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On the Principles of Singhalese Chronology. By the Rev. 

 G. Alwis. 



Time is that abstract duration which pervades all ages., 

 without either a commencement or conclusion. It partakes of 

 many of the most sublime attributes of the Supreme Being, 

 such as eternity, invisibility, omnipresence, iinmaterialism, 

 and so forth. There is some method of computing it amongst 

 every nation. This computation and adjustment of time 

 form the principles of Chronology. 



The most natural division of time seems to be into that 

 of days. Day is called in Singhalese daioasa. The interval 

 between two successive risings of the Sun is a daioasa. 

 Seven dawasas are reckoned into one satiya "a week." 

 The days of the week, as among many other nations even in 

 the West, are appropriated to seven gods, and are called by 

 their names : thus Iridd u Sim's-day," Sandudd et Moon's-day," 

 Angaharuioada (t Mar's-day," Badddd " Mercury's -day," Bra- 

 haspatindd " Jupiter's-day," Sihurddd 6( Venus'-day," and 

 Senasurddd u Saturn's-day," 



Dawasa is divided into daivdla es the day time," and 

 rattriya u the night time." Dawala is from the rising to the 

 setting of the Sun ; and rattriya begins with the setting 

 of the Sun and continues till his rising. From the rising of 

 the Sun to his arrival at the meridian is called pera-waruwa 

 " the forenoon ;" and the interval between the meridian and 

 the setting of the Sun is termed pasioaruwa " the afternoon." 

 The noon or midday is called maddahana. 



The night is divided into three equal portions called 

 yama " the watches." The first watch is called perayama 

 or hendcB ydmaya. The second or middle watch is called 



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