and quality of which correspond to the circumstances of the wearer. The more indigent are very sparingly covered. They were no earrings; their cars are not pierced; they have no covering on their heads; and their hair is tied up with a course string. The pieces of cloth worn by the women of the lower order are longer than those of the men, reaching generally below the knee and the greater part of them have the addition of little white shifts, like short jackets, just long enough to cover their breasts. Others throw a piece of coarse cloth loosely over their shoulders to answer the same purpose. But several of the lower casts are not permitted the use of any of these privileges; and are obliged to appear in public, and perform their ordinary labour with their bosoms completely exposed. Cruel and indelicate as this custom appears, no individual can transgress it with impunity. In points of this nature the Ceylonese are wonderfully tenacious of their ancient rights. Only certain casts are allowed to wear coats, to carry parasols, or to have servants attending them with umbrellas: and if any person should assume one of these marks of distinction, to which he is not entitled by his birth or office, a mob would immediately surround him, and carry him as a criminal before the nearest magistrate. The middling classes of the men wear sleeved waistcoats or jackets of white muslin; the women short shifts; and both sexes the lower vestment of printed cotton, reaching nearly down to the ankles. The dress of the higher orders is richer and more gaudy, but not more becoming. The piece of cloth round the waist is worn in the same manner as it is by the other ranks. But the great men, when they appear in public, have the addition of shirts with ruffles at the wrists, white waistcoats buttoned close up to the neck, and long coats without collars, cut after the old fashion of the Portuguese full dress, extremely wide, and containing a great quantity of cloth. They are made either of English broad cloth, velvet, silk, or satin of the most gaudy colour that can be procured, commonly scarlet, or dark blue. A row of large buttons extends completely from top to bottom, made of gold or silver, of tawdry shapes, sometimes solid, and sometimes set with precious stones. In common with all the other natives of India, their legs are bare, stockings never being used; but they wear a kind of slippers made of red leather ornamented with gold leaf, having the heel folded down, and the sharp pointed toe turned up. On entering a house, they leave them, as an English woman does her pattens, at the door. They have small shallow-crowned hats made of black silk or velvet; but they generally leave them, as useless appendages, at home. Occasionally, however, they are carried behind them by their servants, or by themselves, under the arm, |