind-
hoofs.
Gradually fear subsided, and, as he be-
came domesticated, he was placed upon after dinner,
and allowed
and then another from
to nibble first
the dishes;
at
the table
one
fruit
last,
he
would boldly walk about, and, when called by name, would fearlessly approach and take food from the hand, allowing caresses
to
be bestowed
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
198
upon him.
His
by degrees crouch in
at
;
down
a wild
terror of the
dogs also diminished
when they barked he would
first,
instantaneously, (as this species do
state,
among
the grass for concealment,
as soon as they hear a noise,) and remain motionless,
panting with alarm, exhibiting other symp-
toms of
fear,
At
with dilated eyes.
length,
would become calm, finding no injury terrier to
l
inflicted,
the island would allow a small
stand close
to,
and
the larger dogs barked
sniff his
coat, and,
when he was out of
his
io
if
left
Tr ia
and before we
he
would gaze inquiringly towards the spot
ud
cage,
where the noise proceeded from, without exhi-
St
biting the slightest uneasiness.
F
With some difficulty, we obtained a female of same breed, as these animals are rarely taken
alive,
PD
the
and succeeded
in bringing both to
England,
sk
but unfortunately our changeable climate did not agree with them, and
first
our tame petted favourite
de
and then the female sickened, and eventually each died of inflammation of the lungs.
The
wild buffalo of Ceylon
Malabar, but much larger and in
many
is
a variety of the
fiercer,
and abounds
of the thinly inhabited districts.
ing these animals
adventurous
is
spirits
Hunt-
considered perilous, (although
pursue the pastime)
the ball not take effect near the
for,
should
shoulder, the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. a curved
brute invariably charges, in clining sideways,
199 line,
in-
and presenting one horn with
which too frequently enters
unerring accuracy,
Their indomitable
the body of the sportsman.
courage and tenacity of life, are only equalled by
when they
the spirit of revenge evinced
This
tacked.
and formerly
called
is
are at-
gaura by the
many
this breed overran
localities, that still
bear the creature's name.
bears of the island, though small, are re-
and
fierce,
unmolested. the natives
will attack
These animals as
man even when much dreaded by
io
markably
are
ud
The
Tr ia
l
natives,
animal
powerful fore-legs,
their
sharp
St
claws, and fangs, usually inflict mortal injuries,
leopard, or cheetah, has a most beautiful
and occasionally
sk
coat,
PD
The
F
or so disfigure the person as to leave few pleasing
marks of humanity.
attains the length of seven
to
de
and a half feet, and, although extremely destructive cattle, dogs,
and
all
domesticated creatures,
never attacks
human
The Ceylon
leopard has distinctive peculiarities,
beings, unless in self-defence.
the principal one being,
its
incapacity to draw
back the claws within the sheath. Cheetahs abound in the Kandian the natives
wage
a perpetual
districts,
and
war of destruction
against them, on account of their partiality for
200
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
their cattle
They shoot them, with
and poultry.
cross bows, furnished with large bladed arrows,
and spring guns
they dig pitfalls over which
;
is
suspended a newly-killed animal, and make enclosures, with laid
a dropping gate, under which
some tempting morsel
of extermination
astonishment
is,
is
in short,
;
untried,
left
no scheme
and our only
that the whole race has not been
Tr ia
is
l
extirpated centuries ago.
The wild hog
found in most of the wooded
both ferocious and powerful, and will
districts, is
The
which shades
or
into grey on the shoulders
flesh
PD
and the
F
Hunting these creatures
throat.
sport,
brown
St
the colour of their hides being a dark
and
full-
are larger than the Westphalia boar,
ud
grown males
io
readily turn to attack man, or beast.
black,
is
of a
is
a favourite
young hog
is well-fla-
newly-killed
sk
voured and succulent, resembling venison.
de
In the jungles are also to be found jackalls, hares,
the ichneumon or mongoose,
species of weazel,
some of them
rare
many
a peculiar
descriptions of monkeys,
and curious
;
sloths, squirrels of
every variety, and the hideous creature called flying-fox,
porcupines,
the
(which seriously damage
plantations of cocoa-nut trees, as their favourite
food
is
the centre of the root,)
and other animals
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
201
But
that our prescribed limits preclude noticing. in to
no part of Ceylon are
lions, tigers, or wolves,
be seen. the greatest domestic pests in Ceylon,
Amongst
are the innumerable legions of rats that
abound
in
every part of the island and infest every dwelling,
and the audacious boldness of these destructive
We
vermin will hardly be credited.
have
fre-
Tr ia
l
quently seen the creatures perched upon the back of a chair, or top of a screen, and not offer to until
something was thrown
at
them
move
and we
;
will
equal that exhibited by Rogers
seized
by
the elephant.
when he was
ud
will
io
give an account of a rat's presence of mind, that
we went
into the
verandah
to ascertain
F
our dogs,
St
Hearing a great commotion and barking among
PD
the cause, and found they were disputing about the possession of a recently-caught animal, which
sk
our nostrils soon informed us was a shrew, or
we made the dogs relinquish their pro tem., as we were desirous to examine
de
musk-rat; prize,
the vermin, promising them that as soon as our
survey was completed, the rat should be returned.
We
took up the creature by the
dining-room, and held observe
its
it
close to
(the dogs
tail,
leaping and barking around us,) carried
it
into the
the lamp, to
distinctive peculiarities.
K 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
202
The
creature was without motion
not a muscle
;
moved, and the limbs hung loose as if life had This examination totally quitted the carcase. lasted fully five minutes, and,
was
satisfied,
we threw
when our
curiosity
the rat to the dogs, (which
closely surrounded our legs and the table, yelping
with the excitement of expectation,) expecting to
when
brute not only took to
and ran
celerity,
off,
its
to our
amazement the
legs with
all
imaginable
l
torn to pieces,
it
Tr ia
see
but got clear away, baffling
every effort of the dogs to retake
it.
Assuredly,
stole a
cunning march upon us. will
occasionally measure twelve
St
The musk-rat
ud
all
but also
io
must admit that the rat not only " stole away,"
inches from the snout to the
tail
;
the head is
F
slender, the upper jaw^ projecting considerably be-
PD
yond the lower, the whiskers bushy, long and white, the colour of the coat grey, but the feet are totally
devoid of hair, and the
root.
The
;
thick at the
effluvia of this creature is
most power-
sk
de
ful
tail is
and,
if it
runs over any edible, the article
becomes so impregnated with
llie
peculiar smell
as to be totally unfit for use.
The
ornithological specimens of Ceylon are as
numerous
as beautiful,
and no study can be con-
ceived that offers a wider field for investigation.
From
the gorgeous feathers of the wild peacock
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. to the diversified
ling,
plumage
of the Cingalese star-
from the rhinoceros bird to the jungle-crow
and blue rock-pigeon, island,
and
and observation
be only second
and beauty
being met with on the
aJl
furnishing alike subjects of profit-
all
able thought to
203
of,
;
we
believe Ceylon
Australia for the
to
number
indigenous birds.
In some parts of the island red-legged partridges,
l
contend with two serious drawbacks,
game he seeks be an tridge,
as
snipe,
or
let
the
elephant, or buffalo, a par-
jungle and
every
io
to
and snipes abound, but the sportsman has
Tr ia
quails,
morass
ud
abounds with land-leeches, and an exceedingly
St
disgusting insect called the tick.
found wherever there
slender form
enables
it
to
its
thicker
penetrate
Some sportsmen wear called leech-gaiters, others boots, but we the
are
The land-leech
long grass, and
clothing.
sk
what
PD
then a very fine needle,
through
is
when ungorged not being
F
is
to
de
never yet knew, or heard of any one, being able exclude these blood-thirsty creatures.
The dimensions
of the land-leech are about an
inch in length, and one-tenth in diameter, their colour a dark green approaching to black
when gorged they
are quite
;
but
two inches long, and
three quarters of an inch in circumference.
draw a considerable quantity of blood, 7
They
their bites
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
204
causing great
irritation
;
and,
if
places are
the-
As
scratched, eventually inflammation.
their
mo-
tions are peculiarly agile, they are most difficult to kill,
remove
or to
them
in taking
for,
;
your
off"
when you have succeeded legs,
they ahuost instanta-
neously fasten upon your hands, before you have time to destroy them.
dangerous
to
pluck
quickly, as that increases the irritation of
the wound, bul,
ihey are touched with brandy,
if
l
oft"
is
they immediately drop
Tr ia
them
It
off.
Lime-juice, and other acid applications, will
who
and staunch the bleeding, and
io
alleviate the itching
good habit of body and abstemi-
ous, only suffer
temporary inconvenience from
whose wounds
whilst
St
iheir bites,
ud
are of
those
others
who
live
freely,
and
and ultimately
PD
fester,
F
constitutions are debilitated, often find the ulcerate.
Many
animals suffer severely from the land-leech, and
sk
sheep will not thrive upon any pasture where they
During the dry season, these
de
are to be found.
noxious creatures multiply to an almost incredible extent,
and especially abound upon
all
wooded
hills.
As leeches abound in the grass, so do upon the trees, where they lie upon the myriads, and, or
if
the branch
is
the ticks leaves in
shaken by the wind
touched by the sportsman, they
fall
upon
his
205
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. person and drive him neariy insane
;
as their sting
resembles the prick of a red-hot needle, and the skin
is
no sooner pvmctured than intolerable
These
ing supervenes.
filthy
itch-
insects are about
the size of a very large pin's head, of an oblong
form, and
flat,
when we many have seen we
and of a mulberry colour
;
but,
they are distended with their sanguinary meal,
The
legs of ticks
seem
an inch wide.
l
that were quite a quarter of
to
Tr ia
can positively declare that
be provided with
small hooks, as they cling to the skin with most
io
obnoxious tenacity, defying every
effort to
remove
ud
them, without pulling the body from the limbs
;
to
cluster
man, and without extreme caution
will
round the fleshy part of a dog's foot and
F
are
St
these insects are as troublesome to animals as they
between the
PD
toes,
eating into the flesh, inflicting
agonizing torture upon the poor brute which, mad-
sk
dened by the pain, vainly essays
de
with the teeth. readily fasten
We
to pull
them out
found that ticks Would more
upon an European than upon the
country-born dog, and we shall not readily forget the
manner
in wliich our terriers
used
to
be bitten
by them, despite the daily ablutions and taken to free the dogs from these ruthless
care tor-
mentors.
Snakes, venomous reptiles, and insects, aboiuid
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
'206
and
in Ceylon,
surprising that so few deaths
it is
We
occur annually from their bites.
shall neither
attempt to enumerate, nor classify the Ophidia,
merely mentioning what we think most likely to interest the general reader.
The
largest of the serpent tribe in
Ceylon
the
is
anaconda, (belonging to the genus Python,) and in the island
and we have heard
This
it
asserted that
reptile is
handsomely marked
patches of a dark rich brown and yellow
the teeth
are large
is
very great.
The
creature
excrescences, or spurs, near the
PD
homy
and these enable the
reptile to
sk
de
the
which
ready to seize upon and entwine
around any animal that
They
tail,
cling with greater
security to the branches of the trees, from will swing,
;
and sharp, and the muscular
F
povver of the jaws
it
to
io
in
informant.
has two
full-
and whose body was two circumference, was killed by our
feet long,
and a half in regular
a
ud
feet,
one twenty-five
St
twenty
;
seventeen
Tr ia
grown snake will measure from
l
uncommon
from being
is far
may come
encircle their victims in the
boa-constrictor,
within
its
reach.
same manner as and
crushing every bone,
lubricating the carcase with saliva before swallow-
ing
it
seize
prey
;
and, although they have been
is
known
to
young
buffalo, their usual
believed to bejackalls.
The Cingalese do
upon a
deer, or
207
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. not particularly dread this snake,
as
it
rarely
attacks man.
The
hooded snake,
cobra-capello, or
naga by the natives, and
considered sacred,
is
on the western coast before the
Goutama Buddha,
it is
this reptile is regarded,
reverence with which
although
venomous
its
known, prevents many of the naand the most ingenious it;
is
tives
destroying
l
nature
well
of
arrival
believed the people wor-
The
shipped this snake.
called
reasons are assigned
by them
to
Tr ia
as
is
Europeans, to ex-
by the
cobra, or naga.
is
caught, instead of
St
In Kandy, when a cobra
ud
inflicted
io
tenuate or account for the deadly bite too often
slaying the noxious vermin, and thus preventing
it,
will secure
PD
be rid of
F
farther mischief accruing, the people wishing to
some
the night to
fear
de
the naga, but to hesitate
and convey
distant
and
sk
Those who
it,
whose
desire
village,
or
during jungle.
the destruction of
superstition
before they take
it
life,
causes them
make a com-
promise with their conscience, by enclosing the snake in a mat-bag, with some boiled rice food,
and place the
receptacle,
inmate,
for
and
food in a flowing stream, where the snake certain
to
is
meet death either by drowning, or
from the hands of some less scrupulous devotee.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
•208
Therefore,
we warn our
readers,
if,
their peregrinations, they should
Cinnamon
the
Isle,
in the course of
wnnder through
and see floating upon
a river's
sparkling surface a mat-bag, the mouth of which is tied
with especial care, not to open the same
without due caution, or they
may be
greeted with
a loud hiss, and be severely punished for indulg-
ing in the ao-caWed /e?nmi?ie propetisiti/ of curi-
This
when
reptile,
from six to seven
full
Tr ia
l
osity.
grown,
in length,
feet
bite of this reptile is
time to
flee
if
seen by a
poisonous and
human
being
from the impending danger
;
F
is
St
generally deadly, but there
in
io
ud
The
snakes,
often found
and varies
hue being called by the and those of a dark, low-caste
colour, those of a light natives, high-caste,
is
PD
as the creature is compelled to twine the lower
extremity, and erect itself
sk
can dart.
The
de
before
coil,
makes its be most terrific
inflated head, just before
deadly spring,
upon the
aspect of this creature with
is
said to
following occurrence
is
it
its
unerring-
it
;
and the
indelibly imprinted
upon
our memory.
A and
legal friend to relieve
was going on the
circuit to Jaffna,
tedium of the journey had
quitted his palanqueen and taken his gun, re-
solving to walk in the shade, looking for game.
209
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
and soon bemoaned his
He
sport.
observed
fate at
for
not meeting with
some distance the tracks
and footmarks of elephants, but neither bird nor beast presented thicker,
became deeper,
the footfalls
itself;
fresher as he penetrated farther into
and
the jungle, bearing evidence that a numerous herd
Tr ia
l
had but recently passed through. Our friend picked his way carefully between these tracks, and, as he stepped over a very deep
he thought he saw a dark glistening sub-
hole,
stance filling
up
:
he proceeded a few yards,
io
it
and
satisfy himself to his
what the shining object was,
dismay, he saw a cobra with inflated
St
when,
ud
then turned round intending to retrace his steps
;
he instantly levelled his gun and
PD
before stepped
F
head, rising from the hole over which he had just
shot the venomous brute before
and
had time
to coil
sk
erect itself.
tic-polonga, although
de
The more
to
somewhat
smaller,
be dreaded than the cobra, as the
almost instantaneously tile
it
fatal,
and the
is
bite is
terrible rep-
darts forward without the slightest warning,
or giving the victim a moment's notice, it is
— in short,
the most dangerous and vicious snake in the
island, despite the assertion of a recent author to
the
This
who has never been
contrary,
snake
is
peculiarly
active
in
and
Ceylon. spiteful.
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
210
attacking alike bipeds and quadrupeds, and the
venomous fangs
effects of its all,
are the
same upon
the muscular powers becoming paralyzed, and
the sanguineous fluid speedily coagulating
men who
never heard but of two
recovered
being stung. tic-polonga
is
and the body
long,
length
;
the head
is
frequently three or four feet
is
thick in proportion to the
triangular,
l
The
and the colour a
Tr ia
we
after
and
;
The Cin
dark grey, almost appi'oaching to lead.
much
as they venerate
io
galese abhor this snake as
ud
the cobra-capello, and the following legend con-
nected with these two reptiles illustrates the
by them.
F
men
call the
PD
is
of Serendib
isle
that
valley,
St
ferent sentiments entertained
" In the
there
is
abundance
happy
;
its
It
fields
but at one season
sk
rice in
a
vale of Kotmale.
watered by numerous streams, and
produce
dif-
de
great drought prevails, and the mountain torrents
then cease their constant roar, and subside into rivulets, or altogether disappear.
when
At
this period
the rays of the noontide sun beat fiercely
and hotly on the parched encountered a cobra-capello. in vain sought to
earth, a tic-polonga
The polonga had
quench his burning
thirst,
and
gazed with envy on the cobra, who had been
more successful
in his search for the pure beve-
;;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Oh puissant cobra, me where T may find the
rage. tell
'
!
hast revelled.'
I perish with thirst
stream wherein thou
Accursed polonga,' replied the
cumberest
'thou
cobra,
*
211
the
earth,
wherefore
should I add to the span of thy vile existence.
Lo,
near to this flows a mountain-rill, but an
only child
is
disporting herself therein, while
Wilt thou then swear not
Tr ia
l
her mother watches the offspring of her heart. the infant,
to injure
impart to thee where thou mayest cool thy
if I
'
I
swear by
all
the gods of
io
parched tongue.'
Serendib,' rejoined the polonga,
in front of
it
'
Thou
that I will not
ud
the infant.'
yonder hamlet
seest
gushes forth a spring of water,
St
harm
*
F
that abates not during the intensity of the
spot,
the
rushing
de
delicious liquid,
touching
him
his
and there beheld a dark-eyed
sk
in
PD
The polonga wended
heat.'
to
waters.
inflicted
to
the
bathing
Having quaffed
her, and,
His as
evil
the
soul prompted
she lay beneath
shade of a leafy tamarind-tree,
and
girl
he repented him of his oath
the infant.
kill
summer-
way
a mortal wound.
the
he approached
As he
retired
from his dying victim, he again met the cobra,
who the
seeing blood on his fangs, and perceiving cause,
thus
addressed him.
forgotten the sacred
oath
thou
'
Hast thou
swearest unto
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
212
me
The blood of Thou shalt
?
thy victim
geance.
cries
for
ven-
And, darting
die.'
body of the polonga, he slew
his fangs into the
him
surely
instantly."
There are many other venomous snakes, reptiles,
and insects indigenous
we cannot and
till
notice
any of these, they invariably suspend
we presume
exterminated,
never subjected to so great
is
ud
beautiful
little
the declared foe to this snake,
and
ichneumon, is
invariably
upon the back
the animal springs
F
:
PD
the assailant
the
creature,
St
The
only exception
being the sacred naga, who, even
this rule
an indignity.
is
The
as
io
if
Tr ia
a warning to their fellows.
l
their lifeless bodies to the trees,
to
which
when the Kandians catch
and,
;
to the island,
of the snake and seixes the nape of the neck, and
less.
its
teeth
until the
sk
never uncloses
de
Those who have witnessed the
the cobra always
commencing
the
particular plant
tries
to escape,
fight the
snake
battle say that
and that before
ichneumon runs
and eats a portion, and
as an antidote to the reptile's poison.
rather incredulous
upon
is life-
to a
this serves
We
are
this latter point, but are
quite certain that the
ichneumon
snake in the open
and as scrupulously avoid
air,
will assail the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. doing so say
extends
we
if in
either
We
an enclosed space. antipathy of the
the
if
213
to other serpents, as all the
cannot
ichneumon encounters
have heard of took place with the cobra-ca-
pello.
The
crocodiles of Ceylon grow to a great size,
some of the full-grown males measuring twenty but their average length
The
fifteen.
l
is
Tr ia
feet;
species found in the island differ materially in the
formation of the head from the crocodiles of the
Ganges,
but they are
io
equally ferocious,
;
and a native told us he knew a
was dragged out of
his canoe
water that are met with in the
scantily-populated districts, and occa-
sk
and
by-
swarm, being also found
reptiles
in small sheets of flat
and devoured
In the tanks and streams
PD
Putlam these
never
men and man who
F
one of these monsters. of
St
animals
ud
leaving go of their prey, seizing alike
de
sionally in a season of long-continued drought,
crocodiles will be seen their
way from
Europeans hunt these good
sport,
in
the
jungles,
making
the dried-up tanks to the rivers.
and the
creatures,
lives of
and consider
many
it
valuable dogs
have often been sacrificed, as the crocodiles
fre-
quently seize the animals and drag them under the water.
The only way
to ride close to the dogs,
the water.
to avoid this disaster is
and
fire
as they approach
1
214
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Another method of destroying the crocodiles
is
the following, which, although efficacious, savours too
much
of slaughter in our estimation to be
Hooks, baited with
called sporting.
are
flesh,
attached to about twenty thin, but strong strings,
wood being
extremity of the
which a strong cord
This apparatus
has been seized
;
the
strings
men
is
cast into the water
when
the bait
then pull the cord, and
having become entangled
io
numerous
is
float indicating
Tr ia
attached.
by attendants, the the
fastened to the opposite
lines, to
l
a piece of
ud
the wide-set teeth of the crocodile, the head
in is
soon drawn above the water, and the sportsman
the creature
is
to
break
then hauled on shore
F
;
St
aims a shot between the head and neck the spine
We
PD
and despatched with spears, or guns.
heard of some men killing in this manner
have
many
sk
dozens in the course of the year, but we again it is
too like butchery to suit our taste.
de
repeat,
In the districts infested with crocodiles,
calling
themselves
crocodile-charmers
and, as these cunning fellows
know
men
abound,
the habits and
haunts of the reptiles, they generally succeed in
conveying a party safely through, or across a stream.
Crocodiles, although ferocious, are slug-
gish and cowardly
Putlam
will
go
in
if
attacked, and the natives of
a large body into the water.
CFALON AND THE CINGALESE. and drag them on shore with strong
who drag tion,
Those
nets.
the net keep their legs in constant mo-
whilst
others
shout and
water with long poles to terrify
215
and confound the crocodiles,
paratively
upon the
strike
this disturbance appears
;
struggle but
little
who com-
when entangled
in
the net. fire-arms, remain
Tr ia
l
Men, armed with spears and
on the banks of the tank, or stream, and so soon
drawn
into shallow water they
are speedily despatched.
leg, as that is
they prefer this
ball,
surface of the
mode
as from the hard
F
powder and
natives in using
most vulnerable part of the
St
the
And
creature.
The
the reptile under the fore
ud
wound
the spear try to
io
as the reptiles are
PD
crocodile's skin,
it
to wasting
and
irregular
is difficult for
any, save a good marksman, to mortally
fecundity of the crocodile
de
The
sk
the reptile.
is
wound
proverbial, as
the female lays from seventy to eighty eggs, which are larger than a goose's
;
the sand, being hatched
these are deposited in
by
the heat of the sun,
and numbers of the eggs fortunately never at maturity.
arrive
Those who have broken the mature young crocodiles, state
eggs, and liberated the that
they utter a sharp
bark
immediately
on
leaving the shell, and will snap and bite a stick, or
any other weapon held near them.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
216
It is impracticable to particularize
insect tribe,
although Ceylou
many
of the
as rich in these
is
and vegetable king-
as she is in her ornithological
dom, and the brilliance and beauty of the
fire-flies
and beetles are proverbial, whilst the white ants are equally celebrated for their destructive propensities.
dreaded both by Europeans
l
undermine houses, destroy
devour clothing, and render provisions
And what
is
most extraordinary
away
the insect will eat
is,
that
the interior of a beam, or
io
furniture,
useless.
is
will
it
Tr ia
This small insect and natives, as
sound, and the
intimation you
first
St
apparently
ud
leg of a piece of furniture, leaving the exterior
have of the work of destruction being commenced,
beam
falling
F
the
down
in particles of dust
PD
is
At
the table, bedstead, or chair giving way.
the dismay of the inhabitants, in
a
or
cer-
and possibly,
sk
tain seasons they acquire wings,
;
to
few minutes
de
every article in the room will be covered with
white ants, and the only of the dwelling
compound,
is
to
way
have a
to entice fire
them out
kindled
in
the
as a bi'illiant light invariably attracts
these insects.
The Cingalese boiled rice,"
call
their nests
" heaps of old
and they are composed of various
substances, so amalgamated as to bear a strong
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. resemblance
broken
white
a fine
to
grains of rice.
We
217
honeycomb
and
have heard of those who have
off pieces of these
abodes to examine them,
and who have as a reward
for their
laudable spirit
we presume, been most severely stung by the inmates. A difference of
of investigation, bitten or
opinion exists, as to whether white ants sting, or
we know not what means they employ, but we do know they can draw blood in one instant, and cause extreme pain when inflicting the wound.
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
bite;
VOL.
I.
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
CHAPTER
the Mosaic
F
— Aborigines — Island
PD
Cingalese ambassadors visit
—Indian
visited
island,
conqueror,
by the Komans
Rome— Account
by Comas Indicopleustes
centui-y
and produce
— Hindoo and
— Date of the submersion of the
St
Cingalese records
sixth
Size, fertility,
classical wiiters of antiquity
nearly coincides with
Wijeya
—
io
— Mentioned by
IX.
ud
Geographical position of Ceylon
Tr ia
l
218
given in the
— Island
first
—
by the Portuguese in 1505 Native account Dutch in Ceylon Wars between the Portuguese and
sk
visited
—
— Affecting
de
Dutch
historical
anecdote
— Battles — The
Portuguese possessions in Ceylon obtained by the Dutch in 1658
—List of the Portuguese Governors.
Ceylon
is
siliiale
between
5*^
56',
and
9^ 50'
north latitude, and between 80° and 82° east longitude island,
;
and, froin the shape and position of the it
has, with
been compared
to
no
less
beauty than truth,
a jiear'-drop on the brow
of"
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the Indian continent. miles, its
The
about 900.
is
Its
length
breadth about 103, and
about 276
is
its
219
circumference
superficial area
is
24,000 square miles, and the population
mated
nearly is
(since the last census) under a million
The
a-half.
island
is
esti-
and
bounded on the north-east
by the Gulf of Mannar, by which
it is
separated
Tr ia
l
from the main land, and the Indian Ocean bounds other shores.
The scenery
diversity
of
some places studded with barren wooded to the water's edge with
in
;
great
presents
sea-shoi'e
io
its
ud
rocks, in others
St
cocoa-nut trees, which skirt the island, presenting a scene of truly oriental beauty.
F
In the interior are mountains from 6,000 to
PD
8,000 feet in elevation, which form a species of natural circular fortification, protecting the inte-
three
which the natives were enabled
European modes of warfare
de
to defy
of
sk
by means
rior,
Many
centuries.
of these
for
more than
mountains are
clothed from base to summit with primeval forests,
and among the laurel, but,
may be
trees
when
this
of a moderate sized tree, cial purposes.
It is
is
situated,
it is
useless for
commer-
on the slopes of these moun-
tains that the soil best
of cofTee
seen the cinnamon-
shrub attains the dimensions
adapted
for the
cultivation
and since 1835 the culture of L 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
•220
this slirub lias so increased, that the ]ivoduce of
Ceylon alone,
nearly sufficient to furnish the
is
supplies requisite for the consumption of Great Britain.
Although the breezes passing over the ocean
and these
lofty
mountains are
frequently extreme
;
but the suffocating
l
is
times refreshing,
produced by the heated atmo-
oppression
the
sphere
at
unknown.
are here entirely
The Wellanee,
io
the Mahawelliganga, the Gui-
and the Kalluganga, are the principal
rivers
;
ud
dora,
Tr ia
simooms experienced on the continent of India
and the sources of these, together with those of
may be
tributary ones, originate in the
and the
fertility
of this verdant
attributed to the plentiful supply of
PD
isle
;
F
mountains
St
some smaller and lofty
good water.
sk
The temperature as in
island varies consider
Newera
the mountains, and at
de
ably,
of the
the thermometer will
whilst on the coast
it
fall
will
Ellia,
below freezing-point, range from eighty-six
to ninety-six of Fahrenheit.
