304 
CEYLON. 
The Malabars, who inhabit the northern part of our settlement, 
and a branch of whom were on the throne of Candy before the late 
revolution, are also divided into casts, but not the same as those of 
the Cingalese. Besides these, who are chiefly Christians in name, 
there are two numerous casts of Mahomedans : first the Lebbies, 
or African merchants, who were regarded by the Dutch as strangers, 
and taxed at twenty-four shillings each per annum, which impost 
the British Government took off. They are active and industrious. 
Mr. North introduced a Mufti to determine their causes, but, like 
his brethren, he took bribes, and was dismissed, and the Governor 
became himself their judge. Second, the Malays, who may be sub- 
divided into princes, soldiers, and robbers ; though indeed the 
latter designation may, without injustice, be extended to all of them. 
Of the princes, some are deposed sovereigns of Java, or the circum- 
jacent isles, or of the peninsula of Malacca, whom the jealousy of 
the Dutch had banished to this country till it might be thought 
proper to reinstate them, and send hither their successors. There 
are also the wives or relations of such as have died during their 
banishment. The soldiers are in British pay, and the Malays are 
excellent in that capacity. Though they have a high sense of 
honour, which makes their resentment fatal, when they think them- 
selves injured, they will submit, without a murmur, to military 
punishment. They form a counterpoise to the natives, with whom 
they are not at all connected, yet are not sufficiently numerous to 
be dangerous. Their conduct during the Candian war was highly 
to their credit : they did not desert the British officers till these had 
deserted themselves, and, even then, the Chiefs preferred death to 
dishonour. 
