350 
THE ISLAND OF CEYLON, 
bound to bestow the monarchy on a branch of the royal 
family; but tliink they are completely at liberty to elect 
either a native or a foreigner, though nowise connected with 
the royal blood. The throne, however, has in general, been 
for many ages possessed by the ancient Candian royal family, 
which is now very nearly extinct. 
There appears to be no fixed regulation for conducting 
the election ; and what is called the choice of the people 
may very justly be supposed to mean merely the consent of 
the ruling party at the time. There have been a number of 
absurd stories told by some voyagers with regard to the 
method pursued by the Candians in the election of a king. 
I had an opportunity of enquiring particularly into the foun- 
dation of these tales from some of the principal and best 
informed Candians whom I met at Sittivacca and Ruanelli. 
It has been said that when the Candians were about to elect 
a king, the whole people of the kingdom were assembled for 
that purpose, and the candidates, together with an elephant, 
produced before them. The elephant was then made the 
arbiter of the throne, and the first of the candidates before 
whom he stopt, and made obeisance, of his own accord and 
without being anywise instructed to it, was looked upon as 
the most proper person to enjoy the sovereign dignity, and 
was accordingly elected without farther contest. This story 
has long been current on the island, and is still believed by 
many residing there ; and yet upon enquiring into the fact 