From
the earliest ages
has been renowned
for
Lanka-Diva, or Ceylon,
the wealth of its marine,
vegetable, and mineral productions
:
the sea yield-
ing cosily pearls, and a plentiful supply of various
and delicious
fish, fit fur
the sustenance of
man.
1
CEYLON AND THK CINGALESE.
The
"2-2
kingdom teems with
vegetable
another nature, equally valuable
riches of
— the coffee-bush,
from the berry of which the fragrant decoction
made
whose leaves a
furnishes delicious spice, and from oil is
obtained
aromatic spice
the nutmeg-tree, with
;
the dove-tree, with
;
spiral slender leaves
and the tobacco-plant.
;
existence where there
into
which
graceful cocoa-nut tree,
will spring
scarcely soil suffi-
is
io
The
juicy pulp and
its
Tr ia
blossoms; the sugar-cane, with
its
fragrant
its
l
pure
is
the cinnamon-laurel, the bark of which
;
ud
cient to cover the root; the green fruit furnishing
St
a cooling and delicious beverage, the ripened nut food, the shell fuel, the fibres are
woven
and from the old nut a pure
tracted
the
leaves,
when
from the elements
;
sk
and the
tree,
distilled, or
is
when
]jast
bearing
de
fruit,
;
ex-
the trunk yields a juice from
which, when fermented, a spirit sugar extracted
oil is
form a shelter
plaited,
PD
;
F
or rope,
into coir,
is
timber
The
cut
is
down, and the beautifully-variegated
made
into articles of furniture.
Jack-tree, with
its
enormous
fruit
of an
oval shape, measuring more than eighteen inches in
diameter,
affording
nourishment
yellow trunk, when hewn, for
domestic use.
is
made
The magnificent
;
while
its
into articles bread-fruit-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
2-22
with
tree,
splendid
its
and
foliage
fruit
the
;
orange, pomegranate, lime, shaddock, and tama-
and
with their luxuriant verdure, flowers,
rind,
delicious fruit
;
added
apple, cashew-nut,
to these,
fig,
custard-apple,
guava,
we
and
rambatam,
and nearly every other
trees,
find the
Malay
papaw, jambo, almond, tropical
mangoe fruit,
all
Tr ia
l
being distinguished for their size and umbrageous foliage.
Amongst the denizens of
vegetation,
other
;
leaves, folded trumpetwise
we
its
find
broad,
one within the
ud
young
io
the elegant banana, or plantain-tree, with
the superb amethyst, bell-shaped flower,
St
with yellow petals, and the pendant clusters of the
:
F
yellow, ripened, luscious fruit
PD
dilla
melon with
its
mottled rind.
amber ananas, and the grena-
or pineapple, with its green crest,
Whilst amongst
sk
culinary vegetables are brinjal, yams, sweet pota-
cucumber, pumpkins, and
de
toes, occus, a species of
rice
;
whilst European vegetables and
fruit,
such
as strawberries, peas, beans, potatoes, and cab-
bages,
have been introduced into Kandy
and
Newera-Ellia since 1823. In the forests are found,
the
noble talipat,
ebony, calamander, banyan, areka-nut, suriya and
many
other trees, whose
names
are totally
un-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
known
to
Europeans
give an account of
all
produce of Ceylon,
it
The
were we
but,
;
223
to attempt to
the riches of the botanical
would occupy volumes.
frultfulness of
the earth's
womb
here
is
developed in the production of the ruby, emerald, sapphire, onyx, amethyst, opal, moon-stone, cat'seye, jacynth,
and topaz.
enumerated are found
The
precious gems here
day
;
and we
Tr ia
l
at the present
have been informed by a Kandian noble of high rank, that gold was formerly found on the island.
and,
io
What Heaven
apparent
it is
ud
"
the foregoing facts,
has done for this delicious land
;"
St
From
by judicious and energetic government and prolific and fertile isle might
F
management, the
PD
soon be rendered the most productive of our colo-
and the brightest colonial gem
diadem.
sk
nies,
de
The Cingalese brity
are extremely
and antiquity of
historians assert,
in the British
proud of the
their isle
;
cele-
and the native
that thousands of years before
was peopled by a race whose mental powers were highly culti-
the birth of our Saviour, the island
vated,
Certain
and of it is,
whom
they are the descendants.
that the Cingalese, for centuries past,
have been retrogading
in
the arts and sciences
;
as the antiquarian remains of public buildings,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
224 tanks,
and temples of vast magnitude, found
in
the interior of the island, indicate the existence of
a nation, which had nurtured and brought to perfection the nobler arts.
These extraordinary remains
more particularly
in a future
be noticed
will
paper devoted
to the
antiquities of Lanka-diva; but to proceed regu-
we must now
glance at the early history of
l
larly,
Tr ia
Ceylon, although the greater portion of
Cingalese historians affirm
volved in obscurity.
was situated the garden of Eden
;
from
io
that here
is in-
it
called
Adam's Peak, they say
that the progenitor
mankind was expelled, and
all
St
of
ud
the top of the highest mountain in the island,
that from this is
to
be
F
mountain's top the trace of his footstep
We
PD
seen.
gather from
Herodotus that the
earlier
sk
Greeks had a knowledge of the countries and
tial
is
first
de
islands east of the Indus, but the
circumstan-
account that we haveof Taprabane,
or Ceylon,
given by Onesiculus, the Macedonian admiral,
who B. c.
lived B.
c.
329 or 80.
Diodorus
Siculus
44, gives a correct account of the size and
and describes the
natives,
customs and pi'oductions, with extreme
fidelity,
situation of the island
although a love for the marvellous
indulged
in.
Strabo
states
is
occasionally
that
Taprabane
—
CEYLON AND THK CINGALESE.
abounded
'220
and that the contiguous
iu elephants,
waters teemed with amphibious creatures of an
immense
who
Dionysius,
size.
confirms former accounts,
flourished a.d. 36,
saying,
"
And from
thence the vessel's course being turned
to the
west, immediately in front of the promontory of
gems and
standing numerous
duced
to
elephants and their
of the
Notwith-
fragrant spices.
io
tusks, the
treats of
Tr ia
This celebrated geographer
the size and value
other proofs
prove that Ceylon
have been ad-
synonymous with the
ud
animals."
l
Koolis, you will come to a large island, Taprabane, mother of Asia born elephants, and other strange
is
sity of
St
Taprabane of the ancient classical historians, a diveropinion has arisen
among
PD
F
identity of the island j but, as
able to follow ancient or
writers, as to the
would be unprotit-
modern authors through
disquisitions
sk
their various
it
on
this
subject,
shall proceed to give an account of the
de
origin of the Cingalese.
we
presumed
Ribeiro writes, in his
" Historia de Ilgha de Zeilau
:
"
The Chinese, from a remote period, w ere the masters of Oriental commerce and some of their ;
upon the coast of Ceylon, which they subsequently termed
vessels were driven
near the district Chilau.
The mariners and passengers saved
themselves upon the rocks; and, finding the island L 5
226
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. soon
fertile,
established
upon
themselves
it.
Shortly afterwards, the Malabars, having discovered
it,
sent hither their exiles,
whom
they deno-
minated Galas.
The exiles were not long in mixing with the Chinese and from the two names was formed Chingalees, and afterwards ;
Chingalais."
The
other statement
is,
that the son of an Indian
who, the native authors
assert,
the island, and bestowed
upon them
Why
io
sities,
Tr ia
l
king, Wijeya Singha, of renowned warlike propen-
Singha.
or wherefore the island
but to us
it
name
is
of
called
can matter
appears evident, that the Chi-
St
;
ud
Ceylon, and the people Cingalese, little
conquered
his
nese were neither wholly nor in part the abori-
who
are acquainted with
PD
F
gines of Ceylon, as those
the yellow skins, small elliptic eyes, broad faces, flat features
of that nation, will readily admit
sk
and
them completely, complexion and features. But there is
that the Cingalese differ from
de
both in
great similitude in every way, between the person
and complexion, of the Cingalese and Indian.
To
us
it
seems that the only hypothesis
drawn from the above
is,
to
be
that the Indian king,
Singha, did conquer the island of Ceylon, at an early date,
and that his followers mixed with the
aborigines, and from them the present race
is
de-
227
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Whether any of the
scended.
now
blood
unmixed with Indian,
is
how-
aborigines,
to be found in the island, whose
ever, are
it
difficult to
is
prove, or whether the Veddahs, or wild men,
of
the present day, are descendants of the original
inhabitants of Ceylon
;
but at this time they are a
distinct race,
and
terior, living
in the jungle,
be found
are only to
in the in-
or in rude
l
in caves,
Tr ia
huts built of the branches of trees, wandering from jungle to jungle in search of game, quitting each
bows and arrows
ud
their prey with rude
Veddahs
io
successively as food becomes scarce, and shooting ;
and these
will not hold intercourse, live in a
town,
We
have
with
the
inhabitants.
St
or intermarry
been informed that the language they speak
All
these
F
most other natives of the
PD
intelligible to
facts,
is
un-
island.
strengthen our pre-
therefore,
sk
viously-stated supposition, that the Veddahs, are
the aborigines of the island
;
and that the other
de
inhabitants are the issue of the aborigines and the
Indians. [t is
distinctly
proved by historical records that
the island was conquered by Wijeya, B.C.
and Ceylon was then
called, as
Hindoos, Lanka-diva.
It
to
may
it
now
54."5,
is
by
not be irrelevant
remark, that both Hindoo and Cingalese chro-
nicles agree in stating, that about
2387
B.C.,
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
228 island (late
was ovevwlielmed by the
there
tween
are but
and the time assigned
it,
by the wickedness of
their
in this
be-
difference
to the
Usher, in his erudite chronology. writers state that this calamity
and
sea,
forty years
dehige by
The
native
was brought about
monarch, Rawana, who
then ruled the island, and the obdurate sinfulness of the inhabitants
and
;
this also, is a
remarkable
between the Mosaic and heathen
rea-
Cingalese records
"
state,
Tr ia
l
similarity
sons assigned for the flood.
The foaming waves
io
of the ocean overwhelmed the most fertile and
ud
extensive provinces, as well as the lovely capital
Sri-Lanka-poora, and
St
of our pearl-like island,
since then the resplendent palaces, stately towers,
known
PD
brass, are
F
seven concentric walls, and battlements of shining only to the gods of the sea."
llawana was the sovereign of Southern India and
sk
Ceylon, and carred off the lovely wife of Rama, the
de
king of Oude, into his " pearl-island kingdom," and
bloody wars ensued which nearly depopulated the island.
And
the whole history
Rama-yama, the
oldest epic
is set forth in
poem
extant.
the
Having
thus glanced incidentally at the history of Ceylon before the flood, and the birth of our blessed Lord,
we
will proceed to the first century of our era.
Piinv affirms, that during the reign of the
Em-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. peror Claudius, a
Roman
229
vessel from the coast of
Arabia, was driven upon that of Taprabane, or
Ceylon
;
Romans
that the king of the country treated the
with hospitality
and kindness during
of six months; and
their sojourn
upon
their de-
parture they were accompanied by four ambassa-
lous
writers
account as fabu-
but, in our opinion, Pliny
;
by the
his statement
fact,
that
l
Many modern
Roman monarch.
treat this
borne out in
is
Tr ia
from the Eastern to the
dors
Roman
medals of
We
learn also, from Pliny,
ud
Mantotte, in Ceylon.
io
ancient date were found, in the year 1574, at
that a fleet, consisting of
more than one hundred
went each year from the Red Sea
St
sail,
to
the
coasts of Malabar and Ceylon, for the purposes of
F
Doubt has been thrown on
PD
trade.
as writers state that ill-
sk
cable for the
it
this assertion,
would have been impracti-
constructed vessels of that period,
and with imperfect knowledge of navigation,
Romans
de
the
and although
for
have traversed the Indian Ocean
to
it
;
must be allowed that such a
voyage must necessarily have been a perilous one, still
it
was
perfectly practicable
to
have sailed
with one monsoon, and to have returned by the opposite, as
is
the custom, in the present day,
with the unwieldy junks of Siam. All writers agree that in the
first
century after
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
230
the Christian era, regular commercial intercourse
was established between the inhabitants of Southern Europe and those of India and Ceylon. Gibbon,
" Decline and Fall of the
in his
Empire,'' writes
:
Roman
—" The objects of Oriental
traffic
pound of which was esteemed not inferior in value to a pound of gold precious stones, amongst which the pearl claimed the first rank after the diamond and a variety of aromatics that were consumed in reliwere splendid and
trifling
;
silk,
a
l
;
pomp
gious worship and the
io
to
The
have been the
required by the wealthy and
principal exports
Romans
;
with
the
exception
of the
St
luxurious
of funerals."
enumerated appear
ud
articles here
Tr ia
;
elephant's tusks, from
which they manufactured
F
articles of furniture, drinking-vessels,
and personal
PD
ornaments, and this coveted-material Ceylon could
sk
supply most abundantly
;
therefore
we may
conclude that the trade of Ceylon with
to
de
considerable.
About
this time the
trade with the Cingalese
;
fairly
Rome was
Chinese began
and we find com-
merce gradually extending until the sixth century, when Ceylon was visited by Cosmas, who was surnaraed Indicopleustes, during the reign of the
Emperor Justinian and he particularly treats of the precious gems and spices, which were con;
veyed
to all parts of India, Persia,
Gulph, from Ceylon.
and the Arabian
—
231
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
We
cannot trace, century by century, the course
commerce of Ceylon, but words of Marco Polo, who visited
of the history or
quote the
and
size,
he writes
:
Both men and women go nearly
They have no which
in a state ol
only wrapping a cloth round their loins.
latter
grain besides rice
they
make
and sesame, of
l
nudity,
the
position
its
Their food
oil.
is
Tr ia
"
After describing
1244.
island, a.d,
will
milk,
and they drink wine drawn from The island produces more valuable and trees. beautiful rubies than those found in any other and
flesh,
part of the world
;
and likewise sapphires, topazes,
many
St
amethysts, garnets, and stones. *
other precious and
In this island there
is
a very
F
costly
ud
io
rice,
PD
high mountain, so rocky and precipitous, that the ascent to the top
is
impracticable, as
it
is said,
sk
excepting by the assistance of iron chains
em-
purpose
;
persons attain
by means of these some the summit, whei'e the tomb of
Adam, our
parent,
is
for that
de
ployed
And
first
veracity of detail,
the
reported to be found."
yet this circumstantial account, w'ith its
was stamped
contemporaneous
writers,
as fable, both
and
those
by
who
Ibllowcd, for a lengthened period, after the decease of the learned and truthful author. * Samauella, or Adaiu's Peak.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
232 Ill
the year of our Lord, 1444, Nicola de Conle,
a Venetian, gives a particular account of the pot-tree, its leaves, size, &c.,
mode
of preparing cinnamon, and the
gems and
precious
From we have
pearls that were found in Ceylon.
the fourteenth to the sixteenth century,
much
tali-
and describes the
valuable information given us by various
concerning the trade of the island
authorS;,
came
into the possession of
at
once
state, that, in
after
Europeans, we
will
1505, the Portuguese, under
were permitted
to trade.
io
de Almeida, visited the island, and
ud
Don Lorenzo
but
it
Tr ia
it
;
l
as our principal business is connected with
St
Previously to proceeding with the history of the
country from the sixteenth century,
we must
take
F
a retrospective glance at the ancient historical ac-
PD
count of the government of Ceylon under rulers, or kings.
sk
that the island
de
fare, either
From
these accounts,
was frequently
its
native
appears
it
in a state of war-
with the Malabars, or
Muormen
of the
adjacent continent; that, with the fortunes of war,
each would conquer alternately, and in turn be subdued, when ratifications of peace would ensue to
be again broken, which, necessarily, produced
fresh
and
hostilities;
the
and
adjacent
it
is
apparent that
country became
eventually by the Malabars,
Kandy
subjugated
who placed
a prince
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE, of their
own
233
nation on the throne, and maintained
their position against the native kings of the south,
the Portuguese and
by the
The
island
was divided
each ruled by ally
Dutch
make
own
its
rulers, until
dethroned
arms and valour
force of British
in 1815.
into various principalities,
king,
who would
continu-
incursions into the domains of a brother
monarch, when war would result;
weaker
party would become
would merge
and
captive,
into that of
tlie
Tr ia
l
the his
kingdom
conqueror.
io
Notwithstanding these continued internal com-
arts
ud
motions, the wealth of the people appears to have
been great; and
and sciences were cultivated
statement not borne out by historical and
F
the
St
to an extent which would seem incredible, were
PD
native writings of that period, and supported the remains of ancient grandeur,
which
by
are dis-
shall
now
leave the ancient historical retro-
de
We
sk
persed throughout the island.
spect of Ceylon, and return to a.d. 1505,
when
the
Portuguese obtained permission from the emperor of Ceylon to trade with his subjects, bartering the
produce of Europe of
their
island.
for the ivory,
History
gems, and spices
asserts
that
it
was
chance, or rather adverse winds, which drove the
Portuguese vessels on the shores of Ceylon, whilst in
pursuit of
some Moorish
pirates
whom
they
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
234
had seen
sailing in the dii'ection of the Maldives,
and the winds proving adverse, they sought refuge in the
Bay
The Portuguese
of Colombo.
at that
period were endeavouring to extend their trade,
and obtain possessions
Malabar
Goa
and the contiguity of
— Goa,
on the
facility for
to
Ceylon offered pecu-
bringing their policy into action.
l
liar
in the east
coast, being their principal settlement,
Tr ia
Francisco de Almeida, the governor of Goa, was a shrewd, crafty, wily politician, and one well
io
calculated to carry his sovereign's schemes for the
ingly,
we
ud
extension of his dominions into find that the vessels
effect.
Accord-
were scarcely an-
St
chored off Colombo, before he made overtures to
F
the emperor to trade with the natives.
From
a
in Cingalese, the follow-
PD
curious antiquarian work
ing description of the Portuguese, their diet, and is
extracted
And now
it
:
occurred, in the Christian year
de
"
sk
guns,
1505, that a ship from Portugal arrived and an-
chored in Colombo.
The
ingly white and beautiful to the feet
always
race of ;
are exceed-
they wear a covering
and head made of
in motion.
men
iron,
Their drink
is
and they are the colour of
blood; and they eat what looks like a white stone.
They have weapons of warfare which make a noise like thunder when it breaks upon Jugan-
235
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
dere Parivata, and a ball of iron shot from one of
them, after flying some leagues, will break a castle of stone."
According
to the
Portuguese historian, Ribeiro,
was made between the Portuguese and it was stipulated that the emperor, Prackrama, should pay a tribute annually, to consist of two hundred and fifty a treaty
thousand pounds of cinnamon, tugal,
Tr ia
l
Cingalese raonarchs, and
king of Por-
to the
on condition that the latter should assist in
io
defending Ceylon from her enemies and invaders.
been considerable
for,
when
it
must have
the Portuguese
mo-
of nineteen sail to enforce the
fleet
commander of
tribute, the
PD
payment of the
;
in 1518,
F
narch sent a
still,
St
creasing for centuries,
ud
Although the trade of the island had been de-
this
expedition, Alvarengo, writes (according to Ri-
many
— " In
the harbour of
sk
beiro):
Colombo we found
de
ships from Bengal, Persia, the
Red
Sea, and
other places, waiting for their freights of elephants' tusks and spices " tribute,
and
rengo,
who took
forced
the
Prackrama refused
hostilities
to
pay the
were commenced by Alva-
possession of Colombo,
Cingalese
monarch
to
and
acknowledge
himself tributary to the crown of Portugal.
On
the death of Prackrama, in 1527, the island
was
torn by civil war, which
was
carried on with
more
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
236
or less vigour until the year 1536 (during the
whole of
this period skirmishes continually took
place between the Portuguese and natives, which invariably concluded by the success
when
of"
the former j,
the reigning monarch placed his grandson,
and successor
under the protection
to his throne,
of the crown of Portugal, sending an embassy to
image of the young prince, and
l
that court with the
Tr ia
a crown of pure virgin gold.
io
Between the years 1518 and 1536, the Portuguese had introduced the form of Roman Catholic Colombo, and Juan Monteira, the
Romish bishop
of Ceylon, died at
St
tery in
endowed a monas-
ud
worshij) into Ceylon, and had
first
in the
F
latter year.
Colombo
PD
In 1541, the effigy of the young prince, Dhar-
maa
Paala, which had been sent
John
to
de
hall of his palace at Lisbon, with
mony and
rejoicings, the
Cingalese monarch,
by
extreme cere-
ambassadors from the
with a numerous
being present on the occasion tugal,
the court of
III., in the great
sk
Portugal, was crowned by
this public act,
— the
retinue,
king of Por-
acknowledging that he
had accepted the protection of the young prince, and that he undertook the charge confided to him by the grandfather of Dharmaa Paala, the then reigning monarch of Ceylon,
who having been
CKYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
287
shot by a Portuguese gentleman in
accidentally
the succeeding year, the Portuguese raised Dharraaa Paala to the throne, thereby exciting consi-
derable commotions amongst the natives, as the
uncle of
Dharmaa Paala
laid claim to the crown,
and was supportedby numerous followers; and, in consequence,
much bloodshed
ensued.
Tr ia
l
Eventually the arms of Portugal were victorious,
and Dharmaa Paala retained possession of the
throne until he bequeathed the whole island, in It is
ud
period forward, the
women
St
castes, such as
challias, /or the sake
F
of Portuguese turn Chrhtians, and to live with
PD
gold, began to
this
of the principal people,
and also the women of the low
humowas and
:
about this
— " From
io
1580, to the crown of Portugal.
time that a native historian writes
the Portuguese
sk
of the Cingalese
;"
and
it is
women
from this intercourse
with the Portuguese, and
de
subsequently with the Dutch, that the burghers, or half-castes, have
Ceylonese, as they
principally
call
sprung.
These
themselves, in contradis-
tinction to the Cingalese, possess all the vices of
the natives, without the redeeming or ennobling qualities of either their
European or Asiatic pro-
genitors.
The Portuguese were
not allowed
to
retain
peaceable possession of the island, asRajah Singha
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
238
proclaimed himself king of Ceylon, and a long
and bloody war ensued, which ended and death of Rajah Singha,
at the
in the defeat
advanced age
of one hundred and twenty years, which event occurred in the year 1592.
The Portuguese now
resolved
Kandy, which had remained
and sent a large force thither
that purpose,
which was defeated, suffering great
loss.
was
and
this
first
their pos-
East Indies were vast and lucra-
would open a new gate
St
sessions in the
;
ud
turned their attention towards Ceylon
tive,
Dutch
in the year 1602, that the
io
It
for
l
state,
an in-
Tr ia
dependent
upon subjugating
to this period
island
F
gain, could they obtain a footing
PD
in furtherance of their design,
;
to
consequently,
Admiral Spillbergen
was despatched by the Prince of Orange and States General of Holland, with
men-of-
war, fully armed and equipped, to open
commu-
de
sk
three
nication with the natives.
The
fleet anchoi'ed
south of Batticalloa on the
29th of March in that year, and the admiral immediately commenced a correspondence with the o-overnor of Batticalloa,
and
finally
despatched a
messenger to the king of Kandy, Wimala Dharmaa, who received him with cordiality, and sent a letter to the admiral, written
by himself, inviting
I
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the admiral to his kingdom.
239
Accordingly, on the
6th of July following, Admiral Spillbergen, with
Kandy, and they were
his suite, set out for
treated
by the king with great attention and hospitality every opportunity was afforded them to acquire information, and every public building opened to
The king appeared for allies,
desirous to
and offered every
faci-
Tr ia
have the Dutch
l
their inspection.
carrying on trade between the two nations;
lity for
endeavouring at the same time, with eager curi-
ud
Europe.
admiral's mission proved a most successful
St
The
customs, and
io
osity, to obtain insight into the laws,
religion of
one, as he obtained permission to build a fort on
ticalloa
on the
'Snd
of September, and, espying off"
the coast of Ceylon, he
engaged with, and
de
for,
sk
three Poi-tuguese sail
made
Spillbergen sailed from Bat-
PD
namon and pepper.
F
the sea-shore, and to carry on a free trade in cin-
these vessels,
finally
captured
and sent them as presents
to the
king of Kandy.
De Weerd was by the Dutch to Ceylon, and was received by their new ally, Wimala Dharmaa, in the most In the following year, Schalt
sent
amicable manner, and an ambassador from the
Kandy accompanied De Weerd when he De Weerd, however, subsefor Achcn.
king of sailed
8
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
240
quently exasperated the king of Kaiidy by breaking the treaty of alliance, and releasing four Por-
tuguese vessels which had been recently captured
by him. WimalaDharmaa, upon the return of the Dutch squadron to the coast of Ceylon, remonstrated with the admiral upon this violation of the
Wimala Dharrnaa's
him against
and the ambassador
;
suspicion, cautioning
the treachery of his
new
allies.
Tr ia
excited
faith
l
and breach of
treaty
Shortly afterwards, the admiral requested the to visit
him on board
his ship
;
but this the
io
king
to her.
De Weerd continued
F
must return
St
ud
monarch positively refused to do, fearing that he might be made prisoner, alleging, as his reason, that the queen was alone at Kandy, and that he and con-
PD
his request with impertinent importunity,
to press
cluded by saying, that the king need be in no
sk
hurry to retmni to the lascivious queen, as doubt-
had found some one
de
less she
iilace before this
to
supply the king's
time: adding, that
if his
request
was not complied with, he would not attack Galle,
according to the articles of the treaty.
Dharmaa immediately
De pig!" A seize
dians carry
Wimala
ordered his attendants to
Weerd, saying, " Seize that foul-mouthed skirmish then ensued between the Kan-
and the Dutch, as the former essayed their
monarch's
orders
into
effect,
to
and
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
De Weerd and many
of
241 were
attendants
his
killed.
impossible to read of the conduct of Schalt
It is
De Weerd
without loathing the character of the
despicable, treacherous, coarse,
met the
fate his insolence
Dutchman, who
drew on
his
head
;
and,
although historians endeavour to palliate his con-
the
estimation
excuse,
if
of
all
in
l
was heated with wine
;
Tr ia
duct, by saying that he
right-minded
men
this
a correct one, only heightens the folly of
the Dutch, in
io
sending an admiral, addicted to
The
ally.
St
with an
ud
drunkenness, to negotiate and carry out a treaty
following epigrammatic and terse note was
the king of Kandy to the second officer in command of the squadron "He who drinks wine is worse than a sow. Buddha lias executed justice. If you want peace,
F
by
there be peace It
de
let
sk
PD
sent
If war, tlien war."
appears from history, that the Dutch allowed
the death of
did not
who
—
:
De Weerd
declare
to
pass unnoticed, as they
war against VVimala Dharmaa,
died in 1604, and was succeeded by his bro-
ther, Senerat,
who married
the
widowed queen
of
Kandy.
We
find
no further mention of the Dutch
the year 1612, VOL.
I.
until
when Marcellus De Boschouder M
242
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
new
arrived at Kancly, and entered into a
treaty
with the Kandian sovereign, offensive and defensive
they were then granted the exckisive right
;
of trading in Ceylon, and were allowed to com-
mence building a
The
at Cottiar.
fort
Portu-
guese, already in possession of the island, viewed
with jealous hostility the privileges granted to the of Cottiar
fort
l
and immediately on the
;
Tr ia
Dutch
being commenced, despatched an army, consisting
more than 4,000 Cingalese,
and Moormen,
which they took
after
attack
to
io
guese, fort,
composed of Portu-
soldiers,
ud
of
the
a desperate resist-
ance made by the Dutch? and butchered
the
St
in
most barbarous manner the whole of the occu-
women and
F
pants, including
children. allies,
by the Portu-
so exasperated Seneiat, that he sent an
sk
guese,
PD
This massacre of his new
array of 5,000
men
in
pursuit,
who
fell
de
the invaders before they reached their
in
own
with terri-
and vanquished them, making many prisoners, from whom they demanded heavy rantories,
soms.
