112 



JDREADFUL CONSEQUENCES OF 



the Fiscal to satisfy the execution in the civil suits mentioned above^ 

 and as there still remained a large balance due, Hendrick was in- 

 carcerated in a debtor's prison. Harmanis lost both his sons, and 

 got a considerable sum of money recovered upon his bonds, but did 

 not live long enough to enjoy it, as in about a year's time he was 

 poisoned, and died a miserable death. The suspected culprits 

 were not brought to punishment, as there was not a tittle of legal 

 evidence against them. Thus these two families, who had lived 

 comfortably and respectably in their quiet village for a long time, 

 were ruined ; and other villagers, who had taken part in their 

 quarrels, did not fare better. Certainly a Hooniyan Charm, viewed 

 in this light, must appear to be a thing of greater malignity, than 

 the Cattadiya and his books represent it to be in its direct conse- 

 quences. 



The following case is not less characteristic. It happened in a 

 village not very far from Colombo. Andris had a lawsuit with 

 Siman Nydey respecting a small piece of land, not worth more than 

 £ 2 or £ 3, and judgment was pronounced in favour of Siman. 

 Andris, resolving upon revenge, had recourse to witchcraft, and a 

 Hooniyan being prepared, the image was buried at night in the yard 

 of Siman Nydey 's house, opposite to the frontdoor. Unfortunately 

 for Andris, he was detected in the very act, and was seized by the 

 inmates of the house, who headed by Siman, joined in giving him 

 a good thrashing. Not content however with this they cut off a 

 bunch of plantains from a tree close by, and placed it beside An- 

 dris, who lay on the ground, bound hand and foot and smarting 

 from the blows he had received. The Police Widhane was then 

 sent for, and on his arrival Siman charged Andris with intruding 

 into his dwelling garden at night and stealing plantains from it. 

 All Singhalese kno w well that Englishmen never punish people for 

 practising Hooniyan or any other sort of witchcraft, and hence this 

 fictitious charge of theft. The Magistrate tried the case, and the 

 man being found guilty was sentenced to a month's imprisonment 

 with hard labour. Before he could return home from the jail, his 

 enemy Siman, wishing to pay him in kind, consulted a Cattadiya, 



