The history of Ceylon, from the earliest period to the year MDCCCXV. With characteristic details of the religion, laws, & manners of the people and a collection of their moral maxims & ancient proverbs / By Philalethes, A.M. Oxon [pseud., i.e. R. Fellowes] To which is subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical relation of the island, with an account of his captivity during a period of near twenty years.

  • Fellowes, Robert, 1771-1847.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of Ceylon, from the earliest period to the year MDCCCXV. With characteristic details of the religion, laws, & manners of the people and a collection of their moral maxims & ancient proverbs / By Philalethes, A.M. Oxon [pseud., i.e. R. Fellowes] To which is subjoined, Robert Knox's Historical relation of the island, with an account of his captivity during a period of near twenty years. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    23/800
    in a violent storm by the flat head of a huge serpent. The devils tempt Boodh in the form of women. He enters a tower of rubies ; sees a host of angels; teaches his doctrine at Se.wet- nure; retires to another town, where he dies in a fruit garden. Ilis disciples comforted for his loss. Inconsistency in the accounts of Boodh. Saints or deities subordinate to Boodh; modes of worship * 198 CHAP. XXXI. Another account of the birth of Boodh, with a variety of mythological details 199 CHAP. XXXII. Adam’s Peak; traditions respecting a pagoda on the top. Mode of ascending the Peak; stone upon the top with the footstep of Adam, or Boodh. Adam’s footstep an object of devotion amongst the Siamese ; a representation of it in gold. Valentyn’s minute description of the fi- gures on Adam’s Peak. Ancient denomination by the Singalese. Purification of the pilgrims before they ascend the Peak ; curious mode of ascertaining whether they are sufficiently purified to pay their homage to the footstep. The numbers who resort to this place. The tank of fe- cundity. The footstep attracts Moorish devotees. Tradition of the Moors respecting Prince Sogomom Barcaon 210 CHAP. XXXIII. Another Singalese tradition respecting Adam’s Peak. History of a prince fated from his birth to prefer the life of a devotee to that of a king 214 CH AP. XXXIV. Idolatry and superstition. Conviction of a First Cause. Subordinate deities of the Singalese; their pagodas; their different orders of priests. High rank and privileges of the tirinanxes. Celibacy of the priests; on what terms permitted to marry. Visit of a priest to a scrupulous devotee. The priests called coppuhs, the jaddeses. Worship of devils. Anxiety of the sick to propitiate the tormenting fiend. Supposed inspiration of the priests. Days of worship. Festivals 217 CHAP. XXXV. Introduction of Christianity into Ceylon. Mission of Xavier; commencement of his labours; his discussion with the Brahmins. Wonderful effects of baptism on a woman at Tutocoryn, with other wonders. What kind of conversions he effected. Xavier’s numerous baptisms at Travancore ; he sends some priests to Manaar; their labours obstructed by the King of Jaffna- patain. This king’s eldest brother escapes to Goa, and is baptized. Xavier repairs to Manaar with a fleet. The King of Jaffiiapatam subjugated; revolts; persecutes the Christians; at- tacks Manaar; is entirely vanquished by the Portuguese, who multiplied their converts as they extended their dominion, till the Dutch attempted to substitute the reformed faith for that of the church of Rome 224 CHAP. XXXVI. A regulation of the Dutch for the diffusion of their language in Ceylon. Reflections upon* • • 220 CHAP. XXXVII. Physical and intellectual characteristics of the Singalese; their moral qualities; superstition; resemblance to the Portuguese. Laxity of sentiment with respect to female chastity. Dif- ferent characteristics of the people in the hill-country and on the waste. Strong prohibitions upon marriages with persons of inferior cast. Marriage, divorce, polygamy; their household furniture. Principal articles of subsistence; their meats. Drudgery of the women. Belief in sorcery. Healthy and long lived 231 CHAP. XXXV111. Different potentates in Ceylon; supreme authority of the emperor since the time of Don John. The emperor’s guard ; his revenues, when paid, and in what they consisted. Great officers of slate ; inferior servants. The perils of pre-eminence at the court of Candy; reflections onv 23(1 c