those used in the greater part of Hindostan. Each sound has a distinct letter; and, which must be considered an excellence, the pronunciation and orthography always agree.

"The language of the Singhalese seems to have undergone no material alteration since their settlement in Ceylon. No tradition of any event, likely to have produced a considerable change in their speech, appears to exist among the people; and, it may be observed, that the names of their places have generally a reference to their local situation; and though given, it is probable, upwards of a thousand years ago, they are mostly compounded of words in use at this day. The Singhalese people seldom invent a name for any article newly introduced among them, but readily adopt the one used by those who introduce the thing. Many words have in this way been adopted since the settlement of Europeans in this country. Some are much changed, but others, being analogous in structure to Singhalese words, retain for the most part, their primary sound.

"Few words in this language are either abruptly short, or immoderately long. To contribute elegance to writing and discourse, they may be generally changed for others of the same import. They seldom depart from their primary meaning; nor can many terms of the same sound be produced which express opposite or different ideas. Little difference seems to prevail between the speech of different districts, or that of the higher and lower orders. The consequence, we may suppose, of the pitch of etiquette, which for ages has been maintained, rendering attention to address a matter of high consequence to all. The people, however, who are resident in the neighbourhood of Europeans, use more European words than the inhabitants of remote provinces. In other respects, the variation is by no means equal to the difference of dialect in different parts of Great Britain."

The following is the sound of the Lord's Prayer in Singhalese; with a literal English translation underneath.*

In this specimen of Singhalese pronunciation, a sounds as in hat; ā, the same sound much lengthened; e, as in men ; é, as ay in hay ; i, as ee in sweet; .0, as in off, &c. The other letters express the Singhalese words by their purely English sounds. The syllables are

Swārr-ga-ye-hi wed-a-si-tin-a ap-pa-gē pi-yăn-an-wa-hān-sē;

In heaven

art

our

Father; o-ba-wa-hān-sē-gē nā-ma-ya sood-a-we-wa: o-ba-wa-hān-sẽ-gē

your

name

holy be;

your

in heaven

rā-jay-a ē-wa; o-ba-wa-hān-sē-gē kem-met-ta swārr-ga-gē-hi

kingdom come:

your

will

bhoo-mi-ye-hi-da ka-roon-oo leb-e-wa: аррі

men

as

in earth

da-was-pa-ta

daily

bread

wa-da-la-men-a-wa:

grant:

to-day

our

di

ks-a-mā-wen-nāk-men ap-pī na-yat ap-pa-ta ks-a-m-āwi

pardon us forgive wa-dā-la-men-a-wa: ap-pa pa-ri-ksā-wi-ma-ta no-pa-moon

debts

na-poo-ren ap-pa ga-la-wa wa-da-la-men-a-wa:

grant:

oo-wa:

lead:

mak-ni-sā-da

grant: pa-rā-kra-ma-yat, the power also, ma-hi-ma-tā-wat, sad-hā-kā-li-ma o-ba-wa-hān-sē-gē-ma-ya.

for

rā-ja-yat,

the kingdom also,

the glory also,

for ever,

yours is.

āmen.

Amen.

The Singhalese language was not much cultivated by Europeans, until some years after the island had been in the possession of the English. Under the auspices of the Dutch Government, an edition of the New Testament, and the five books of Moses were indeed printed in Singhalese. But the translation was made by some ministers who were natives of the island, and had been suitably educated in Holland. With all these advantages, however, their version is pronounced to be very faulty. The Hon. John D'Oyly, now Resident of the Kandyan provinces, was, I believe, the first Englishman who devoted himself to the study of Singhalese with success. He was followed by divided for the sake of listinctness, and for the assistance of the English reader; but the several parts of the words should, in pronunciation, be united as quickly as may be consistent with the distinct expression of each.

the late W. Tolfrey, Esq. the indefatigable and lamented translator of the present authorised version of the Singhalese New Testament. The Rev. Andrew Armour has for many years preached to the natives in their own tongue. The Rev. John Chater, a Baptist Missionary, in the year 1816, published a Grammar of the language under the patronage of Governor Brownrigg; and it is now generally spoken by the superior civil and military servants of Government.

