552 



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



[Vol. XI. 



Among the other Zing alas who followed the fortunes 

 and shared the exile of their prince was the young son of 

 a Modeliar, greatly valued by the king, who was educated 

 in our religion and customs, and growing up a man of great 

 thought called himself " Don John of Austria," so as to suit the 

 name to the spirit within him. He was sent to Columbo to 

 serve on the frontier in the war against Candia, where he was 

 well treated by us and made a Modeliar. He behaved him- 

 self with such courage, tact, and dissimulation, that after 

 gaining great renown amongst his own countrymen he per- 

 suaded them to conspire against the tyrant, and treacherously 

 kill him. 



Don Juan, assisted by our troops, entered that kingdom, 

 and seizing the crown he continued the under-hand deceitful 

 policy which his predecessors used against the Portuguese, 

 his first action being to break the faith he owed to God by 

 baptism ; and soon afterwards breaking asunder all ties of 

 friendship and education for which he was indebted to us, 

 and rejecting all obedience he owed as subject to his own 

 native prince, he changed his name from " Don John of 

 Austria " to that of Fimala Drama Suri Adm* which was 

 his native name. He did not, however, become another man 

 with his new destiny ; for although his condition changed, 

 his character did not. From a vassal he finally made him- 

 self prince, from a Christian turned apostate, and from 

 being a poor exiled lord became the absolute ruler of an 

 Empire : from all of which may be remarked how true are 

 the wise words, that Divine Wisdom makes a plaything and 

 sport of the universe ; since on this world's stage we see to-day 

 a king who was yesterday but a slave, and falling into 

 miserable servitude one who was born a prince and whose 

 word was supreme. 



Raised to the throne and acknowledged King of Candia 

 he declared war against the Portuguese, just when Matias de 



* Don John, afterwards Vimala Dharmma Suryya I., 1592-1604 A.D. — 



B., Hon. Sec. 



