126 CEYLON BRANCH — ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



had proceeded to Holland to complete their studies at the 

 university, were on their return actively engaged in the 

 work of translation. H. Philipsz, a Cinghalese, undertook 

 the Pentateuch and Epistles, which when completed he sub- 

 mitted to the consistory for revision. The work was entrust- 

 ed to Rev. Mr. Hoffman, who had as assistants the Mohottiar 

 of the Governor's Gate Don Daniel Perera, the Thombo 

 holder J. D. Zypat, and Adrian Perera, Catechist, 1788. 



Another person who was educated in like manner, J. D' 

 Melho, a Tamul, and appointed at Jaffna, translated the 

 Pentateuch, the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth into 

 Tamul, and sent them to Colombo for revision, which was 

 entrusted to two Malabar Proponents, and two other able 

 natives. 



The annexed list (marked E) of Translations and Publi- 

 cations will give a comprehensive view of what was done 

 by the press at Colombo. 



VIE 



Dutch Schools. 

 These were of an elementary nature, divided into Orphan, 

 Parish and Private schools, the two former were supported 

 by Government. European children were taught spelling, 

 reading, writing, Scripture, catechism, singing, arithmetic 

 and geography. The Masters were either persons holding 

 subordinate offices in the Church, as prelectors, catechists 

 and visitors of the sick, or school-masters in the Company's 

 service. At some of the outstations for want of better sub- 

 jects soldiers were employed. The Scholarchal commission, 

 who had the inspection of these schools also, recommended 

 Government to send out a better class of teachers, as many 

 complaints were raised either about the inefficiency or in- 

 temperance of several in employ. The total number of these 

 schools in the Colony was about 17. Colombo, Galle, Ma- 

 tura, Hangwelle, Negombo, Caltura, Jaffna, Manar, Caits, 

 Trincomalie and Batticaloa had Dutch schools. The Orphan 

 schools were not exclusively for Orphans, but other children, 

 constituted by far the majority in these institutions. The 

 Clergy had besides at their dwelling catechizing hours in the 

 week. At Galle there were in 1737 two private schools, one 

 kept by a widow and her daughter with 46 children. No- 

 thing more remains to be mentioned of the Dutch schools 

 than the statistics, which are here subjoined (marked F). At 

 Colombo there were 4 such schools, the Orphan Asylum, 

 the Fort school, the Town school and the Wolfendahl 

 school ; but nothing appears in the reports respecting them 

 than thai tiiej were occasionally visited. 



