No. 23.— 1881.] VALENTYN ON ADAM'S PEAK. 



49 



w VALENTYN*S* ACCOUNT OF ADAM'S PEAK." 



By A. Spence Moss, P.W.D. 



(Read 7th May, 1881.; 



After treating at some length the history of the Island, he 

 proceeds to give a sort of review of the mode of Government 

 tinder " VimalaDharma Suriya Ada" (whom he calls Don Juan) 

 and a description of the Court, from which I extract as fol- 

 lows : — 



This Emperor, from fear of his own subjects, confines himself now 

 (1604) to the mountain city of Diyatilaka, where he is surrounded by a 

 large force of soldiers under the nobles, and by his higher officers of 

 state; but he relies chiefly for his personal safety upon a special body 

 gunrd of Moors, who keep watch continually at his chamber-door. 

 Besides these he has many other guards, whom he selects from the 

 best families, and who are the bravest and smartest young fellows in 

 the country. They have long straight hair, go always bareheaded, 

 and are generally about him wherever he goes. 



His revenues are very great. Thrice a year must his subjects pay 

 him tribute. The first he draws in March, at the time of their New 

 Year ; the second is taken from the first-fruits ; and the third from a 

 sort of offeriug which they make in November to the honour of 

 their god. 



In addition to these taxes every one is bound to provide for the 

 Emperor whatever he may further require for use in his palace ; and 

 the nobles take advantage of this prerogative to practise extortion 

 in his name wherever they think it is worth while. 



All tribute and presents are covered with white cloth as a mark of 

 respect, and are brought first to the Emperor after he has washe i his 



* Valentyn (F.) Ond en Nieuw Oost Indien, 1724-26. 



