294 JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). [Vol. III. 



those existing in Europe, and so opposed to the existence of 

 crime, that one naturally looks for figures shewing a highly 

 favorable result as compared with almost any other part of 

 the world. 



Taking the total number of convictions on an average of 

 three years, as found in the Western Province, to which 

 portion of the Island I am at present confining my inquiry, 

 and comparing these with the extent of population, we find, to 

 our astonishment, that the result is most unfavorable to the 

 Island, as compared with similar returns from British India 

 or the parent country. In Scotland, it appears that an 

 offence against the laws is committed annually by one person 

 in e ich 1,2'.)! of the entire population ; in England and 

 Wales, by one in 92.9; in Ireland, by one in 582; in Bengal, 

 by one in 1,219 ; whilst in the Western Province of Ceylon, 

 an offence is committed yearly by one person in each 264. 



But, startling as these figures appear, the case of Ceylon is 

 very far from being an unfavorable one, if we proceed to 

 analyze the returns, as I shall presently. As regards Bengal, 

 and indeed British India generally, although I have alluded 

 to the criminal statistics of that Government as officially 

 published, I must explain, that there does not anywhere exist 

 a faithful statement of the extent and nature of crimes and 

 offences committed in any of the Presidencies, and least so 

 in that of Bengal. 



It is not generally known, out of India, that a very con- 

 siderable number of offenders are dealt with in a summary 

 manner by Indigo Planters and native Zemindars or land- 

 holders, who regularly hold courts of justice at their factories 

 and dwellings. Not only do the riots of their own lands 

 bring to their courts the offenders of their villages, but cases 

 frequently come to them from more distant places. The 

 evidence is taken by them with as much regularity, and far 

 more fidelity, than in the Company's courts, and punishment 

 is awarded without any hesitation on the part of the judge, 

 on any complaint on the part of the people; from fifty lashes 



