1 
of Candy. 279 
back, levelling hills, and raising them up again, &c. Impri- 
sonment is a species of punishment never to be inflicted on 
a Candian, and only suited to the barbarity of Europeans. 
This may be alledged as the principal cause of their sum- 
mary trials and punishments, as they never confine a culprit. 
Not only a prison, but any species of confinement, seems to 
convey ideas peculiarly horrible to their imaginations. The 
Candian ambassadors could not even be prevailed upon to 
allow the doors of the carriage, sent to convey them to an 
audience with our governor, to be shut upon them, as they 
said it looked like making them prisoners ; and the doors were 
actually obliged to be fastened back in order to remove their 
objections. 
The administration of justice is entrusted to the Dissauvas 
and Adigars; but in capital cases an appeal lies to the king. 
As respect is paid not only to the merits of the cause, but 
to the rank of the offender, it is evident that the administra- 
tion of justice must be very defective. Presumptive proof is 
allowed to have great Aveight, and it is therefore probable that 
prejudice has still more. Nor can we suppose, where so much 
depends on the will of individuals, that favour does not often 
triumph over the love of justice; though indeed the judges, if 
convicted before the prince of unfair dealing, are without far- 
ther ceremon)'^ instantly put to death in his presence. Debt 
is looked upon as a heinous offence in Candy, as Avell as in 
all other poor countries where there is little accumulation of 
wealth in the hands of individuals. In the large fines imposed 
on debtors and those guilty of personal injuries, the king never 
fails to come in for his share. 
The great safe-guard of justice among the Candians is the 
