372 



JOURNAL, II. A. S. (CEYLON), 



[Vol. IX. 



asserts they have hardly any knowledge of numbers, and 

 cannot count beyond five. Sir E. Tennent* goes a little 

 step further in saying they are incapable of counting over five 

 on their fingers. Even this is after all very little, especially 

 when we realise that these milder statements refer to the 

 " tamer sort." Mr. Hartshornef also contends that their 

 language includes no word designating colour ; that they have 

 neither a fancy for bright colours nor any sense of the 

 distinction in colours. 



Finally, he complains of their defective power of memory, 

 and their inability to form any general ideas. Sir E. Tennent 

 says they have no notion of time or space, no words for 

 hours, days, or years — no games — no amusements — no music. 

 These statements, however, in their full breadth apply only 

 to the " wild sort " of the village Veddas. DavyJ says that 

 they .have a rough kind of song, performed as an accompani- 

 ment to a very clumsily executed dance. When we add to 

 all this the fruitlessness of any and every attempt to educate 

 them, we are compelled to acknowledge the inferiority of the 

 race. Even granting some of the observations furnished are 

 too exclusive, it would not alter the general opinion. 



It looks like a contradiction that, as Mr. Hartshorne§ 

 informs us, they consider themselves as superior to their 

 neighbours. This sort of contradiction is not limited to the 

 Veddas — narrow-minded people not unfrequently over-value 

 their capacities. But it does sound very strange when the 

 different reporters state that the Veddas are looked upon 

 even by their neighbours as members of a high — yes — of a 

 regal caste. They are said to have been allowed in earlier 

 times to speak of the king of Kandy as "Hurd" which means 

 " cousin." As among themselves they know of no distinction 

 of caste, this is indeed very striking. It has even been regarded 

 as an evidence of the correctness of the tradition that they are 



* Tennent, I. c. II., p. 443. 

 % Davy, h o., p. 118. 



f Hartshome, I. c, p. 409. 

 § Hartshome, p, 412. 



