THE ISLAND OF CEYLON. 
253 
to the monarch. In writing a letter and folding it up, no 
one is allowed to adopt the method peculiar to liis 
majest}^ 
This very excess of respect, which seems calculated to 
raise him so high above all his subjects, has the effect of 
greatly diminishing his personal power. As the Adigar is the 
only organ of his will, and almost the only one who has any 
access to his person, that minister has evidently the power 
of issuing what mandates he pleases, and preventing any 
complaints from reaching the throne. The present Adigar is 
a man of great connexions and intrigue, and in addition to 
the usual power attached to his office, he has also the 
merit of having raised the reigning sovereign to the throne. 
From these circumstances, the Minister engrosses the whole 
government of the kingdom, while the prince has little 
more left him than the name of royalty. 
The kingdom of Candy has entailed upon it all the evils 
of an absolute monarchy: the lower orders are oppressed 
by the great Chiefs; and these in their turn are fleeced by 
the sovereign. Mr. Knox gives a terrible picture of the 
tyranny exercised by the prince who reigned during his 
captivity: but whether from the fear of a revolt which 
he experienced, or from a change of circumstances, the 
kings of Candy since his time have conducted themselves 
with much more mildness towards their subjects. I he fear 
of the Europeans, who are always ready to be called in 
to the assistance of the rebellious, has no doubt contributed, 
