Ceylon

Christianity was first introduced into Ceylon by the celebrated Francis Xavier, in the year 1452; and the Portuguese, so long as they exercised their sway over the maritime parts of the island,. continued to prosecute the work of conversion-by means of their priests. When the Dutch became masters of the coast, they endeavoured to substitute the reformed faith for that of the Church of Rome. In the year 1801, the number of native inhabitants, who pro fessed the Protestant faith, was calculated to exceed while those of the Romish communion were reckoned to be still more numerous. In 1805, some missionaries were sent from England, for the purpose of instructing the Ceylonese in the On' ciples of Christianity ; and it is thought that the pro pagation of this doctrine would experience much fewer obstacles in this island than in Hindostan. In Ceylon, the rites of the ancient religion are said to be almost totally forgotten ; and the inhabitants, more ignorant than bigotted, and more simple than prejudiced, would the more readily admit any re ligious impressions, which a devout teacher might make upon their minds.

A most

excellent institution of the Dutch, inc which redounds highly to their honour and libera lity, consisted in the establishment of schools, for the instruction of the natives in the elements of use ful knowledge, and in the principles of Christianity. These schools, of which one is erected in every pa rish, appear to have been placed under very judi cious regulations. They continued to flourish under the Dutch ; but when the English obtained posses sion of the island in 1796, the salaries of the masters had been left unpaid for about three years, and the schools, consequently, fell into decay. The Hon. 'Mr North, who became Governor of the island towards the end of the year 1798, spared no pains to re-establish them ; and, under his auspices, they were increased in number, improved in ma nagement, and augmented in usefulness. BUt the liberal views and salutary arrangements of this en lightened gentleman were unfortunately counteract ed, in a great measure, by the ill-judged parsimony of the British Government, who, in the year 180$, limited the annual allowance for the schools to the sum of L. 1500, although the whole saving was paltry, when weighed against the many and import ant advantages resulting from these beneficial esta blishments.

The agriculture and manufactures of Ceylon are at present by no means in a flourishing state. This is chiefly owing to a want of capital ; yet the ob stacles which now exist might be removed, in a great measure, by proper encouragement, and a judicious direction of the 'industry of the inhabi tants. The soil is rich and fertile, but great part of it is left waste ; insomuch that the land does not at present produce the first necessaries of life in suffi cient quantity to supply the wants of the population. Cotten has been ascertained to grow with the great. est facility, and to produce abundantly. The Nan kin, Bourbon, and Brazil cottons have all been found to succeed ; yet there has been hardly any cotton reared hitherto ; and even the commonest cloths, for the use of the natives, are imported from the continent of India.

The principal productions of Ceylon are, 1. The

cinnamon, for which it has long been famous, and ' which has attracted the particular attention Of the different European governments that have succes sively taken possession of the island. The cinnamon tree is indigenous to Ceylon, where it grows wild to a considerable size. The bark of the tree consists of two coats, or layers, of which the interior consti tutes the true cinnamon. This bark, after being peeled off, is laid in the sun to dry, when it curls up into rolls, as we commonly see it. The finest cinnamon is that which is obtained from the younger and smaller trees ; a coarser sort is derived from the trees of larger dimensions and greater age., cinnamon is collected by a particular caste, alled Challias, who, on this account, enjoy peculiar pri vileges. When the bundles or sacks of cinnamon are stowed on board the ships, black pepper is strewed over each layer, so as to fill up the inter stices ; and both commodities are said to be impro. ved by this method of stowing. Formerly, the crop of cinnamon was collected in the forests and jungles, 'tbe greater part of the trees being within the terri teries of the king of Candy; but during the latter period of the Dutch government, attempts were made, and ultimately with complete success, to cul tivate cinnamon in plantations ; and to their exer tions we are indebted for the present flourishing state of this article of commerce. According to a calculation made by the Dutch, the annual consume. tion of cinnamon was estimated at 400,000 lbs.—say 5000 bales, of 80 lbs. each. When the island was transferred from the English East India Company to an immediate administration under the Crown (January 1802), the government entered into a contract with the Company, by which the lat ter acquired the exclusive privilege of exporting that article from the colony. It was agreed that the Ceylon government should deliver annually 400,000 lbs. of cinnamon, making 4.824i bales, each bale consisting of, within a small fraction, 92i lbs.; for which the Company granted a credit of L.60,000, making the price of the cinnamon Ss. per lb. The Company farther became bound to give credit to the colony for the amount of all clear pro fits which it should make on that commodity, be yond five per cent. No cinnamon, therefore, can be sold or exported from Ceylon but by the Com pany, with the exception of what is rejected by their agent there. In the year 1806, the Company pro posed that 450,000 lbs. should be delivered annual ly, at 2s. 6d. per lb. instead of 400,000, at 38.; which the government agreed t9 ; and this agree ment remained in force until 1810, when the parties reverted to the former contract. In 1814, the. Com. pany agreed to allow to the Ceylon government a sum of L.200,000 Sterling for surplus profits on their sales of cinnamon ; and to give, in future, L.101,000. Sterling annually, instead of L.60,000, for a supply of 400,000 lbs. of that commodity. This contract is understood to have been entered into for seven years. But, in adjusting the accounts, it will appear that a large deduction must be incur. red by the colony, in consequence of having very seldom delivered the stipulated quantity.