188 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
not of particular consequence, and therefore we find them 
very little solicitous about dealing out scrupulously an article 
of which they do not understand the value. It does not 
appear that before the arrival of Europeans on the island, 
the Ceylonese had contrived even the rudest species of dial. 
On any particular occasion, they employed a vessel with a 
hole in the bottom, that let out the water with which it was 
filled in one hour according to their division. This rude in- 
strument was sufficient for all their purposes; and was even, 
seldom employed unless at court ceremonials. 
The learning of the Ceylonese consists chiefly in some pre- 
tended skill in astrology. It appears indeed, that they were 
formerly possessed of some literature, as well as of some 
refinement in the arts. At Adam's peak, their principal 
place of worship, and in the ruins of some of their temples, 
certain inscriptions have been discovered which they are now 
unable to decypher. The Dutch repeatedly sent some of the 
most ingenious Malabars, as well as persons from the various 
continental tribes, to examine these inscriptions; but although 
they were accompanied by the natives, and assisted by all 
their traditions, no interpretation could be effected. In the 
neighbourhood of Sittivacca I had an opportunity to see 
several of these inscriptions among the ruins of a pagoda. 
To read and write are no ordinary accomplishments among 
the natives of Ceylon. These arts are among the Candians 
chiefly confined to the learned men of the sect called Gomes , 
who are retained by the king to execute all the writings of 
