112 CEYLON BRANCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY, 



remarked that at the Tamul schools at Pitipankare, Chu- 

 nampitty and Slave Island, which together contained 1600 

 scholars, only 60 were present at the examination, and said 

 their lessons badly. The frequent change of habitation 

 among the Malabars was a great hindrance. The Singha- 

 lese nation were more docile, and their children in many 

 instances exceeded expectation. With reference to an out- 

 cry which had been raised about the decline and probable 

 failure of schools, the Inspectors stated that they did not 

 despair, but would urge the Government to adopt such 

 measures as may effectually further the cause of education. 

 Government it appears, attended to this representation, for 

 in 1759 the good effects were visible. In 1768 the schools 

 gave satisfaction on the whole, but they did not yet come 

 up to the designs of Government, the fault being the cha- 

 racter of Masters, who were reported to be, some secretly 

 Budhists, and others intemperate or rapacious. In 1778 

 the schools, 46 in number, were flourishing, and great suc- 

 cess was met with among the females, who could not before 

 be prevailed on to remain long at school, but now many 

 continued till on their public confession of faith they were 

 received as communicants. No mention is made of female 

 schools. 



In 1784 there were 53 schools. The scattered habitations 

 of the natives, bad and dangerous roads, created the deser- 

 tion of several scholars, and made spiritual supervision al- 

 most impracticable. The work of inspection was divided in 

 1788 among the clergy and scholarchs into three circuits — 

 circuit No. 1 had 12 schools 



No. 2 " 20 



No. 3 " _23 



Total — 55 



From the preceeding remarks it will be perceived, that 

 Government undertook education in the native languages, 

 that these schools partook of the character of Parish schools, 

 and that religious instruction was the main point. When 

 reference was made to an individual, he or she was invari- 

 ably designated as sorted under " sorterende onder," such or 

 such a school. The annexed table (marked A) will shew 

 the total number of scholars in the Colombo District, from 

 1760 to 1786. A list (marked B) of the places where schools 

 existed, with short notices respecting them, taken from the 

 reports is also added. 



