THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, 
] 6 ; 
CHAPTER VIII. 
The Ceylonese — Their origin — Manners — Language — State of 
Society. 
X Have now described those various races who for the 
purposes of conquest or commerce have settled in the sea- 
coasts of Ceylon. The far greater proportion of the in- 
habitants consists of the native Ceylonese who have sub- 
mitted to the dominion of Europeans. When the Portuguese 
first arrived on the island, the whole of it, with the exception 
of the woods inhabited by the wild Bcdas, Avas possessed 
by one race. The natives who inhabited the sea-coasts 
however were soon compelled either to fly for independence 
to their mountains, or to submit to their invaders. A 
great proportion of them chose the latter alternative, and 
preferred the comforts of the plains to the poverty and in- 
dependence of barren fastnesses. It was indeed imposible for 
them ail to retire to the mountains, as the interior parts 
barely supply the wants of their thinly-scattered inhabitants. 
It is known from their frequent insurrections that they at 
first bore the yoke of the Portuguese with reluctance : time 
however has rendered it familiar, and they are now reduced 
to a degree of abject obedience ; in which they must continue 
to serve, unless some extraodinary chain of circumstances 
should concur to rouse their natural feelings. 
