JOURNAL B, A. S. (CEYLCN.) 



[Tol. III. 



wash for them and attend on occasions of ceremony ; so it is 

 with tom-tom beaters. If a man wishes to get a new axe or 

 mamotie, he first of all goes to Trineomalie, Anuradhapura or 

 Mannar, 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 under- 

 take the work, which, however, proceeds slowly and gravely, 

 several days being occupied 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 

 commeaced, 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 Sinhalese have an 

 insuperable objection, and thus ih occurs that tin-- boutiques along 

 the roads are ail occupied by Taaiils, Moormen, • or low-country 

 people. It is only in 'such situations thai boutiques are to be found. 

 In the yilh ges themselves they tire unknown ; each man grows 

 his own paddy- and kurakkan, 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 common 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, chat 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 which 

 it works is probably thus : — A man knows that he will shortly 

 have to pay to Government a couple of rupees : none of his 



