visit in the evening to DOULUT RAO SENDH,EEA, return without delay to Bombay." The DEO continued some minutes in a state of apparent cogitation, sometimes fixing his eyes, but without speculation," on us or other objects. He presently whispered one of the Bramins, and we were desired to ask any question or questions we pleased, as that, probably, futurity would be opened to us. We were not altogether prepared for this; however, we immediately desired to know the result of the present war between England and France, and when it would be terminated. It was communicated in a whisper, and in like manner directly answered by the DEO; when the Bramin declared aloud that the existing war would assuredly terminate triumphantly and advantageously to the English within six moons. We were, for fear of trespassing, rather sparing of our questions.

THE Bruhmucharee had expressed some surprise and displeasure at the accounts we had previously given of this hereditary living Deity, and did not at this visit deport himself with such gravity and decorum as it is common for Bramins to assume. He would not profess any faith in the power ascribed to the DEO, of working miracles. He required, he said, ocular demonstration of the existence of that power; nor would he credit the prophetic spirit, until manifested by the fulfilment of the prediction. This, particularly the first want of faith, afforded great room to gall him in argument, as he did not perhaps foresee the extent of the objection; for he acknowledged he had never seen a miracle performed, although he would not disavow his belief in many. Following the bent of his inquisitive disposition, he asked the names of several persons near him, who happening to be of the reigning family, assumed the patronymic final of DEO, on which he was inclined to be jocose; and we were, indeed, obliged to re

4

press his propensity to turning what he saw into ridicule.

AFTER sitting about twenty minutes, we asked permission to depart, and while the customary gifts on taking leave were bringing, we were desired from the Deo to require something of him. The return to this generosity was easy enough, and we accordingly implored the favour of his holiness on our country, and his prayers for its prosperity in general, and our own in particular, which were vouchsafed, and in such a mode of expression as to leave an obvious opening to infer that such favour and prayers had not been without their previous effect in raising England and Englishmen to such a pitch of aggrandizement and general happiness. We had, therefore, only to beseech a continuance of his regard.

Ar going away the Deo gave each of us, including the Bruhmucharee, some rice and spices. We made our reverences and departed.

THE DEO did not appear to us to merit the appellation of Deervana. His countenance is expressive and not disagreeable, his eyes keen, complexion rather fair: he seemed about fifty-five, but is, they say, five years older, and is apparently, (but he did not rise,) of middle stature.

We saw also his son BAWA DEO, sitting at some distance, in the apartment with the DEO, among some Bramins. He is a fat, dark, but not very ill although rather stupid looking youth, about fiveand-twenty. He took no notice of our salaam, farther than vacantly staring at us; of the two, the son looked by far the most like a Deewana in its usual signification.

I HAD nearly forgotten to mention that during the visit the Bruhmucharee was invited to see the symbol of the divinity, the sacred stone, to whose presence it was not judged advisable to admit us, although

although we had been previously led to expect it; we did not, therefore, urge it, but the Bruhmucharee demurred at going, unless we also were indulged with a sight. He was, however, prevailed on to go without us; and he reported this typificacation to be an ordinary sort of a stone of three or four seers, coloured red, oiled, &c.

WITHIN the enclosure or fortification, as it may be called, in which the DEO lives, we were shewn a large room, with another over it, in which the DEO feeds Bramins. The two, they said, would accommodate two thousand persons. The one we saw was very large, and either, they said, built by HURRY PUNT, or that he had entertained a party there.

WE here put on our shoes, which we had of course quitted at the entrance of the holy ground, and departed.

Letter to the Secretary from His Excellency the Honourable FREDERIC NORTH, Governor of CEYLON; introductory to the following Essay.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Esq.

Secretary to the Society for Asiatic Researches, &c. &c. &c.

SIR,

CALCUTTA.

I HAVE the honour of transmitting to you, to be laid before the Committee of Papers, an Essay on the Religion and Customs of the Cingalese, drawn up by Mr. JOINVILLE, surveyor general to this government.

It is necessary to mention, that this Essay was concluded before the arrival on this island of the embassy of Colonel SYMES, and of the account of the Religion and Customs of the Inhabitants of Burmah by Doctor BUCHANAN, contained in the sixth volume of the Researches of the Society.

XV.

On the RELIGION and MANNERS of the People of CEYLON.

BY MR. JOINVILLE.

ANTIQUITY OF THE RELIGION OF BOUDHOU.

It is generally known that the religion of BOUDHOU is the religion of the people of Ceylon, but no one is acquainted with its forms and precepts. I shall here relate what I have heard upon the subject, and I have the satisfaction to think, that though my information may not be altogether complete, yet it will serve as a clue for future and deeper researches. The first person who treats on such a subject, labours under disadvantages, which succeeding authors know how to turn to their own account, by finishing what a former hand had sketched, claiming the merit of the whole work. Regardless, however, of this consideration, I have the consolation to think I shall be useful to him who may next treat of the present subject.

IF BOUDHOU be not an allegorical being, he is a man of genius, who has made laws and established a religion over a large tract of Asia. It is hard to say whether HE, ZOROASTER, OF BRAHMA were the most ancient. In fact, it would be necessary towards the decision of this question, first, to establish that these three legislators had really existed, or rather if these names are not merely attributes. ZOROASTER is the only one represented as a man, BRAHMA being always drawn as a part of and uniting the three supreme powers of Creator, preserver and destroyer, in his own person. BOUDHOU is superior

to