Book: An Historical Relation Of The Island Ceylon In The East Indies

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CHAP. IV.

Of his Revenues and Treasure.

The King's Rents brought three times in a year. The first is
accompanied with a great Festival. How the Nobles bring their
Gifts, or Duties. Inferior Persons present their New-years
Gifts. What Taxes and Rents the People pay. The accidental
incoms of the Crown. The Profits that accrue to the King
from Corn-Lands. Custom of Goods Imported formerly paid. His
Treasuries. He has many Elephants. Great Treasures thrown
into the River formerly. The Treasure he most valueth.


CHAP. V.

Of the King's great Officers, and the Governors of the Provinces.

The two Greatest Officers in the Land. The next Great
Officers. None can put to Death but the King. Theso Dissauvas
are Durante bene placito. Whom the King makes Dissauvas. And
their Profits and Honours. Other benefits belonging to other
Officers. They must always reside at Court. The Officers
under them, viz. The Cour-lividani. The Cong-conna. The
Courli-atchila. The Liannah. The Undia. The Monannuh. Some
Towns exempt from the Dissauvas Officers. Other Officers
yet. These Places obtained by Bribes. But remain only
during pleasure. Country Courts. They may appeal. Appeals
to the King. How the Great Officers Travel upon Public
Business. Their Titles and signs of State. The misery that
succeeds their Honour. The foolish ambition of the Men and
Women of this Country.


CHAP. VI.

Of the King's Strength and Wars.

The King's Military affairs. The natural strength of his
Countrey. Watches and Thorn-gates. None to pass from the
King's City without Pasports. His Soldiery. All men of Arms
wait at Court. The Soldiers have Lands allotted them insted
of Pay. To prevent the Soldiers from Plotting. The manner of
sending them out on Expeditions. Requires all the Captains
singly to send him intelligence of their affairs. When the War
is finished they may not return without order. The condition
of the Common Soldiers. He conceals his purpose when he
sends out his Army. Great Exploits done, and but little
Courage. They work chiefly by Stratagems. They understand
the manner of Christian Armies. Seldom hazard a Battel. If
they prove unsuccessful, how he punishes them.


CHAP. VII.

A Relation of the Rebellion made against the King.

A Comet ushereth in the Rebellion. The Intent of the
Conspirators. How the Rebellion began. The King flyes. They
pursue him faintly. They go to the Prince and Proclaim him
King. The carriage of the Prince. Upon the Prince's flight, the
Rebels scatter and run. A great Man declares for the King. For
the space of eight or ten days nothing but Killing one another
to approve themselves good Subjects. The King Poysons his Son
to prevent a Rebellion hereafter. His ingratitude. Another
Comet, but without any bad Effects following it.




PART III.

CHAP. I.

Concerning the Inhabitants of this Island.

The several Inhabitants of the Island. The Original of the
Chingulays. Wild Men. Who pay an acknowledgement to the
King. How they bespeak Arrows to be made them. They rob the
Carriers. Hourly wild Men Trade with the People. Once made
to serve the King in his War. Their Habit and Religion. A
skirmish about their Bounds. Curious in their Arrows. How they
preserve their Flesh. How they take Elephants. The Dowries
they give. Their disposition. The Inhabitants of the Mountains
differ from those of the Low-Lands. Their good opinion of
Virtue, tho they practice it not. Superstitions. How they
Travel. A brief character of them. The Women, their habit
and nature.


CHAP. II.

Concerning their different Honours, Ranks, and Qualities.

How they distinguish themselves according to their
Qualities. They never Marry beneath their rank. In case
a Man lyes with a Woman of inferior rank. Their Noble
men. How distinguished from others. The distinction by
Caps. Of the Hondrews or Noble men two forts. An Honour like
Unto Knighthood. Goldsmiths, Blacksmiths, Carpenters, and
Painters. The Privilege and state of the Smiths. Craftsmen.
Barbers. Potters. Washers. Jaggory-makers. The Poddah,
Weavors, Basket-makers. Mat-makers. The lower ranks may not
assume the habit or names of the higher. Slaves. Beggers. The
reason the Beggers became so base and mean a People. They live
well. Their Contest with the Weavors about dead Cows. Incest
common among them. A Punishment, to deliver Noble women to
these Beggers. Some of these Beggars keep Cattel and shoot
Deer. Refuse Meat dressed in a Barbar's house, and why.


CHAP. III.

Of their Religion, Gods, Temples, Priests.

