470 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XI. 



the human, profanely mixing up religion with politics, the 

 Christian zeal of the Portuguese separated everything which 

 belonged to ecclesiastical government from secular jurisdic- 

 tion ; tempering many excesses which savoured of tyranny, 

 such as the cupidity of the Emperors who inherited from 

 their vassals, defrauding them of their own legitimate rights 

 by taking a third part of every inheritance, which made the 

 sovereign always one of the heirs of the family. 



The Governors held their court in Malmuana, three leagues 

 from Columbo, in sumptuous palaces at a place they called 

 Rosapani * Here three times in each year came to visit them 

 the principal Zing alas of the Island, who brought with 

 them large presents as a sign of their friendship and 

 allegiance, a custom derived from the Government of 

 their own princes, who, like all tyrants, know no law but 

 their own selfishness and greed ; but this was discountenanced 

 by our General, because of the danger it incurred of cor- 

 rupting the integrity of the Chief Magistrates by these baits 

 for cupidity. 



When the Governor made journeys through the Island, the 

 people received him with much feasting, and his entry was 

 made through triumphal arches, the magistrates and citizens 

 prostrating themselves on the ground to give him welcome. 

 His progress is with great state and ostentation, and even 

 more so when on any warlike expedition. 



The strength of the militia was kept up and regulated 

 according to the necessity of the times : it was raised or 

 disbanded as the Viceroy of India considered necessary for 

 the conquest of the Island, although that was always kept up 

 by a standing camp of the Portuguese army at Manicaravarefi 

 conveniently situated on the Kandyan frontier at a distance 

 of seven leagues, and nine from Colombo. It was under the 

 command of the Master-General of the camp, who, with the 

 rank of Captain-Major, had the power and state of a Governor. 



® See ante, p. 431, note. The G-overnor-Grenerals were styled "Kings of 

 Malvane" (Ribeyro, Cap. X.).— B., Hon. See. 

 f Menikkadavara, in Beligal Korale. — B., Hon. See. 



