No. 6. — 1853.] DISTRICT OF CHILAW AND PUTTALAM. 



57 



repairing the tanks, were the means of keeping the northern 

 part of the Island in a very prosperous condition. These are 

 the most industrious and mercantile class ; they are the traders, 

 boutique keepers, master fishers, &c. ; they also deal largely in 

 cattle, and are frequent purchasers of Government taxes. 

 They are for the most part confined to the immediate vicinity of 

 the sea ; there are, however, Moor villages scattered about the 

 interior, the inhabitants of which are much disliked and feared 

 by the natives. The Moors have mixed up with their own 

 faith many superstitions borrowed from Hinduism. 



Of Malays but few reside in the District, and these are 

 soldiers, pensioners, or descendants of such, and in general 

 hold small Government employments^ such as peons, &c. 



The Dutch descendants generally find employment as clerks, 

 post-holders, &c. It is greatly to be regretted that this class 

 relies so much on the support of Government ; they possess 

 qualities which one would expect to adapt them for the life of 

 tradesmen ; and if so employed they would be better off and 

 much more independent. Some foolish prejudice is the only 

 obstacle to this desirable change. The majority, I believe, 

 adhere to the Dutch and Protestant Church. 



The Portuguese descendants now form, on the whole, a very 

 degraded class, and seem to be looked down upon by all. They 

 profess Roman Catholicism. 



The low-country Sinhalese employ themselves in keeping 

 boutiques or taverns, trading in salt, cultivating cocoanut gar- 

 dens, &c. They have to a great extent forgotten Buddhism, 

 and for the most part seem to have no fixed opinion on re- 

 ligious matters, changing their faith with astonishing non- 

 chalance at the call of interest or whim. 



The Sinhalese who live in the jungle pattus treat those of 

 the coast with much scorn ; they adhere with a tolerable firmness 

 to Buddhism, but have not failed to conjoin with this com- 

 paratively pure faith countless superstitions borrowed from 