Their Religion is Idolatry. They worship Gods and Devils. And
the God, that saves Souls. The Sun and Moon they seem to repute
Deities. Some of their Temples of exquisite work. The form
of their Temples. The shape of their Idols. They worship not
the Idol, but whom it represents. The Revenues of the Temples,
and the Honours thereof. They are dedicated to Gods. Private
Chappels. The Priests. The first Order of them. The habit of
these Priests. Their Privileges. What they are Prohibited. When
any are religiously disposed, these Priests sent for in
great Ceremony. None ever used violence towards them before
this present King. The Second Order of Priests. The third
Order. How they dedicate a Red Cock to the Devil. Their Oracle.


CHAP. IV.

Concerning their Worship and Festivals.

The chief dayes of Worship. How they know what God or
Devil hath made them sick; The Gods of their Fortunes,
viz the Planets. What Worship they give Devils. Who eat the
Sacrifices. Their Gods are local. The Subjection of this People
to the Devil. Sometimes the Devil possesseth them. The Devils
voice often heard. Their Sacrifice to the chief Devil. Their
Festivals. Festivals to the honour of the Gods that govern
this World. The Great Festival in June, with the manner of
the Solemnity. The Feast in November. The Festival in honour
of the God of the Soul. The high honour they have for this God.


CHAP. V.

Concerning their Religious Doctrines, Opinions and Practices.

As to their Religion they are very indifferent. If their
Gods answer not their Desires, they curse them. They
undervalue and revile their Gods. A Fellow gives out
himself for a Prophet. His Success. The King fends for one
of his Priests. Flyes to Columbo. Pretends himself to be a
former Kings Son. Flyes from the Dutch. The King catches
and quarters him. The Peoples high opinion still of this
new God. Their Doctrines and Opinion. The highest points of
their Devotion. Their Charity. The Privilege of the Moorish
Beggars. Respect Christians, and why.


CHAP. VI.

Concerning their Houses, Diet, Housewifery, Salutation, Apparel.

Their Houses mean. No Chimneys. The Houses of the better
sort. Their Furniture. How they eat. How the great Men
eat. Discouraged from nourishing Cattel. Cleanly in dressing
their meat; Their manner of drinking and eating. Their manner
of washing before and after meals. None must speak while the
Rice is put into the Pot. Sawce made of Lemmon juice. Their
sweet meats. A kind of Puddings. The Womens Housewifry. How
they entertain Strangers, And Kindred. When they Visit. Their
manner of Salutation. The Nobles in their best Apparel. The
fashion of their hair. The Women dressed in their Bravery.
How they dress their heads. They commonly borrow their
fine Cloths.


CHAP. VII.

Of their Lodging, Bedding, Whoredome, Marriages, Children.

Their Bed, and how they sleep a Nights. They rise often in the
Night. Children taught to sing at going to bed. Young People ly
at one anothers Houses. Nothing so common as Whoredome. They
are guilty of the thing, but love not the Name. The man may
kill whom he finds in bed with his Wife. The Womens craft
to compass and conceal their Debauchery.They do treat their
Friends with the use of their Wives or Daughters. The Mother
for a small reward prostitutes her Daughter. Marriages. No
Wooing The Bridegroom goes to the Brides house. How the
bridegroom carries home his Bride. A Ceremony of Marriage. Man
and Wife may part at pleasure. Men and Women change till they
can please themselves. Women sometimes have two Husbands. Women
unclean. Privileges of Men above Women. Privileges of
Women. They often destroy New-born Infants, But seldom a
First-born. Their Names. They are ambitious of high Titles.


CHAP. VIII.

Of their Employments and Recreations.

Their Trade. Work, not discreditable to the best
Gentleman. How they geld their Cattle. How they make
Glew. Their Manufactures. How they make Iron. How they make
Butter. Shops in the City. Prices of Commodities. Or their
Measures. Their Weights. Measures bigger than the Statute
punishable; but less, not: And why. Of their Coin. Of their
Play. A Play or a Sacrifice: For the filthiness of it forbid
by the King. A cunning Stratagem of an Officer. Tricks and
Feats of Activity. At leisure times they meet and discourse
of Newes. Drunkenness abhorred. Their eating Betel-Leaves. How
they make Lime.


CHAP. IX.

Of their Lawes and Language.

