Daily National Intelligencer

(Extracts from Brewster's Encyclopedia.)

INHABITANTS.--With regard to the population of this country, we do not possess any authentic accounts, but as it is so much in a state of nature, we may conclude that the inhabitants are not very numerous. Mr Cordiner estimates them at 500,000; and this calculation rests on no certain data. Besides the Dutch and British inhabitants, there are a numerous race known by the name of Portuguese, who are the spurious descendants of that people, by native women. We also find a vast number of Malays, who indeed are scattered over most of the islands in the Indian Ocean, and are a remarkably ferocious race, and very peculiar in their manners. These various classes have settled on the coast of Ceylon, for the purpose of conquest or of commerce; but by far the greatest proportion of the inhabitants consist of Ceylonese, which is the general name of the natives of the island. To distinguish them more particularly, those under the British government retain the original appellation, Cingalese; while the inhabitants of the interior, who are subject to the authority of the native prince, receive the name of Candians. The constant intercourse of the Cingalese with Europeans, and the aversion which the Candians have always expressed for their invaders, have introduced considerable shades of difference into the character and manners of these two branches of the same people. In most parts, however, they still continue to resemble each other, so that one description may, in general apply to both.

GENERAL CHARACTER.--The following character is drawn by Mr. Knox, who was a captain among them for nearly 20 years: "In short," says he, "in carriage and behaviour, they are very grave and stately; in understanding, quick and apprehensive; in danger, subtle and crafty; in discourse, courteous but full of flatteries; naturally inclined to temperance, both in meat and drink, but not to chastity; neat and provident in their families; commending good husbandry. In their dispositions not passionate, neither hard to be reconciled again when angry. In their promises, very unfaithful, approving lying in themselves, but disliking it in others; delighting in sloth, deferring labor till urgent necessity constrains them; neat in apparel, nice in eating, and not given to much sleep." The Ceylonese, in general, are of a middling stature, and fairer in complexion than the natives of India. According to Mr. Cordiner, the Cingalese are indolent, harmless and unwarlike, remarkable for equanimity, mildness, bashfulness and timidity; the Candians are a bold, active and hardy race. This diversity of character naturally arises from the difference of circumstances in which they have been placed.

RELIGION.--Of the religion of the Ceylonese we have very imperfect and contradictory accounts. They acknowledge the existence of one Supreme Being, the creator and governor of the world, but they have also a number of inferior deities and evil demons. Of the former, the most exalted is Buddha, whom some persons represent as originally a divine person, and others as the spirit of a good man crowned with divine honors. He is said to have appeared in the world in the form of a man, and after having performed a vast number of virtuous actions, and been transformed into a great variety of shapes he ascended again into heaven, where he acts as a mediator with the Supreme Being, and procures the pardon of his worshippers. The Ceylonese dedicate no temples to the Supreme Being, but those of Buddha are superior to those of all the other deities. They have no certain form, as they are generally built in the caves of rocks, and it depends on the particular nature of the cave, whether the statue of Buddha is standing or sitting with its legs across, or lying upon its right side. This figure is invariably yellow from the head to the feet, and a large garment of the same colour covers the whole body, except the right breast. On one side of the temple there is always a monument in the form of a cupola, placed on a moulded pedestal, which is said to contain a particle of the bones of Buddha.

Captain Percival mentions, that the ruins of the temples and pagodas, which he saw in the interior of the country, were all of hewn stone, and of much superior workmanship to those on the coast. Several of them were in a state of perfect preservation, and, on comparison with the modern structures, afford the strongest proof that the inhabitants of this country had formerly attained a much higher degree of improvement than at present appears among them. As the temples of Buddha are superior to those of the other deities, so the priests of that god are held in the highest estimation, and are endowed with a variety of peculiar privileges. They are chosen by the king from the body of nobles, and in consequence of their birth, they are generally men possessed of power and influence, independent of their sacred character. Though they are chosen by the sovereign, he retains no authority over them, but endeavors to cultivate their regard, by respecting their privileges, and loading them with favours. They choose their own superiors, and the chief priest is invested with the power of settling all religious disputes. They have also the chief management of public affairs, and are exempted from the payment of all taxes. The highest honors are paid them by the rest of the nation. All ranks bow down before them; when they sit, their seats are covered with a white cloth, and when they walk, the broad end of the talipot leaf is borne before them;--privileged