164 Topographical and Statistical Account of 



get a new axe or mamotie, he first of all goes to Trinco- 

 malee, Anooraclhapoora or Manaar, and purchases some 

 iron: he then prepares a quantity of charcoal, and taking these, 

 proceeds to some neighbouring blacksmith, who is brought 

 into good humour by the gift of some cakes, &c, and is 

 perhaps ultimately persuaded to undertake the work, which 

 however proceeds slowly and gravely, several days being occu- 

 pied in working and talking about the work : all this time the 

 applicant renders assistance to the smith. I have never been 

 able to induce a village mechanic to settle here ; they like 

 receiving money wages, but cannot bear regular hours. Of 

 late, in consequence of public works being commenced, a few 

 masons and carpenters are to be found at the station ; but all 

 are strangers to the District. To shop -keeping of every sort, 

 the highland Singhalese have an insuperable objection, and 

 thus it occurs that the boutiques along the roads are all occupied 

 by Tamuls, Moormen, or low country people. It is only in such 

 situations that boutiques are to be found, In the villages them- 

 selves they are unknown ; each man grows his own paddy and 

 kcorakan ; has his own cattle ; and probably cultivates a few 

 vegetables in his garden. If he wants a new cloth, he gives the 

 cotton from his chena, and also some grain by way of fee to a 

 weaver, or else he barters the product of his field with some 

 passing trader. Until of late years bare money was almost 

 unknown in the District, but is now becoming more com- 

 mon every day. In all dealings among themselves however, the 

 natives adhere to the system of barter. The change already 

 referred to, may be attributed chiefly to the fact that payment 

 of taxes in kind has been done away with, and that the taxes 

 in themselves are heavier. I am quite aware that many persons 

 consider it an absurdity to maintain, that people can be better 

 off simply because they are taxed, because money is taken 

 from them ; such is, however, the simple fact. The manner in 