Their Lawes. Lands descend. In case Corn receives dammage by
a Neighbours Cattel. The loss of letting out Land to Till. The
great Consideration for Corn borrowed. A Debt becomes double in
two years. If the Debtor pay not his Debt, he is lyable to be
a Slave for it. Divers other Lawes and Customes. For deciding
Controversies. Swearing in the Temples, The manner of swearing
in hot Oyl. How they exact. Fines. Of their Language. Titles
given to Women according to their qualities. Titles given to
Men. No difference between a Country-man and a Courtier for
Language. Their Speech and manner of Address is courtly and
becoming. Their Language in their Address to the King. Words of
form and Civility. Full of Words and Complement. By whom they
swear. Their way of railing and scurrility. Proverbs. Something
of their Grammar. A Specimen of their Words. Their Numbering.


CHAP. X.

Concerning their Learning, Astronomy and Art Magick.

Of their Learning. Their Books and Arts. How they learn
to write. How they make and write a Book. The Priests
write Books of Bonna. The Kings Warrants how wrapped
up. They write upon two sorts of Leaves. Their Skill in
Astronomy. Their Almanacks. They pretend to know future things
by the Stars. Their AEra. Their Years, Months, Weeks, Days,
Hours. How they measure their Time. Their Magic. The Plenty
of a Country destroyed by Magic. Their Charm to find out a
Thief. The way to dissolve this Charm. Inscriptions upon Rocks.


CHAP. XI.

Of their Sickness, Death and Burial.

The Diseases this Countrey is subject to. Every one a Physician
to himself. To Purge: To Vomit. To heal Sores. To heal an
Impostume. For an hurt in the Eye. To cure the Itch. The Candle
for Lying-in Women. Goraca, a Fruit. Excellent at the Cure
of Poyson. They easily heal the biting of Serpents by Herbs,
And Charms. But not good at healing inward Distempers. They
both bury and burn their Dead. They send for a Priest to pray
for the Soul of the Departed. How they mourn for the Dead. The
nature of the Women. How they bury. How they burn. How they
bury those that dy of the Small Pox.


PART IV.


CHAP. I.

Of the reason of our going to Ceylon, and Detainment there.

The subject of this Fourth Part. The occasion of their
coming to Ceylon. They were not jealous of the People being
very Courteous. A Message pretended to the Captain from the
King. The beginning of their Suspition. The Captain seized and
seven more. The Long-boat men seized. The General's craft to
get the Ship as well as the Men. The Captains Order to them on
board the Ship. The Captains second Message to his Ship. The
Ships Company refuse to bring up the Ship. The Captain
orders the Ship to depart. The Lading of Cloath remained
untouched. The probable reason of our Surprize. The number
of those that were left on the Island. The Dissauva departs.


CHAP. II.


How we were carried up in the Country, and disposed of there, and of
the Sickness, Sorrow and Death of the Captain.

They intend to attempt an Escape, but are prevented. Their
Condition commiserated by the People. They are distributed
into divers Towns. An Order comes from the King to bring
them up into the Country. How they were treated on the way in
the Woods. And in the Towns among the Inhabitants. They are
brought near Cande, and there separated. The Captain and his
Son and two more quartered together. Parted: How they fared:
The Captain and his Son placed in Coos-swat. Monies scarce
with them. But they had good Provisions without it. The Town
where they were sickly. How they passed their time. Both
fall Sick. Deep grief, seizes the Captain. Their Sickness
continues. Their Boys' Disobedience adds to their trouble. His
excessive Sorrow. His Discourse and Charge to his Son before
his Death. His Death, and Burial. The Place where he lies. Upon
the Captain's Death a Message sent from Court to his Son.


CHAP. III.


How I lived after my Father's Death, And of the Condition of the rest
of the English: and how it fared with them. And of our Interview.

His chief Imployment is Reading: He looseth his Ague: How he
met with an English Bible in that Country: Struck into a great
Passion at the first sight of the Book: He casts with himself
how to get it: Where the rest of the English were bestowed:
Kept from one another a good while, but after permitted to
see each other: No manner of Work laid upon them: They begin
to pluck up their hearts: What course they took for Cloths:
Their Fare: What Employment they afterwards followed: How the
English domineered: What Satisfaction one of them received
from a Potter. A scuffle between the English and Natives. The
Author after a year sees his Countreymen. Their Conference and
Entertainment. He consults with his Countreymen concerning
a future livelihood. The difficulty he met with in having
his Rice brought him undressed. He reasons with the People
about his Allowance. Builds him an House. Follows Business and
thrives. Some attempted running away, and were catched. Little
encouragement for those that bring back Run-awayes.


CHAP. IV.

Concerning some other Englishmen detained in that Countrey.

