302 



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



[Yol. X. 



more or less in land than this our Kingdom, which has 

 had for many ages back a people, that their trade and 

 mode of living would appear a fabulous narrative ; however, 

 all who go to the Island have knowledge of it.' This is 

 not very lucid, and has no grammatical smoothness. The 

 manuscript corrects in this manner : — 4 It is not amiss to 

 express surprise that this island of Ceilao not being in size 

 like that of Burneo, or S. Louren<?o, has had for many ages 

 back a people preserving their rites and ceremonies, the 

 narration of which would appear fabulous to all prudent 

 reasoning ; however, none of those who should chance to 

 live in this Island would be able to doubt the truth of this 

 statement which I make for the satisfaction of the inquisi- 

 tive mind.' 



"The correction is manifest, and, as its noble possessor says,. 

 i the printed edition is taken from the first handiwork of 

 the author, and the manuscript from the second, already 

 corrected by him.' 



" Not only the text, as is seen, has been altered, but even the 

 headings of the chapters ; it is like a new work on the same 

 design, from the chief title of the book to the accessory 

 minutiae. 



" This comparison seems to me sufficient for the apprecia- 

 tion of the first book ; I shall continue the same method in 

 the subsequent ones. 



II. 



" To show exactly how much the two editions differ, I shall 

 continue to give parallels of the commencements of chapters 

 only, as the complete transcription of these would be, as I 

 have already stated, a reproduction of the two editions. 



" The second book commences with these words : — ' We 

 have shown briefly, and in the mode in which it was 

 possible to us, what Ceilao is and what it produces, rites, 

 laws, and customs of that people, and everything else that 

 we saw, experienced, and considered in eighteen years of 

 residence.' 



" The manuscript : — < We have shown in the mode in which 

 it was possible the situation, fertility, and riches of the island 

 of Ceilao ; laws, rites, and ceremonies of its inhabitants ; and 

 everything else that we observed in the course of eighteen 

 years that we resided there.' 



" The printed chapter ends : — ' .... that in fine all are 

 blacks our enemies.' 



" And the manuscript : — ' .... who are always black 

 and our enemies by nature, and only friends by necessity.' 



" The printed second chapter commences : — ' With the 

 previous occurrences that we have stated, and the elder 



