An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
Spare in his Diet. After what manner he eats. Chast himself,
and requires his Attendants to be so. He committed Incest,
but such as was allowable. His Pride. How the People address
to the King. They give him Divine Worship. Pleased with high
Titles. An instance or two of the King's haughty Stomach. He
slights the defection of one of his best Generals. He scorns to
receive his own Revenues. The Dutch serve their ends upon his
Pride by flattering him. The People give the way to the Kings
foul Cloths. His natural Abilities, and deceitful temper. His
wife saying concerning Run-awayes. He is naturally Cruel. The
Dogs follow Prisoners to Execution. The Kings Prisoners; their
Misery. He punisheth whole Generations for the sake of one. The
sad condition of young Gentlemen that wait on his Person. His
Pleasure-houses. Pastimes abroad. His Diversions at home. His
Religion. He stands affected to the Christian Religion.
CHAP. III.
Of the King's Tyrannical Reign.
His Government Tyrannical. His Policy. He farms out
his Countrey for Service. His Policy to secure himself
against Assassinations and Rebellions. Another Point of his
Policy. Another which is to find his People work to do. A
Vast work undertaken and finished by the King, viz. Bringing
Water divers Miles thro Rocks, Mountains and Valleys unto
his Palace. The turning this Water did great injury to the
People. But he little regards his Peoples Good. By craft at
once both pleaseth and punisheth his People. In what Labours he
employs his People, He Poisons his only Son. The extraordinary
Lamentation at the Death of his Sister. His Craft and Cruelty
shewn at once.
CHAP. IV.
Of his Revenues and Treasure.
The King's Rents brought three times in a year. The first is
accompanied with a great Festival. How the Nobles bring their
Gifts, or Duties. Inferior Persons present their New-years
Gifts. What Taxes and Rents the People pay. The accidental
incoms of the Crown. The Profits that accrue to the King
from Corn-Lands. Custom of Goods Imported formerly paid. His
Treasuries. He has many Elephants. Great Treasures thrown
into the River formerly. The Treasure he most valueth.
CHAP. V.
Of the King's great Officers, and the Governors of the Provinces.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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