The Persia Merchant-men Captives before them. Plundred by the
Natives. Brought up to the King. They hoped to have their
liberty, but were mistaken. A ridiculous action of these
Men. They had a mind to Beef and how they got it. A passage
of their Courage. Two of this Company taken into Court. The
One out of favour. His End. The other out of Favour. And his
lamentable Death. The King sends special Order concerning
their good Usage. Mr. Vassal's prudence upon his Receit of
Letters. The King bids him read his Letters. The King pleased
to hear of Englands Victory over Holland. Private discourse
between the King and Vassal.


CHAP. V.

Concerning the means that were used for our Deliverance. And what
happened to us in the Rebellion. And how we were setled afterwards.

Means made to the King for their Liberty, Upon which they
all meet at the City. Word sent them from the Court, that
they had their Liberty. All in general refuse the Kings
Service. Commanded still to wait at the Palace. During
which a Rebellion breaks out. They are in the midst of it,
and in great danger. The Rebels take the English with them,
designing to engage them on their side: But they resolve
neither to meddle nor make. The day being turned, they fear
the King; but he justifies them. They are driven to beg in the
High-wayes. Sent into New Quarters, and their Pensions settled
again. Fall to Trading and have more freedom than before.


CHAP. VI.

A Continuation of the Author's particular Condition after the
Rebellion.

At his new Quarters builds him another House. The People
counsel him to Marry, which he seems to listen to. Here he
lived two years. A Fort built near him by the Dutch; but
afterwards taken by the King. He and three more removed
out of that Countrey; and settled in a dismal place. A
Comfortable Message brought hither from the King concerning
them. Placed there to punish the People tor a Crime. Weary
of this Place. By a piece of craft he gets down to his old
Quarters. Began the world anew the third time. Plots to remove
himself. Is encouraged to buy a piece of Land. The situation
and condition of it. Buys it. Builds an House on it. Leaves
Laggendenny. Settled at his new Purchase with three more living
with him. Their freedom and Trade. His Family reduced to two.


CHAP. VII.

A return to the rest of the English, with some further accounts of
them. And some further Discourse of the Authors course of Life.

They confer together about the lawfulness of marrying with the
Native women. He resolves upon a single life. What Employments
they follow. The respect and credit they live in. A Chingulay
punished for beating an English man. An English man preferred
at Court. Some English serve the King in his Wars. Who now
live miserably. He returns to speak of himself. Plots and
consults about an Escape. A description of his House. He
takes up a new Trade and thrives on it. His Allowance paid
him out of the Kings Store-Houses.


CHAP. VIII.

How the Author had like to have been received into the Kings Service,
and what Means he used to avoid it. He meditates and attempts an
Escape but is often prevented.

He voluntarily forgoes his Pension. Summoned before the
King. Informed that he is to be preferred at Court: But is
resolved to refuse it. The answer he makes to the Great Man:
Who sends him to another Great Officer: Stayts in that City
expecting his Doom. Goes home, but is sent for again. Having
escaped the Court-Service, falls to his former course of life:
His Pedling forwarded his Escape. The most probable course
to take was Northwards. He and his Companion get three days
Journey Northwards; But return back again: Often attempt to
fly this way, but still hindred. In those Parts is bad water,
but they had an Antidote against it. They still improve in
the knowledg of the Way. He meets with his Black Boy in these
Parts, Who was to guide him to the Dutch: But disappointed. An
extraordinary drought for three or four years together.


CHAP. IX.

How the Author began his Escape, and got onward on his way about an
hundred miles.

Their Last and Successful attempt. The Way they went. They
design for Anarodgburro: Turn out of the way to avoyd the
King's Officers: Forced to pass thro a Governours Yard. The
Method they used to prevent his Suspition of them. Their danger
by reason of the Wayes they were to pass. They still remain
at the Governors to prevent suspition. An Accident that now
created them great fear: But got fairly rid of it. Get away
plausibly from the Governor. In their way, they meet with a
River, which they found for their purpose. They come safely to
Anarodgburro: This Place described. The People stand amazed at
them. They are examined by the Governor of the Place. Provide
things necessary for their Flight. They find it not safe to
proceed further this way. Resolve to go back to the River
they lately passed.


CHAP. X.

The Authors Progress in his Flight from Anarodgburro into the Woods,
unto their arrival in the Malabars Country.

