highly worthy of all the attention which has hitherto been: paid to it. Every view which can be taken of our interests in the east, points out its value and importance. To render it impregnable is the most certain step which can be taken, to insure the permanent security of our other Indian possessions: and if a liberal encouragement shall continue to be afforded to agriculture and commerce, it may be expected ultimately to contribute to the wealth of the United Kingdom.

In Ceylon, as in feudal countries, the origin of all individual landed property proceeded from the Sovereign, who apportioned his territories among those who were to guard his person and protect his dominions. This has been the case from time immemorial; and, what may appear singular in a savage country, there was a mixture of civil and military authority, which the Portuguese, the first conquerors of the kingdom, followed, and improved upon. The same system was maintained by the Dutch, with this difference, that they joined both authorities in one headman, although the distinction was supported in those who executed the civil

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and military duties under him.

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Anciently the civil authority of each corle, or district,

was administered by a coral, who received instructions from the dessauve or collector, and executed his orders through

the medium of vidans, and attoo-corals, or little corals. The

coral was magistrate within the bounds of his jurisdiction,

and had power to decide upon cases of landed property,

with an appeal, however, to the dessauve, should the parties consider themselves aggrieved. His criminal jurisdiction extended only to flagellation: and, in capital cases, the delinquent was tried at Columbo. Under the authority of the coral also the revenue was collected.

The head of the military service was the modelear, under whom were mohundrums, arratchies, canganies, and lascoreens. Their duties were entirely military, excepting that the lascoreens were obliged to assist in conveying timber

to the rivers, and in catching elephants.

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The civil and military officers were remunerated for their services either by the privilege of possessing their own lands to a certain extent duty free, or by being authorized to receive a certain portion of the government share from the lands of others. This license in either case was called accomodesan. On the death of the holder of such accomodesan, or on Aqrar bib his not being able to perform the duty of his situation, the right conferred on him reverted to government, and a new appointment of another person with a like privilege took place. Sometimes it was given to the son or heir of the last holder when deserving, but this depended upon the option of government.

The lascoreens had certain portions of land allotted to Toole, u them, which they held free of all duty to government, for performing the services assigned them: and the land so held

was called waddawassan, or deveel parveny.

This land devolved on their heirs male, under the condition of service, but reverted to government either on a total failure of male heirs in a direct or collateral line, or on the holder or his heirs being unable or unwilling to perform the prescribed duty.

The Dutch governor Falk, finding that the division of civil and military authority betwixt the coral and modelcar led to constant disputes respecting the extent of their rights and duties, and also wishing to reduce the expences of government, joined both civil and military powers in the person of the modelear, abolishing altogether the appointment of coral, but retaining the other subordinate civil servants for the performance of the civil duties attached to their situations.

No grants of land are permitted to be made by government to British subjects, or European settlers in the island. The purchase of lands by them is likewise forbidden; but this restriction does not extend to the town, fort, and district of Columbo.

The history of Ceylon written one hundred and twentysix years ago by our countryman captain Robert Knox is so authentic, and the book is now so scarce, that it may gratify many readers to be put in possession of a few extracts from it.

The Ann frigate, of London, in the service of the English East-India Company, having lost her mainmast in a gale

of wind, put into the bay of Cotiar to refit, in the month of November, 1659. Knox, and fifteen others of the ship's company, who had gone on shore to trade with the natives, were seized by a party of Candians, and carried up the country as prisoners, but, in other respects, they were well treated.

Knox was detained in the inland territory for the space of nearly twenty years, and it is that part of the island which he chiefly describes. It is the least known to us; and he had a better opportunity of being acquainted with it than any modern traveller. This book did not fall into my hands until after my own description was finished: and it is a matter of curiosity to observe how much they agree when they treat of the same subjects.

Whatever extracts are made from it in this work may be considered as entitled to implicit credit.

Extracts from Knox's History.

"An Historical Relation of the Island of Ceylon in the East Indies. By Robert Knox, a captive there for nearly twenty years. London, printed 1681.”

"The inland country is divided into greater or less shares or parts. The greater divisions give me leave to call pro

vinces, and the less counties, as resembling ours in England, though not altogether so big. On the north parts lyes the province of Nourecalava, consisting of five lesser divisions or counties; the province also of Hotcourly (signifying seven counties): it contains seven counties. On the eastward is Mautaly, containing three counties. There are also lying on that side Tammanquoel, Bintana, Vellas, Paunoa, these are single counties. Ouvah also containing three counties. In this province are two and thirty of the king's captains dwelling with their soldiers. In the midland within those already mentioned lye Wallaponahoy (it signifies fifty holes or valves which describe the nature of it, being nothing but hills and valleys), Poncipot, (signifying five hundred soldiers). Goddaponahoy, (signifying fifty pieces of dry land). Hevoihattay, (signifying sixty soldiers). Cotemull Horsepot, (four hundred soldiers). Tunponahoy, (three fifties). Oudanour (it signifies the upper city), where I lived last and had land. Tattanour (the lower city), in which stands the royal and chief city Cande. These two counties I last named have the pre-eminence of all the rest in the land. They are most populous and fruitful. The inhabitants thereof are the chief and principal men: insomuch that it is a usual saying among them, that if they want a king, they may take any man, of either of these two counties, from the plow, and wash the dirt off him, and he by reason of his quality and descent is fit to be a king. And