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
To conclude, He has in this History given you a tast of his
Observations. In which most Readers, though of very differing Gusts,
may find somewhat very pleasant to their Pallat. The Statesman,
Divine, Physitian, Lawyet, Merchant, Mechanick, Husbandman, may select
something for their Entertainment. The Philosopher and Historian much
more. I believe at least all that love Truth will be pleas'd; for from
that little Conversation I had with him I conceive him to be no ways
prejudiced of byassed by Interest, affection, or hatred, fear or hopes,
or the vain-glory of telling Strange Things, so as to make him swarve
from the truth of Matter of Fact: And for his opportunity of being
informed, any one may satisfie himself when he understands his almost
20 years Abode and Converse among them. His Skill in the Language and
Customs of the People, his way of Employment in Travelling and Trading
over all Parts of the Kingdom; add to this his Breeding till 19 years
of Age under his Father a Captain for the East-India Company, and his
own Natural and acquired parts; but above all his good Reputation,
which may be judged from the Employment That Worshipful Company have
now freely bestowed upon him, having made him Commander of the Tarquin
Merchant, and intruded him to undertake a Voyage to Tarquin.
Read therefore the Book it self, and you will find your self taken
Captive indeed, but used more kindly by the Author, than he himself
was by the Natives.
After a general view of the Sea Coasts, he will lead you into the
Country by the Watches, through the Thorney Gates, then Conduct
you round upon the Mountains that Encompass and Fortifie the whole
Kingdom, and by the way carry you to the top of Hommalet or Adam's
Peak; from those he will descend with you, and shew you their chief
Cities and Towns, and pass through them into the Countrey, and there
acquaint you with their Husbandry, then entertain you with the Fruits,
Flowers, Herbs, Roots, Plants and Trees, and by the way shelter you
from Sun and Rain, with a Fan made of the Talipat-Leaf. Then shew you
their Beasts, Birds, Fish, Serpents, Insects; and last of all, their
Commodities. From hence he will carry you to Court, and shew you the
King in the several Estates of his Life; and acquaint you with his
way of Governing, Revenues, Treasures, Officers, Governors, Military
Strength, Wars: and by the way entertain you with an account of the
late Rebellion against him. After which he will bring you acquainted
with the Inhabitants themselves, whence you may know their different
Humours, Ranks and Qualities. Then you may visit their Temples such
as they are, and see the Foppery of their Priests Religious Opinions
and Practices both in their Worship and Festivals, and afterwards
go home to their Houses and be acquainted with their Conversation
and Entertainment, see their Housewifery, Furniture, Finery, and
understand how they Breed and Dispose of their Children in Marriage;
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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