The king
of
Kandy now
pelling the Portuguese
menced war cessfully
;
from
resolved
upon ex-
Cejlon, and com-
in a vigorous style against them, suc-
we learn Goa proceeded
and, in 1614,
from the viceroy of
that an envoy to
Kandy, and
proposed a treaty of peace, which Sencrat refused
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
From
to accede to.
this date until 1635,
Kandians, assisted
the
243
by the Dutch,
tinued war with the Portuguese
we at
find
con-
the latter erect-
;
ing forts at Trincomalee and Batticalloa, for the protection of the coast, but suffering constant and
severe defeats
;
the
far
:
and
it
was only
after
a pro-
Tr ia
guese from Ceylon tracted
Kandian army advancing as
in their attempts to expel the Portu-
l
Colombo,
as
and desperate struggle that the Portuguese
succeeded in retaining possession of the fort of
io
Colombo.
and was succeeded by his
Raja Singh a
St
eldest son,
ud
In the year 1635, Senerat died, after a brilliant reign of thirty years,
II.
F
Wijaya Paalaa, the king's brother, claimed
as
and the adjacent provinces
PD
his right, that Matele
should be formed into a separate kingdom, and
sk
he proclaimed their monarch; and endeavoured enforce his
de
to
demand by
flying to arms,
calling in the aid of the Portuguese,
acceded the
to
this request in the
commotion produced by
their
own
who
civil
war would aid
designs.
of the invading it
readily
expectation that
number
Historians differ materially as to the
that
and
army— Ribeiro
was composed
and Botelho stating
of seven hundred Euro-
peans, and twenty-eight thousand Indians
M
2
;
while
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
•244
Valentyn affirms that
it
But be the number what
six thousand Caffres. it
consisted of two thousand
hundred Europeans and half-castes, with
three
might,
is
it
certain that a large army,
manded by Don Diego de Melho, into the interior, and, retired to
after
com-
did penetrate
ransacking Kandy,
Here Rajah Singha, the
Gannaruwa.
putting
all to
Tr ia
l
king of Kandy, surrounded them with his forces,
by the sword
death, either
or bar-
barous modes of torture, and subsequently cut
heads and piled them up all
in
Europeans
es-
St
asserts that only eight-and-thirty
caped
off
a pyraraidical
aggressors; and history
ud
form, as a warning to
io
their
this frightful slaughter.
F
In the year 1637, the Kandian monarch re-
PD
solved upon calling in the aid of his Dutch allies
vanquishing the Portuguese, and them from Ceylon, and sent ambassadors
to assist ])im in
Batavia
for that
de
to
sk
driving
purpose,
with every mark of res])ect
;
who were
received
and envoys from the
Dutch were immediately despatched to Kandy. A treaty was entered into, whereby the Dutch
agreed to furnish troops to the Kandian monarch u])on the stipulation
that the whole expenses of
the war, on land and at sea, were to be defrayed
by Rajah Singha.
This the king consented to
readily, but insisted that all the forts built
by the
215
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Portuguese, as they were taken, should be placed All being
in his hands.
now
command
terwold was sent in
ar-
satisfactorily
Wes-
ranged, the envoys returned, and Admiral
of a force of six
hundred men and several pieces of cannon, who attacked
from the Portuguese
wresting
Batticalloa,
it
and the king of Kandy, as
;
sent two ambassadors to
Batavia with presents
l
a token of gratitude,
to the
Tr ia
immediately
General and Council
of the Indies.
io
Trincomalee was taken from the Portuguese
in
fort
was razed
left
ground, and not one stone
standing on the other.
St
to the
ud
1639, and by the orders of Rajah Singha the
The
fort at
stroyed.
on
fortifications
the
eastern
that the
fate, so
belonging coast,
to the
Por-
were now de-
sk
tuguese,
PD
whole of the
F
had previously shared the same
Batticalloa
de
In the year 1640, the war continued
to
rage
with renewed vigour, success following the Kandian and Dutch troops.
Negombo,
town about eight leagues and a-half
was taken by the Dutch
made by
to the north,
after a faint
the Portuguese, as the
a fortilicd
spirits
resistance
of the
men
were sinking under the continued prosperity that the Dutch arms. Immediately after Negombo, the Dutch marched to Point
followed taking
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
246
which was
and stormed the place,
de Galle,
taken after a vigorous resistance had been
made
by the governor, Ferreiro de Bretto, who fought by the
side of his
assault,
and
life
fell
the whole night of the
covered with wounds, and his
was only spared
and heroic
men
at the entreaty
of his noble
wife.
Tr ia
l
This affords us an opportunity of relating an instance of the devotion and courage of
where her
affections are called forth,
recorded by Ribeiro,
who
and which
states, the
io
is
to
woman who was
a
governor
was mar-
passionately attached
St
ried
ud
of Point de Galle, Ferreiro de Bretto,
to
woman,
him, and that on the night of the assault she at his side
on the batteries, animating
F
remained
At
PD
and cheering him by her presence and courage. length,
after
receiving five wounds, a blow
sk
with a mushet levelled him, and the soldier was to dispatch
de
about
him when
his wife threw herself
between them, calling upon him as a a Christian to spare her husband's the soldier hesitate, she implored life first,
life.
him
man and Finding
to take her
and thus save her the anguish of seeing
her beloved husband butchered before her eyes,
and threw herself on her knees, clinging prostrate husband.
A
Dutch
officer,
to
her
who was
near, hastened to the group, desired the soldier
247
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. to desist, raised the
gallant governor
weeping lady, and had the
tended until his wounds were
healed.
Admiral Koster, under whose command Galle had been taken, was now made governor of the
and he immediately commenced building
place,
and repairing the
fortifications
;
but finding the
Point de Galle, he deemed
Kandy
ceived
Rajah Singha
for that purpose.
him with cold assist the
civility,
and, although he
Dutch admiral against the
St
promised to
re-
ud
to
necessary to call
it
Kandian king, and proceeded
io
in the aid of the
Tr ia
l
Portuguese were making preparations to retake
Portuguese, refrained from keeping his word, as
F
he considered that were the Dutch to become
PD
masters of the south of the island he would only
be exchanging his enemies.
sk
The king now appeared
de
the line of policy to give
him
to
have awakened
to
which had induced the Dutch
the aid of their troops to expel the
Portuguese from Kandy, which was,
that they
might eventually become the masters of the whole island, as every place which had been taken by the Dutch had a large garrison left there to guard and protect the
it
from the natives as
Portuguese.
Admiral
much
Koster
as from
vehemently
pressed the king for his aid, which was at
last
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
248
The admiral then accused
peremptorily refused. the
ministers
king's
of
interfering
prevent
to
Rajah Singha keeping his treaty with the Dutch.
High words
ensued, and the admiral quitted
king's presence
the
in great wrath, setting out
he was never murdered on the was destined to reach, as he road between Kandy and Batticalloa, it is said immediately
for
by the king's
orders.
which
The Portuguese appear
Tr ia
l
Galle,
to
have been imbued
io
with their former valour, as they retook
ud
and there were constant skirmishes island between them and the Dutch.
St
over the
In the year
1644, the fortune of war again placed
Negombo
the hands of the Dutch, and they forthwith
town, throwing up earthen bastions
PD
fortified the
F
in
Negombo,
all
at every
fort,
and on these were
several pieces of cannon.
sk
mounted
corner of the
was entered
de
In 1646, a temporary pacification into
between the Dutch and Portuguese, which
continued until 1654, and, during the intervening
period a species of desultory war was carried on
by Rajah Singha against the Dutch and Portuguese.
The Dutch carried off
authorities at Negombo, in 1646, some of the king of Kandy's tame ele-
phants, and slew them for the sake of their tusks
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and molar
"249
This act of wanton aggression
teeth.
natmally excited the anger and aronsed the vengeance of Rajah Singlia, who without loss of time
surrounded the Dutch troops,
took their com-
caused
Stell, prisoner,
mander, Adrian van der
head, and
him
to
be strangled, then
sent
it
enclosed in a silken wrapper to his coun-
cut off his
murderers and robbers. In
year
1655,
hostilities
again recom-
io
the
Tr ia
l
trymen who were stationed on the sea coast, with a message to the effect that thus he punished
Dutch took prisoner
the
the
Portu-
F
following,
St
ud
menced between the Dutch and Portuguese, and Callura was taken by the former in the October of that year. During the month of December
PD
guese governor of Jaffnapatam, as he was on his road from Manaar to Colombo, then the stronghold
The Dutch now prosecuted
war against the Portuguese with renewed
energy
de
the
sk
of the Portuguese.
;
and, marching up to Colombo, laid siege
to that city,
blockading
it
both by sea and land
;
and, after severe loss on both sides, and an obstinate resistance on the part of the Portuguese for
seven months,
it
was surrendered by
capitulation,
the Portuguese stipulating that they should be
allowed to
retire
The accounts
unimpeded
to Jaflnajiatani.
given by Ribciro of the sullcrings
M
5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
250
of the Portuguese during this siege are
Reduced
to starvation, they
frightful.
swallowed the most
loathsome matter, resorting to the most revolting expedients to sustain
life
— maternal
love being
engulphed in the pangs of hunger, and mothers cutting the throats of infants at their breast, de-
voured their offspring
sustain
to
life.
These ac-
we
fall
over them.
Tr ia
willingly let a veil
l
counts are too horrible to dwell upon, and
Not contented with the victory they had althe Dutch pursued the Portu-
io
ready obtained,
cles of the capitulation
and, after a siege of four
;
was surrendered, and the inhabitants
prisoners of war.
The Portuguese historian
F
made
it
St
months,
arti-
ud
guese to Jaffnapatam, thereby violating the
PD
vituperates most bitterly the indignities offered to his nation
by the Dutch
pillaged,
wives dishonoured,
and
sk
plantations destroyed,
— houses
de
daughters ravished, are amongst the crimes that
he attributes to the Dutch conquerors. It
is
at
all
times fearful to contemplate the
horrors of war, and
its
attendant misery to indi-
viduals, even of the victorious nation, but
much
greater
to
meditate on the sufferings
those attached to the conquered country in
how
no history do we find greater
?
of
But
atrocities recorded
than those laid to the charge of the Dutch after
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
251
the surrender of JafFnapatam, in 1G58, and
terminated Portuguese dominion
in
which
Ceylon
but
;
own sentiments cannot better be expressed than in Fox's favourite maxim, " Iniquissimam our
pacem justissimo
bello antefero."
conclude the account of the Portuguese
by quoting the following from
Percival's " Ceylon *'
:"—
The improvements made
l
rule in the island,
in the cultivation of
Tr ia
We
Ceylon by the Portuguese were by no means con-
it,
people,
when they
first
took pos-
io
— that
session of
were rather warriors than merchants.
ud
siderable
Their continual wars with the natives contributed
keep up the same
spirit
;
and
St
to
their principal
erection of
some
military posts to
awe
the natives.
the Portuguese appear never to have properly
sk
But
few stations on the coast, and the
PD
fication of a
F
attention seems to have been directed to the forti-
de
discovered the advantages to be derived from this island, either in a
view.
commercial or military point of
Their dominion extended
all
around
it,
and no station could be pointed out more commodious for a depot, either of merchandize or mili-
These advantages were overlooked
tary stores.
by the court of Lisbon
who were
sent to the
more anxious
;
and those individuals
command
at Ceylon,
to gratify their pride
were
by conquest,
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
252
and
their avarice
by extortion, than
to
f pursue a
plan of permanent advantage either to the mother
The Portuguese,
country, or to the colony. fore,
by
own misconduct, were
their
this valuable island before they
benefits to be derived from
there-
deprived of
were aware of the
it."
Although we do not coincide completely with the view taken
by
this excellent writer, still it is
l
that the Portuguese paid but
Tr ia
self-evident
little
attention to the cultivation of this prolific spot of
any statement of the proceeds of any
pearl-fishery
that
so
;
little
we may conclude
attention
was paid
to
that
the
St
comparatively
ud
records
io
and we do not find amongst Portuguese
earth,
commercial or agricultural capabilities of Ceylon.
must be borne in mind
F
it
that the Por-
PD
However,
tuguese had to contend against innumerable
whom
being not only at war with the natives,
sk
culties,
diffi-
they never entirely conquered, but continu-
de
ally harassed
by skirmishes and war with
their
European enemies, the Dutch.
The
following
and commanders
is
a
list
of Portuguese governors
in Ceylon, as given
by Ribeiro:
Pedro Lopez de Souza, Jerome de Azevado, Fran-
Menezes, Manuel Mascarenhas, Homen, Nunho, Alvares Perreira, Constandin de Sa y Noronha, G. d'Albuquerque, D, George d'Alcois de
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
253
meida, Diego de Mello, Antoine Mascarenhas, Philippe Mascarenhas,
Francois
de
Mello de
Castro, Antoine de Souza, Continho, under
Colombo was
lost.
whom
At Jaffnapatam and Manaar
there were also Antoine d'Araarel y Menezes, the
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
last of their captain-generals.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
254
CHAPTER Historical accouBt continued
Ceylon
maiy
by
to the British
—List
of
of the effect of Portuguese
— Sum-
Pliilalethe's
account of the same.
year succeeding the subjugation of the
F
The
—
Dutch Governors
and Dutch ride upon the
St
Cingalese character
1659 to 1795, when the
j&."om
capitulation, then- possessions in
io
siuTcnderecl,
ud
Dutch
Tr ia
l
X.
PD
Portuguese by the Dutch in Ceylon, namely, in 1659, Captain Robert Knox, the
first atithor
who
sk
wrote an account of the islands, was taken pri-
de
soner at Batticalloa, the frigate Ann, which he
commanded, having been wrecked off that coast, when the natives made him and several of his crew prisoners, who, by the orders of Rajah Singha II., were sent up to Kandy, and there held in captivity until 1679, when an escape was effected.
From
" Knox's Historical Revelation,"
we
learn
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
255
Dutch experienced great difficulty in rewhich they had wrested from the Portuguese, as Rajah Singha, the king of Kandy, was constantly at war with them, enthat the
taining the possessions
deavouring to retake the various
and
sti'ongholds occupied
fortified
places
by the Dutch. Notwith-
standing these continual skirmishes, the Dutch,
wishing to retain a footing in the island, in
Tr ia
l
fur-
therance of their commercial and political views,
endeavoured to preserve an amicable course with
to assure the
Rajah Singha was not
to
be appeased by assur-
occasionally, he
F
;
their
be at peace with him.
to
ances, or professions
monarch of
ud
court,
anxiety and desire
St
Kandian
io
the natives, and sent frequent embassies to the
would
re-
PD
ceive the embassies with toleration, while at other
times he would detain their envoys, without assign-
sk
ing any reason for so doing.
de
In the year 1670, we find Rajah Singha detained
an envoy, who was resolved sacrifice his
spirited
life
in
to leave
the attempt.
Kandy,
or
This noble-
man, whose name we do not
find re-
corded, but which
ought
to
down
as an
example of dauntless
to posterity
have been handed
bravery, presented himself before the king, as he sat
on his throne giving audience
fully
armed and equipped
to
his court,
for a journey, his per-
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
256
sonal attendants remaining gates, saying that he
outside
had come
palace
the
to take leave of
was about setting out immeColombo. He bowed respectfully to
his Majesty, as he diately for
the walls, in accordance with the etiquette ob-
served at the Kandian court on taking leave, and quitted
made by
the
palace without
any attempt being
On
the king to arrest his progress.
to
Tr ia
l
contrary. Rajah Singha gave orders that he
proceed on his journey unmolested, and
what aid he might require
ceive
the
was
to re-
We
in so doing.
—himself a
noble brave character, he could
ud
duct
io
can fully appreciate the Kandian monarch's con-
that
St
well estimate the dauntless daring and courage,
would prompt such
And
a course of action.
PD
F
had the Duch invariably pursued an open, honourable course with Rajah Singha, they would not
sk
have met with the constant annoyance which they experienced from the king of Kandy.
No
de
language of ours can so well explain the
erroneous plan they pursued as
that
himself, at that time a prisoner at the
court
Knox
Kandian
:
"The their
of
Dutch, knowing his proud
advantage of
it
by
flattering
spirit,
make
him with
ambassadors, telling him that they are his jesty's
humble subjects and
servants,
and that
their
Mait is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. out of loyalty to
him
that they build
keep watches round about his country,
employed
country.
And
thus,
coming up by
but
have the country they have invaded, and yet at other times, and
better consideration, he will not be flattered,
falls
great
;
io
have the honour
to
upon
are
sometimes they pre-
upon them
at
ud
he
to
which
unawares, and does them
St
vail
him, and ascribtitles,
Tr ia
ing to him high and honourable in,
and
into his Majesty's
flattering
things he greatly delights
;
in his Majesty's
which they want,
for sustenance,
that occasioned their
and
prevent
l
that as they are thus it is
forts,
to
and enemies from coming
foreign nations
service, so
257
damage."
F
Events pursued the same monotonous routine, until 1672,
France directed her attention
Lanka-diva» and
PD
between the Kandian and Dutch, to
when
la
Haye, which anchored
de
de
sk
despatched a squadron, commanded by Monsieur off"
Cottiar,
and im-
mediately sent envoys to the Kandian king.
Rajah
Singha received them most amicably, and granted
them permission Trincomalee.
wards
to build a fort
Monsieur de
sailed for the
his stead
la
Coromandel
Bay
of
shortly after-
coast, sending in
Monsieur de Lanerolle, accompanied by
a suite, to the Kandian court. for the
near the
Haye
Most unfortunately
French nation, Monsieur de Lanerolle was
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
258 ill
calculated for a political mission
—hot-headed
and impetuous, absurdly vain of the power, grandeur,
and customs of his own nation, he refused
observ^ance to the code of etiquette adopted at
Rajah Singha's
and treated the monarch
court,
with undue familiarity and insolence.
This ex-
asperated Rajah Singha, and, upon the return of
Monsieur de
la
Have, he found De Lanerolle a
The Dutch,
Tr ia
l
prisoner.
taking advantage of this position of
gave chase to the French squadron, taking
and the
their vessels,
malee which they had well-arranged
French
F
;
and which,
would have been
PD
been
So terminated the
scheme concocted by
the
to obtain a settlement or possessions in
the island of Ceylon bihty,
built.
near Trinco-
St
only
fort
io
some of
ud
affairs,
for the
in all
successful,
had
probait
insane, overweening vanity of
not
De
sk
Lanerolle, which was as strongly characteristic of
de
the French nation in the seventeenth, as the nineteenth century
—
it
being a national
ing, and not an individual's foible.
and nought but
it is
self-sufficient vanity,
in
fail-
For vanity, caused the
disastrous events, precursors of the downfall of
the French empire, which occurred during 1848
and the
effect
shaking
it
;
has been the convulsion of Europe,
to its very centre.
259
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. There
is
a paucity of interesting matter con-
nected with the history of Ceylon, until the year
when
1679,
the Dutch governor of Colombo,
Goen, sent an embassy
Van
Kandy, requiring the
to
king to abide by the articles of the treaty made
between the two powers.
To
this the
king pro-
and
adherence, his warlike propensities
raised
energy having become subdued by age and
infir-
eighty.
In the month of October, in the same
Knox
year,
Tr ia
l
mity, for at this time he was between seventy and
effected his escape, after having
been
ud
io
detained a prisoner at the Kandian court for twenty years.
historical events
worthy of record, until the year
F
when Rajah Singha
tracted reign of fifty-one years, and
was succeeded
sk
by his son, Wimala Dharma Suriya. scribes
Rajah Singha, with
a pro-
II. died, after
PD
1685,
St
Again, there seems to have been a cessation of
whom
Knox
de-
he frequently
de
conversed during his captivity, to have been a well-formed, portly, athletically-built man, of a
darker hue than most of his countrymen, with
keen shrewd eyes " that were always
who
in
motion,
bears his years well, being between seventy
and eighty years of age, and though an old man, yet appears not to be like one, neither in counte-
nance nor manners."
He was
abstemious
in his
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
260 diet,
and chaste
in morals,
and punished severely
any dereliction from morality that he discovered
among "
Knox
his court.
Many
times
writes
when he hears of
the misde-
meanours of some of his nobles, he not only executes them, but severely punisheth the women,
and he hath so many
spies, that there is
but
little
done which he knows not of; and often he gives to expel all the
women
out of the city,
not one
to
remain
but,
;
they think his wrath
is
by
Tr ia
l
command
little
and
little,
when
aj^peased, they do creep in
in
ud
Rajah Singha possessed,
io
again."
common
with most
St
satraps of the East, an inordinate fondness for
dress and jewels, delighting to adorn his person
F
with gaudy-coloured raiment, and ornaments stud-
PD
ded with jewels.
History affirms that Rajah
Singha exhorted his son and successor, Wimala the Second, on his death-bed, to
at
peace with the Dutch, and allow them
de
sk
Dharma Suriya
and, being
remain
to retain possession of their territories;
of a tranquil temperament, he followed his father's
counsel
;
consequently, during his reign, there are
no accounts of a peculiarly interesting character. In 1707,
Wimala Dharma Suriya
died,
and was
succeeded by his sou, Narendra Singha.
The
following year the Dutch obtained possession of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the island of Java, and, at the
261
commencement
of
1709, they banished the ex-king of Java, Susasan
Mang
Burat Mas, with his family and attendants,
There were many followers of
to Ceylon. liing
who
shared his exile, and thus
became
the Malays
it
was
this
that
residents in the island, where,
as a natural result, they multiplied considerably.
Kandy died, and the Kandy to condole with
l
to
the king, Narendra Singha,
main
that event
who allowed them
The
Ceylon.
vernor
to re-
to this effect
implore
letter
Rumph was
— the
dominions
in peaceable possession of their
of condolence sent by go-
St
in
king of Kandy,
upon
external tokens of respect
ud
for the
all
io
Dutch, preserving
Tr ia
In 1721, the queen of
Dutch sent an embassy
— " To
PD
F
the Almighty to comfort his Majesty on the trying
occasion of the demise of the high-born, excellent,
sk
and all-accomplished queen." In
1723,
the
de
forty-four in
Dutch
some Javanese princes and chiefs, number, that had revolted against
at Batavia,
were banished to Ceylon,
and thus more Malays were introduced island
into the
by the Dutch.
In 1729, Governor Vuyst (governor of Colombo)
made an attempt
to render
himself an independent
sovereign, and in the prosecution of that
had recourse
to the
most atrocious
scheme
cruelties,
and
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
262
perpetrated crimes of the blackest dye. at last
He was
taken prisoner by his countrymen and sent
to Batavia, tried,
his country,
and convicted of high treason
and was sentenced
upon the wheel,
his
body
to
to
be broken alive
be quartered, and
to
then to be burned to ashes, and those ashes to be collected
humanity
and cast into the to
sea.
It is revolting to
read these loathsome details, savour-
Tr ia
l
ing of the ages of barbarism, and, though V^uyst
met a merited reward for his crimes, in having had sentence of death executed on his person breaking alive on the wheel, quartering the
io
still
burial, is almost past credence, as
St
them Christian
ud
body, throwing the ashes into the sea, refusing
having occurred in the eighteenth century, and
upon the nation
would sanction torturing the
living body, or wreak-
PD
F
casts a stigma of disgrace
that
ing vengeance on senseless remains.
sk
In 1739, Narendra Singha died without issue,
de
and was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Sreewi-
jaya Rajah Singha. racter of
History says that the cha-
Narendra Singha was
vile
:
he was most
licentious, indulging his passions without restraint;
prone
to anger,
he insulted his nobles, and was on
the brink of losing his crown, through a rebellion
which these injured nobles headed. standing
all this,
Notwith-
he reigned two- and- thirty years,
6
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and during
263
Dutch allies retained and employed the advan-
this period his
peaceable possession,
tage offered to increase their maritime dominions.
During the reigns of the kings,
had
the ordinances of the
been
considerably
two Kandian
last
Buddhist religion
neglected,
the
priests
having become lax and careless in the administration of the various rites thereof; and, in 1745,
Tr ia
l
Rajah Singha sent a deputation of
Sreevvijaj^a
his chiefs to Siam, to request that priests might
be allowed
to
come
to
Kandy,
restore the
to
io
neglected ordinances of Buddha.
In compliance
ud
with this request, several npasampada, or high
who
set to
work
vigorously, immediately on their arrival, to
fulfil
St
priests, returned with the chiefs,
appears that
PD
It
F
had brought them from Siam. Sreewijaya Rajah Singha devoted
the mission which
sk
the principal portion of his time to purify and
and Buddhism
under this monarch was restored
to all its
de
restore the religion of the state,
former
grandeur.
During
this
reign,
some of
were renewed
hostilities
between the Dutch and Kandians
;
and, although
the maritime provinces were taken
by
the latter, they were eventually retaken by the
Dutch; and, died,
in 1747, Sreewijaya Rajah Singha and was succeeded by his brother-in-law.
264
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Kirtisree
Rajah
who,
Singha,
in
1750,
sent
another deputation of chiefs to Siam, to pro-
Buddha;
of
cure priests
and,
Siamese
and Welle-
priests of the highest rank,
was placed
the chief pinest,
wike,
Buddhist
of the
under the
title
of
these
1753,
in
accompanied by some
chiefs returned to Ceylon,
head
at the
establishment in the
island,
Sanga Rajah.
Tr ia
l
In the year 1761, the violent measures adopted against the natives by governor Screuder, occa-
sioned an insurrection on the western coast; the
io
Kandians aided the insurgents against the Dutch,
tion,)
there had been
and skirmishes were constantly carried on
F
until the following year,
PD this
portion
de
the slaughter that ensued
is
for nine
hideous
the
Dutch appear 1766, a
to
new
contending
the
after
months, and to
this period, desultory warfare
on between
the
Dutch made
kingdom,
of the
Dutch had held possession
From
the
Wallapana; but Kirtisree Rajah Singha
sk
retook
when
Kandy, Matele, Doom-
themselves masters of bera, and
as, in
in fresh hostili-
for a short period a cessa-
St
ties, (for
ud
and thereby involved themselves
parties,
read
of.
was carried until
the
have obtained the advantage treaty
;
was entered into between
Kandian monarch and the Dutch, which en-
sured to the latter the unmolested possession of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. places
the
all
on
the
sea
coast
265 and
;
the
Dutch now might look upon themselves as conhaving brought the eastern potentate
querors,
under subjection, as by this treaty they dictated the articles which were agreed to by Kirtisree
Rajah Singha, and one of these was, that the various humiliating ceremonies which were ex-
when an envoy from
king,
were to be
to his court,
and
entirely dispensed with,
the
l
the
Dutch went
Tr ia
acted by
for the future
totally abolished.
We
ud
io
must now take a retrospective view of events, and return to the year 1763, when Mr.
Pybus was sent by the Madras government to the
friendly feelings of the English
F
monarch of the
as
king of Kandy, to assure the
St
ambassador
PD
towards him, and the anxiety of the government
him with
to furnish
means of carrying on the
the
offered to enter into
sk
war against the Dutch, and
National events of importance, and
de
a treaty.
the stirring incidents of the American war, called for all the attention
ment had
to
and money that our govern-
bestow,
and
can be
to this only
attributed the non-fulfilment of the treaty entered
into with Kirtisree
pression the
Rajah Singha
produced by
this
;
but the im-
breach of
faith,
on
minds of the king and royal family, was
VOL.
1.
