amongst the Singhalese. 235 



For the last, the Singhalese in their graver compositions, un- 

 mixed with English phraseology, adopt the title of <S8<3533<5 

 ^t&S ; but it is apprehended, that it is not fully expressive 

 of the English term. It is therefore, I believe, that in our 

 Courts, the English word is adopted: in regard to which 

 Mr. Stark says ; 



"The Secretary of the District Court subscribes himself Secretary 

 jSivamiha, which is derived from Swamy or Swamaya, a lord or master. 

 This appears singularly inappropriate, his proper appellation as Clerk of 

 Court is certainly unnanse :" — p. 75. 



Here is some misapprehension. The title of the Secretary 

 in question is simply Sekrataris, (the s being an affix added 

 in composition for the sake of euphony, as n in Dewiyan) ; 

 and he does not conclude with any honorific, but with simply 

 ©©3D wamha, which means " we are" for " I am." Thus it 

 will be perceived, that the words used by the Secretary, viz. 

 Sekrataris wamha, were mistaken by Mr. Stark for Secratary 

 swamiya. If however, the case be as stated by the learned 

 writer, there is no doubt but that the appellation of lord or 

 master is " singularly inappropriate" to a Secretary, as 

 <5\®&$ is unquestionably so to the Government Agent ; 

 who nevertheless uses this high honorific in all his corres- 

 pondence with his native headmen.* A Modliar of the Gate* 

 who was addressed in this style, returned the 61a epistle 

 to the Government Agent, and addressed him as follows 

 on the 10th March 1839 : " I did not receive it (the letter) 

 because it was written in a manner disgraceful to me : and I 

 do not make the least doubt that if you are acquainted with 

 Singhalese, you would, on looking over the style or phraseo- 

 logy of that ola, be convinced of the impropriety of the same." 

 See translation of the document in the Colombo Cutcherry. 



* This practice is reported to have existed for " twenty-five years" prior to the 

 date of the letter referred to in the text. See L. De Levera, Attapatto Modliar's 

 report, March 14 ; 1839. 



