224 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
or of the peasants of their district are employed to carry 
their umbrellas and betel boxes. The latter are made very 
handsome as if to denote the quality of the owner : they 
are usually of ivory, tortoise-shell, silver, or calamander wood 
inlayed. In their own hands they carry a small silver box, 
resembling a watch, to hold their chinam. 
In their manners the Mahondrews are extremely affable, 
and much more polite and engaging than the natives of 
the Continent of India. They are very partial to Euro- 
peans, and treat them both with candour and confidence ; 
nor do they look upon them with that suspicious eye, nor 
behave with that fawning and hypocritical servility which 
is so observable in the conduct of the D abashes, and other 
Moors and Malabars towards Europeans. For these reasons 
the Dutch found it their interest to use them well on all 
occasions, and to grant them large indulgences and privileges. 
Our Government continues the same policy; and, by treat- 
ing them with confidence and gentleness, lias secured their 
sincere esteem and attachment. 
The Mahondrews discover on all occasions a great desire 
to copy the manners of the Europeans, and in their address 
and conversation this predilection is particularly discernible. 
Most of them speak the Dutch and Portuguese languages 
fluently, and many of them already begin to converse in 
English with considerable facility. 
They dress very richly, and by no means inelegantly ac- 
cording to the fashions of that country. Their dress is 
