‘‘ POLITICS.” 
prevailed for some time between Europeans and Sinha- 
lese. The former supposed that there might be an- 
other outbreak ; if there was, matters would be better 
managed, and so they might be more successful in 
their results. But there was no other outbreak, nor 
was it even contemplated, and it is very unlikely, 
there ever will be. The Sinhalese are a sharp in- 
telligent race, and they are quite aware of the great 
progress the people have made under the Britsh rule, 
that the path to fortune is as open, free, and un- 
restricted to them as to the white man, and that 
the happiest time in Ceylon history commenced with 
the English rule. Life and property are safe, which 
they never were during the times of the Kandyan kings, 
for the greatest oppressors the Sinhalese people ever 
had were their own rulers. It is a curious fact in 
Indian history, that Indian races cannot govern them- 
selves. 
But I must be careful not to lapse into politics, 
of which perhaps this paper has occasionally shewn 
iome signs, the excuse for which must be that 
it is difficult to write on any subject of general public 
importance, either in past or present times, without, 
sometimes unconsciously pasing a private opinion, such 
private opinion or opinions not being in accordance 
with the views of general i*eaders. The offended 
reader, who probably has been rather admiring and 
interested, when he comes to the political opinion, 
throws aside the paper with contempt, with something 
of an exclamation : ‘‘What stuff; what an ass that 
fellow is. Lord Torrington was wrong. It is down- 
right robbery keeping the island of Ceylon ; we have 
stolen it from the natives. And in puttiug down insurrec- 
tions and riots matters are made worse, for we are 
adding murder to robbery. ” This is no ideal fancy, for 
there are people who have talked, do talk, and will 
in all time to come speak, in this style. 
Eventually, i^erhaps, this outbreak did g')od, or 
tended to advance the prosperity and contentment 
of the people generally. It showed forth to them 
the promptitude, power, and resources of the rulers ; 
it also showed that, although we were prompt and 
successful in resisting and repressing aggression, 
whenever the cause for resistance and repression ceased 
the ruling power was merciful and forgiving. Just 
suppose for one moment, and reverse the relative 
positions. What would have been the after-results had 
^ It is, at any rate, quite true, that never in all 
history were the people of India and Ceylon in a better 
I 
