246 iJominmis of Candy. ^ . 
European ; and even the Cinglese who inhabit there seem to 
have lost their most prominent native characteristics. The state 
of agriculture, of architecture, and manufactures, along the 
coasts is so much derived from Europeans, that little of it 
can be attributed to the native cultivation of Ceylon. In the 
king of Candy’s dominions, vrliich occupy the greater part of 
the interior, the invasion of Europeans has, on the contrary, 
rather I’etarded than changed the progressive state of civiliza- 
tion and the arts. Several features of the native character 
have indeed undergone some alteiation fi'om this cause ; and 
both from opposition and intercourse, the European manners, 
modes ^of warlare, and arts, have in some degree become known 
to the Candians. 
Another part of the interior, however, is possessed by a race 
who seem to have scarcely any thing in common either with 
-the Candians or Europeans. The Bedahs in their woods and 
mountains still retain their primitive state of society, very little 
improved by intercourse with their neighbours, which they an- 
xiously avoid. 
The possession and manners of these two races, the Candians 
.and Bedahs, come now to be considered. If the information 
which we have been able to obtain hitherto on those subjects 
be still limited and insufficient to satisfy curiosity, it is how- 
ever sufficiently extended to enable us to judge how far they 
can be rendered of advantage to the colony. Many fabulous 
stories are told of the interior and its inhabitants, \yhich 
mio'ht have indeed amused the reader, but which at the same 
time might have misled him. I have only advanced such facts 
as I either knew to be true from my personal knowledge, or 
which I found to be consistent with the opinion of the best 
