The variety of characters, and the display of curious manners, which are seen at this fishery, furnish one of the most interesting scenes which Ceylon presents. Par tics of strolling jugglers, tumblers, dancers, mendicants, mechanics of every description, retailers in every branch of commerce, even from the remotest parts of India, re sort to Condatchy, during the season of the pearl fishery, in the hope of acquiring some share of the transient stream of wealth which flows periodically through its barren plains. See Asiatic Researches, vol. v. 393-411. Cordiner, vol. ii. Percival.
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 arc not very numerous. Mr Cordincr estimates them at 1,500,000 ; but this calculation rests on no certain data. Besides the Dutch and British inhabitants, there is a nu merous race, known by the name of Portuguese, who arc the spurious descendants of that people by native wo men. We also find a vast number of Malays, who, in deed, are scattered over most of the islands in the Indian Ocean, and are a remarkably ferocious race, and very pe culiar in their manners. These various classes have set tled on the coasts of Ceylon, for the purposes of conquest or of commerce ; but by far the greater 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 dominion of the British government retain the original appellation, Cingalese ; while the inhabitants of the interior, who arc subject to the authority of the native prince, receive the name of Candians. The constant intercourse of the Cingalesc with Europeans, and the aversion which the Candians have always expressed for their invaders, have introduc ed 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.
The following character is drawn of them by Mr Knox, who was a Captain among them for nearly twen ty years: " In short," says he, " in carriage and beha viour, they are very grave and stately; in understanding, quick and apprehensive ; in danger, subtile and crafty ; in discourse, courteous, but full of flatteries ; naturally inclined to temperance, both in meat and drink, but not to chastity ; near and provident in their families ; com mending good husbandry. In their dispositions not pas
sionate, neither hard to be reconciled again when angry. In their promises very unfaithful, approving lying in themselves, but misliking it in others ; delighting in sloth, deferring labour till urgent necessity constrains them ; neat in apparel, nice in eating, and not given to much sleep." The Ceylonese, in general, are of a mid dling stature, and fairer in complexion than the natives of India. According to Mr Cordiner, the Cingalese are indolent, harmless, and unwarlike, remarkable for equa nimity, mildness, bashfulness, and timidity : the Candians are a bold, active, and hardy race. This diversity of cha racter naturally arises from the difference of circum stances in which they have been placed.
The Ceylonese, like the Hindoos, are divided into a number of casts. Captain Percival mentions only four ; but Mr Cordiner enumerates nineteen, according to the several occupations of the people. The highest compri ses the nobles, and next to them are the superior classes of artificers, as painters, goldsmiths, smiths, and carpen ters. All the different casts, according to the Indian custom, are careful not to intermingle together. The son pursues the profession of his father from generation to generation, nor is one cast allowed to interfere with another. The principal external distinctions of the higher and lower casts consist in wearing doublets, or going barebacked without them ; the length of the cloth below their knees ; their sitting on stools, or on mats spread upon the ground, and in the caps which they wear. But besides the regular casts there is a wretched class of mortals, the martyrs from age to age of this unnatural and barbarous institution. Those who by any crime or act of negligence forfeit their cast, are not only condemn ed to infamy themselves, but their descendants are in volved in the awful consequences of their guilt. They are not allowed to exercise any trade or profession, hut are obliged to beg for daily sustenance ; and thus, age after age, become a dead weight upon society. At the same time, they have to pay the lowest of the other na tives as much respect and reverence as the latter slim to the king.