N
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
266
most prejudicial
and probity of
the honour
to
England. 1781, Kirtisree Rajah
In
Singha died, and
was succeeded by his brother Rajadhi Rajah Singha; and in the following year a fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, and a body of troops, headed by Sir Hector Munro, were dispatched by Lord Macartney, then Gotheir
troops
took possession
territories in
of
and our
;
which
Trincomalee,
Dutch
in the
August
same year, during the absence of Admiral Edward Hughes, who had sailed for Madras
St
Sir
ud
of the
have some necessary repairs performed
Mr.
ships.
expedition
PD
the
sk
Kandy, and did
Hugh Boyd had been
F
to
that island
io
the French re-took for the
Tr ia
l
vernor of Madras, to Ceylon, to take from the
Dutch
not reach
de
March, owing although
as
left
ambassador
Trincomalee
Kandy to the
until
the
to
to his
sent
February, but
in
the
beginning of
badness of the roads;
Trincomalee
is
less
with
king of
than
for,
180 miles
from Kandy, the route was a most tedious and perplexing one, Mr.
having dense
at
times to
forest,
Boyd and force
or jungle.
their
his
companions
way through
a
Previously to quitting
Trincomalee, the following letter was despatched
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
by Mr. gha:*
Hugh Boyd
267
Rajadhi Rajah Siu-
to
"
To the king of Kandy, &c. "I have the honour of acquamting your highness, that I am appointed ambassador to your Highness, Durbar, by His Excellency the Right
l
Hon. Lord Macartney, the Governor, and the President of Madras; and that I am charged with
Tr ia
a letter to your highness, from the governor, in
order to explain to you their favourable sentiments, their friendship.
I
suppose your
io
and assure you of
ud
highness has already heard of the great successes of the English against their enemies, particularly
they have
now
St
whom
the Dutch,
driven entirely
their last settlement,
"To
PD
them
F
from the coast of Coromandel, having taken from
against
Dutch,
Vice-admiral
Edward
Sir
sk
the
Negapatam.
on the victories of the English
carry
de
Hughes, commander in-chief of the king of England's ship
and marine
arrived with the fleet and force under his at
now command
forces in India, is
Trincomalee, in conjunction with the troops of
the English East India
taken one of their
Company. He has
forts
alread}^
from the Dutch, called
Trincomalee Fort, with many prisoners, and with=;=
of
This
Hugh
letter will
Boyd,"
be foimcl in the " Miscellaneous Works
vol. II.
N
2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
268
out opposition
;
and he
is
proceeding with vigour,
and with certainty of equal success against their only other
fort,
called Ostendburgh,
which must
also yield to the great superiority of the British
arms. " This will certainly have been effected long before your highness can have received this let-
But
ter.
in the character
with which
have the
I
am
to
your
desirous to take the earliest op-
ti'ansmitting
in
particulars, to assure
it is
only against
Dutch, that the arms of the
ud
their enemies, the
you these happy
to
you that
io
highness, I portunity
Tr ia
l
honour of being invested, as ambassador
and attention
St
English are directed, and that the highest respect will
be shown your highness's rights
PD
F
and dignity, and that your subjects
will
be treated
wath the utmost kindness and friendship, accord-
sk
ing to a declaration
Edward
de
chief,
Hughes,
which his excellency, Sir
and commander-in-
admiral
has ah-eady published.
communicating these matters not doubting that
it
will
I
to
give
am happy
in
your highness,
you pleasure
to
hear of the success and power of your friends.
" As
many more English
expected soon
to
ships and troops are
be here, and, as some great
further operations will probably be soon carried
on by them
for the destruction of their
enemies,
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and the advantage of
by
their friends, I
am
ordered
excellency, the Governor of Madras,
his
communicate
to
your highness, as soon as pos-
to
the letter from
sible,
269
which
him,
have the
I
honour of being charged with. "
I shall
be happy, therefore, to deliver
it
to
your highness in person, with every explanation
and friendly assurance which you can
know,
have sent proper persons this I
to
me
conduct
hope your highness
will
you
thither
be pleased
;
to
io
and
desire, as
in reply to this, that
l
I shall
Tr ia
soon as
transactions of so I
am
much
importance,
also charged with a letter to
happy
you.
T
PD
the Carnatic, which I shall be to
your high-
Highness Walah Jah, Nabob of
F
ness, from his
St
"
ud
do immediately, as there ought to be no delay in
only wait
to
to deliver
have the honour of
then immediately proceed to enter on
de
I shall
sk
hearing from your highness, as I have desired
;
all
these important matters, on the most friendly and satisfactory
ground
to
your highness. (Signed)
"
Upon
Hugh
Boyd,"
the arrival of our ambassador at
Kandy,
he met with innumerable delays, and was received with distrust and suspicion by the Kandian court the natural result of our former breach of faith.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
;i70
and which but
ill-accorded
" It
character for probity.
is
with
British
the
now twenty
years
your ambassador arrived here, while we
since
waged war with our Dutch enemies
:
we
replied
frankly, and accepted cheerfully your offered
promised aid
;
but since your envoy
left,
and
not a
we heard of your offered aid, nor promised assistance. As you are now at war, in breath have
to injure
Tr ia
l
your turn, with the Dutch nation, and are desirous them, and obtain their possessions, you
io
come to us, professing that it is only for our benefit you desire to force them to quit our kingdom. We doubt the sincerity of your nation, as we have
ud
that
met with treachery from Europeans." Our ambassador made excuses for the nonfulfilment of the former treaty, and referred to the high character borne by England for probity and ;
but
all
sk
truth
PD
F
St
ever
quitted
Kandy
his efforts proved abortive, and he
the latter end of
March, without
de
having accomplished either of the objects of his mission
—namely,
to
make
alliance with the king of
years
we
left
the
a treaty, and form an
Kandy
— and
Kandians and Dutch
for
some
in undis-
turbed possession of Ceylon.
In the year 1785, Governor Vander Graaff
introduced paper currency into Ceylon
;
first
and, in
1789, the same governor caused a census to be
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. taken of tricts,
the inhabitants of the maritime dis-
all
subject to the
and the
271
Dutch East India Company
;
gave eight hundred and
statistical returns
seventeen thousand inhabitants,
of both
sexes,
and of all ages. In the year 1795, the union of Holland with
France took place, and war was declared by us
;
Tr ia
l
and Colonel, afterwards General Stewart, was sent
by the Governor of Madras, with a large
force, to
reduce Trincomalee, to which he laid siege, and,
more than
three weeks, the
was surrendered by the Dutch commander,
ud
fort
io
after the lapse of little
our troops were preparing to storm
as
In the
it.
Colpentyn was surrendered
;
F
British
the
command of November and
under the
forces,
PD
to
St
September following of that year, Jaftha was taken
by the same general
Colonel Bowser, on the 5th of
;
now
followed the British arms in Ceylon,
de
Success
sk
General Stewart shorly afterwards took Negombo.
and General
Colombo, the now,
and
Majesty's
Stewart
seat of
marched
resolved
upon attacking
government then as well as for
that
place
with
his
52nd, 73rd, and 77th regiments, ac-
companied by three battalions of Native Infantry,
and some Bengal Artillery. The route to Colombo lay through dense jungle, and over
rivers swollen
by the
late rains
;
but no
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
272 auibush
was
laid
by the Dutch
to obstruct the
progress of our troops, and they reached the river
Kelany (about four miles from the Fort of Colombo), which was defended by a strong there halted to await the expected
Dutch
fort,
and
coming of the
At the conclusion of the second
troops.
day, intelligence reached them that tHe guns were
dismantled and spiked, and that the troops had to
Colombo.
l
and retreated
fort,
Our men crossed
Tr ia
abandoned the
the river with great caution, fear-
ambuscade had been laid. Our encampment was then formed, the siege of Colombo planned, and our soldiers immediately afterwards marched for the fort, expecting a strong resistance to be made by the Dutch but to the astonishment both of General Stewart and the troops which he commanded, the only attempt to defend Colombo was made by a body of Malays,
St
ud
io
ing surprise, but no
sk
PD
F
;
headed by a French
ofl&cer,
who were
sent to meet
de
them, but quickly retreated, and very shortly
Colombo surrendered, British forces,
by
capitulation,
to
after
the
who were commanded by General
Stewart and Captain Gardiner, R. N.
Within a
short period, the whole of the forts and possessions in the island belonging to the
delivered
We
up
Dutch were
to our troops.
should not have found Ceylon so
facile a
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. conquest, had
it
not been for the want of disci-
amongst the Dutch
pline and subordination found
troops
—the
orders,
men
and the
refusing to obey their officers'
ahnost devoid of bravery or
officers
energy to defend their country's
consisted of two battalions
of
force
of Hollanders, the
with some
Wirtemberg,
native troops, forming in
all
Tr ia
l
Regiment
According
rights.
92—" The Dutch
to " Percival's Ceylon," p.
French
273
a force equal to that
of the invaders."
who
The
took Galle
Kiltenstein, A.
first,
J.
was W.
in 1640,
Thysz,
J.
J. Koster,
Matsuyher,
J.
Van
Vander Meyden, R. Van Goens,
Van
Peil, T.
Van Rhee,
PD
Hustaur, L.
;
sent there as
ud
governors.
names of those who were
St
give the
F
we
io
In taking leave of the Dutch as rulers in Ceylon,
De Heer, C. J. Simonsy, N. Rumph, A. Moll, J. Hertenberg,
Becher, T. A. J. P.
Schagen,
sk
G.
J.
De Rhoo,
P.
de
P. Vuyst, S. Versluzs, G. Wontersz, J. C. Pielaat?
D. V. Domburg,
W.
J.
Maccara, Baron Von Imhoff,
M. Bruininch, D. Ovcrpeck,
inch, D. Overpeck, J. V. S.
Vreeland, J.
De
Von
W. M.
Bruin-
Galnesse, G.
Joug, J. G. Saton,
J.
Van
Schrender,
Baron Van Eck, A. Mooyart, J. W. Falck, W. J. der Graaff, J. G. Van Angelbeech, under whom Colombo and the entire possessions of the
Van
Dutch were delivered over
to the British.
N 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
27-1
Under the Dutch,
their
own mode
v^as introduced into Ceylon,
among
professed converts
of worship
and there were many the
This
Cingalese.
arose from a regulation of the Dutch,
which pro-
hibited any native from holding an office, however
humble, under their government, unless he professed to belong to their church^
The Dutch
en-
covn'aged agriculture to a great extent, and intro-
It
the latter shrub
was
l
JiJ'sl cultivated.
The
that
pearl-
were also lucrative and productive, under
management
io
their
pepper, cardamons,
was under Governor Falck
consequently,
ud
fisheries
coffee,
Tr ia
duced the cultivation of and cinnamon.
;
profitable
St
been a national loss of no
and promising
it
must have
trivial nature,
a settlement
when
so
was wrested
shall
wind up our summary by glancing
PD
We
F
from them by the British. at
the effect produced upon the native character by
sk
the line of conduct pursued by the Dutch,
who
de
acted as if they believed that their responsibility
as Christians
and enlightened men, commenced
and terminated by forcing nominal religion upon the natives by making an external avowal of
—
Christianity the only stepping-stone to patronage,
employment under government; and they neglected no opportunity or means whereby wealth could be amassed. Their public policy and private or
—
OEYLOxX
275
AND THE CINGALESE.
and ended with the same goal in namely, the acquirement of riches. Thus
enterprise began
view
—
the English
commenced
having the impressions
rule
their
to eradicate
in
Ceylon,
which had
been produced upon the minds of the Cingalese, through the sufferings they had experienced under the military
and
religious oppression of the Por-
These
fearful
Dutch
examples,
successors.
set
by professing stamped upon
io
Christians, have been too forcibly
reli-
Tr ia
gious despotism of their
l
tuguese, and no less oppressive grasping and
;
ud
the feeble and flexible characters of the natives
and European vices have thus
become engrafted
F
St
upon the effeminate, pusillanimous dispositions of the Cingalese who inhabit the lowland and mari-
PD
time districts, thus forming a character of the
most despicable description.
sk
lethe's
subjoin the following extract from " Phila-
History of Ceylon,"
in
support of our
de
We
previously-expressed views and sentiments
"
:
The Portuguese were under the influence of a sentiment of bigotry, which, when it becomes a predominant feeling in the human heart, equally disregards the suggestions of caution, admonitions
of prudence,
humanity.
and the higher considerations of
It is
a blind impulse, and
it
has
all
the effect of blindness, both visual and mental
;
270
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
in the strange deviations
straight path of virtue
which
and
it
causes from the
and consequently
truth,
of the best policy, and most stable interest.
The
Dutch did not bend before the grim Moloch of rt>ligious bigotry; but cent, per cent, was their faith, gold was their object, and Mammon was
But
their god.
Dutch
the idol of the
is
as un-
favourable to the growth of the loftier virtues, and
l
tends to humanize the exercise of power,
Tr ia
to all that
as that of the Portuguese.
Avarice
culating feeling, and where
it
affections,
io
bosom, absorbing the
ud
the desires in a single object,
is
a cold, cal-
totally pervades the
it
and concentrating renders the heart
siderations
St
as impenetrable as a stone to those moral con-
which are more particularly associated
a benevolent regard for the happiness of
those
who
F
with
PD
are placed in subjection to our will, or
within the sphere of our influence.
sk
avarice of the
Dutch proved
The
insensate
as unfavourable to
de
the happiness of the people of Ceylon, as the enthusiastic bigotry of the Portuguese."
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
277
Tr ia
l
CHAPTER XL
—Personal appearance—Cingalese of the —Character of the women—Native government King's —Customs—Mode of smelting — British rnle from 1795 to 1805 — Governor Nortli — First English governor— Supreme Court of Judicature established Kandian war— Fearful massacre of British troops
io
Kaudian character
ud
lowlands
ii-on
PD
F
St
officers
Dastardly and disgraceful conduct of
Major Davie
—Suimnary ofpoli policy of General Macdowall — Noble events— conduct of Captain Nouradeen— Bravery of Major Johnson— Thomas Maitland succeeds the Honourable Frederick North— The judicious rule of Governor North.
sk
Exti'aordinary escape of two soldiers ^False
de
tical
Sir
Before we
enter
upon the history of Ceylon
under the British, as the subjugation of Kandy forms a prominent feature of our
rule,
we
will give
a sketch of the character of the people, and the
government of that nation under the dominion of
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
278
All those own sovereigns and rulers. who have written upon Ceylon remark,
their
authors
with great justice, the difference of character that is
observable between the inhabitants of the
moun-
tainous and those of the lowlands and maritime
an insult to a Kandian to
It is
districts
call
him
a Cingalese, as the Kandians hold the latter in
The Kandians term only
variably
make
Cingalese
when speaking
latter,
;
and the natives
l
ants of the lowlands,
of the
the inhabit-
Tr ia
contempt.
of the former, in-
the same distinction
— calling them
are a purer race, possessing
ud
The Kandians
io
Kandians, and not Cingalese.
much
St
nobility of character — are daring, courageous, and
generous; whilst the Cingalese are cowardly,
it
and the nobles of Kandy
was
stated to us
PD
(and
:
F
and mean
vile,
ser-
assert
by a Kandian chief of
sk
high rank, and the highest caste) that the vices of lying and thieving,
now
so fearfully prevalent in
de
Ceylon, were introduced into the Kandian provinces
by the Cingalese, who had acquired
these
intolerably despicable vices from intercourse with
the Portuguese and Dutch.
Robert Knox, who
passed twenty years in captivity at Kandy, thus writes of them, in the seventeenth century
"
Of
all
:
the vices, they are least addicted to
stealing, the
which they do exceedingly hale and
=4
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
CINGALESK MAN.
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
— ;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. abhor
;
279
so that there are but few robberies
They do much
mitted amongst them.
comand
extol
commend chastity, temperance, truth in words and actions ; and confess that it is out of weakness and infirmity that they cannot practise the
same, acknowledging that the contrary vices are
be abhorred."
making
he gives the
this statement,
lowing one, which
is
somewhat
contradictory, as
regards their propensity to lying.
lowance must be made
great al-
io
which
as his protracted captivity for
;
so long a period (during
many promises
which time he had
relative
St
ceived
But
for the position in
ud
Knox was placed
fol-
l
After
Tr ia
to
release)
to place
much
reliance
F
would not predispose him
re-
his
to
PD
on their veracity, or enable him to give an unprejudiced opinion as to the national character. is
much
Not-
truth to be found in
succeeding quotation, which gives, on
the
—
de
the
sk
withstanding, there
whole, a fair estimate of the Kandian character: " In understanding, quick and apprehensive in design,
subtle
and
crafty
teous, but full of flatteries
;
;
in
discourse, cour-
naturally inclined to
temperance, both in meat and drink, but not chastity
;
near and provident in their families
commending good husbandry tions, not passionate
— neither
;
in
hard
their disposito
be recon-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
280
when angry
ciled
faithful
liking
it
labour
in others;
till
their
in
;
— approving
promises very un-
lying in themselves, but disdelighting in sloth
— defeiTing
urgent necessity compel them; neat
and not much given
in apparel; nice in eating,,
to
slee]3."
For the bravery, which we deem inherent in the Kandians, and their love of country, no better proof
Tr ia
l
can be offered than the determined, vigorous, and protracted resistance opposed to the attempted
subjugation of their country by the Portuguese, this dislike to the im-
io
And
Dutch, and British.
ud
posed yoke of a foreign power exists
to
no small
;
St
extent at this moment, as the recent insurrection
proved
whilst the Cingalese have tamely sub-
The
difference of person apparent in the
PD
a half.
F
mitted to foreign rule for more than a century and
sk
Kandians and Cingalese, mental dissimilitude. dian
bronze, or brown; observer's
high
The
haughty and erect
de
is
fixedly
is
;
as
marked
as their
bearing of the Kan-
the complexion, bright
the eye large
— meeting
and undauntedly
;
—nose, well formed and prominent
expression of the face intelligent.
and the
While, on the
contrary, the deportment of the Cingalese vile
and crouching;
brown the ;
their
brow
the ;
the
is
ser-
complexion of a yellower
eye, although of
good
size,
seldom
fully
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
281
opens, and endeavours to avoid looking fixedly on the observer
;
the
brow low
,
the nose less promi-
Kan-
nent, and not so well formed, as that of the
dian
;
and the expression of the countenance has
a cliaracter of servile, low cunning.
Although
it is
affirmed
by writers that the Kan-
dians and Cingalese are both descended from the stock,
we
disagree with them mate-
the Kandians have
all
l
rially, as
the distinctive
Tr ia
same parent
marks of a nobler race, and purer blood
— being,
Malabars,
who
io
in our opinion, the offspring of
a
free, warlike,
;
as
and independent
lowlands had experienced the
PD
state long after the
St
non-admixture with foreign conquerors
Kandy remained
F
to
ud
had intermarried with the Veddahs, or aborigines of Ceylon, whose blood has remained pure, owing
yoke of numerous conquerors, of various nations:
sk
whilst the Cingalese are the descendants of the
de
followers of the Indian King, Wijeya,
who
quered Ceylon long anterior to the Christian
But the cally
latter race
conera.
has deteriorated, both physi-
and mentally, by constant admixture with
the various tribes and nations
who have con-
quered, colonized, or visited the
maritime
lowlands and
districts.
Although Buddhism inculcates the practice of chastity
and continence more than
any other
—
282
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
heathen religion, yet in no part of Asia
is
the
observance of these virtues less practised than by the followers of
Buddha, and more
especially in
Ceylon, where the want of chastity in woman,
which pervades
classes,
all
beginning with the
highest and descending to the lowest caste,
lamentable in the extreme.
been a national
tiates
from
fully
earliest records
l
would be unadvisable
it
et seriatim
Knox on
to
women
for
ud
evinced by the
quote verbatim
who expa-
this topic,
and strongly on the
io
perusal
from the
but in a work intended for general
;
Tr ia
of the island
failing,
is
This appears to have
total
disregard
We
chastity.
shall,
St
therefore, confine ourselves to the following ex-
from that author " Whilst a woman would
tract
F
man
she desire and seek
own
sk
her
time
even among
it
most anxiously with one of
husbands and find a
the crying sin of the natives,
it is
women
many murders and
from the contact
caste, or of a higher one."
this
de
At
flee
of a lower caste than herself, so would
PD
of a
:
arise
professiug Christianity
lovers,
who come
seized hold
of,
and
unexpectedly,
paramour with the women
;
when
ever-ready knife, or any other weapon that is
;
from the excited jealousy of
is
the
near,
and bloodshed ensues.
The government
of
Kandy was an
absolute and
l Tr ia io ud St F PD sk de sg^.
'S^^
'"^
CINGALESE WOMAN.
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
283
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
despotic one, the king having unlimited power
over the lives and property of his subjects fact, the
Kandian nation being the
monarch
— slavery
was permitted, and
practised
But
throughout the kingdom.
to a great extent
in
:
slaves of the
the king was not only lord paramount of the soil, the whole produce of which he could claim, if it pleased him so to do but he claimed and en-
Tr ia
l
;
forced equal ownership over the persons of the cultivators.
of the next rank to the monarch were
io
The men
;
and these
ud
the two adikars, or prime ministers
adikars also acted as judges, and to them an ap-
to the
I'eel
dissa-
with the decision of the governor of his
— and
F
province
from the adikar a final appeal lay
PD
tisfied
St
peal could be made, should a suitor
king in person
;
but the king reserved to
sk
himself the power of inflicting capital punishment,
was constantly
life
sacrificed in the
de
and human
most wanton manner, and on the most puerile occasions.
These adikars were appointed by,
and held office during the king's pleasure. the adikars
came
provinces.
A
the dissaaves, or governors of
certain
appointed to the
After
number of
command
this
body were
of the king's troops
;
and these held a superior rank
to
whose business
and pay into the
it
was
to receive
their fellows,
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE.
284
royal treasury the tribute to the king, and maiutain
The
peace and order in their provinces.
dis-
saaves, like the adikars, received their appointment
from the king,
who would
ing them of their
disgrace them, depriv-
and putting them
offices,
to
death, or torturing them, as caprice dictated.
The next in rank and power were the ratramawho acted as deputies to those dissaaves, who commanded the king's guards, or troops, by
Tr ia
l
hatmeers,
preserving proper order in their provinces during
tricts,
io
the disaaves' necessary absence from their diswhilst on duty at court.
Under
these ra-
ud
tramahatmeers were many
inferior officers,
who
St
obtained their posts either by bribery or from the
When
patronage bestowed by their superior.
the
PD
F
dissaave, or ratramahatmeer, travelled through his
province, to administer justice, he
sk
by the whole of dissaave,
or
de
ment.
by them
as an
the talipot palm, official
rank, and
implement of punish-
This whip was constantly kept in motion
when borne
before these officials
produced served to clear the road, to
Before the
ratramahatmeer, was borne a long
whip made from the fibres of which was the emblem of their also used
was attended
his inferior officers.
apprize those
to
warn
;
and the sound
all travellers
and leave a
or passers-by
free passage,
who had complaints
and also
or charges to
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
.
RATRAM AHATMEER
F
PD
sk
de ud
St io l
Tr ia
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. prefer, that the dissaave, or at
285
ratramahatmeer, was
hand.
AVhen
a
complaint had been substantiated,
which, in the estimation of the
called for
official,
corporal punishment, the criminal was straight-
way
stripped, tied to the
and flogged
first tree,
with the whip which a short time previously had given notice of the judge's approach.
This busi-
way,
to enact the
Tr ia
l
ness concluded, the dissaave would resume his
same scene elsewhere.
Fines,
imprisonment, and torture were the other punish-
by the dissaaves and ratramahat-
in the course of these periodical visita-
ud
tions,
io
inflicted
meers,
which were conducted with great
ceremony, and parade
;
and were
state,
also very lucra-
and ratramahatmeers were
F
tive, as the dissaaves
St
ments
PD
bribed to decide in the briber's favour, and con-
sk
sequently whoever could or would administer the largest bribe almost invariably gained his suit.
de
But on the reverse of this pleasant picture stood a despotic monarch, who, from the merest whim, would take from them
Knox,
" But there all
their
after referring to the is
rank and wealth.
above
something came
facts, writes
after, that
:
makes
the honour and wealth of these great courtiers
not at
all
desirable
— and
that
is,
that they are
so obnoxious to the king's displeasure,
which
is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
286
SO customary, that
it
no disgrace
is
maii to liave been in chains
common
gaol, too
when
so ready,
and
;
—
for a iioble-
and
nay,
in
llie
great men, too, are
tlie
the king con)mands, to lay hold
on one another,
as he
command them, and
to
glad to have the honour to be the king's execu-
hoping
tioners,
have the place of the exe-
to
cuted." is
found a summary
Tr ia
l
In the foregoing quotation
when
of the uncertain tenure of place and power,
held from or under a despotic monarch,
what description of dwelling
his subjects
io
dictated
who even
were to build or inhabit.
may appear
almost
ud
It
one
man
St
paradoxical that a nation should have suffered to tyrannize over their persons, actions,
to the extent
F
and properties,
PD
permitted under their
own
rebel against the mild rule
ment lingly
of the British govern-
anomaly presented by
the
we
kings, and should yet
will
cheerfully
and
endure what we voluntarily submit
our forefathers intolerable
have borne before
may appear
it
su]iposition or into
is
nature, that
de
human
sk
But such
which the Kandians
knowledge
that
we
laws, although
tlie
who
;
or
however
whilst the
are to be forced
a particular line of action,
novel or foreign power,
us,
to others
wil-
to,
dictated
rules with
adiiiinistration
its
bv a
own
of those laws
•
287
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
may be
equitable,
and
our benefit, produces
for
a feeling which causes us to consider ourselves
aggrieved
This
is
and we rebel against the foreign yoke
;
not only
ti
national feeling predominant
be found in every
amongst the Kaudians, but
will
quarter of the globe, and
applicable to the in-
is
habitants of every country. alter
describing
the
modes
various
—
l
Knox,
Tr ia
adopted for building their dwellings, says " For they are not pennilted to build their :
lime
;
but there
tiles,
is
;
neither
a clay which
The
St
that they use sometimes.
F
PD
two, unless they be great
them
they
is
as white, and
poorest sort have
not above one room in their houses
king allow
may
nor whiten their walls with
ud
cover them witli
io
houses above one story high
to
men
;
— few above
neither doth the
The
build better.
great
sk
people have handsome and commodious houses.
site
buildings
— one oppo-
de
They have commonly two
the other, joined together on each side with
a wall, which makes a square court-yard in the
middle.
house,
Round about are
against the walls of their
banks of clay
to
sit
upon.
Their
slaves and servants dwell round about without, in other houses, with their wives
and children."
This author speaks of the ancient remains of grandeur which were found in Kandy, and these
"
288
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. be noticed
will
a chapter devoted to the anti-
in
quities of Ceylon.
of rice,
the
In writing of their cultivation
commodity of food
staple
for
the
nation, he tells us that their ploughs consisted of
" a piece of wood, shod with iron [these primitive
ploughs are used in the interior at the present day, and to them are yoked buffaloes, or bulloclis]
He
proper for the country."
describes minutely
the husli, " and this
way than
threshing
Tr ia
l
the Oriental custom of treading out the grain from a far quicker and easier
is
reaping also they are
at
;
also stales, " their rents
king thrice
in
ud
He
io
excellent good, just after the English manner."
St
produce of the
in the
were brought
to the
each year, and were generally paid soil,
and not
in
money."
PD
F
Besides these, however, whatsoever is wanted in " the king's house, and they have it, they must,
upon the king's
sk
Knox
order, bring
describes the state
de
Kandian dominions, slate
;
and
it
to is
of learning in the
have been
to
of degradation,
former times
it
what
it
in a fearftil
had been
in
certain that for centuries,
the inhabitants of Ceylon had been retrograding in learning, arts,
and sciences, more particularly
since the Portuguese
and Dutch had obtained
footing in
the island,
Knox, "
but small;
is
a
"Their learning," says all
they ordinarily learn
is,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. and
to read if
write, but
he can do neither
it
— nor
no shame
is
289 to
a
man
have they any schools
wherein they might be instructed in these or any
The Kandians
other arts."
polished the precious
stones found in their dominions by a species of
grinding stone,
which
is
in
still
use
among them, and They
very similar to an European one.
l
smelted the gold found in their rivers, in furnaces,
Tr ia
formed of a species of white clay, found inland,
and they fashioned the precious metal and
;
subtract the succeeding
mode adopted by
from the
PD
F
to obtain iron
by saying,
mences
that
the
sk
—
or six feet
it
the
com-
was found
generally lay
below the surface of the
:
de
earth
five
He
ore.
ore
throughout the country, and that
about
set precious
as giving a most accurate and
interesting account of the
Kandians
and
fingers,
St
from Knox,
ankles,
were frequently
We
stones and gems. lines
nose,
in the gold
into orna-
io
toes
the head,
ud
ments
for
" First they take these stones and lay them in a heap, and burn them with wood, which makes
them
softer
and
fitter
for
the
When
furnace.
they have so done, they have a kind of furnace,
made with a white
sort of clay,
a quantity of charcoal furnace, behind
VOL.
