CEYLON. 
305 
The Cingalese are a finer race of men than the Bengalese, and 
are more elegant than the Rohillas or Rajah pouts. They rarely 
sit in a crouching posture, and, consequently, have good calves to 
their legs. Their dress is by no means inelegant. The lower orders 
leave the body naked to the hips ; a large cloth, folded round them, 
reaches below the knees : it is usually of a handsome pattern, or 
white, with a border. Occasionally a similar piece is thrown over 
the shoulders. The head is covered with a handkerchief. The 
females cover the loins like the men: the casts, to whom it is per- 
mitted, wear a white chemise, that closes before, and extends to the 
hips: the others draw a piece of cloth tight just above the breasts, 
and let it hang down. The expression of their countenances is fine: 
their skin nearly black; and their hair, of which they are very 
proud, is long, black, and not coarse. 
The vices of the Cingalese seem to be the creation of their late 
masters. Oppression has had much influence in forming their cha- 
racter, of which indolence is the most prominent feature. This 
quality has been supposed natural to them ; and a general prejudice 
has prevailed, that a Cingalese must be compelled to labour. But 
under the Dutch Government they had no choice but to be poor 
'and idle, or work for nothing ; and it is no wonder that they pre- 
ferred the former : now that their property is secured to them, 
they gradually become more industrious. Concubinage with a 
white is reckoned no disgrace to a native female. She goes by his 
name among her own people, and is respected for the property she 
brings. She walks before her father and mother to church or mass, 
and, if a Catholic, easily obtains absolution from a half-cast Portu- 
guese Priest, who knows nothing of his religion but its ceremonies. 
