NO. 40. — 1890.] ACCOUNT OF CEYLON. 



349 



that by the exertions of the Portuguese, and afterwards of our 

 people, many thousands have been converted to the Romish, 

 and likewise the Reformed religion. 



The houses of the Cingalese are of light material, like 

 Indian cane work, but they are generally skilfully and 

 neatly built, with divided rooms, doors, and windows. The 

 people are clean and fairly orderly in their housekeeping. 



Many reach an old age, and some live to eighty, ninety, 

 and upwards. The dead are mourned for, and buried by old 

 women ; those of rank are burnt to ashes. 



There are also many Cingalese who by the exertions of 

 Moormen have been induced to adopt the Muhammadan 

 religion. Many Moors and descendants from the Turks and 

 other foreign people are likewise found in Ceilon. 



Their principal coin consists of silver Larijns, worth 

 ten stivers each, and silver and gold Fanums. The gold 

 ones are mostly in use, but their value does not exceed five 

 stivers each, and they are so tiny that it is difficult to handle 

 them. These Larjins, or Fanums, as well as the gold Pagodes, 

 or Moorish Ducats, are the money which principally circu- 

 lates upon the coast of Malabar, Choromandel, and in the 

 Island of Ceilon. Besides these Spanish coins (called 

 Paternosters) and copper money (kopstucken), or such like 

 Dutch coins, freely pass current in Ceilon, Choromandel, 

 and elsewhere. 



Now, as regard the Island of Ceilon : it overflows with 

 good things for man's sustenance — fowls, stags, peacocks, 

 pigeons, wild boars, oxen, cows, and buffaloes abound. Fine 

 rivers are found in many places. Some maintain that in the 

 mountains round Candy there are mines of gold, silver, 

 metal, and other ores, likewise some sorts of precious stones, 

 but particularly rubies, which (as I have seen myself) are 

 obtainable in Ceylon in abundance. Very fine crystals are 

 also met with. The fruits, vegetables, and plants are melons, 

 pumpkins, water-melons, ananases, oranges, lemons, citrons, 

 bananas, coques, manges, cajouloen, pomegranates, grapes, 

 putatten, sugarcane, betel, areeck, pepper, onions, leeks, ginger, 



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