I.
;
there
wherein they put is
a back to the
which the man stands that blows. o
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
290
Behind the furnace they have two logs of wood placed
the ground, hollow at the top like
fast in
two pots
upon the mouths of these two pieces
;
of hollow
wood they
tie a
piece of deer's skin, on
each part a piece, with a small hole, as big as a
man's finger,
In the middle of each
each skin.
in
skin, a little beside the holes, tied fast to as
many
like a spring,
bending
are
two
strings,
stuck in the ground,
sticks
bow
—
this pulls the
Tr ia
l
like a
skin upwards."
He
then
minutely the process of
describes
blowing, and continues " As the stones are thus burning, the dross that
them
melts,
where there
fire,
it
is
purified as they
sk
de
a chop half
the water that
for the
pur-
think enough, they drive
through the same slanting hole it
the bottom,
Out of this hole runs the dross-like streams and the iron remains behind, which, when
PD
of
at
made
F
pose.
and runs out
a slanting hole
is
St
is in
ud
io
:
it is
:
they so chop
good
;
way through, and it
iron, for the
that
then they give so fling it
into
seen
satisfaction of those
who are minded to buy." The state of religion
observable
Kandians, anterior
the period
to, at
it
may be
among of,
tlie
and sub-
sequent to Knox's captivity, will be noticed hereafter
;
and we
will fur the present bid adieu
to
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. the
and resume our history
ancient Kandians,
from
subsecutively,
Dutch settlements
taking
in
291
possession
of
the
Ceylon by the British,
in
1796.
Mr. Andrews was sent as ambassador
Kandian
by
court,
to the
Madras government,
the
obtain Rajah Siugha's ratification to the
minary
and
preli-
a definitive one
to negotiate
l
treaty,
to
Tr ia
on more enlarged principles, by which the Kandian nation was to have enjoyed privileges and
Ten armed
were to have been placed at the king's
service,
entirely
carry on
F
or
from our superintendence,
and home trade
and which had been
profitable,
whom
and the
in the possession
they had passed into
sk
of the Dutch, from
;
then most
salt-marshes at Putlara,
PD
seways,
free
foreign
St
vessels
to
centuries.
ud
more than two
quillity for
io
advantages which they had not possessed in tran-
de
our hands, were to have been given up to Rajadhi
Rajah Singha.
Our ambassador could not
suc-
ceed in bringing matters to a termination, as the
king of Kaudy required various alterations
made
in
the
proposed
treaty,
Andrews was not authorized
The
first
to
to
be
which Mr.
to accede.
pearl-fishery, under our government,
took place during this jear, and yielded upwards of sixty thousand pounds.
The proceeds o 2
of the
—
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE.
292 several will
under ihe Dutch and English
fisheries
be given in a porlion of this work devoted
to
the produce of Ceylon.
In the year 1797, an insurrection was caused
by the employment offices
of
Malabar Duboshes,
revenue and other duties
lectors of the
had been formerly
filled
aratchys, or headmen, but the
or col-
these
;
by the Cingalese
Madras governmeht
Tr ia
l
had displaced them, substituting natives of the Malabar coast
These
in their stead.
trivial
dis-
turbances were speedily quelled, and entirely sub-
when
the Cingalese were reinstated in their
io
official
appointments.
The king
ud
sided,
of Kandy, during this year,
made
of the negocialion, but, before a defini-
arrangement
PD
tive
F
St
overtures to us for a renewal
and conclusion of ihe Singha died,
v\
sk
;
as entered into, Rajadhi Rajah
after a
seventeen years.
treaty
tolerably tranquil reign of
Although he had
five legitiniaie
de
wives or queens, as well as concubines, he did
and he bore the chaan indolent, voluptuous man, " addicted
not leave any male issue racter of lo love
and poetry, and
;
to
nothing
else,
ruled his subjects with an easy yoke."
lowing
is
the
personal
Rcijah Singha, given by
neous Works
description
Boyd
:'"
10
in
his
and who
The
fol-
of Rajadhi " Miscella-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. "
He
"293
about thirty-six, or thirty-seven years
is
of age, of a grand majestic appearance, a very large man,
and very black, but of an open,
gent countenance,
as
He
me
in
intelli-
found afterwards on a
On
the whole, his figure and
mind
of our Harry the Eighth.
nearer approach. attitude put
I
wore a large crown, which
is
a very important
Tr ia
l
distinction from the other princes of the East."
made
In the following year, 1798, Ceylon was
a King's Colony, and the Hon. Frederick North,
io
afterwards Earl of Guilford, and a worthy suc-
and philanthropic progenitor,
ud
cessor to his learned
Historians
as to whether
it
and arrived
was a nephew
F
differ,
island,
St
was appointed governor of the month of October.
there in the
PD
of one of the queens, or a son of a sister of one of the concubines of the late king, that Pilimi Tafirst
adikar or prime minister, raised to
sk
lawe, the
Kandy, under the title of Sri Wikrama Rajah Singha, to the exclusion of the royal family as Prince Mootoo Sawme, the chief or
de
the throne of
;
first
queen's brother, was the legitimate heir to
the crown.
This step was taken by Pilimi Talavve
to further his
own ambitious
Wikwhose
views, as Sri
rama was but an automaton on the actions were directed by the first
throne,
adikar, Pilimi
Talawe, who imprisoned the chief queen of the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
294 late
monarch Rajadhi, and
several relatives of the
Mootoo Savvme, with his adherents and followers, made their escape from Kandy, and placed themselves under the royal family
whilst Prince
;
protection of the British government at Colombo.
During the following slaves
year, the importation of
prohibited, and torture and barbarous
was
Tr ia
l
modes of punishment abolished in our possessions in Ceylon. In the month of February, Governor North granted an interview
to Pilimi
Talawe, and
the prime minister appears to have been most cau-
mode
of proceeding with our govern-
io
tious in his
;
but in a subsecutive one, in September,
St
tary one
ud
ment, as this interview was merely a complimen-
he offered to assassinate the monarch, Sri Wik-
whom
he had raised
F
rama,
to that dignity, if the
PD
English would assist him to ascend the throne, that he, Pilimi Talawe,
sk
the English would
would govern Kandy
dictate.
This
as
ignominious
manner it merited, and the governor made Pilimi Talawe understand,
de
proposition was rejected in the
that neither the
monarch, nor nation, which he had
the honour to represent, either aided or abetted murder, or assassins
;
but,
undaunted by
this
and determined refusal of Governor North
him
in
his
prompt to aid
criminally nefarious project, Pilimi
Talawe made many after-communications of
the
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
same
nature,
295
which were rejected with the scorn
and contumeliousness they merited.
The
first
Colombo, year;
English seminary was established at
for the instruction of natives
thus
we
find that
immediately
within the after
Mr.
North held the reins of government, and when naturally in a new colony, there were many im-
and
commercial
subjects
to
Tr ia
l
portant political,
engross the governor's attention and time
;
that
gentleman had been employing his leisure hours endeavouring to ameliorate the
suflferings,
and
io
in
Governor North abolished
the
of
importation
and barbarous modes of punish-
torture
St
slaves,
ud
improve the condition of his sable fellow-man.
F
ment, and established a seminary for the instruc-
and benighted
and Noble
natives,
PD
tion of the ignorant
that within the space of twelve months.
sk
conduct of this nature needs no comment or praise,
wise."
de
and each one in reading this may apply the following text to himself, " Go and do thou likeIn the following year, 1800, Governor North agreed
to
send an ambassador to the king of
Kandy, as the
made name
first
adikar, Pilimi
l^alawc,
had
overtures of an honourable nature, in the
of Sri Wikrama, in his
prime-minister.
ofllicial
capacity of
The Rev. Mr. Cordiner writes
:
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
296
" In order to elude the arts of the adikar, the
governor promised that Major-General Macdowall should be sent as ambassador,
the consent of
if
the liing were previously obtained to his carrying
with him a sufficient military force to maintain his independence.
posed, that
if
It
was
at the
same time pro-
the king should approve of
it,
he
should transport his person and his court for
enjoy
all
his royal rights,
l
territories, there to
Tr ia
greater safety to the British
and
to
depute
to Pilimi
Talawe, the adikar, the exercise of his power in
of
Kandy consented to
ud
The king
io
Kandy."
the requisition,
Kandy on his embassy, escorted " by the light company, and for
St
and General Macdowall started
four battalions of his Majesty's
19lh
five
regi-
PD
F
foot,
companies of the second battalion of the 6th
ment of
coast sepoys, five companies of the
Malay
sk
regiment, a detachment of the Bengal artillery,
de
with four six-pounders and two howitzers." the utility of the caution evinced
North
in
Now,
by Governor
sending an ambassador, with a powerful
was displayed, as on the road the deputamet with opposition from the natives, and
escort,
tion
several skirmishes resulted, not without suspicion
that Pilimi
Talawe had
secretly instigated
rebels to this contumacious
mode
the
of proceeding.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
297
his escort finally reached
Our ambassador and
series of lengthened interviews
Kandy, where a
ensued between Sri Wikrama and General
Mac
dowall, which terminated in the general returning to
Colombo, without having been able
new
to
effect a
treaty, or alter the position of affairs then ex-
between the British and Kandian govern-
isting
historical nature
remained
in statu
Tr ia
Events of an
l
ments.
quo during the year 1801, but the following year interest, as well
io
was fraught with circumstances of
The Supreme Court
point of view.
to
satisfactory
F
sent his second adikar as
our government at Colombo, treaty
was
sk
a
At the beginning of the
Kandy
PD
year, the king of
ambassador
and vaccine innocula-
established,
first
was introduced.
of Judicature
St
was now lion
ud
as with those of deep importance in a political
entered
when which
into,
ensured the safety, and permission to carry on
de
commercial intercourse, powers. it
was
the
violated
first
new
act of aggression,
was
two
ratified,
by plundering some
who had purchased Areka-nuts
Kandian dominions.
manded
treaty
by the Kandians, who connnitted
British subjects, in the
to the subjects of the
Shortly after the
that restitution
Governor North de-
should be
made
of the
stolen property, or that the parties should be rcim-
o 5
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
298 bursefl
the
to
full
value of their merchandize.
This demand Pilimi Talawe, in the name of his sovereign^ promised to
comply with, but postponed
the fulfilment of his promise, and after repeated
demands had been made by our government for the required compensation, which were constantly met by puerile evasions, Governor North
threat-
ened the king of Kandy with hostile proceedings,
demanded and promised
forthwith made.
War was
was not
l
restitution
Tr ia
if the
declared against the Kandians in
force,
marched
for
These troops consisted of "two incom-
St
Kandy. plete
of a considerable
ud
the head
io
the January of 1803, and General Macdowall, at
companies of Bengal
artillery,
with the usual
F
proportion of gun-lascars, two companies of his
PD
Majesty's 19th regiment of foot, the entire of the 51st regiment (625 strong,) one thousand Ceylon
sk
native infantry, one
company of
the
Malay
de
ment, and a small corps of pioneers."
Barbut also
set out for
"one company
of the
regi-
Colonel
Trincomalee, commanding
Madras
artillery, five
com-,
panics of the 19th regiment, the greater part of the
Malay regiment, and a necessary proportion of lascars
and pioneers."
These
divisions, in their
respective marches, did not meet with the slightest resistance, and, although each
had pursued
differ-
299
CEYLON and the CINGALESE.
ent routes, arrived almost simultaneously at the
Kandian
seat of government,
which they found
undefended and deserted, and our large army,
which consisted of more than three thousand men, took undisturbed possession of Lanka-divas capital, the palace of
which had been
the retreat of the Kandians, and ;
was
partially de-
but in some of the apartments were found
l
stroyed
fired before
Tr ia
" pier glasses, statues, particularly those of Bud' a few
golden cups adorned with silver filagree."
In the
what was used
their warlike
for the store-house for
ud
arsenal, or
io
dha, sets of glass and china-ware, and
weapons, a large quantity of arms
St
of various descriptions were found by our troops,
F
and appropriated.
de
sk
PD
Mootoo Sawme was now proclaimed king by Governor North, and he was crowned with all due ceremony at Kandy. This prince was the legitimate heir to the Kandian throne, as he was the brother of Rajadhi's chief queen, and he
had
placed himself under the protection of the British government, when Pilimi Talawe placed Sri Wik-
rama on the throne, without male issue.
after the decease of
A
treaty
was
Governor North and Mootoo Sawrae,
Rajadhi
ratified
by
to the effect
that the British merchants and soldiers should be
indemnified for losses sustained previously
tG>
and
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
300
during the war, that a portion of land was to be given up for the purpose of constructing a road
from Colombo to Trincomalee, that the province of the Seven Korles, which
western coast, should be
is
made
a tract along the
over for ever to the
British, that the king should not form
any alliance
without the concurrence of his Britannic Majesty,
considerations,
Mootoo
agreed.
A
of order.
Tr ia
these
force should be kept in
the preservation
for
l
and that an European
Kandy,
Sawme
To
all
readily
was now sent to Hangrenketty, about sixteen miles from Kandy, commanded by Colonel
ud
io
force
was nearly drawn
into
an ambuscade,
to the caution of the colonel, a timely
was
F
owing
retreat
effected, although the object for
PD
but,
St
Barbut, in pursuit of the fugitive Sri Wikraraa,
which
which
the troops were sent remained unaccomplished.
sk
Pilimi Talawe evinced
de
mode
being
much
penetration in the
of warfare which he adopted with our troops, fully
Kandian
conscious
soldiers if
He
engagement.
of the inferiority of the
opposed
harassed
to
them
in regular
them by hovering
about the capital, cutting off supplies, and
all
communication between Kandy, Colombo, and Trincomalee. nearly taken
by
A
detachment of our men were
Pilimi Talawe, which had been
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. sent out to
chief in
commence a negociation with some
the
vicinity,
escaped annihilation,
Kandy
retreat into
ten rupees
and
five
30l
was
set
and our soldiers
barely
and were necessitated
precipitately.
A
reward
to of
on the head of each European,
rupees on that of any of the native troops
in the service
of the British.
make
inroads on the health of our troops,
a negotiation
dowall by Pilimi Talawe,
The
into the
deposed monarch,
hands of the
British, on the
St
Wikrama,
adikar proposed
ud
to surrender the person of the Sri
when
was opened with General Mac-
io
to
Tr ia
l
This harassing mode of warfare was beginning
condition that he, Pilimi Talawe, should have in
Kandy, under
F
supreme authority
the
title
of
PD
Octoan Komarayan, or great and supreme prince,
and that Mootoo Sawme should
retire to JafFna-
sk
patam, receiving a pension from the Kandian
de
government.
Unfortunately for the honour of Britain, this
degrading proposal was acceded
Macdowall, who returned
to
to
by General
Colombo, withdraw-
ing a large body of the troops, leaving
Kandy
under the command of Major Davie, with a garrison of only one thousand
men.
Piraili
having found that his nefarious scheme ing power, aud raising himself
Talawe
for obtain-
to the highest dig-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
302
had succeeded, now resolved upon attempting of the person of Governor
nity
to obtain possession
North, and for this purpose requested a conference
might take place
at
Dambadiva, about
fifty-seven
miles east of Colombo, and which had been a
Governor
royal residence.
North
being most
anxious for peace, and to avoid bloodshed, acquiesced most readily to Pilimi Talawe's proposi-
Tr ia
A
l
tion.
day having been fixed upon
io
to
for the confer-
May, the governor went Dambadiva, attended by a numerous suite and
ence, namely, the 3rd of
ud
guards, whilst a detachment
met Governor North
of three hundred
These
at that place.
St
soldiers
precautions were necessary to guard against the
F
treacherous designs of the perfidious Pilimi Ta;
and, had
PD
lawe
it
not been for this armed force
accompanying the governor,
in all probability
he
made prisoner, as the adikar had of armed men awaiting the governor's body a
de
sk
w^ould have been
arrival,
but he liad not any proposal, or fresh ne-
gotiation to enter into. seize the person of
his escort, Pilimi after
Finding
it
Governor North
impossible to in the face of
Talawe broke up the conference,
a nominal ratification of the former treaty.
General Macdowall returned to Kandy, and took the
command
of the garrison on the
J
6th of
—
CEYLON AND tHE CINGALESE.
May, and most unfortunately
303 sake of
the
for
humanity, and of Great Britain's honour, he was taken seriously
ill,
and compelled
to leave
Kandy
on the 11th of June following, leaving the garrison under the
command
Our pen
of Major Davie.
almost refuses to perform
its task,
and record the
horribly sickening details of the fearful massacre sacrifice of
human
brought about, and
life,
Tr ia
l
and
by the cowardice and pusillanimity of one man, who dishonoured and disentailed on his victims
io
graced the country that gave him birth, the king
wore, and
ud
he served, the commission he held, the uniform he the sword which he ought is
name
power
of
in language,
PD
be execrated and loathed, as denoting
mean
dastardly,
de
" Veritatis simplex oratio est
Therefore,
we resume our
From concomitant
will
that is
and
;"
history.
circumstances,
we
are
in-
Talawe only waited the absence of General Macdowall to attack
duced for
all
treacherous,
sk
despicable,
vile,
have
Major Dmue
F
or truth in history, the
St
So long as there
wielded.
to
to believe, that Pilimi
the weakened garrison of
Kandy
;
the
power of
the troops was diminishing daily, either by deser* lion, or sickness.
They were under
the
command
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
304
of Major Davie, a creature unworthy the
man, who had neither the courage nor an
office
which placed
in his
name
of
ability for
keeping and power
the honour of his country, and the lives of his fellow-creatures.
Within a few days
after the general
was forced
Kandy, Pilimi Talawe besieged the garriand Major Davie surrendered by capitulaand it was stipulated thai Kandy should be ;
tion
up forthwith, with the whole of the
delivered
military stores,
and that the British troops should
their arras.
io
to Trincomalee, being allowed to retain
Before sunset on the day the surren-
ud
retire
Tr ia
son,
l
to leave
gamson had evacuated
St
der had been made, our
Major Davie, marching
Kandy.
at the
head of
who had
capitulation,
and
for
named
whom
in the articles of
no provision
was
be dealt with as their savage, barbarous
sk
made,
not been
PD
pital,
F
our troops, leaving 150 sick Europeans in hos-
to
de
enemies might choose.
Our
troops,
consisting of
seventeen
officers,
twenty British soldiers, two hundred and
fifty
Malays, one hundred and forty gun lascars, ac-
companied by Mootoo Sawme and
his attendants,
reached Wattapolawa on the Trincomalee road,
when
their progress
Mahavelliganga, at
was intercepted by the all
river
times a rapid stream, but
i
305
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
much
at that season
increased by the late rains.
Major Davie in vain attempted to get the men across; and no mention had been made of this river in the articles
;
therefore their enemies, the
Kandians, were not bound ;
rounding heights,
sur-
our
position
Mootoo Sawme, Major
l
with their followers,
officers,
mained on the banks of the
re-
river during the night,
morning proved lution,
abortive.
some Kandian
io
their attempts to procure rafts the following
Observing their irreso-
ud
and
provide them with
jeering at the
troops were placed in.
Davie, and the
to
and they now stood on the
Tr ia
canoes, or rafts
chiefs
opened a communi-
Major Davie, and his perplexed
lowers, and
these chiefs offered to provide boats,
F
St
cation with
into
the
PD
on the condition that Mootoo
power of
delivered
Major Davie
time hesitated, but Jinally agreed to
sk
for a short
Sawme was
the Kandians.
fol-
infamous, atrocious pro-
de
this dishonourable, base,
position,
and communicated his determination
to
unfortunate prince, or rather king, Mootoo Sawme. "Is it possible," he exclaimed, "that the triumphant arms of England can be so humbled, as
the
to fear the
But tardly,
menaces of the Kandians
his expostulations
were
lost
?"
upon the das-
cowardly Davie, and Mootoo
Sawme
v\
as
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
306
delivered to his enemies
—a
living holocaust, pre-
sented by British officers to the demons of disgrace
and cowardice.
No
language
is
sufficiently
powerful to express
name of Great BriThe law of nations, as
the dishonour brought on the tain
by
this
infamous
act.
well as those of good faith and honour were violated
:
Mootoo Sawme
fled to us for protection,
honour
;
we accepted
the
Tr ia
l
placed his person in our keeping, confiding in our trust
reposed
—nay
more, caused him to be crowned king in his own
io
dominions, and entered into an alliance with him
ud
then broke our faith with him, by listening
and accepting the overtures of a
He
whom we
with
PD
British probity,
rebel, thus depos-
ourselves had crowned.
our troops,
F
retreated
St
ing the monarch
when
;
to,
still
trusting in
he was shamelessly handed
over to his enemies, by one of that nation to
whom
sk
he had confided the safe-keeping of his person.
And
man who was guilty soldier, and one who ought
de
the
a
of this atrocity was to
have guarded the
honour of his country, and the persons of those
who
placed themselves under the protection of
Great Britain. dishonoured endure, and
we would
Shame on
it is,
and
we spurn
will
the
the
name
of Davie
be as long as time
name from our
!
shall
pen, as
a loathsome reptile from our path.
—
307
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Mootoo Sawme was taken Sri
Wikrama and
his adikar,
before the usurper,
when him
Pilimi Talaue
put the following question to " Was it proper for you, being, as you are, of :
the royal family, to fly to the English for protec-
and join them
tion,
in fighting against
your coun-
try?"
am
I
at
your mercy," the unfortunate Mootoo
Tr ia
l
"
Sawrae meekly replied.
humble
further questions were put, replies,
when
this
and received
wretched prince was
io
Some
be impaled
thus meeting death in his most
St
alive,
ud
ordered to suffer the most barbarous tortures, and
and agonizing form.
terrific
Sawme
sacrifice of
This
did not appease the insatiate
F
Mootoo
PD
Kandians, who, finding that their former demands
had been agreed
to,
now
refused to provide the
sk
promised boats, insisting that the British troops
No
down
de
should lay
their arms,
attempt at resistance
Davie
to this
and return
to
Kandy.
was made by Major
unprecedented demand
—no
tulation used as to the breach of faith
expos-
now
exhi-
all they required was by the Kandians readily agreed to, and Major Davie, with his offi-
bited
cers,
;
were separated from
their
men, and the arms
of the whole party taken from them.
The men
were then marched into a narrow pass, strongly
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
308
guarded by
armed Kandian
their
escort,
and
ordered out, two by two, and the question put
they would serve under the Kandian king
?
if
When
was given, these poor fellows were taken some distance from the main body, and a negative
butchered in the most horrible manner by their
At the conclusion of this
savage enemies.
revolt-
ing slaughter of the soldiers, the officers shared
— but
European and one Malay officer being spared. The names of these were. Major Davie, Captains Rumley, Humphreys,
The
and Nouradeen.
first
three lingered out their
wretched captivity among the Kandians,
ud
lives in a
three
l
fate
Tr ia
same
io
the
cular
St
but Captain Nouradeen's fate merits more parti-
and honourable
notice.
yet
with blood,
glutted
F
The Kandians, not
PD
returned to Kandy, and murdered the whole of the hundred-and-fifty sick
European
soldiers in
What must have been the agony of men, whilst this revolting massacre was
sk
hospital.
de
these
unprotected,
taking place?
Left
country, by their
commanding
it
was
trated
to
have provided
in
officer,
a hostile
whose duty
for their safeguard, pros-
by sickness or wounds they had received
whilst fighting under their country's banner, and in
her monarch's cause, unprovided with arms,
prostrated
by bodily
infirmity,
prevented thus
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
309
from availing themselves of the means of
their mental
most their
self-
which nature had provided them,
defence, with
sufferings must, indeed,
Nor can we be
terrible.
have been
surprised,
in
if,
dying agony, they forgot their duty as Chris-
and cursed the man whose cowardice, want
tians,
and hum.anity, had
of firmness,
meet death,
them
left
to
by the hands of barbarous
enemies.
Tr ia
l
inflicted
l\vo of our men most miraculously escaped from the fearful slaughter; the
was Corporal
io
first
ud
Barnsley of the l9lh regiment, he received a deep sword-cut on his neck, and had his head laid
St
open by blows from a club, but he contrived
cealed
He
night.
until
then
slain,
and
to
roll
where he lay con-
swam
across the
and received assistance and food from some
sk
river,
into a paddy-field,
PD
bank
over a
heap of
F
extricate himself from the
de
kind Samaritans,
who
followed the precepts of
Buddha, succouring the sick and needy, although the suppliant
After
god.
was not one who believed
much
suffering
and
in their
difficulty,
the
poor fellow reached our garrison at Matele, and finally recovered
The was
from his wounds.
other soldier
was
torn out of his bed,
his chest, and
in hospital at
had
Kandy,
a blister pulled off
was knocked on the head with the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
310
butt end of a musket, and thrown with his mur-
dered companions into a deep
way from among
pit.
He made
his
the dead bodies, and crawled
into a neighbouring drain, from
whence he was
dragged in the morning, and hung
to a tree
:
the
rope broke, and he was again suspended, and
left
to die, but strange to say the rope again gave way,
and he contrived
to
secrete himself in a neigh-
Tr ia
l
bouring cave for ten days, during which period he
upon the grass that grew from
subsisted sides.
A
the
io
Kandian who had seen him twice hanged
ud
accidentally found him, and was so astonished at
The
king.
St
his preservation, that he determined to inform the
superstitious tyrant declared that the
must be under the especial protection of
F
soldier
gods, thus to have
PD
the
escaped with
life,
and
ordered him to be provided with food, raiment, and
sk
a dwelling, and eventually he, as well as Barnsley,
de
had the
families.
in a to it
gratification of
We
being restored to their
believe if these accounts were read
work of imagination, they would be declared
be beyond the bounds of probability, so true
is— "
That
tiTith is strange,
The wretched
stranger than fiction."
being, Davie, died in 1810, and
it is
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. asserted that
become
and
family,
now
appearance and dress he had
in
Kandian
essentially
ted with a
whom
he had a
said that grandchildren of his are
it is
Kandy.
in
— and that he cohabi-
low caste vvoraanj by
government
311
ransom
to
affirm
that our
contemptible
this
Kandian king demanded a
creature, but as the
up
sea-
in consideration for his libera-
tion, it
was impossible
and Davie was
among
a people
must have despised him
they
who
are not cowardly ; consequently,
io
all their faults
accede to such terms,
to
linger
want of
for his
ud
with
left to
Tr ia
l
port to be given
men
Military
tried
bravery.
bounden duty of an historian
St
It is the
to
be
thos.e
F
impai lial, and draw notice to the conduct of
it
PD
placed in responsible positions; therefore we deem necessary to animadvert upon the line of policy
it
was a decided breach of
de
place,
sk
adopted by General Macdovvall.
lation of our treaty with
narcli
whom we had
In the faith,
and
Mootoo Sawme,
crowned^
to
negotiation with Piliuii Talawe,
first
vio-
the mo-
enter into a
and agree that
he should be the viceroy of Kandy, thereby deposing Mootoo Sawme, and pron.ising that he should
retire to
Jaffnapatam.
the crafty, Pilimi Talawe,
The
overtures of
had not the excuse of
being made in the name of the king,
whom
he
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
312
acknouledged, and whose prime minister he was, namely, Sri Wikrama, but were made in his own
name and
for his
own
he consented
benefit, as
monarch
deliver the person of his
to
hands
into the
General Macdowall evinced but
of the British.
human nature, even in much more in acceding to, the proof a man who was alike a rebel and a his king and country. He who was
an imperfect knowledge of listeniiig to,
positions
Tr ia
l
traitor to
faithless
which gave him
the country
to
birth,
and the monarch whose confidential servant he
to
whom
he only availed
use as a step in ascending the ladder
St
himself of
with the British,
ud
faith
io
was, could not be relied upon, or be expected to
keep
of his ambition.
second place, General Macdowall
F
\\\ tlie
is
to
PD
be censured, for prematurely withdrawing so large a body of troops from Kandy, leaving only one
sk
thousand men
de
tile,
in garrison, in the
treacherous
nation,
who
midst of a hos-
could,
natural defence of the country, cut off
munication and supplies small body of
an
men was
officer totally
;
left
added
to
under the
incapable and unfit
important a trust reposed in him.
from the all
com-
which, this
command to
of
have so
The
fearful
consequences attendant upon the whole of the mistaken line of policy pursued by General Mac-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
313
dowall in this disastrous business, has been seen in the fatal results recorded in previous pages.
