80 



CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 



number of offenders in the year 1840, there were 140 females \ 

 or Lancashire where females constitute about a fifth of the 

 total number of offenders, or Wexford on the Irish coast, 

 where they sometimes constitute about one-third. The 

 circumstances of the different places are indeed very dif- 

 ferent, and it is probable that the proportion in this country 

 in general is favourable. 



The Fiscal's return does not set forth the religion professed 

 by the prisoners ; but of the 7 6 uninstructed in the gaol of 



Kandy, in the year 1843, there were 



No. of Pris. 



66 Budhists out of. 100 



6 Mahometans 10 



2 R oman Catholics 7 



2 Protestants 3 



120 



and of the 52 in Jaffna gaol there were 



No. of Pris. 



48 Gentoos out of. 95 



2 Budhists 5 



1 Mahometan 2 



1 Roman Catholic. ; 7 



Protestant prisoner 1 



110 



from which we might infer that about nine-tenths of the 

 offenders are Budhists and Gentoos, and 4-5ths of the re- 

 maining tenth Mahometans and Roman Catholic. 



The relative proportions between the commitments, trials 

 and convictions, are very remarkable. In none of the years 

 named, does it appear that all who have been committed have 

 been put on their trial ; and of the number tried, there has lat- 

 terly been about one-half, or rather, but one-third convicted. 

 Such a result is painful, whether we regard the acquittals as 

 right or as wrong — either way ; — and it contrasts strikingly 

 with a country like Scotland, where 3-4ths at least of those 

 committed, are sure to be convicted, and men speak of an escape 



