No. 40.— 1890.] 



ACCOUNT OF CEYLON. 



The Emperor, Raya Singa, now pretty well advanced in 

 years, wrote sometimes to us for certain curiosities of little 

 value which Heer Adriaen vander Maiden, Governor, as well 

 as Heer van Goens, kindly procured for him. 



His title was Raya Singa, Emperor of the Island of 

 Geilon ; King of Kandy, Zaitavaca, Cota, Danuadaon, 

 Amorayapore, Jaffanapatnam ; Prince of Ove, Mature, 

 Dinavaca, the four Provinces ; Grand Duke of the Seven 

 Provinces ; Count of Cotiar, Batacalo, Vintana, Panoa, 

 Putelaon, Bellingamma, Gale; Marquis of Duranura, 

 Ratemira, Tinipane ; Lord of the Harbours of Geilon, the 

 Pearl Fishery, and the Golden Sun. 



The Prince holds, sometimes elsewhere, but mostly in 

 Kandy, a magnificent and very illustrious Court, as those who 

 have been there in the service of the Honourable Company 

 testify. He has a good number of high officers, who are 

 named Apahamy ; and of Governors, who are called Dis- 

 .saves; his captains are called Modeliars; sergeants, Haraties; 

 and the soldiers, Lascarijns. 



The Cingalese, or Ceylonese, are for the most part dark- 

 skinned, small of stature, and of pleasing countenance, going 

 as a rule pretty well clad. Those who are rich wear red 

 Rouen caps, or other caps of this colour, but the first are 

 considered of somewhat higher value, and named in the 

 language Toppi Honday* forming a striking contrast with 

 their skin. The men wear their hair usually cut short, and 

 the chief men, a white Cabay or gown made of silk, flowered 

 ■or of white cotton, with a cloth wound round the waist, 

 which they pass between the legs and secure like breeches. 

 Others of the lower classes go mostly naked, except that they 

 conceal their privates with a cotton cloth. Some also wear 

 a small jacket with short flaps after the European fashion, 

 and merits or dagger at the side, the hilt of which is inlaid 

 with gold, ivory, or other material. They adorn their pierced 



* Toppi honday: bad Sinhalese for " good hat." These tall caps of red 

 cloth Qagalata ) are figured in Knox, " Ceilon." Another shape was four- 

 sided inclining to round 'and low (hatard mid Itasav toppiya). — B., Hon. Sec. 