They depart back again towards the River, but first take
their leave of the Governor here. They begin their Flight;
Come to the River along which they resolve to go; Which they
Travel along by till it grew dark. Now they fit themselves
for their Journey. Meeting with an Elephant they took up
for the second Night. The next morning they fall in among
Towns before they are aware. The fright they are in lest they
should be seen. Hide themselves in a hollow Tree. They get
safely over this danger. In that Evening they Dress Meat and
lay them down to sleep. The next morning they fear wild Men,
which these Woods abound with. And they meet with many of their
Tents. Very near once falling upon these People. What kind of
Travelling they had. Some account of this River. Ruins. The
Woods hereabouts. How they secured themselves anights against
wild Beasts. They pass the River, that divides the King's
Countrey from the Malabars. After four or five days Travel,
they come among Inhabitants. But do what they can to avoid
them. As yet undiscovered.


CHAP. XI.

Being in the Malabar Territories how they encountred two Men, and
what passed between them. And of their getting safe unto the Dutch
Fort. And their Reception there; and at the Island Manaar, until
their Embarking for Columbo.

They meet with two Malabars. To whom they relate their
Condition. Who are courteous to them. But loath to Conduct them
to the Hollander. In danger of Elephants. They overtake another
Man, who tells them they were in the Dutch Dominions. They
arrive at Arrepa Fort. The Author Travelled a Nights in
these Woods without fear, and slept securely. Entertained
very kindly by the Dutch. Sent to Manaar, Received there by
the Captain of the Castle, Who intended they should Sail the
next day to Jafnipatan to the Governor. They meet here with
a Scotch and Irish Man. The People Flock to see them. They
are ordered a longer stay. They Embark for Columbo.


CHAP XII.

Their Arrival at Columbo, and Entertainment there. Their Departure
thence to Batavia. And from thence to Bantam; Whence they set Sail
for England.

They are wondered at at Columbo, ordered to appear before
the Governor. Treated by English there. They come into the
Governor's presence. His State. Matters the Governor enquired
of; Who desires him to go with him to Batavia. Cloths them,
And sends them Money, and a Chirurgeon. The Author writes
a Letter hence to the English he left behind him. The former
Demands and Answers penned down in Portugueze by the Governor's
Order. They Embark for Batavia. Their friendly Reception by
the Governor there; Who furnishes them with Cloths and Money;
And offers them passage in their Ships home. Come home from
Bantam in the Caesar.


CHAP. XIII.

Concerning some other Nations, and chiefly Europeans, that now live
in this Island; Portugueze, Dutch.

Malabars that Inhabit here. Their Territories. Their
Prince. That People how governed. Their Commodities and
Trade. Portugueze: Their Power and Interest in this Island
formerly. The great Wars between the King and them forced
him to send in for the Hollander. The King invites the
Portugueze to live in his Countrey. Their Privileges. Their
Generals. Constantine Sa. Who loses a Victory and Stabs
himself. Lewis Tissera served as he intended to serve the
King. Simon Caree, of a cruel Mind. Gaspar Figazi. Splits Men
in the middle. His Policy. Gives the King a great Overthrow,
loseth Columbo, and taken Prisoner. The Dutch. The occasion of
their coming in. The King their implacable Enemy, and why. The
Damage the King does them. The means they use to obtain Peace
with him. How he took Bibligom Fort from them. Several of their
Embassadors detained by the King. The first Embassador there
detained since the Author's Remembrance. His Preferment, and
Death. The next Ambassador dying there, his Body is sent down
to Columbo in great State. The third Ambassador. Gets away by
his Resolution. The fourth was of a milder Nature. The fifth
brings a Lion to the King as a Present. The number or Dutch
there. They follow their Vice of Drinking. The Chingulays
prejudiced against the Dutch, and why.


CHAP. XIV.

Concerning the French. With some Enquiries what should make the
King detain white men, as he does. And how the Christian Religion is
maintained among the Christians there.

The French come hither with a Fleet. To whom the King sends
Provisions, and helps them to build a Fort. The French
Ambassador offends the King. He refuseth to wait longer for
Audience. Which more dipleaseth him. Clapt in Chains. The
rest of the French refuse to dwell with the Ambassador. The
King useth means to reconcile them to their Ambassador. The
Author acquaints the French Ambassador in London, with the
Condition of these men. An Inquiry into the reason of this
King's detaining Europeans. The Kings gentleness towards
his White Soldiers. They watch at his Magazine. How craftily
the King corrected their negligence. The Kings inclinations
are towards White men. The Colour of White honoured in this
Land. Their privilege above the Natives. The King loves to
send for and talk with them. How they maintain Christianity
among them. In some things they comply with the worship of
the Heathen. An old Roman Catholick Priest used to eat of
their Sacrifices. The King permitted the Portugueze to build
a Church.

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