No
made
attempt at palliation can be
Davie's misconduct
for
and, for the credit of Great
;
Britain, such transgressions of the laws of
and humanity
are
Major
The
rare.
honour
result of Davie's
pusillanimous cowardice, in acceding to
all
the
met with awful retribution in and those of his brother officers to
life
men who had
hundreds of
the
fallen
victims to the
To
St
savage brutality of the Kandians.
mind, death
regulated
is
a well-
always preferable
dishonour, and this feeling
F
person,
but their suffer-
ud
slaughtered
his o/.n ;
io
ings could not restore
Tr ia
l
unconscionable demands of his Kandian enemies,
is
to
generally deeply
PD
imprinted on the heart of the British defender of his country; and fortunate
as
;
for,
is
were
it
de
sons
rarely
sk
sentiment
Major
Davie's
instead
that the contrary
among
of
frequent occurrence,
among
of being honoured
expressed our intention
is
and
at
This
was
officer
VOL.
1.
re-
known.
of nuticiug
heroic conduct of Captain Nouradeen, whose
was spared
we
the nations of
spected where the name of England
We
Britain's
otherwise, and conduct such
should become a byword the earth,
it is
met with
the life
Watlapolov\a by the Kandians. a
Malay, ihen comniauding the p
314
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Malay regiment
;
every persuasion
and Pilimi Talawe had used during the period our troops
occupied Kandy, to induce Captain Nouradeen to leave our service,
dian, promising
and enter that of the Kan-
him high rank and
these offers were steadfastly refused
was made
prisoner, Pilimi
;
All
riches.
and,
when he
Talawe renewed them,
tempting Captain Nouradeen with
life,
rank, and
he would serve Sri Wikrama but the answer he received was, " that he (Captain Nou-
l
riches, if
Tr ia
;
radeen) was already the servant of a mighty king,
io
whose uniform he wore, and that he could not two masters." Finding all entreaty and
ud
serve
St
persuasion useless, threats and tortures were es-
sayed; but these proved alike
PD
F
Captain Nouradeen to become try
which he served; and to death
inducing
traitor to the
coun-
this noble, heroic fellow
by Pilimi Talawe. The contrast
sk
was put
futile, in
presented in the character and conduct of Noura-
de
deen and Davie needs no concluding comment. In August, desultory warfare and ravage com-
menced between the British and Kandians, when Sri Wikrama, stimulated and intoxicated by his late successes, threatened to attack
Colombo, but
refrained from doing so; and, in September, he
besieged Ilangwelle, a
fort of little
importance, in
our possession, and suffered a severe defeat.
315
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
At the commencement of the year 1801, the
Kandians prepared and attempted a general invasion of the British settlements, but were repulsed sides
all
troops,
great havoc
and the
was made among
their
were con-
losses they sustained
Shortly after this, Pilimi
siderable.
Talawe again
overtures of an amicable nature to our go-
vernment
;
but the severe punishment the British
l
made
;
Tr ia
on
had met with previously,
after listening to
his
treacherous propositions in 1803, were too vividly to
permit them to hold
io
impressed on their minds
tures
made by
man
;
and, therefore, the over-
St
so treacherous a
ud
further intercourse of a friendly description with
Pilimi Talawe were rejected with
F
the contempt they called
for.
PD
In the month of February of the year 1805, the
Kandians again invaded the British
territories
;
sk
but the result was the same as that which they
de
experienced the preceding year,
and of
defeat.
three
A
body of our
viz., that of loss
troops, consisting only
hundred men, followed by numerous
coolees and servants, and
commanded by Major
Johnson, were ordered to the officer fought his
way from
interior.
This brave
Batticalloa to
Kandy,
and was there surrounded by the troops of
Wikrama.
Sri
Nothing daunted, he cut his way
through them,
and proceeded
in
his
p 2
road to
316
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Trincomalee, although the
by
constantly harassed
Kandian troops, who opposed the progress
of this undaunted
body of men. This small army,
headed by Major Johnson, reached tion with comparatively small loss,
their destina-
having had
to
pass through a hostile country, and constant skir-
mishes having taken place between them and the
Kandian troops— thus showing what energy and
l
when commanded by an The war was carried on with much determination and bravery on both sides and the king of Kandy proposed a cessation of hostilities, which was
Tr ia
bravery could perform
possessing firmness and valour.
io
officer
ud
;
treaty
St
agreed to by the British, although no formal
was entered
into,
and peace continued
till
PD
F
3814.
In July of this year, 1805, Governor North was
by
Sir
Thomas Maitland, who succeeded
sk
relieved to
the
appointment
Governor of Ceylon.
of
returned to England with
good wislies of
the natives and British subjects
de
Governor Norlh
of that island
;
all
and
certes.
debted to the abilities North, the
first
Great Britain
of the
is
Governor North
gem
left
in-
Hon. Frederick
English Governor of Ceylon,
retaining this bright colonial
diadem.
the
the colony in
comparative state of tranquillity,
for
in the Britisli
no
a
fresh hos-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. tilities
until
317
having been renewed with the Kandiaus
1814; and he found
warfare, and bloodshed.
it
a scene of disorder,
Mr. North
left
Lanka-
diva's verdant shores with the
satisfactory con-
he had done much
to ameliorate tlie
viction, that
condition,
physically
and morally, of the be-
de
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
nighted inhabitants of Ceylon.
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
XII.
Tr ia
CHAPTER
l
318
Adikar — Sri Wikrama's tyranny— —Affecting account of the execution Heroic conduct of the wife and son — Babe taken from the mother's breast to be decapitated—Kebellion in Kandy—Martial law proclaimed—Tranquillity restored Dalada reUc — Death of the King of Kandy— Govei-nor Sir Colin Campbell— His policy — Bishopric of Colombo conBishop Dr. Chapman— His exertions stituted — The and character—Rebellion in Kandy —The Priests causes disturbance —Pre of dissatisfaction — New taxes and — Eebels enter and tender proclaimed — His destroy the public buUdings at Matele— Troops march from Kandy— Conflict with rebels — Martial law proclaimed — Reward offered Pretender—Destruction Kumegalle — Observer newspaper exciting discontent —Alarming meeting of natives near the seat of Government—Attack of the police — Mr. Elliot addresses the mob — Reinforcements sent to Kandy— The Commandant takes possession —Pretender's brother shot—Result of of the Dalada to
1844
Fii'st
io
From 1805
PD
F
St
ud
family murdered
sk
fii-st
de
first
progi'ess
for
relic
of
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. Courts Mai'tial Cliief Justice's
—Special sessions of Supreme Court—The charge — His recommendatiou mercy to
Lord Torringtou's
Although
319
reply.
was a cessation of
there
hostilities
between the British and Kandians, we were not uninterested observers of the political events oc-
curring in Kandy, which were most important,
Wikrama, was no longer the
weak, supine youth
—a
Tr ia
l
as the monarch, Sri
mere automaton, placed
on the throne by Pilimi Talawe, and whose ac-
adikar,
and dictated by, his
to,
io
were subservient
The
or prime minister.
ud
tions
upon Wikrama, when the Kanfooting
during, the
first
St
which Pilimi Talawe had been with part of his reign,
Sri
F
dians were engaged in war with the British, could
The
PD
not subsist during peace.
Talawe gradually declined,
sk
more securely the
authority of Pilimi
as the
monarch held
reins of government,
himself seated fastly on the throne.
de
now
Sri
and
felt
Wikrama
exhibited his real character, which was that
of a despotic tyrant, and he evinced his determination to govern, as his predecessors had ruled
Kandy,
with
Talawe, on his to retain,
the
absolute
power
was
side,
and maintain, his
Kandian monarch and
Mutual
distrust
;
in like
whilst
Pilimi
manner resolved
influential hold over
his court.
between the monarch and his i
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE.
320
adikar existed for years, until 1812,
when
Pilimi
Talawe excited the jealous fears of Sri Wikrama, by requesting that the illegitimate daughter of the last king, Rajadhi, might be given in marriage to his son.
this
Sri
Wikrania was highly incensed
at
presumptuous proposal of the adikar, as he
viewed
it
as a covert attempt to be enabled to
claim affinity with
moned
the
royal blood,
and sum-
Tr ia
l
the whole of his chiefs to court, and pre-
ferred various charges of misconduct,
and arrogant
assumptions, against Pilimi Talawe.
The
io
chiefs listened with
becoming
gravity to
complaints made by their king, and Pilimi
ud
tiie
Sri
Wikrama, with
St
Talawe was condemned by
the concurrence of the assembled chiefs; when, to all,
F
the surprise of
the king pardoned the adikar,
and reinstated Pilimi Talawe
sk
vant,
PD
declaring his reluctance to punish so old a serin his office of
adikar.
de
It is
either
fathom the motive which ac-
difficult to
tuated Sri
Wikrama
:
it
must have been dictated
by the most noble generosity, or by the
most subtle cunning; but Pilimi Talawe enjoyed his position as adikar only for a short time after
he had been reinstated
in his office, as his con-
duct again excited the king's displeasure,
who
banished him to his province, forbidding him
to
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. leave
321
without his (the king's) permission, and
it
him of his rank and honours. Scarcely was Pilimi Talawe in his province,
depriving
This
before he hired Malays to murder the king.
conspiracy was discovered by Eheylapola,
merly the second adikar,
whom
but
for-
king
the
had made first adikar when he disgraced Pilimi Talawe the conspirators were taken, tortured, ;
and condemned
be trodden to death by
ele-
Tr ia
l
to
phants, trained to that pur|30se
whilst Pilimi
;
Talawe and his nephew were tortured and
The demons
ud
condemned
breast
the
in
St
he
;
and suspicion
of cruelty
reigned lords paramount
Wikrama
io
headed.
chiefs
his
be-
now
of Sri
to
death
every breath his subjects drew.
who
PD
in
F
without just cause, and feared rebellion to exist
was devoted
that time
at
sk
Wikrama, regarded with
to
distrust
:
Eheylapola, his king, Sri
province after
de
province the king declared to be in a state of rebellion, although
allegiance
;
Eheylapola vouched
nevertheless, Sri
Wikrama
torturing,
and king
imprisoning,
mutilating others.
In
ordered the priests and
bidding
all
tricts, to
Moormen
women, except
remain in them.
their
some
districts, the
of the inhabitants,
some
for
fined
to
quit,
for-
natives of those dis-
The domestic
wretch-
P 5
322
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
edness this edict caused
is well described by Dr. Davj, who was in Ceylon at the time. " Wives were separated from their husbands mothers from their children the young bride and ;
;
the aged parent
—
all
indiscriminately were torn
from the bosom of their families, and driven from their
homes, producing scenes alike of
distress
and anger, which might well shake the firmest
Thus we
how
see
Sri
Tr ia
l
loyalty."
Wikrama
contrived to
goad into rebellion his stanchest adherents and
ud
neglect of duty, Eheylapola
obedience
to
and thither he
St
district of Saffragam,
for some was ordered
1814,
io
In the year
subjects.
the king's
command
;
trivial
to his
retired, in
but as Ehey-
F
lapola was beloved sincerely by the inhabitants
PD
of Saffragam, they exhibited every demonstration of joy at the return
sk
Wikrama chose
of Eheylapola.
This Sri
construe into an act of rebel-
and proclaimed Saffragam
de
lion,
to
to
be in a
state
of insurrection, and despatched troops there, to
make Eheylapola capital,
alive,
prisoner,
or dead
;
manded by Molligodde, adikar, but
upon
whom
and bring him
to the
and these were comformerly Sri
the
seccmd
Wikrama had
stowed the place of Eheylapola.
be-
This nobleman,
however, with several chiefs, took refuge in Co-
323
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
lombo, placing themselves under the protection of the British government, whilst Molligodde
many
look prisoners
of his adherents,
turned triumphantly to
and
re-
Kandy, carrying with him
the adherents of Eheylapola.
The lapola
Ehey-
fury of the king at the escape of
knew no bounds,
wreaked his
and he
Exe-
vengeance on the victims within his grasp.
fiscations,
daily
hourly
— occurrences.
was
filled
with the shrieks of victims,
under the hands of the
Sri
and Kandy was
vast slaughtering-place.
Wikrama
could not get the person of
F
As
torturer,
St
now one
ud
air
io
of torture and execution flowed with
— the
now the The place human gore
were
and imprisonments,
— almost
Tr ia
l
cutions, tortures, impalements, mutilations, con-
PD
Eheylapola into his power,
he determined
obtain possession of his wife and children.
sk
cordingly, they were
to
de
lapola's brother
made
and his
death for
all.
They were,
Kandy, condemned being the wife, ofi*spring, and
brought
Ehey-
wife, the tyrant resolving
wreak his vengeance on
with,
prisoners, with
to
Ac-
to
to
forthsuffer
relations
of a rebel, and were to be executed publicly in the market-place of
Kandy,
in the presence of the
whole court and population.
The day appointed
for
this horrible
butchery
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
324
and the wife of Ehejlapola,
arrived,
four children
(the eldest
with his
boy being but eleven
years of age, and the youngest an infant of a few
months
old, sucking at its mother's breast,)
were
wife, a
woman
of majestic mien and noble deportment,
attired
The
led to the place of execution.
in her court-dress,
and adorned with
all
her jewels
of state, befitting her high rank and station, adto
meet her
declaring her
fate,
Tr ia
l
vanced boldly
husband's integrity, and expressing her hope that life
which she was about
be of benefit
She was ordered
him.
to stand
was the king's command that she was to stand by and see her children but-
it
to die last
to
give up might
io
back, as
to
ud
the
—
St
She uttered no remonstrance, but em-
chered.
F
braced her eldest boy, telling him to submit to
became Eheylapola's
hesitated,
and
protection,
sk
for
PD
his fate as
when
clung
his
The
son.
brother,
child
mother
his
to
two
years
stepped forward boldly, embraced his
de
younger,
terrified,
mother, and told his brother not to disgrace his
by such cowardly conduct, and that he would show hira how to die as became Eheyla-
father
pola's son
cutioner
blood, spirit
;
advanced with firm step
— one blow — a
falls
to
had taken
lifeless
the earth, and the its flight.
to
the exe-
trunk, deluged in
young noble
,
325
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
But the refinement of barbarous cruelty was not to terminate in compelling a mother to stand the trunkless and see her offspring butchered the paddy-pounder, head was thrown into a ;
and she was
pestle placed in the mother's hand,
ordered to pound the head of her child, or she
The mother
should he disgracefully tortured.
but the feelings of innate delicacy im-
vailed
woman's breast pre-
the high-born
— every
l
;
planted in
Tr ia
hesitated
mental anguish would be prefer-
able to the public exposure of her person
it
on the skull of her dead child.
ud
fall
up
— she
the pestle, closing her eyes, and let
io
lifted
This hideous scene was enacted with the two
St
other children, and the wretched mother had to
F
endure the same mental torture.
PD
the infant's turn to die, and
mother's arms, where
it
At
last, it
and smiling,
de
mule agony, allowed the executioner
last child
from her.
In a
its
Eheylapola's wife
pressed her babe convulsively to her bosom in
was
was taken from
lay sleeping,
tranquil unconsciousness.
sk
in
it
moment
the
;
then,
to take little
her
head
was severed from the delicate body. Tlie milk that had been drawn a short time previously from the mother's breast, was seen distinctly Jlo wing and mingling with the sanguine stream of life. The Kandian matron then advanced eagerly
to
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
326
meet death. With a firm
step, she
walked towards
the executioner, but with caution, to avoid step-
ping in the blood, or treading on the
lifeless,
mutilated bodies of her children. Her face was cahn ahnost wore an expression of satisfaction
—
had happened
Sri
— they were out of the tyrant The hand
Wikrama's power.
tioner
on her, to lead her
laid
is
grave. *
She thrusts him
high-born Kandian
touch
;
remember
wife,
and had stood calmly
io to
see her children
Bade adieu
?
him
F
in-law, telling
to
to her brother-
meet death as became his
called to her sister-in-law not to
PD
;
to
would she therefore shrink from meet-
ing them in death
birth
him not
she was Eheylapola's
ud
;
that
her watery
matron with his
St
murdered
of the executo
aside, telling
pollute a to
had seen her
she
l
worst
children slaughtered
Tr ia
— the
unman
her husband by useless wailings, but to follow
Kandy,) two executioners following and pre-
de
to
sk
her; then walked towards the tank, (contiguous
ceding, carrying large stones.
They have
arrived at the tank
* Eheylapola's wife
drowned
;
details of
and
sister
;
Eheylapola's
were condemned to be
the brother and children to be beheaded. this trao^edy
The
and attendant circumstances were
described to the writer by a Kandian chief, witness to this hoi'rible butchery.
who was an
eye-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
327
wife gazes fixedly on the tranquil water,
whereon
the sunbeams glitter sportively in millions of rays; the sister
weeps as the executioner commences
attaching the heavy stones to her slender throat. It is firmly
secured
form to the earth pelled
to
;
;
the weight bears her fragile
and the executioners are com-
carry her to
the tank.
wildly as they near the tank
sudden splash
tyrant's victim,
;
they hold her over
piercing screams rend the
— then
air.
l
A
—more
the waters close over a
Tr ia
the waters
She shrieks
serenely unconscious of the atro-
io
city perpetrated.
ud
Eheylapola's wife had stood motionless during this period, a slight expression of scorn passing atmosphere.
St
over her features, as her sister's shrieks
now
her turn to
filled
die.
the
The
F
'Tis
PD
executioners advanced towards her, carryino- the
She motions them
ponderous stone. advance
— are
sk
still
off.
They
quite close to her; the cords
de
that are to attach the weight to her throat already
touch her person
;
she asks them to desist, assur-
ing them that she will not or attempt to save her refuse, stating they
life.
make any resistance The executioners
must adhere
to their orders
and one lays his hand roughly on her shoulder. shrieks, and eludes his foul touch, for with a
She
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
328
bound she the water circles,
and leaps
darts towards the tank,
into
they close over her form in eddying
:
and her
has flown
spirit
for ever.
The
executioners depart, palm-trees droop gracefully
over the waters, and the sunbeams glitter sportively in millions of sparkling rays, as the stream
murs
murdered wife and
a requiem over the
mursister
of Eheylapola.
Tr ia
l
The butchery in the market was not completed when Eheylapola's wife quitted it, for her husband's brother was slill to die. The headsman hand
on
the
ud
blood-stained
io
advances towards him, sword in hand, lays his chief's
The
shoulder,
chief,
St
attempting to raise his head.
with an
indignant exclamation, throws the audacious hand
on the earth,
F
off his person, plants his feet firmly
niajestic
PD
draws himself up
dignity,
sk
executioner to
to his full height,
and
fulfil
scornfully
the tyrant's
standing with desiring
the
command. Has headsman
de
the chief's stern gaze unnerved the
A
blow was struck
forth
!
— but,
struck off
—
I
horrible
!
The sword
!
.?
a stream of red blood gushes the is
head
is
not wholly
again poised in the air
weapon of descends on the muscular, manly
a flash of light falls on the glittering
destruction throat
;
:
it
the sword
is
now
reeking with red blood
!
—
329
CEVLON AND THE CINGALESE.
A
headless trunk
the ground, whilst the
falls to
head, with glaring eye-balls,
rolls
and
by
thrust aside rudely
is
foot.
The bloody
tragedy
is
along the
eartli,
the executioner's
finished
!
Before the temples of the gods Nata and Vishnu, queen's
the
to
fearful scene enacted.
Sri
Wikrama
ings aside save those of revenge it
;
for,
this
laid all feel-
by the Kan-
was forbidden that human blood
l
dian laws
was
palace,
should be shed near a temple
wound
or
considered
a
also to
;
woman was
shed the blood of a
Tr ia
and opposite
was a
During the time
terrific reality
;
men groaned
in
burying their heads in their hands
PD
torture,
revolting butchery
was
shrieked, closing their eyes to
F
exclude the
girl.
this
St
women
going on,
ud
of Eheylapola
io
heinous crime, and one of the innocent children
;
mental whilst
of the noble Kandian youths, in anguish
rolled
on the earth, their mouths pressing close stifle
de
the sod to
sk
many
their
this fearful account
cries.
We
will
to
wind up
by quoting a contemporaneous
author:
" During assembled unable
this tragical scene the
to witness
to suppress
Depaaul was so expelled his
it,
their
feelings.
affected that
office
for
crowd,
who had
wept and sobbed aloud, Palihapaul
he fainted, and was
showing
such
tender
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
330
During two days the whole of Kandy, with the exception of the tyrant's court, was as sensibility.
one house of mourning and lamentation, and so
deep was the
not a
grief, that
was
fire, it is said,
and a general
kindled, no food dressed,
was
fast
held."
We believe the
savage cruelty of this barbarous
modern
l
tyrant to be unparalleled in ancient or
Tr ia
Roman em-
the crimes imputed to the
history
:
perors,
Nero and Caligula, were
trivial,
pared
with those constantly
practised
when comSri
io
by
ud
Wikrama, and our astonishment is extreme that any nation more especially a warlike one, such
—
Kandians
— should
St
as the
have submitted
for
a
their
monarch.
Sri
PD
by
F
lengthened period to the cruel tyranny exercised
age nor sex
Wikrama spared
— the sucking
young women, were
sk
all
neither
infant, children, old
alike
condemned
to
and be
de
tortured in the most revolting, disgusting manner,
mutilated and executed,
if thej^
or their relations
incurred his displeasure, or from the caprice of
the instant.
We
can comprehend
man viewing
with apathy the destruction of his fellow-man
;
but
we cannot understand how men could permit the slaughter of the delicate woman, or the helpless child
— every
rebels
against
feeling
the
implanted
bare
in
our nature
supposition
that
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
whom, from
creatures
we
very instinct,
331 feel our-
selves
bound
before
our eyes, for no crimes which they had
to protect, should
be slaughtered
committed, but simply for being the wife of the
bosom, and the offspring of a man who had curred a tyrant's
how
an enigma
human
nature, Sri
It
debased specimen of
this
in-
is
displeasure.
Tr ia
l
Wikrama, escaped assassination by the hands of his subjects; but the scourge of retribution was near, hovering in his path, although the punishment he in this
world did not equal his deserts.
At the end of
Wikrama
this year, Sri
io
met with
cruelly
ud
tortured ten native traders (British subjects)
had gone into his
for
who
merchandize.
St
territories
F
They made their escape from Kandy, coming to Colombo in a mutilated condition, some without
PD
without eyelids
ears, others
—
the remainder either
sk
noseless, footless, or handless
— and
made com-
plaint to the Governor-general, Sir Robert
On
the 10th of January,
de
rigg.
declared against the the
Kandian nation,
King *'
of
Brown-
1815, war was
Kandy, not against
but against that tyrannical
power which had provoked, by aggravated outrages and indignities, the just resentment of the British nation, which families in the
had cut off the most noble kingdom, deluged the land with
the blood of
subjects, and,
its
by the
violation of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
33-2
every religious and moral law, had
become an
object of abhorrence to mankind."
The
Kandian
British troops entered the
and
day,
following
the
The Kandians gave
menced.
fighting for liberty
naries in the
and
fought against the British, befriend them
;
com-
battle, not as
their land, but as
service of a
territo-
fighting
tyrant,
who,
men
merce-
for gold,
who were disposed
and skirmish
to
l
on
after skirmish ensued,
Tr ia
ries
and war was carried on by the Kandians without Mollegodde, the successor of
or energy.
io
spirit,
only efficient
Wikrama and, commander whom he Sri
one whose place
;
St
cruel master,
ud
Eheylapola, at this critical period, deserted his as he
was
the
possessed, and
was impossible to refill, the loss Sri Wikrama sustained was irreparable. Mollegodde had been long disgusted with the service,
sk
tyrant's
PD
F
it
the
awaited
English,
the
deferred until he could get his wife
from Sri Wikrama's court.
tion of
opportunity
which had been only
de
of joining
and
The
and children
tragical execu-
Eheylapola's family warned Mollegodde
what would be the fate of his wife and children, if he abandoned his office of adikar, leaving these sacred ties in the clutches of the savage king.
But no sooner had he his family from the
effected the withdrawal of
Kandian
territories,
than he
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
333
offered his aid to the British, to assist in dethron-
ing Sri Wikrama.
On
the 14th February, Sir Robert Brovvnrigg
atKandy; but
established his head-quarters
the
king had made his escape from thence a few days before,
and
it
was reported
that he
had
fled to
Doombera, about twelve miles from Kandy and as part of our troops, which were advancing to ;
two of the king's
fallen in with
Tr ia
l
had
the capital,
wives, a quantity of jewels and treasure which
were captured, the report bore every appearance Sir Robert Brovvnrigg
io
of being a correct one.
not an instant in forming plans to ensure the
capture of
Wikrama.
Detachments
from
St
Sri
ud
lost
Colonel O'Connell's, Majors Kelly and Rook's
were ordered
F
divisions,
to
scour
the
country
to cut
off' all
PD
round, making every possible search for the tyrant, retreat.
sk
Energetic and efficient as these officers were,
de
their search
was
fruitless; and, in all probability,
the English never
turing Sri
would have succeeded
Wikrama, had not
aided them.
own
his
llic
wretch
had butchered the wife and children of chief.
perseverance,
cap-
Eheylapola's followers were looking
with lynx-eyed vengeance, for
lo^-ed
in
subjects
who
their be-
They sought him with unwearied found
him
;
and,
although
the
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
334
Malabar escort which surrounded the
Wikrama, fought nobly stained monarch,
tyrant, Sri
in defence of their blood-
captured
the
fugitive
king,
bound him hand and foot, reviled him with the atrocities he had committed, and the murders he had caused, spat upon him, telling him that it
for
thus treated him, in re-
his savage brutality
now
that they
Tr ia
venge
— the slaves of the woman
— that
l
wasEheylapola's slaves he had butchered
;
intended to drag him to a neighbouring village,
might be execrated by the multitude as he
io
that he
Curses loud and deep were showered
went along.
ud
on the head of Sri Wikrama, by his own subjects,
St
as he passed along the road
;
almost each inquired
of him for a murdered or mutilated relation or curses and missiles were hurled at
F
friend
PD
;
him
he was subjected to every species of ignominious ;
and, finally,
sk
reproach
was handed over a
pri-
soner to the British.
de
Sri
Wikrama, the
last
king of Kandy, was
taken prisoner at Galleehewatte, in Doombera, on the l8th of February, 1815, being exactly four
days
after Sir
Robert Brownrigg had established
his head-quarters in the capital of his dominions.
Some
historians, with a misplaced,
sibility,
maudlin sen-
have deprecated the treatment that Sri
Wikrama met with
at the
6
hands of Eheylapola's
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
Although Christianity teaches us
and those who have
upon
difficult
wonder these
at
the best Christian
finds
Can we,
precept to follow.
it
a
then,
the reproaches and ignominy, which
men showered on
the innocent children solely because
who had condemned
one,
and wife
to
a cruel death,
he could not lay hands on the per-
son of their chief?
— more especially as
these
men
l
most
us,
to
inflicted
Tr ia
followers.
forgive our enemies, injuries
335
did not profess Christianity, but were heathens, of Buddha.
men
to
are
On
the contrary,
be commended
and unmutilated, immediately
tortured
St
had made him
prisoner,
in
F
British.
