232 
TIIE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
lonese are very liberal in the distribution of charity. They 
consider giving presents to their priests and alms to their 
beggars as essential acts of goodness. The Cinglese in our 
service in particular, who have the natural ferocity of their 
minds more completely subdued, often give remarkable proofs 
of their extended good nature in these respects. It is custo- 
mary for them even to lay by a certain proportion of their 
food to distribute among the poor; and although distressed 
strangers are among the Indians accounted objects of very 
little compassion, yet a Cinglese will not shut his hand to 
the Malabar or Moor who asks him for relief. Their ten- 
derness is at times extended even to the brute creation ; and 
it is customary for them to bind themselves during the con- 
tinuance of certain festivals or seasons of devotion, to refrain 
from killing any living creature, but subsist entirely on herbs 
and fruits. 
I have already observed, that the Ceylonese are much 
more conscientious in their dealings than the natives of the 
continent. This remark applies particularly to the Cinglese, 
who, besides being naturally abstemious, frugal, and free from 
covetousness, are not tempted by want to purloin the property 
of their neighbours. The Candians, though endued with much 
more pride and spirit, are by no means so conscientious or 
honest. Those indeed among them, who are guilty of steal- 
ing or lying, are exposed to public reproach, while just and 
honourable actions never fail to meet with applause; but 
when they expect to escape detection, they are seldom deter-* 
