]SJ 0> 9.— -1856-8.] DISTRICT OF NUWAEAKALAWIYA. 151 



Education. 



About eighteen months ago an English school was set on foot, 

 and is still maintained. Owing to the liberality of Government 

 no fees are demanded from the scholars, it being considered that 

 the people must first learn what education is, before they are 

 asked to pay for it. The number of scholars is only 13, 

 but when a sort of boarding house now in contemplation shall 

 have been constructed, the number may be expected to increase 

 considerably. 



A Tamil school, supported by private funds, is attended by a 

 few scholars, but there is a constant succession of new feces ; 

 •—so soon as a boy can read a little and scrawl his name, he 

 sets up a boutique. 



The best effects have followed from the strict examination 

 to which applicants for headmanship are subjected, as to their 

 proficiency in reading, writing, and arithmetic In the latter 

 respect, the progress is most marked, and has been assisted 

 by the distribution of suitable books of instruction. 



This being one of the most sacred spots of Ceylon, it might 

 be expected that I should have much to say regarding the 

 Buddhist priesthood. This, however, is not the case ; the priests 

 here are ignorant beyond description ; know nothing of their 

 own history or religion : and though they say that they have a 

 copy of the Mahawaiiso, acknowledge that they have never 

 read it. As they do not take the slightest trouble with the 

 people, and generally disappear until the time of the festivals 

 approaches (at which period offerings to a large amount are 

 brought in), the people are heartily wearied of their yoke, and 

 f no external aid be afforded to the religion, it will soon be 

 ractically extinct. 



I confess to having an extremely low opinion of the Buddhist 

 priesthood. To judge from those whom I have met (the number 

 is not small), I think they will be found idle, selfish, inconsistent 

 ndj ea-qfficio, discontented. 