The
Wikrama
ud
they exhibited in placing Sri
these
for the forbearance
io
followers
alive,
after
the hands
unthey
of the
Wikrama was when he was excited,
PD
personal appearance of Sri
not unprepossessing, except
sk
then his eye gleamed with the
fire
of a demon,
de
and the face wore an expression of malignant
He was
cruelty.
point
;
tall,
well-made, slightly enhon-
the features of the face good, and the ex-
pression
intelligent
rich, dark
brown
;
;
the complexion of a clear,
the head well formed, (although
the animal organs predominated over the intellectual,)
hair.
with are dundancy of long, thick raven-black
He
took great delight in adorning his per-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
336
son, and wore a profusion of cosily jewels at
times in
;
which he habited himself
We
of inestimable value.
Ex
character, "
On
all
but on state occasions, the cap and dress
uno disce
2nd of March,
the
gems
glittered with
need only say of his
oimies.''^
Sri
Wikrama was
finally
and formally dethroned; and a convention concluded between Sir Robert Brovvnrigg and the
l
chiefs, together with the chief officers of
Kandian
The
territories.
on the
lished
Tr ia
Kandian the
occasion
official
states
:
notice pub-
— " This
day a
Governor
and
Commander
his Excellency
of
in-chief
the
St
the
Kandy, between
ud
of the palace of
io
solemn conference was held in the audience-hall
Forces, on behalf of his Majesty, and of his Royal
F
Highness the Prince Regent, on the one
part,
and
PD
the adikars, dissaaves, ratramahatmeers, and other
Kandian provinces, on the
sk
jnincipal chiefs of the
other pait, on behalf of the people, and in pre-
de
sence of aratchega3's, coraals, vidhans, and other
subordinate
headmen from
the different provinces,
and a great concourse of inhabitants. instrument of treaty, prepared
in
A
public
conformity to
conditions previously agi-eed upon, for establishing his Majesty's vinces,
government in the Kandian pro-
was produced, and publicly read
in
Eng-
lish and Cingalese, and unanimously assented
to.
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The
British
flag
was then,
for
337
the
lime,
first
and the establishment of the British do-
hoisted,
minion in the interior was announced by a royal salute."
—
The second article of the treaty stated " Sri Wikrama was, by consent of his subjects, formally declared to be deposed, his family and relations
debarred from ascending the throne, and
the rights
all
and claims of
his race to
were devoted
articles
political arrangements.
—
to
io
The two succeeding
Tr ia
guished and abolished."
minor
be extin-
l
for ever
;
protected."
be maintained and
and seventh
F
sixth
material nature.
articles
were of an im-
PD
The
to
St
and places of worship were
ud
The fifth article declared " That the religion of Buddha was inviolable its rights, ministers,
sk
By the eighth and eleventh it was declared " That the laws of the country were to be still
de
recognised according to established forms, and by the ordinary authorities,
and revenues were
to
and that the royal dues
be levied, as before,
for the
support of the government." * *
We have
merely given the outlines of the
what we considered most probahly would
treaty,
and
interest
the
general reader.
VOL.
I.
Q
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
338
In the month of January following, Sri Wik-
rama, and
banished
members of
the
all
and
Madras,
to
Ceylon were well pleased duty attendant upon ex-king's
person or
to
the
be
his family, were
government
rid of the
some Kandian,
in
onerous
safe-keeping
they apprehended
as
;
our
of
the
either
his
escape,
his
country, might assassinate him, to prevent
of his regaining the
Kandy.
From
to
l
possibility
Tr ia
the
that
this period, until the 10th of
benefit
throne of
September,
with tranquillity
;
but at this date some Kan-
ud
to
io
1817, the government of the British was submitted
St
dian chiefs of Welasse rose in rebellion, resolving to struggle to regain the
independence which they
with Malabars, Malays, Moors, Portuguese,
PD
flicts
F
prized so highly, and for which their various con-
Dutch, and,
sk
the English,
de
breast.
finally, their
had
failed
The conduct
voluntary subjection to to
eradicate fiora their
of the chiefs, in heading
and exciting the inhabitants of their districts to revolt, was inexcusable, as they had voluntarily sought the aid of the British to assist in dethroning their king, Sri
Wikrama, had entered
into a
treaty with, and sworn allegiance to, the government of Great Britain the treaty which had been entered into by us with the Kandians, had
—
339
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. been most rigidly adhered to the
shadow of an excuse
— and they had
not
for rebelling against the
government, vyhose aid they had sought, and to
whom
they had voluntarily subjected themselves.
Mr. Wilson, the government- agent of the
district,
went
to quell
to
meet the
rebels,
and endeavoured
the revolt, but most unfortunately did not succeed his life
having been killed by the
rebels.
the throne of
Buddha, who had thrown
robes of his office
man
in his district, Kapittipola,
a
principally
of great influence
and brother-in law
to
and who brought many followers
St
Eheylapola,
who
the chief
;
aided the pretender was a
Kandy was
off the yellow
io
priest of
to
l
The pretender
a sacrifice,
fell
Tr ia
his object, although
ud
in
Pilimi Talavve,
F
with him to join the pretender.
with
many
now
felt
PD
the son of the former adikar, also joined the rebels,
other chiefs.
Considerable alarm was for,
in less
than six
sk
by our government,
months from the commencement of the
revolt,
de
every district of any importance was in a state of the various skirmishes which look
we
many
rebellion place,
;
in
lost
officers
also skulked about our
murdered our
On
and men
;
the rebels
encampments, waylaid, and
soldiers.
the 21st of February,
was declared
in the
1818, martial law Kandian provinces, and the
Q 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
340
human
sacrifice of
Our
soldiers
the
effects
life
was
terrible
were now beginning
of the unwholesome
on both sides.
under
to sink
atmosphere of
Kandy, and, day by day, events assumed a more gloomy aspect for the British, whilst the Kandians grew bolder, and held a grand meeting
writes
:
—
still
Tr ia
l
" During the three following months our
assumed a army was
at
which the pretender and Dr. Davy, in his " Ceylon,"
Deyabetmewala, at chiefs were present.
more gloomy
aspect.
affairs
Our
little
much exhausted and reduced by
and disease the rebellion unchecked all our efforts had been apparently fruitless not a leader of any consequence had been taken, and not a district subdued or tranquillized. This was a melancholy time to those who were on the scene of action, and many began to despond, and augur from bad to worse, and to prophesy that the communication between Colombo and our head-quarters at Kandy would be cut off, and that we should very soon be obliged to evacuate the country, and fight
was
io
privation,
fatigue,
;
—
ud
still
de
sk
PD
F
St
—
our
way
Tiiese
out of
it."
gloomy forebodings were not destined
be realized
:
disunion of a serious nature
to
now
manifested itself among the chiefs, and the pretender was taken prisoner by an adverse party,
who
set
up a chief of their own selection. Kapitmost able general, was defeated in
tipola, their
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
was taken
several engagements, and, in October,
by the
prisoner, with Pilimi Talawe,
by one, the
chiefs
were taken,
tried,
341
British
;
one
convicted of
Notwithstanding
high treason, and beheaded.
these stringent, but necessary measures, a spirit
of rebellion
and
continued
still
was not
it
administration
manifest
to
February,
until
itself,
1819, that the
of martial law in the Kandian
provinces ceased.
l
purposely omitted mentioning the capture
Tr ia
We
of the Dalada
relic, which they say is a tooth of god Buddha, and which they hold sacred, until page. This relic was taken, towards the end
this
io
their
at the first glance,
borne out by
facts, that it is
we
owing
St
may appear
ud
of the late rebellion, and, trifling as this incident
we
believe
are
to the circum-
relic
to the
charge of the priests, which
PD
Dalada
F
stance of having given up the possession of the has, in a great measure, occasioned the late insur-
Ceylon, 1848,
the full particulars of
sk
rection in
be given subsequently. The Cingalese tradition is, "That whoever obtains possession
will
de
which
of that sacred
relic,
obtains
with
it
the
and no sooner was it made known that the Dalada was in the posses-
government of Ceylon
;"
sion of the British, than the followers of
Buddha
returned to their allegiance, district after district laid
down
their
arms,
and acknowledged the
sovereignty of Great Britain.
A new
convention
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
342
native
who were
Dissaaves,
Tr ia
l
was now entered into with the chiefs, by which it was stipulated " That all personal services, excepting those required for making and repairing roads and bridges, should be abolished, and that all taxes should be merged into one, a tax of one-tenth on the produce of the paddy-land. That justice should be administered by the board of commissioners at Kandy, and by the agents of government in the different provinces, aided by the henceforth
be
to
ple, but
by fixed
salaries."
man
of the second caste
ud
In January, 1820, a
io
remunerated, not by the contributions of the peo-
St
assumed the title of king of the Kandians, and collected some few of the Veddahs, or aborigines, but, at Bintenne, and created new disturbances as the self-elected king of the Kandians was apprehended immediately after his assumption
PD
F
;
sk
of that dignity, his followers quickly dispersed.
The Dalada
was placed in the keeping of Kandian provinces, and was publicly exhibited to the priests and Whether people, for worship, at stated periods. it was consistent with our character as a Chris-
de
relic
the government-agent of the
tian nation to
have aught
to
do with, or sanction
the heathen worship, of a piece of yellow ivory,
we will not enter upon here. The island was now in a state of tranquillity
;
for
I
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. although
trivial
343
disturbances took place amongst
ar
few, which were quelled as soon as they arose, the nation appeared to be satisfied with our go-
Attention was directed to the forma-
vernment.
both by our government and by the missionaries, and attempts were made to induce them to embrace Literary and agricultural societies Christianity. were formed means of communication, by the formation of roads from one part of the island to the other, were planned and commenced bridges were thrown over rivers ; and every facility offered for the transit of passengers and tion of schools of instruction for the natives,
the
natives
In of
we tried to convince by every honourable
short,
Ceylon,
ud
merchandise.
io
Tr ia
l
;
St
means, that we were not a nation of warlike but wished to improve their moral condition, and contribute ;
PD
F
bigots, or of grasping adventurers
to their happiness, whilst
they conducted them-
selves as loyal subjects of the
clouded
for years; the
Ceylon remained un-
colony gradually improved
under our management.
Kandy
crown of Great
they had sworn allegiance.
political horizon of
de
The
whom
sk
Britain, to
In 1832, the ex-king of
and until 1835 ; no event occurred worthy of especial remark. died at Vellore, of dropsy
In the January of thai year, Mollegodde, the
and Dunewille Looko Banda, who Wikrama's queens, with several others of lesser note, were first
adikar,
was
related maternally to one of Sri
344
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
charged wilh high treason, and
for
spired against our government.
A
tradictory evidence
was gone
into
;
having con-
mass of conand, although
they were acquitted,
ud
io
Tr ia
l
little doubt remained on the minds of many that a conspiracy had been concocted, but which had been frustrated before the plot had ripened. Regular lists were found, appropriating the various places held under our government to the Kandian chiefs. This the officials did not approve of, and still less did they admire the list whereon the names of their wives were inscribed, each lady being allotted to some particular chief, and to those of the highest rank, two of England's matrons were appor-
The
St
tioned.
conspirators
tried
F
documents were forged
PD
faction of the jury,
;
who
prove
to
and did so
these
that
to the satis-
Molle-
acquitted them.
godde lost his rank as first adikar, another chief being appointed in his stead but he was reinstated in his office in March, 1843, having given
de
sk
;
proofs, during the intervening period, of his loyalty.
Dunewille Looko Banda was also taken and in this
into the service of our government;
year died the son of Sri Wikrama, in exile.
From revolt,
the year 1835 until 1848,
no attempt
or rebellion, agitated Ceylon.
at
Since the
colony had come into our possession, various charitable,
scientific,
agricultural societies
scholastic,
literary,
were established
;
and
a legis-
;
345
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
was formed, and a supreme court
lative council
In short, Ceylon enjoys
instituted.
the ad-
all
and by many political economists is considered the most promising colony we possess. vantages of our most flourishing colony
In
justice
to
the
late
efficient
;
governor of
Ceylon, Lieuten ant-General Sir Colin Campbell,
what
lony.
He
that
found
The
country.
per acre
it
in 1841,
done
burthen to
a
we must
for that co-
the
mother
valuable land sold at five shillings
and
;
appointment
his exertions have
l
stale
Tr ia
who assumed
government
servants enriched
it
into coffee
ud
purchasing this laud, turning
io
themselves at the expense of the country, by sugar estates, and neglecting their discharge
which
they
were paid by their time to the culti-
St
(to
their
F
country,) they devoted
Sir
PD
vation and improvement of these estates.
vernor
Colin
and
official duties,
Campbell
prohibited,
Goby a
de
sk
government minute, the sale of crown land under the sura of twenty shillings per acre and at this advanced price found numerous and ready purchasers, and frequently a much higher sum was realized. By the unbiassed representations of the Governor to the home government, civil servants were forbidden to purchase or retain
land for agricultural
purposes,
and were
required to devote their whole lime and attention to the duties of the respective offices
they held under government.
Q 5
which
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
346
Sir Colin Caiupbell
met with most determined
opposition on this point from the colonial corps
;
and vituperation of the most disgraceful nature was heaped upon his head, by those members of it who were amassing large fortunes by these agricultural pursuits, to the neglect of their of-
Undauntedly, however, did Sir Campbell pursue the straight path of honest duty to his sovereign and country, and was rewarded hy his own conscience, and by the approbation of all right-minded men. Sir Colin Campbell used every exertion in his power to have the salaries of the Ceylon civil servants increased, and was successful in his efforts; thus benefiting the men who had so lavishly censured him for performing, to the best of his ability, the duties of his office as Governor of the colony, by insisting that the paid servants of the crown ficial
duties.
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
Colin
should perform those duties that required their
sk
undivided attention, and for which they were re-
de
munerated.
Ceylon was constituted, by letters under the great seal of England, an episcopal see, by the title of the Bishopric of Colombo, as previously it had been included in the see of Madras and the Rev. Dr. Chapman was appointed the first bishop. The bishop arIn
1845,
patent
;
rived in
Colombo
in 1846.
We
believe that the
man, have done more towards the conversion of the heathen, exertions of this truly pious, benevolent
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
347
had been effected during
since his arrival, than
the previous centuries, that nominal Christians
had formed settlements in Ceylon.
Every
jDart
of his diocese
Chapman
is
visited constantly
unwearied in his duty, undaunted by the fear of contagion, he visits hospitals, jails, and the unwholesome jungle seduby Dr.
;
—
lously learning the native language,
may
whereby he
l
be enabled to communicate with and preach
He
of an interpreter.
understand that his
made
has
the natives
not to be a temporary
it is
his intention to pass his
No
among them.
io
is
words can express
ud
residence, but that life
Tr ia
to the Cingalese, without the aid or intervention
his
St
resolve so beautifidly as his own, and which he
F
addressed to a native congregation, shortly after he entered upon the duties of his sacred office " 1
PD
have come to Ceylon to live among you, and with God's blessing to your language benefit you, and with his permission to die in your country." Possessing great piety, learning, ;
de
sk
learn
and humility, Dr. Chapman
is
blessed with great
eloquence, fluency of language, facility of expressing ideas, extreme urbanity of manner, unbounded
benevolence, a most prepossessing exterior
;
and
devotes the whole of his time and attention to the arduous duties of his office.
In conclusion, we can only say, that Dr. Chapis a worthy, though humble, follower of his
man
Great Lord and Master
;
that his appointment
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
348 as bishop,
and residence
in the colony, are calcu-
lated to benefit professing Christians, as well as
the benighted heathen, for the force of his example, coupled with his precepts, must influence
and counteract,
to a great extent, the effect
the lax morality practised by in
which
many Europeans
Ceylon, has had on the hearts and minds of
the rising generation, both of English and Cin-
when so
until
the rebellion broke out which has
much
attention
to
the
colony
;
to
io
1848,
drawn
occurred
Tr ia
Nothing worthy of remark
l
galese.
ud
understand the events connected with it clearly the reader must remember, that Ceylon is the
St
stronghold of the purest and most enthusiastic
Buddhism, and the
priests of this
religion have
F
long been dissatisfied with a government over
de
sk
PD
which they have no control, but with which until lately they might have considered themThis conselves in some measure connected. nection was severed when our government surrendered to the priests the custody of the tooth of
Buddha, which had ever been regarded
as the
palladium of Cingalese sovereignty. The abandonuient of this sacred charge on the part of the
government has been regarded by sacerdotal faith,
guardians, not
its
present
only as a breach of
and a mark of great disrespect, but also as
an exhibition of political weakness;
in reference
to the ancient tradition before referred to, namely,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
349
that whoever possessed this sacred relic should govern the island. In 1842, the priests fomented rebellion, and succeeded in raising a puppet-pretender to the
Kandian throne, who with many of were
tried
his adherents
and convicted of high treason
;
and
made a full confession of his guilt, as well as the manner in which he had been induced to lend his name to the rebels. The flame the former
Tr ia
l
of rebellion thus raised was only smothered, and the priests availed themselves of the dissatisfaction expressed by the people at certain financial
introduced in 1848,
known
io
regulations
as the
ud
road-tax, gun-tax, dog-tax, and slop-tax, to refan
St
the smouldering^ combustibles.
In this effort the chiefs were not inactive, and
Banda,
be a descendant of Rajah had been previously sojourning in
stated
to
PD
Singha,
same year Gonegallegodde
F
early in July of the
who
sk
the house of a native, following the occupation of a wederala, or doctor, resided for five days in
de
Kandy, acting as the chief leader of the malWhile there, he was an inmate of the Dalada Maligawa, whose priests maintained him. He had figured in two previous rebellions, and was tried for high treason in 1843, and acquitted.
contents.
On
the 6th of July a large concourse of people,
amounting it is said to four thousand, assembled from various districts in Kandy, stating that they desired to have an interview with Mr. Buller,
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
350
the government agent
this
;
gentleman, on
re-
ceiving intelligence, went to meet them at the
Cutcheriy, but owing to their violence he was
Here he
obliged to retire to the Maligawe.
attempted to address the multitude without effect. Many of the crowd became excited with ardent
spirits,
and their violence increasing, the
police attempted
mob and
l
civil
authorities
were met by the people
Tr ia
The
unsuccessfully to disperse the
arrest the ringleaders.
with determined resistance, and the latter be-
armed themknocked down A company of
irritated,
io
coming more and more
selves with branches of trees, and
out,
St
ud
and injured some of the police. the 15th regiment was then called
assisted the police to disperse the people.
who The
PD
F
apparent object of the crowd was to extort a promise, that the obnoxious tax ordinances should
be repealed.
is
a remarkable
fact,
that none
or chiefs were present on this and there can be but little doubt, that
headmen
sk
of the
It
;
de
occasion
having stimulated the people to take
this step,
they abstained from implicating themselves publicly
with the demonstration, while they anxiously
awaited the result of the movement.
The sures
local authorities
to
inform
secretary. Sir
the
now took
people,
effective
that
mea-
the colonial
Emerson Tennent, would
receive
the chiefs and small deputations from the various districts,
at
the Pavilion, on the 8th of July.
J
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
351
In the meantime every precautionary measure, which was practicable, was adopted to preserve the public peace. Special constables, both European and Malays, were sworn in, notices were posted at the various entrances to the town, and at the ferries, intimating, that
arms would be permitted
no persons bearing
to enter.
signing persons had circulated a
As list
evil-de-
of thirty
on which they asserted the government were about to levy taxes, the government agent issued a notice contradicting it, and giving correct information, relative to the
new
Tr ia
l
articles,
taxes.
Emerson Ten-
io
It having been intimated to Sir
ud
nent in the early part of the day on the 8th of July, that the people, who were assembling in
Upper and Lower Doombera, he
F
inhabitants of
St
the Esplanade, were principally composed of the
who
PD
sent for the Ratra-mahatmeers of those stated that they
quiet.
district,-,
failed to counteract the
induce their people to remain
sk
false reports, or
had
On
hearing this reply. Sir Emerson Ten-
de
nent informed them, that as they had lost control over the people, they had forfeited the confidence of the government, and he accordingly suspended
them from
their respective offices.
In the afternoon of this day, the colonial secretary entered the Pavilion, which was crowded
with the chiefs and their followers. dressed the meeting
favour of the
new
He
ad-
at considerable length in
ordinances, applauding the
^52
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
chiefs,
who had supported
the government, and
expressing the dissatisfaction which must inevitably follow an opposite course.
After the meet-
ing had broken up, the chiefs and their attendants
among the crowd, about two thousand number, which gr;;dually disappeared, and the town was restored to perfect quiet. When the people withdrew from Kandy, Gonegallegodde Banda retired for a day into a jungle called Danha Galla, where he received the homage of a large body of Kandians as their king. From thence he proceeded to the forest of Dambool, from which he was escorted by an armed body of men, sent by Golla-bella Ratra-mahatmeer, to a cave in the forest of Dahe Yatte Madda Gallinna, to await reinforcements. Here the pretender was joined by four hundred followers well armed and provisioned, and an ola was written by his order to Golla-bella Ratra-mahatmeer, desiring him to state why he had not forwarded clothing for his on the 26th of July an answer was sent, use dispersed
de
;
sk
PD
F
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
in
accompanied with various
articles for
the pre-
My use, stating that they were Lord the King, until such time as you shall pass Ballacadua, where I shall join you with the Maha Nilime and clothes for five kings." for "
tender's
The armed
came with his Dambool Vehara, and at half-
following day, the pretender escort to
past eleven o'clock a.m. he was invested with the
gword of
state,
and proclaimed King of Kandy.
4
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
353
The morning of the 28th, the whole hody marched to Selleman Galla, where a palanqueen was brought, volleys were fired, and other rejoicings took place.
From
this place the pretender
palanqueen with an increased retinue to Pallaputwelle, where they halted for the night. On his arrival on the following day at Wariapulla, the pretender abandoned his paproceeded
in his
lanqueen, and proceeded during the night with
l
Doomborka Owelle, command
Tr ia
four of his attendants to
Ettepulla Banda, leaving the
visit
army
to
of
to his prime minister. It was not until the 27tlf, however, that a report reached the authorities at Kandy, that the people were assembled at Matele " with swords and fire-arms," and that a king had been crowned
Dambooi
the preceding night at the fortunate
F
at
St
ud
io
his small
was further ascertained that the postoffice communication was stopped on the Trincomalee road, and crowds of armed people were It
sk
PD
hour.
assembling in
all directions.
On
the 28th,
Mr.
de
Buller proceeded in person to Matele to ascertain the true state of affairs,
distance from
Kandy by
and was met a short
the police magistrate of
Matele, who was hastening to Kandy for assistThis gentleman brought the intelligence
ance.
that four thousand armed men were in the neighbourhood of Matele, who had entered the town at noon on that day in a riotous manner, beating tom-toms and blowing horns, drove out the police
stationed there, destroyed the public buildings.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
354
including the magistrate's residence, and burnt
down
the Bazaar.
Mr. Buller hastened back to Kandy accompanied by Mr. Waring, and at ten o'clock the same night a detachment consisting of one captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, one bugler, and one hundred rank and file of her Majesty's 15th regiment and one captain, four subalterns, four sergeants, and one hundred rank and file of the Ceylon Rifles, under the command of Captain Lillie of the Ceylon Rifles, an old and expe-
Tr ia
l
;
rienced officer, well acquainted with the country,
St
ud
io
and accompanied by the government agent, and deputy Queen's advocate. The progress of the troops was veiled in darkness, until their arrival at the Rest-house of Balla-
when the day broke. After the detachment had marched nine miles and a half, a shot was fired within a few yards of them, which did not take Two shots were fired half a mile further efiect. on the road, close to the rear of the troops, which Another possibly were only intended as signals. shot was fired half way down the pass from a
de
sk
PD
F
cadua,
gingal
gun with
the same object in view.
A
from Matele, some armed natives were observed on the side of the Matele road, and on that leading to Wariapoola. Those in front seemed disposed to parley, and some of the troops went up to them unmolested while some were ordered to move on their flank to get to their rear a few of the rebels escaped, but most of mile
;
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
The
those in front were taken prisoners.
gents side
who were
of*
the
hill,
Rifles
insur-
concealed in the jungle on the
now commenced
one man of the 15th wounded.
The
356
by
firing,
regiment was
now entered
the jungle
whom
slightly
on the
flank of the rebels; a conflict ensued, in which
the latter were completely routed, with the loss of six killed and several wounded, and eight of
l
15th regi-
Tr ia
The
the latter were taken prisoners.
ment remained on the high road
in reserve.
The
jungle was cleared by the Rifles, after which
it
F
St
ud
io
was ascertained that the insurgents had possessed themselves of a bungalow on the Wariapoola estate, about half a mile from the high Captain Lillie marched with the Rifles to road. attack them, under the guidance of Mr, Adams,
The
natives, however, for-
PD
a volunteer civilian.
sk
sook the house as soon as the party came in sight; the latter ]>ursued them, and were fired
de
upon by a party of rebels stationed in the jungle on their flanks, most happily without effect. Here the palanqueen of the pretender was found, and broken in pieces by the Malays, before Captain Lillie could save it. Some thirty pounds of gunpowder were also discovered and in the verandah of the bungalow, Mr. Baker, the superintendent of the estate, was found tied by his legs and arms to the railing, suffering great ;
agony from the tightness of the ligatures and the position he was kept in by the ropes on being :
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
356
released his skin was found
loured
;
medical
to
he was then removed
be quite discoto
Matele
for
aid.
Captain Lillie returned the next day to
Kandy
with the detachment of the 15th regiment, leaving that of the Ceylon Rifles under the of Captain
On
Watson,
to protect
command
Matele.
the 29th of July, a proclamation was issued
offering a reward of
£150
for the
apprehension
l
and placing the Kandian disunder martial law. On the 28th, an urgent application was made for military assistance from Kurnegalle, which is about twenty-five miles from Kandy, but owing to the troops which had been dispatched to Matele, Colonel Drought was un-
Tr ia
of the pretender,
able to accede to
it.
the following day, however, one of the
F
On
St
ud
io
tricts
PD
magistrates came in person to seek assistance,
men and two ofllicers of the Ceylon were dispatched on their arrival after a forced march, they found Kurnegalle already in possession of the insurgents. The Cutcherry had been entered and plundered, all the records and papers were being burnt or torn, and the mob were in the act of breaking open the treasurechest, when the troops advanced upon them. The Court House had been plundered and its records destroyed, the gaol had been broken
when
thirty
;
de
sk
Rifles
open and the prisoners liberated, while the bazaar was burnt down, and nearly every building more or less damaged.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
357
The Rifles opened a fire upon the armed mob, who attacked them in return as they approached, twenty prisoners were taken, and six-and-twenty bodies of the insurgents were afterwards buried. Notwithbut soon after took to flight
standing this
loss,
:
the rebels, amounting to four
thousand strong, made a second attack upon the town two days later, aud after suffering loss were again driven out by the Rifles; and on the same
Tr ia
l
day they made another equally unsuccessful atloss, but no casualty on occurred either of these occasions to the
tempt, with some further
Malay
io
ti-ooi)S.
aff'ray at Wariapoola, the Prete.der proceeded to Eleadua with a few followers, where
St
ud
After the
he remained until he received an ola and proviDulledewe Maha Nileme, when he
F
sions from
for
Kurnegalle, at which
PD
immediately started
place he arrived in time to lead on the second
After
the
defeat,
he turned
towards
sk
attack.
de
Dambool, but for some unknown cause he altered his course and entered the forest of Madaoelputta, where he reuiaiued for some time in concealment, being closely
pursued
by various detachments
sent out in search for him.
We must here break the narrative of events in Kandy, as they occurred in ciironological ordei", aud request our readers to accompany us to Colombo, to enable them clearly to understand the causes of the late I'ebellion.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
358
A
newspaper, called the " Observer,"
is
pub-
Colombo, whose editor for several years has endeavoured to excite a spirit of opposition, amongst the Burgher and Cingalese community, against all the measures of the local government, and of jealousy against the European inhabitants. This newspaper has a large circulation therefore amongst that portion of the community to whom it is particularly addressed, and especially the Burghers, to which class, almost all the proctors and notaries belong. On the 3rd of July, 1848, a letter was published in the " Observer," in the
io
Tr ia
l
lished in
We
have pleasure in publishing a
PD
"
subjoin a literal translation of both.
