THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, 
lbs 
The Ceylonese under the dominion of Europeans retain 
their original appellation of Cinglcse, while those who live in 
those parts which acknowledge only the authority of their 
native princes, are distinguished by the name of Candian , 
from the country they inhabit. The constant intercourse of 
the Cinglese with Europeans, and the aversion which the 
Candians have uniformly entertained to their several invaders, 
have introduced considerable shades of difference into the 
manners of these two branches of the same people. In most 
points however they still continue to resemble each other ; and 
a description of the one cannot fail to include most of the 
circumstances which characterize the other. I shall therefore 
give an account of these circumstances which apply to both 
under the general name of Ceylonese, and then point out 
those characteristics which distinguish the one from the 
other. 
Whether the Cinglese were the original inhabitants of the 
island, or from what other country they came, and at what 
time they effected a settlement there, are points of which 
neither they themselves nor any one else has been able to 
give a distinct account. There is an ancient tradition among 
them that after the expulsion of Adam from this island, 
which they universally look upon to have been Paradise, it 
was first peopled by a band of Chinese adventurers who 
accidentally arrived on its coasts. This tradition is however 
extremely improbable, as they have nothing in common with 
the Chinese, either in their language, manners, or dress. 
