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

by Robert Knox

I shall only make one Observation from these words, and that is concerning the four first. It is this, that they have no words of their own Language for God and Heaven, but in all probability borrowed them from the Portugueze. But for the two next, The Devil and Hell, words of their own. They number thus,

Their Numbering.

Eckhoi	I.
Deckhoi	II.
Tunhoi	III.
Hotterhoi	IV.
Pauhhoi	V.
Hoyhoi	VI.
Hothoi	VII.
Ot hoi	VIII.
Novihoi	IX.
Dauhoihoi	X.
Eckolauhoi	XI.
Dolahoi	XII.
Dauhottunhoi	XIII.
Dauhotterhoi	XIV.
Paulohoi	XV.
Dauhossahoi	XVI.
Dauhahottoi	XVII.
Dauha ot hoi	XVIII.
Dauhanovihoi	XIX.
Vishoi	XX.
Tihoi	XXX.
Hottalehoi	XL.
Ponnahoi	L.

CHAP. X.

Concerning their Learning, Astronomy, and Art Magick.

Of their Learning.Their Learning is but small. All they ordinarily learn is to read and to write. But it is no shame to a man if he can do neither. Nor have they any Schools wherein they might be taught and instructed in these or any other Arts.

Their Books, and Arts.Their Books are only of their Religion and of Physick. Their chief Arts are Astronomy and Magick. They have a Language something differing from the vulgar tongue (like Latin to us) which their Books are writ in. How they learn to write.They learn to write upon Sand, spreading it upon the ground, and making it smooth with the hand, and so write the letters with their fingers to bring their hand in use.

They write not on Paper, for of that they have little or none; but on a Talli-pot leaf with an Iron Bodkin, which makes an impression. This leaf thus written on, is not folded, but rolled up like Ribbond, and somewhat resembles Parchment.

How they make and write a Book.If they are to write a Book, they do it after this manner. They take the Tallipot leaf, and cut it into divers pieces of an equal shape and size, some a foot, some eight inches, some a foot and an half long, and about three fingers broad. Then having thus prepared the leaves, they write in them long ways from the left hand to the right, as we do. When the Book is finished they take two pieces of board, which are Page 110to serve for the cover of the Book. To these boards are fastened two strings, which do pass thro every leaf of the Book, and these tye it up fast together. As the Reader hath read each leaf, he lifts it up, and lays it by still hanging upon the strings, and so goes to the next leaf, something resembling Bills filed upon Wyre.