1 64 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
of discipline, and rendered much attached to our govern- 
ment. They have since behaved universally with great 
respect and obedience to their European officers, and from 
being always well used by us have contracted a sincere re- 
gard to our service. 
Soon after the arrival of Governor North on the island, 
he new-modelled this corps, and put it on a larger and more 
respectable establishment. Another European officer besides 
Captain Whitlie was assigned to it ; the companies were 
officered by their own native captains and subalterns ; and 
the Governor at the particular request of the corps took 
upon himself the station of their Colonel. Another change 
has since been introduced into the establishment of this 
regiment : the command has been given to Colonel Cham- 
pagne, officers for it have been sent from Europe, and it has 
obtained a place among our other regiments of the line. 
The Malay troops are armed and clothed much in tlie 
same manner as the European, with the exception of shoes, 
the wearing of which is contrary to the rules of their reli- 
gion ; instead of them they use a particular species of sandal. 
Along with their other arms they always wear their kreeses or 
poisoned daggers by their sides : in the heat of an engagement 
they often throw down their musket and bayonet, and rush- 
ing upon the enemy with these kreeses carry terror and des- 
truction wherever they come. From having done duty in the 
same garrison with them for three years and a half, and 
having during that period lived in habits of intimacy with 
