﻿OF THE PEOPLE OF CEYLOX. 421 



The king may have as many women as lie pleases, 

 vlio are not considered as concubines Mdien they live 

 in the palace ; but the issue of a royal race can alone 

 pretend to the crown. These are called Princes, 

 Kumareia. 



The eldest son generally succeeds to the throne; 

 but if he be disqualified on account of irreligion, bad 

 morals, or M'ant of understanding, the least objec- 

 tionable of his brothers is made to supersede him. 

 If the king have not male issue, one of his relations 

 is chosen to succeed him ; and if he have not these, 

 an offer of the crown is made to some prince on the 

 continent professing the Boudhou religion. 



The courtiers, holding the principal offices, de- 

 cide, conjointly with the inhabitants of six cantons 

 called Ratte Paha, all claims to the crown. They 

 confirm or annul the nomination of the late king, 

 and in the latter case elect another, who is generally 

 considered as the lawful sovereign, provided the 

 electors have followed the written laws on the sub- 

 ject of election, and that the fundamental conditions 

 of being of a royal race, and of the religion of 

 Boudhou, have been adhered to. 



The election is of course subject to be decided by 

 intrigue. The first minister or others may influence 

 the vote of the Ratapahe, and intimidate the rest. 



COUNCIL of the KING. DECREES. 



The council of the king is composed of all the 

 grandees of the court, that is to say, of two Aol- 

 KARES, the great Dessaves, or collectors, and the 

 Maha Muttia, or chief secretary. The priests of 

 the first class appear there also, when particular!}'- 

 invited. The decisions are not carried by pkuality 

 of votes; the king listens to his council, ami then 

 decides as he pleases. Priests can only give their 

 opinions on the private conduct of the king, and 



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