THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
135 
might insist that all the children within our jurisdiction should 
undergo this operation. 
The language of the Ceylonese may appear the best clue 
by which to trace out their origin; but it only serves to 
involve our conjectures in greater obscurity. Their language 
appears almost completely peculiar to this island. It is 
spoken by none of the Malabars or other nations on the 
continent of India ; nor can any of them be instructed in it 
without considerable difficulty. If I might be allowed to offer 
an opinion on a subject that requires the profound investiga- 
tion of the learned. I should say that it appears to me 
most nearly allied to the Maldivian. 1 had an opportunity 
of observing the similarity both in this and in other respects 
between these people and the Ceylonese, while I was stationed 
at Columbo; it being a custom with the King of the Mai- 
dive Islands to send an ambassador yearly with presents to 
our Governor at Ceylon, in order to maintain a friendly 
understanding with us. The Maldivians of his retinue both 
in shape, complexion, and habit, approached much nearer to 
the Ceylonese than to any of the Malabar race ; and their 
language appeared to me to follow the same rule. 
There are in fact two dialects of the Ceylonese language, 
differing very considerably from each other, and having each 
a separate Grammar. The poetic or court language is also 
styled the Candian Sanscrit , or more properly the Paulec , or 
Mangada. This dialect, which is retained in those parts of 
the interior, where the language may be supposed to be pre- 
B b 
