Learning and Arts of the Ceylonese. 205 
V'orship, and in the ruins of some of their temples, certain iii- 
scriptions liave been discovered which they are now unable to 
decypher. The Dutch repeatedly sent some of the most inge- 
nious Malabars, as well as persons from tlie various continental 
tribes, to examine these inscriptions; but although they were 
accompanied by the natives, and assisted by all their tradi- 
tions, no interpretation could be effected. In the neighbourhood 
of Sittivacca I had an opportunity to see several of these in- 
scriptions among the ruins of a pagoda. 
To read and write are no ordinary accomplishments among 
the natives of Ceylon. These arts are among the Candians 
chiefly confined to the learned men of the sect called Gonies^, 
who are retained by the King to execute ail the writings of 
state, and those which respect religious affairs. The Arabic is 
the character which they employ on these occasions. 
For writing, as they do not understand the art of making 
paper, they employ the leaf of the talipot tree. From these 
leaves, which are of an immense size, they cut out slips, from 
a foot to a foot and a half long, and about a couple of inches 
broad. These slips are smoothed, and all excrescences pared off 
with a knife, and are then, without any other preparation, ready 
to be used. A fine pointed steel pencil, like a bodkin, and set 
in a wooden or ivory handle, ornamented according to the 
taste of the owner, is employed to write or rather engrave their 
letters or characters on these talipot slips which are very thick 
and tough. In order to render the characters more visible and 
distinct, they rub them over with oil mixed with charcoal re- 
duced to powder, and this has the effect also of rendering them 
so permanent, that they can never be effaced. When one slip 
is not sufficient to contain all that tliey intend to write on aaiy 