F
we
editor;
St
ud
Cingalese language, purporting to be translated from the English, and signed " an Englishman," which was prefaced by certain observations of the
written by an English gentleman,
who
is
letter
kindly
sk
disposed to men, without distinction of colour or
concerning the injustice of the new taxes imposed by government. The Cingalese
de
race,
lately
people should consider, that to
ject to the English
all
persons, sub-
government, there
is
a legal
making known their pleasure, before they expend money in paying taxes. Therefore, those persons who say, that to Cingalese men right of
there
is
not understanding enough to establish in
Ceylon a council including natives
to
represent
the inhabitants, should consider the present con-
8
CEYLON AND THE CfNGALESE. stitution of the council of
France, and
359
its results.
Certainly the Cingalese people are not more unlearned or foolish than the greater part of the individuals,
who
members
elected
for the
French
men are not more unlearned or foolish than the Tamul men of Pondicherry belonging to France. It is now appointed that a Tamul man of that country
council.
Certainly the Cingalese
Tr ia
l
should represent the inhabitants in the French council. If the men of this country wish to be
from paying improper taxes and other wrongs, let them request a council, where they
freed
may
St
ud
io
be able to discuss their affairs, not nominally, but in a right manner. " In order to show the wrongs inflicted on the inhabitants of this country, and the justice which
we
F
they should receive,
PD
Cingalese, and publish "
We
"
de
sk
(Signed)
To
the
translate this letter into
it.
who publish the paper called the
the Persons
'
Colombo Observer.'"
Gentlemen publishing
the
*
Colombo
Observer.'
"
" Gentlemen, By residing in an
out-station, and constantly conversing with the natives by privilege, I have an opportunity of knowing the great displeasure is stirred up among the inhabitants concerning the new taxes lately imposed upon them, and
that
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
360
thoughts and words on the subject.
their
also
Further,
if
the government dare by forcible means
to collect these taxes, I can think
among
pleasure
the inhabitants
that the dis-
be
will
much
more increased, and from this many serious consequences will follow. Although there are many reasons on account of which the people should the government appointed from time
resist
time,
up
to
to this time they, without manifest-
l
still
Tr ia
ing an opposition, have been obedient.
However,
they should pay the money required for these
if
so unjust, and impossible to be borne, imposed by government, obediently, and quiet without imposing their whole power,
taxes,
ud
sit
io
lately
St
the Cingalese people will not only be considered a race of slaves, obedient to everything, just or
done by government, but the world will not regard them as a race of men of good mind, and submitting to justice, and not to injustice
No
to justice only).
e.
sk
(i.
PD
F
unjust,
person says that
it
is
de
not right for government to collect taxes for the protection of the people,
but should
not this
collection of taxes be according to the ability of
the rich and the poor inhabitants "
Many persons are
taxes * collected
and
it is
from the people of England,
not proper to impose such taxes unless
the government be very poor *
By
?
displeased on account of the
this tax
we mean
;
however, we can-
a portion of the annual
the English people paid to government.
income of
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. not say that
361
altogether unjust, since they are
it is
collected accordino; to the circumstances of the
and the poor. In England they are not from hundreds of thousands (lacs) of workmen and poor. They collect 7d. on each £1 of the yearly income of the rich only, but, rich
collected
according to the taxes lately appointed
men
the poorest
will
have
Ceylon,
in
pay the new tax of
to
the £1. " Is there a greater injustice than this
know
bitants in this Island,
who do not possess
four cocoa-nut trees, or the fourth or
yearly
8s.
However, according
the year.
A
government.
to
part of
to
people are bound to pay
taxes, such
F
new
fifth
receive into their hands
St
10*. in
All
three or
ud
who do not
a field, and
?
that there are thousands of inha-
io
persons
Tr ia
l
Ss. in
gun
a
is
the
7.v.
or
very
By some
poor people the gun
article ;
de
necessary
and
ther with the
the gun-tax 3,s*.
for these 45.
(5d.
roads.
is
rear
the only valua
dog
must be
is
also
paid, toge-
paid for writing the certificate;
is 3.9.,
are collected
making
To
possessed.
sk
able
PD
necessary thing for the protection of their crops.
and
for the
yearly
dog
Is
from each
If there be
and again
;
person for
more than one dog,
there is another charj^e. " In this manner, a jioor person will have to pay
\
7s.
or 8s. to government.
This
sum
is
sufficient
maintenance of one person for two months. If other persons were to pay in tliis VOL. I. R
for
the
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
362
manner, a European who receives £300 annumust pay £50, or two months' pay, for new taxes; he who receives £600 must pay £lOO.
ally
An
English padre (clergyman) receiving .£700 a year, must pay £1 16, and a little more ; an agent receiving £lOOO,
must pay £166, and a
little
The gentleman, Emerson Tennent, Great
more.
Secretary, must pay about £500, and the Gover-
nor £1.000. say that
or 8*. are not sufficient
l
Some may
7s.
man
Tr ia
"
two months, but I know very well that to the poor people in the Galle and Jaffna districts this sum is quite suffilet us say Very well cient for two months. that Is. or 8s, are sufficient for the expense of maintain a single
for
io
to
St
ud
;
F
one month, yet, according to this, what a great and unbearable sum goes to the government !
PD
yearly " What European
when
?
there
Even when
who submits
there
the government
is
is
to this
a war-rumour,
heavily
poor, no
de
or
sk
payment
is
European will submit to such an unjust payment. But these taxes are imposed, not only at a time
when
not only
is
there
peace, but
people should be relieved as
much
when
the
as possible
government. What, then, is the intention of the Governor, since he lays such a heavy burthen upon the poor, and delivers the rich from it?
from
other heavy
"The
taxes
paid
to
saying that the collection of this tax
is
I
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
363
imposed by the unanimous vote of the legislative and executive councils of this island, is not a true saying. The government is trying to make even those gentlemen of the Legislative Council, not
belonging to government, to agree to any thing that is done those gentlemen of that Council ;
who
under government cannot oppose government on account of this. Though there is a saying that this matter is sanctioned (apare
Tr ia
l
pointed) by the Council, it is not a true saying. " The government of Ceylon is doing injustice,
government of Russia. I see no difference between those two governments except in name. It is now understood and acted upon by countries in the world, that
when people
St
many
ud
io
like the
de
sk
PD
F
pay taxes to a government, they must consider whether it is a tax that can be borne by the people, and that they must have the privilege of expressing their opinion to government, and also whether the money raised by the tax is vainly spent, or whether it is spent to the advantage of Not long ago millions of the people the people. received this right some Cingalese people who :
understood things right to be done, expected that they would receive a part of this
according
to circumstances,
it
right
;
now appears
but,
that
proportion as other races are delivered from
in
more and more injustice upon the inhabitants of this country. injustice,
"
Now
1 say,
is it
is
coming
proper that the Cingalese
R 2
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE,
364
people should submit to such severe injustice ? Will they do so ? It is altogether improper to submit. I hope they will not act so. 1 think the Cingalese people will show they are not a race of slaves, without doing (not doing) such severe things as Europeans lately did in order to be delivered from injustice. Justice will be done to them if the reasons against injustice are rightly
l
expressed by petitions to the great Legislative
Tr ia
Council, called the Parliament of England.
think the Cingalese people
know
this,
and
I
I
have
PD
F
St
ud
io
no doubt they will believe it. Petitions should be written, and sent to the different districts of the Island, and signed by all collectively. Let all the inhabitants of Ceylon demand of the English government to be delivered from injustice, and to have justice done. " Gentlemen, who print newspapers, I request you will publish to the Cingalese under the pay-
de
sk
ment of taxes like a burthen, that the government is doing injustice, and that you will inform the people of high
(or
demon
office,
that injustice, as a devil
of injustice) driven from
the
place
where he formerly wass will not be permitted to come and live in this Island, If you do so, Cingalese people are not an ungrateful race. "
I
am,
"An
Englishman."
Theforeooing: wasnotconfined to the circulation of the "
Colombo Observer," but they were struck
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. off
on
365
of paper, which were extensively disamongst the people even in the most
slips
tributed
remote parts of the country, by political agitators and in Kandy they were known to have been explained, and enlarged upon, to the natives by dissatisfied or disappointed
Europeans, connected
We must
with the coffee estates.
bear in
mind
that the publication of the letter took place three
Tr ia
l
days before the disturbances broke out in Kandy, and such a document, with its notes and comments, must have been calculated to excite the minds of the people, upon whom it had a more effect
from their
belief that
io
injurious
it
was
St
ud
penned by an Englishman, An oi'dinance had been passed about the same time with those already complained of, which was intended to provide for the registration and license of certain traders," to resist which an attempt was made by the wealthier shopkeepers, by whom a combination was formed to intimidate their more necessitous brethren, to force them to close their shops, and to prevent the sale
de
sk
PD
F
''
of the necessaries of
life.
The
fear of this event
enabled these wealthy conspirators to rapid sale of
all
their
own
effect a stock at exorbitant
Eventually the poorer class of shopprices. keepers were suffered to continue their trade uninterruptedly, while the conspirators, to whom the payment of one pound per
annum could not be an object, contented themselves with present-
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
366
ing a petition
to the Governor, jjraying the suspension of the law, which of course could not be acceded to.
At the same time,
House facts,
of
number
of copies of to
the
Commons, mis-stating and exaggerating
calculated
were
people,
a large
purporting to be addressed
a petition
to
inflame
secretly
minds of the
the
among
circulated
the
districts,
by agents employed to
Tr ia
more remote obtain
l
natives in the vicinity of Colombo, as well as in
The
signatures.
substance,
expressions,
in
closely corresponded with a letter,
which subse-
io
and misrepresentations, contained
it,
so very
The following
PD
circulation.
F
St
ud
quently appeared in the " Colombo Observer," bearing the signature of Mr. Elliott, the editor, that he has been generally considered as the author of the document, and the instigator of its is
also the translation
sk
of a document, copies of which were circulated with great activity throngliout the villages for
miles round Colombo.
de
many
"
Notice.
" His Excellency the Governor has, for the present, enacted several taxes to be levied from
the inhabitants of this island, "
Upon
fire-arms, dogs,
tiques (shops)
;
viz.
men,
:
boats,
and, in addition to
and bou-
this, it is also
enacted to levy, in a few months more, a tax
upon
trees, lands,
cattle,
and
all useful
quadru-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
We,
peds.
367
the inhabitants of several viHages,
have consulted and agreed upon a petition about the matter. " It
is
therefore kindly requested, that the in-
habitants (both great and small) of all the villages will
assemble at seven o'clock in the morning of the 26th instant, prepared for the
Wednesday, same."
The authors
of this
movement most
cautiously
Tr ia
kept themselves out of view. were precautionary measures
l
In the meantime,
io
taken by the government, and, amongst the rest, a circular was addressed to the headmen, reminding them, that
ud
they would be held responsible for the conduct of
On
St
the people.
the morning of the 26th, the people poured
numbers towards the town from the neighbourhood and from distant villages, and assembled at a place called Borellse, a spot where large
PD
F
in
sk
several roads met, close to the Wellicadde gaol,
de
about a mile from the town. collected,
drawn
marched upon the
The mob police,
havino-
who were
across the road to prevent their approach
to the
town.
Their intention was evidently
to
force a passage through the civil force, the super-
intendent was struck down, and several of his men more or less injured. In the midst of the
Mr. Elliott arrived, and holding up hands was recognised by the mob, many of
contest,
368
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
whom
were intoxicated, and his influence became immediately apparent, as they were soon tranquillized, and listened with great attention and satisfaction to his harangue.
In the midst of this pro-
ceeding, the Governor, accompanied by the major-
general and some troops, arrived, but finding the excitement of the people quelled, the Governor
and military soon
The
after returned to
Colombo.
ostensible object of this meeting was to
l
and before the crowd dispersed a great number of signatures were obtained on separate sheets of paper, which were undertaken to be presented by Mr. Elliott, along with a document
io
Tr ia
petiiion,
ud
in Cingalese previously prepared
;
indeed
been stated that these signatures were to the
has
meeting.
This gentleman
is
F
previously
at
it
attached
" the office of the " Observer
St
to the petition
all
PD
leported to have demeaned himself upon the occasion, in such a
manner
as to induce a belief,
sk
that he was accidentally present
;
but
lie is
stated
have shown that he had such influence over those who guided the mob, that little doubt was
de
to
entertained
of his
being the
instigator
of the
movement.
Some
which governor by Mr.
of the paragraphs of this petition,
was afterwards presented
to the
Elliott, recapitulate much of the substance contained in the letter of the " Englisliman," and " But if concludes with the following sentence :
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. your Excellency
will
favourable reply,
we
of these
new
369
not mercifully give us certainly will not obey
a
any
laws."
Lord Torrington
states, that
had he been aware
of the concluding paragraph, he would have declined to receive
it,
and would have held Mr.
Elliott responsible for the presentation of such a document. The editor of the " Observer " ex-
cuses himself on the grounds that the petition
being
he had only an imperfect and its contents, and his own name was not appended to it. This defence must be admitted, by the most prejudiced mind, to be a criminal admission by Mr. Elliott that he had omitted a public duty, by neglecting to inform himself fully of the opinions and wishes of those
Tr ia
l
in Cingalese,
he volunteered
to support.
F
whom
St
ud
io
general knowledge of
that
PD
The government having been informed
other meetings would be attempted, under the
sk
plea of petitioning the Governor, the following-
was issued
:
de
notice
" Information
having been received that the inhabitants of the interior, and of some of the Korlls in the neighborhood of Colombo, are, under the advice and encouragement of evil-disposed persons, assembling in large numbers, under pretence of presenting petitions to the Governor. Notice is hereby given, that his Excellency the Governor, although willing at all ft
5
370
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
times to receive and consider petitions from any of the
inhabitants,
manner,
if
presented
in
a
proper
will not allow large assemblasres of the
people for this purpose, and he will take strong
measures to prevent meetings of this nature, which can tend only to cause breaches of the peace.
By
His Excellency's command, (Sio-ned) " W. Morris, Acting- assistant Colonial Secretary.
l
'*
Tr ia
"
" Colonial Secretary's Office, Colombo,
The government took
io
July 28, 1848."
ud
active measures, by and military in the vicinity of those places where meetings were proposed to be held, and by this means the peace of the western province was preserved. But, to return to Kandy. Reinforcements marched to the proclaimed districts from Colombo the military pensioners, of whom there are about three hundred in the Island, were called out two divisions of road-pioneers were brought in to assist the troops and escort the baggage, while the " Lady Mary AVood " steamer was despatched to Madras, and returned with tliree companies of her Majesty's o7th regiment and a large supply of ammunition. It must have been also gratifying to the police
sk
PD
F
St
posting
de
;
;
government
to
find, that all the respectable in-
371
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
habitantsof the town and neighbourhood of Kandy placed
themselves at the disposal of the com-
manding
officer, for
the protection of the town
;
by which means he was enabled to send out detachments to various localities, vrhere their presence was urgently required, both as a protection to the
Europeans and peaceably disposed amongst
the natives, against rebels and plunderers, and as
St
ud
io
Tr ia
l
an encouragement to the Malabar coolees, who, it was feared, through terror might be driven from the coffee-estates. Ammunition was distributed amongst the planters, and most fortunately, wherever the coolees received moderate encouragement, they were found to resist all intimidation on the part of the Kandians. Thus, although nearly all the estates about Matele
sk
injured.
PD
F
were recklessly injured and plundered, in all other districts, wherever the proprietors or superintendents remained at their posts and encouraged their coolees, the properties have remained un-
de
Knowing the great importance that is placed by the Kandians in the possession of Buddha's tooth, and fearing that it might be made use of as a great stimulant to, in, the
rebels, the
if
not inspire confidence
commandant demanded
the
keys of the temple from the priests, and examined the shrine in the presence of the governixient The object of superstitious worship had agent.
372
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
not been removed, but the commandant, deeming it
prudent to secure integrity on the part of This
the priests, kept possession of the keys. step was soon
followed by an order prohibiting the beating of tom-toms, and the collecting of crowds in the temples.
Several prisoners,
who had been captured
since
the ])roclamation of martial law, were tried and
and amongst them one of the most despewho had, on more than one occasion, broken prison, and for whose apprehension a reward had long previously been shot
;
Tr ia
l
rate robbers in the island,
most active and an attendant upon, the pretender; he died exclaiming, " If the king had had three men about him as bold and determined as myself he would have been master of Kandy."' On the 4th of August, Dingeralle HanguranThis individual was the
ketty,
who
called himself the elder brother of the
was,
with several of his followers,
sk
pretender,
PD
F
St
ud
of,
io
offered.
agent
taken prisoner by a party of the Ceylon
de
the neighbourhood of Kurnegalle.
was one Calle Banda,
an
rifles, in
Amongst
these
ex ratramahatmeer,
acted as adio-ar to Dini»;eralle, who had assumed the title of king in the district of the Seven Korles. This aspirant to royalty was shot on the following day, under the sentence of a It is said to have been the intencourt-martial. tion of the two brothers, who were playing the
who
:
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
373
parts of kings, to have united their followers at
Kurnegalle, which
was frustrated by the un-
expected arrest of Dingeralle.
We
find
that happily the disturbances were
entirely confined to those districts first
broke out, and that the
limited
to
the
where they was also
loss of life
unfortunate
rebels.
Several
hundred prisoners were taken, of whom one hundred and twenty were tried by courts-martial eighteen of these were shot, twenty eight tranfour were imprisoned
l
;
Tr ia
sported for various terms
with hard labour; twenty-nine suffered corporal
io
punishment with imprisonment; thirty-three suffered corporal punishment alone, and eight were
ud
acquitted.
The Governor having excluded
in
the procla-
F
St
mation of martial law that portion of the town of Kandy wherein the Court House is situate, a
Supreme Court was opened on the 28th of August, by the Chief Justice, Sir A. Oliphant. Of eighteen prisoners who were arraigned for high treason, eight were convicted, and the Queen's advocate abandoned the trials of a similar number of prisoners on the same charge, holding them over for minor offences to be tried
de
sk
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special sitting of the
at the regular sessions, or gaol delivery.
We
have much pleasure in giving the followinoextracts from the Chief Justice's address in discharging the jury at the close of the special sittings, breathing as it does that humane spirit
;
374
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
which ought to be predominant in the breast of every British judge. His Lordship having observed that the crown prosecutor had informed him that there were no more prisoners to be tried on that occasion, said, " It is now my duty, and I must say it is a pleasant one, to thank yon in the name of the country, and of the court, for the unwearied and patient attention with which you have listened to
Tr ia
l
the court, the bar, and the witnesses, during the investigation of these trials.
Your
verdicts have
invariably been thoseofmen of sound sense and discretion and, while you have thought it your duty
io
;
support the laws and uphold the government of this country in the proper discharge of your
ud
to
you have considered it also incumbent upon you to make recommendations to mercy, which will be backed by me, and I hope they will be allowed to have their due weight in the
PD
F
St
functions,
proper quarter. I
am
myself determined to recommend
sk
"
all
de
the prisoners to the merciful consideration of the
government, and thus go a step even further than the jury have done. I have attended to all the cases brought for trial, which perhaps some of you may not have been in a position to do, from not having sat upon the trial of all the cases and I think I can perceive with tolerable clearness the cause of this rebellion, and I venture to
express
my
belief,
that the origin of
it
is
the
;
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. feeling remaining in the
376
minds of the people that
may not be the immediate cause, and the feeling may principally exist amongst the local and petty headmen, who they are a conquered nation.
It
are discontented because they have not a govern-
—
ment of their own the They have not arrived at
government.
original
a participation of our
and do not see the superiority of our government, nor the benefit of our free institutions but, on the contrary, would restore their old laws and institutions. feelings,
" It
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l
;
taxes fanned the flame, and precipitated
new them
The
petty
quite possible that the imposition of
into the commission
to revive old feelings
been
lost sight of, ;
indeed, I
io
which
;
but
may
in fact
I trust this will
had never never occur
say I feel confident there
F
again
of this crime.
availed themselves of this opportunity,
ud
headmen
St
is
no more rebellions of this sort. " The people must see that any attempt against the British government is now a hopeless one,
sk
PD
will be
and, as a witness said yesterday,
de
they will only lose their
lives."*
'
that thereby
For, as deposed to
by Lieutenant Annesly, only eleven men marched out of Kurnegalle, and of these only two had shewed themselves, when the three or four thousand Kandians assembled in their front ran away there can therefore be little fear for future occurBut we must not teach our subjects to rences. fight, war is an art too easily learnt.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
376 "
The
legislature,
am
I
confident, will only
and regulaand I trust they will send the schoolmaster amongst the peojile, who will educate them in the arts of peace, and teach them the sin and folly of taking up arms against lawful authorities. The duty of the governing and governed is mutual, the one paternal, and the other allegiant. enact, in a paternal spirit, such laws
tions as will prove beneficial to the subject
;
not only expedient but necessary for
us to
ud
is
io
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l
"There is a largo portion of this country, whose wants and circumstances are quite unknown, where no European has been seen for thirty years, except upon some liunting expedition. It teach the inhabitants of these districts, that the
man
has been sent here, not only to impose
collect taxes,
St
white
and
but to elevate the moral and
The duty
PD
"
F
intellectual character of the people.
of a juror
community. It and liberty and upon
sk
to the
;
de
nistration of justice.
is
a most important one
is
the bulwark of justice
it
depends the due admi-
The
prisoner's counsel will
upon the jury for the acand the counsel for the crown will, on the other hand, urge them for a conviction, while the judge may very often take an improper view of the case, for he is not exempt from human infirmity. " It is then to the sound sense of the jury alone that the country must look for discrimination. sometimes press hard quittal of his client,
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE. All rests with the jury.
It
is
them
for
377 to
the guilt and innocence of the prisoner
my own
can only express in conclusion
;
weigh and I
hope, that
future juries in this country will weigh the
all
cases which
may
be brought before them, with
same care and attention, as you have bestowed upon those which have been tried during the
the
present sessions."
In conformity with the opinion expressed by lordship, the Chief Justice addressed the fol-
lowing despatch
Governor
to the
Colombo, September
23, 1848.
io
''
:
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his
—
recommendation
ud
" My Lord, I have the honour to transmit herewith notes of evidence, sentence of the court,
St
mercy by the jury, and cerQueen v. Penelebodde Kuralle and others, and marked No. 2. to
PD
F
tain petitions, in the case of the
" Also notes of the evidence, sentence of the
and recommendation
sk
court,
Queen
to
mercy by the jury,
Tunamalua Kekooa Banda Karale, and another, marked No. 3. v.
de
in the case of the
" Also
notes of the evidence, sentence of the
recommendation
to mercy by the jury, and certain petitions, in the case of the Queen V. Kandapulle Banda and others, and marked No. 4.
court,
" Also notes of the evidence, sentence of the court,
and recommendation
in the case of the
Queen
v.
6
to mercy by the jury, Wijayasoondere Mu-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
378 dianselay
No.
Appoohamy and
others,
and marked
All cases of high-treason tried by
5.
holden at Kandy,
the sessions lately
me
at
the
for
special purpose of trying persons implicated in
the late rebellion. " I have to report to your excellency that the
several convictions in the said cases respectively
were obtained state
that
in I
due
coui'se of law.
recommend
as
fit
I have also and proper
l
to
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objects for your excellency's clemency, as far as
regards the punishment of death, not only
all
the
given by them, but also
io
persons recommended by the jury for the reasons all
the prisoners
who
St
ud
have been found guilt}^ " The most culpable of these appear to me to be Penelebodde Keerale, Warapitia Ettapolla
F
Banda, Kandapulle Banda, Wannenayeke Mu-
PD
dianselagey Punchiralle, Wijaysoondere Mudian-
Appoohamy, and Kolambulamulle Mo-
selay
Appohamy and under
sk
hattelay
;
recommended your
excel-
de
stances, I should have
different circum-
lency to have executed such three or four of those last mentioned as should, after minute investigation
into their respective cases by the law-
officers of the
most
crown, have appeared to have been
guilty.
"To have
carried out the last penalty against
these would have been necessary for the vindication of justice, order, for an
example
and good government, and
to others.
But
I find that that
—
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
379
example has been already made. I learn that some twenty persons have been already shot for their share in this rebellion by the courts-martial
I
;
when
therefore think,
it
is
considered
European has been put to death, that one soldier only has been wounded by the
that no one
rebels,
— that
no persons have appeared
in
war-
like array against the troops since the outbreaks
—
tioned be transported for
life,
that the others, not
ud
recommended
io
Tr ia
l
at Matele and Kurnegalle, that the blood which has been already spilt is sufficient for all purposes, whether of vindication of the law, or for example. " I advise that the prisoners last above men-
mercy by the jury, be transported for fourteen years and that those who have been recommended be imprisoned and kept
St
to
F
;
short periods as, after
PD
to hard labour for such
consideration with the crown-lawyers, to
them
respectively.
sk
deemed due
"
(Signed)
A
be
Oliphant, C.
J.
The Right Honourable Viscount Torrington."
de
"
may
I have, &c.,
It
is
with deep regret that
we
feel ourselves
called upon to supply the render with the answer of the Governor to the foregoing recommenda-
tion of the Chief Justice so
much
;
at variance with
conceiving
it
as
we do
that spirit of justice
tempered with mercy, which should be the characteristic attribute of the crown, or the crown's representative.
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE.
380
"The Queen's House, Colombo, September " Sir,
—
25, 1848.
have the lionoiir to acknowledge 23rd instant, transmitting the notes of evidence, and sentences of death passed on the prisoners convicted of high treason at the your
I
letter of the
last session of the
Supreme Court held
at
Kandy
purpose of trying persons impli-
for the special
cated in the late rebellion,
the respectful
attention
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" I have given to this communication, not only
becoming
your
high
authority, but that painful and anxious consider-
St
ud
io
ation inseparable from the solemn question of life and death, suggested by your recommendation of all the prisoners for a commutation of punishments. But, after soliciting the advice and
you
1 feel
it is
with re-
myself unable to concur with
PD
luctance, that
F
opinions of the Executive Council,
in the propriety of that
course towards some
sk
of those men, convicted in due course of law, and
whose
guilt has been so clearly established, that
de
the strict line of your duty, uninfiuenccd by other considerations, would have led you, as you state, to
recommend
to
me
to inflict
on them the
last
penalty of the law, in vindication of justice, order,
and good goveinment. " These considerations,
I must observe, are unconnected with the judicial question on which it was properly within your province to assist me
with your advice; but, irrespective of
compelled
to say, that neither they
this, I
am
nor the rea-
CEYLON AND THE CINGALESE
381
soning founded on them, wliich has induced you to adopt u different line in recommending- these
same result in same time such publicity
parties to mercy, has j)roduccd the
my mind
;
whilst at the
has unfortunately been given to your opinions on this subject, as would involve the government in
embarrassment were 1 to set aside your recommendation to mercy, and leave these individuals for execution.
the other hand,
foresee
I
much
practical
l
On
Tr ia
"
inconvenience likely to result from this review of
summary
of the highest civil
all tlie })roceeding-s
judgment upon men convicted
its
of the gravest offences
known
our laws.
to
a deliberate calculation, however, of
St
"Upon
ud
moditication of
io
tribunal in the Island, followed by a sweeping
the comparative evils of either course, and feeling
my own
F
strongly the disadvantage at which I
am
placed
have deemed it best to lean to the side of mercy, and to adopt so much of your recommendation as regards the
PD
judgment,
sk
in acting on
de
commutation of
all capital
tuting transportation for those convicts, to
who have
mercy by the
fourteen years in
juries, all
(Signed) "
The Hon.
I
punishments, substi-
life
in
not been
the instance of
recommended
and transportation
for
the other cases. I have, &c., " Torrington.
Sir A. Oliphant, Kt., C. J."
END OF VOL.
I.
^
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