214 
Religion of the Ceylonese. 
courtiers of Candy occurred in the expedition of general Mac- 
doual in 1803. The King being alarmed at the rapid progress 
and activity of his enemy, assembled all his priests and soothsayers 
to cast tlie general’s nativity, and to devise the means by which 
he might most certainly be destroyed. After due consultation, 
they told the King that it was in vain to attempt the generars 
life with the sword, or with muskets loaded in the usual way 
with leaden bullets ; for that he was invulnerable to lead or 
iron, and only to be killed by bullets of gold. Bullets of this 
metal were accordingly prepared, and people appointed to watch 
an opportunity of using them with effect ; but general Mac- 
doual having been informed of the circumstance, was on his 
guard, and escaped the weapons of the soothsayers. 
The superstitious fears and ceremonies of the Ceylonese form 
the chief part of' their devotion towards supernatural beings. 
With regard to what may be properly termed their religion, 
neither the Europeans, nor indeed they themselves, seem to have 
formed any clear idea. Some have asserted that it is the same 
with that of the Hindoos with only a slight variation of forms 
and names. Nothing however is easier than to trace resem- 
blances between religions where we give free scope to the imagin- 
ation, and allow ourselves the liberty of altering terms at plea- 
sure. The religion of the Ceylonese appears to me to be founded 
on a different system. of idolatry from that practised among the 
Hindoos. A variety of ideas indeed seem to be bori’owed from 
the latter ; and with these a large mixture of Mahometanism is 
very perceptible. In one point they agree with both, as well 
as with ChristianSj in acknowledging one Supreme Being who 
made and governs all things. They differ however as widely 
from the Mahometans and rigid Hindoos in another respect ; for 
