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
[Appeals to the King.] Some have adventured to Appeal to the King
sometimes; falling down on the ground before him at his coming
forth, which is the manner of their obeisance to him, to complain of
Injustice. Sometimes he will give order to the great ones to do them
right, and sometimes bid them wait, until he is pleased to hear the
Cause, which is not suddenly: for he is very slow in all his Business:
neither dare they then depart from the Court, having been bidden to
stay. Where they stay till they are weary, being at Expence, so that
the Remedy is worse than the Disease. And sometimes again when they
thus fall before him, he commands to beat them and put them in Chains
for troubling of him; and perhaps in that Condition they may lay for
some years.
[How these great Officers Travel upon publick Business.] The King's
great Officers when they go abroad into the Countries about the
King's Business, they go attended with a number of Soldiers armed
both before and behind them; their Sword if not by their side, a Boy
carrieth after them, neither do they carry their Swords for their
safety or security. For in travelling here is little or no danger
at all. But it is out of State, and to shew their greatness. The
Custom is that all their journey Victuals be prepared for them ready
dressed; and if their Business requires hast, then it is brought on a
Pole on a Man's shoulder, the Pots that hold it hanging on each end,
so that nothing can be spilt out into the road; and this is got ready
against the great Man's coming. So that they are at no charge for Diet:
It is brought in at the charge of the Countrey. But however this is
not for all his Soldiers that attend him (they must bring their own
Provisions with them) but only for himself, and some of his Captains.
[Their Titles and Signs of State.] The greatest Title that is
allowed in the City to be given to the greatest Man is Oussary, which
signifieth Worshipful. But when they are abroad from the King, men call
them Sihattu and Dishondrew, implying, Honour and Excellency. These
Grandees whensoever they walk abroad, their manner is in State to
lean upon the arm of some Man or Boy. And the Adigar besides this
piece of State, wheresoever he goes, there is one with a great Whip
like a Coach-whip goes before him slashing it, that all People may
have notice that the Adigar is coming.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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