The Rev. B. Clough, has assiduously devoted himself to the critical study of the Singhalese language; and in concert with Messrs. Armour and Chater, and C. Layard, Esq. completed Mr. Tolfrey's translation of the Testament, upon the lamented death of that gentleman. The same worthy coadjutors; who have recently been joined by the Rev. Wm. B. Fox, another of our Missionaries; have made considerable progress in the translation of the Old Testament. Mr. Clough has also superintended the translation into Singhalese of several very useful works; and is at present employed in preparing for the press a large Singhalese and English Dictionary, which will be a work of great public utility. The Government has given considerable encouragement to Mr. Clough's design. A manuscript work of a similar description, which had been purchased by the Government of Mr. Tolfrey, has been generously given to aid him in his undertaking; and, in addition to the grant of paper for the work, one hundred copies of his Dictionary have been engaged for the servants of Government. Most of the Wesleyan Missionaries either read sermons, or preach extempore, in the Singhalese language, to the several native congregations under their care. Messrs. Fox and Callaway have also published useful works to facilitate the studies of others.*

Among the Singhalese, many (principally of the priesthood) have devoted their lives to literary pursuits, and have enriched their country with the result of their investigations. But their historical works are either entirely fabulous, or at

* The Rev. T. H. Squance, who has unhappily been under the necessity of returning to England from ill health, composed an excellent Tamul Grammar, and superintended the translation of various publica tions into that important language.

best exaggerated narratives, intermingled with fable. Their poetry is admired; and several of their old authors have written with great ability on the natural history of the island. Medical and mathematical books are numerous; as are also works on astrology, a science which is held in high repute by all eastern nations, and by none more highly prized than by the Singhalese. Their notions of geography, and of the heavenly bodies, are ludicrous; but on their own principles they have written very largely. Ceylon has also produced its native grammarians and lexicographers. The Pali and the Sanscrit are the learned languages, in which most of their standard works are written.*

Until the last few years, the ability of reading their own language was possessed but by a very inconsiderable part of the Singhalese; and those who had acquired the art, had received their education at the heathen temples, and in the use of superstitious books. By the extension of the blessings of education through the native schools, which are now in such pleasing operation, hundreds are annually added to the number of native readers. While by the Colombo Bible Society, the whole population of Ceylon are in the progress of being furnished with the means of reading in their own tongue the word of the living and true God.

It gives me pleasure to add that Mr. Clough has completed the first European Grammar of the Pali Language. See the Asiatic Journal, Vol. xiv. p. 584

SECT. III.

CEYLONESE SUPERSTITIONS AND IDOLATROUS

CERE

MONIES.-PRESENT STATE OF CHRISTIANITY IN

CEYLON.

THE superstitions of the Ceylonese might well employ a larger space in their description, than can be afforded them in this work. But I have the satisfaction of knowing that the subject has already fallen into abler hands, which will supercede the necessity of my proceeding in it, to any considerable length.* The Pagan inhabitants of the Tamul parts of the island are, as has been intimated, in general, disciples of Hindooism: a superstition with which the Christian world has, of late years, been made more acquainted than formerly; but of which, notwithstanding, a brief account will hereafter be given. The two principal religious systems which prevail among the Singhalese Natives, are, KAPPOOISM, or, the worship of Demons; and that which inculcates the superstition of BUDHU. The remarks on these two sections of heathenism will tend to bring into view another district of that empire of darkness, which in the wisdom and mercy of God is now beginning to yield, more rapidly than ever, to the cheering and vivifying beams of THE TRUE LIGHT.

In our review of the Singhalese system of

KAPPOOISM,

we cannot but be reminded of the solemn averment of the great apostle to the Gentiles:-But I say that the things

* Mr. Clough has been engaged for some time incollecting from the most authentic sources with a view to publication, information respect ing the origin and character of the Singhalese superstitions.