CEYLON BRAXCH— ROYAL ASIATIC SOl II IV 



and others 2500 Dutch words with Singhalese or Tamui 

 meaning. 



1738. The Rector applied to return home «>n the ground 

 of infirrriity, which prevented his regular attendance to 

 duty. The Rev. Mr. Wetzelins was appointed in his 

 room. A Conrector was also added, Mr. Vrolyk. a good 

 classical scholar : he took much pains but continued only 

 three years, and then returned, to Holland for ordination. 

 Mr. Hersher succeeded him. From this time the classic- 

 were taught. The Dutch master Paravisino was succeeded 

 by Mr. J. Collirte, who taught 15 boys Dutch grammar, 

 reading and composition, and universal geography. 



1740. The Conrector had in his class 4 who read ti e 

 Greek Testament, and 4 others who could expound 20 scrip- 

 ture passages in the colloquial language. At this period 

 European descendants also were gradually admitted into 

 the Seminary. The classis of Amsterdam in one of their 

 letters to the Ceylon churches, after expressing delight at 

 the good results of the undertaking, put the question, whe- 

 ther instead of so much memory work it would not be well 

 to pay especial attention, by means of much illustration and 

 explanation, to making the youths rightly comprehend and 

 appreciate then* lessons : and suggested to that end a thorough 

 acquaintance with the Dutch language, it being an acknow- 

 ledged fact that instruction received in a language not ver- 

 nacular is a disadvantage. At the same time they did not 

 wish to discourage their brethren. 



1743. The Seminary had 24 youths. The Rector exami- 

 ned the three Seniors in Hebrew and Greek : the questions 

 and answers were in Latin and Dutch. The other three 

 were less advanced. The Conrector had 12 learning Latin 

 and Greek. The Dutch master had six. 



1744. Two of the most promising. Abrahams, a Cingha- 

 lese and Joachim Fibrandsz, a European descendant, were 

 sent, at Government expense, to the Leyden Lniversity. 



1746. In the Conrector's class 4 read Cornelius Xepos, 

 the Colloquia of Erasmus, and Terence, and 9 construed 

 the colloquia of Corderius and repeated the declensions 

 and conjugations. 



1750. The Rector's class were copiously examined in 

 Theology, the Corrector's class in Cicero's Epistles and 

 Ovid's Metamorphosis and in Greek Pha?drus* fables. 8 

 others were not so far. The Dutch Master had 21 scho- 

 lars. This year another youth was sent to College : and 

 the next vear three more were readv to embark. Out of 



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