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THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
or native magistrates, who are always chosen from among 
the class of the nobles styled Hondrews and Mahondrews. 
These magistrates superintend both the country parts and 
the villages, and exercise a power similar to our country 
and city magistrates in Great Britain. It is the business of 
the Moodeliers to assist in collecting the revenues, settling 
the proportion of the taxes and contributions, assembling the 
peasants lor government service, procuring provisions and 
other supplies to the different garrisons when required, pro- 
viding coolies for conveying stores or baggage from one sta- 
tion to another; in short, it is their business to observe the 
conduct of the natives, and prevent either public or indi- 
vidual interest from sustaining any loss. 
The Moodeliers have under them an inferior class of 
petty officers, who are also chosen from among the Hon- 
drews. Their business is to assist the Moodeliers, and 
carry their orders into execution. In those parts where it 
is not thought requisite to quarter a body of troops, there 
is a police corps of the natives appointed to enforce the 
commands of government in each district: they are com- 
posed of Conganies, or sergeants, Aratjies , or corporals, and 
Lascarmes , or common soldiers, and perform the same offices 
as our sheriffs men, or constables. They are armed with 
short swords and spears: a large body of them attend the 
Governor in his tours round the island, and on other occa- 
sions, either for state or expediency. 
