NO. 40. — 1890.] ACCOUNT OF CEYLON. 



337 



The Cingalese, or inhabitants of Ceilon, live along the 

 coast in the maritime provinces and the dependencies thereof 

 quietly and peaceably under the rule of the Dutch. The 

 rest of the inhabitants residing inland are subject to the 

 Emperor of Ceilon, that is, the King of Kandy, who holds 

 his court at present in the centre of the Island, in his capital. 

 Kandy, living still at variance with the Dutch, yet seeking 

 neither war nor peace with them. It was certainly so in my 

 time, and consequently, the Cingalese and our subjects 

 showed no desire to molest each other. 



But touching this variance and the circumstances and 

 conditions of the King of Kandy in his relations towards us, 

 the following brief notice will tend to explain : — 



When the Portuguese first landed and established their arms 

 on this Island, it had been already divided in consequence of 

 inland wars and disturbances into several kingdoms ; but the 

 King of Kandy retained the name of Emperor, or Overlord. 

 The Kings, as well as the Emperors of Ceilon, occasionally 

 suffered extensive defeats in wars through the bravery of the 

 Lusitanians; and even Kandy was for some time in their 

 power and subject to their rule; for fierce wars had been 

 carried on for many years between the Portuguese and 

 Cingalese. 



From our own country, Heer Juris van Spilhergen was the 

 first who personally waited on the Emperor of Ceilon with 

 letters and presents in the name of their High Mightinesses, 

 the States General of the United Netherlands and His 

 Excellency Prince Maurice of Nassau (of blessed memory). 



He arrived here in the beginning of June in the year 1602, 

 coming to anchor at Batacalo ; and his escort, reception, and 

 bearing before the Emperor, the Princes, Princesses, and 

 other grandees of the kingdom were wonderful and worthy 

 of note, as narrated at length in the journal describing them., 

 which has been printed. 



The reigning Emperor at that time was Vinna Ladarma 

 Soria (a name which signifies "the deliverer of the kingdom"), 

 or, as he was previously named for his zeal and inclination 



