CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. Ill 



disturbances having arisen among the natives, and accounts 

 from the Masters represented things as very unfavorable, 

 school operations being to a great extent at a stand still with 

 no likelihood of a speedy restoration. But the next year 

 the arrival of the new Governor, Baron Van ImhofF, checked 

 the disturbances, and schools were visited. 



1739. The Inspectors expressed themselves satisfied with 

 masters and pupils, and noticed with pleasure a circum- 

 stance, which was not witnessed before, but which now ap- 

 peared generally practiced, that the girls learned to write. 

 This year there was a revival of schools, not only in virtue 

 of special orders from Government enjoining regular at- 

 tendance, but especially by the influx of Singhalese and 

 Tamul printed books, instead of the scanty manuscript co- 

 pies, put into the hands of the Masters alone. 



1742. The Rev. Mr. Saakens and Mr. Elbert Clermont, 

 the Scholarch, reported that in this year's visit they had 

 found the children in general diligently taught, and that 

 each according to age and capacity had made progress ; but 

 that on comparing one school with another a great disparity 

 appeared both as to proficiency and the amount of instruc- 

 tion imparted. Writing in Singhalese was extensively 

 taught, and many of the " Largeerden" recited their Cate- 

 chisms and prayers promptly. 



1746. The schools were fouud some worse than others, 

 and on the whole not very creditable. The ignorance, in- 

 ability and indolence of many Masters were complained of; 

 and no less the aversion of children to attend school ; pa- 

 rents also refusing to send their children, which was attri- 

 buted to the influence of Roman Catholic Priests and* their 

 emisaries, who spared no intrigues to draw away the people. 

 In 1747, these complaints were renewed, and the incapa- 

 city of the Masters led to the establishment of a native 

 Normal school at Colombo, which shall be mentioned in its 

 proper place. 



1750. Complaints still continued. Strong attachment to 

 heathenism, and credulity on the part of parents to popish 

 insinuations were lamented. The penalty imposed on non- 

 attendance brought the children on the examination- day, 

 but on ordinary days they remained away. In 1756 the 

 district had 45 schools, many of which were in a poor state. 

 The Masters at Caltura and Negombo (where Romanism 

 prevailed) gave no satisfaction, and to shew how ill disposed 

 the Malabars were to education and Christianity, it was 



